Regular School Board Meeting - June 23, 2026

The School City of East Chicago held a regular school board meeting on June 23, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related matters were discussed. Key procurement items included approval of contracts for summer school tutoring, professional development services, and food service providers such as Gordon Food Service, Prairie Farms, Alpha Baking, and Piazza's fresh frozen bakery items. The board also addressed the approval of the administrative salary schedule for 2024-2025, which generated significant discussion and was ultimately tabled for further review due to concerns about retroactive pay and fiscal responsibility amid budget shortfalls. Additionally, the board approved the federal mileage reimbursement rate and discussed the approval of textbook adoption, although concerns were raised about the lack of cost details. Other procurement-related topics included approval of a shredding contract after receiving multiple bids and a memorandum of understanding with the Colts, which was tabled for further discussion. The meeting also covered policy updates related to technology use and student handbooks, including compliance with Senate Bill 78 regarding wireless device restrictions. Public comments highlighted concerns about staffing shortages and budget priorities, particularly regarding frontline staff compensation versus administrative raises. The board scheduled a finance meeting to further address salary and budget issues.