Crown Point Community School Corporation Board Meeting Summary

April 27, 2026 – 6:00pm

 

1. Opening Items
2. Commendation Awards

CPHS Latin Club

Crown Point High School Latin Club for winning 2nd place in the Helen Wampler Spirit Contest, 2nd place in the Dennis M. Bartlow Publicity Contest, 3rd place in the Local Publications Contest, 3rd place in the overall sweepstakes competition, and 3rd place in the Intermediate Certamen competition. Students: Zofia Barick, Gabriel Blake, Jillian Boren, Jacob Boron, Lola Coil, Shaun Ipema, Annie Jacobi, Addison Kerkes, Asher McAlvey, Kenneth Ouyang, Lincoln Vickers, Luke Waldschmidt, Jack Watson, Joe Williams, Jeremy Yancey; Club Sponsor: Jeremy Walker; Certamen Coach: Ryan Collier

CPHS Inklings Newspaper

Crown Point High School Inklings Newspaper for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star Award, the state's highest recognition, and 1st - 3rd Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association state competition. Students: Annabella Angarone, Julia Brutto, Abbigail Conway, Danica Dommer, Mason Erbini, Iris Estrada, Alexandra Landgrave, Avery Moore, Devion Outten, Anna Sorci, Payton Spargo, Jori Terpstra, Ma'Rae Wallace; Sponsor: Jennifer Bianchi

CPHS Excalibur Yearbook

Crown Point High School Excalibur Yearbook for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star Award, the state's highest recognition, and 1st - 3rd place Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association state competition. Students: Chloe Adams, Connor Adams, Elyse Anderson, Brooklyn Blomquist, Danni-Bukovic,• Abbigail Cheranko, Madison Duffy, Aubria Harris, Caitlyn Hay, Elayna Hayden, Lyla Mendez, Lauren Moore, Aydin Nowak, Bryce Reed, Savanna Reiner, Kennedy Shaw, Jaime Sustaita, Stefania Tillich, Alyssa Torres, Isabella Valenzuela, Abigail Vester, Camdyn Weems, Rico Ardister, Julia Basil, Brian Clark, Abbigail Conway, Marisa Durke, Carsyn Gaines, Brooklyn Gargano, Ava Garrett, Adyson Graegin, Emma Grant, Alexus Johnson, Morayooluwa Kareem, Duaa Khan, Natalie Martin, Amber Mecherle, Aiden Garcia, Natalie Rajcinoski, Sophie Snyder, Samantha Uren, Blair Wise, Landon Woerheide, Miles Warren, Kristina Petkovski, Harper Langfield; Sponsor Lisa Keene 

CPHS CPTV and Radio Broadcasting

Crown Point High School CPTV and Radio Broadcasting for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star Award, the state's highest recognition, from the Indiana High School Press Association at the state competition. Students: Annabella Angarone, Rico Ardister, Luke Bazin, Brandon Boling, Vanessa Cervantes, Gavin Chambers, Owen Evener, Aiden Hetler-Rogers, Aiden Hielema, Liam Knight, Taizer Koe!mel, Megan Kortum, Niko McSurley, Josie Mikrut, Jayla Miller, Ariana Pantoja, Mikey Pascarella,Cameron Qualls, Rana Stevens, Jaime Sustaita, Robert Swiedals, Tyler Theriault, Gabe Trevino, Braydon Zamojski; Sponsors: Brent Barber, Chris Gloff

CPHS Crown Town Media

Crown Point High School CPHS Crown Town Media for receiving the 2024-2025 Hoosier Star Award, the state's highest recognition, and 2nd Place Rowena Harvey Awards at the Indiana High School Press Association at the state competition. Students: Annabella Angarone, Rico Ardister, Luke Bazin, Brandon Boling, Vanessa Cervantes, Gavin Chambers, Owen Evener, Aiden Hetler-Rogers, Aiden Hielema, Liam Knight, Taizer Koelmel, Megan Kortum, Niko McSurley, Josie Mikrut, Jayla Miller, Ariana Pantoja, Mikey Pascarella, Cameron Qualls, Rana Stevens, Jaime Sustaita, Robert Swiedals, Tyler Theriault, Gabe Trevino, Braydon Zamojski, Chloe Adams, Connor Adams, Elyse Anderson, Brooklyn Blomquist, Dannii Bukovic, Abbigail Cherauko, Madison Duffy, Aubria Harris, Caitlynn Hay, Elayna Hayden, Lyla Mendez, Lauren Moore, Aydin Nowak, Bryce Reed, Savanna Reiner, Kennedy Shaw, Stefania Tillich, Alyssa Torres, Isabella Valenzuela, Abigail Vester, Camdyn Weems, Julia Basil, Brian Clark, Abbigail Conway, Marisa Durke, Carsyn Gaines, Brooklyn Gargano, Ava Garrett, Adyson Graegin, Emma Grant, Alexus Johnson, Morayooluwa Kareem, Duaa Khan, Natalie Martin, Amber Mecherle, Aiden Garcia, Natalie Rajcinoski, Sophie Snyder, Samantha Uren, Blair Wise, Landon Woerheide, Miles Warren, Kristina Petkovski, Harper Langfield, Julia Brutto, Danica Dommer, Mason Erbini, Iris Estrada, Alexandra Landgrave, Avery Moore, Devion Outten, Anna Sorci, Payton Spargo, Jori Terpstra, Ma'Rae Wallace; Sponsors: Jennifer Bianchi, Lisa Keene, Brent Barber, Chris Gloff 
 

3. Patrons Comments on Educational Issues

• A community member shared information about the positive value found in partnership programs between the Crown Point Community Library and the school district. 

 

4. Consent Agenda

• Dr. Terrill noted that the personnel agenda included Melanie Pociask as the new principal at Solon Elementary and Laura Florek as the new principal at MacArthur Elementary. He congratulated both of them on their new roles.

 

5. Action Items

• Policy Conversion - We continue to convert our policies from NEOLA to ISBA (Indiana School Board Association). These policies correspond with the suggested changes from ISBA to best match Indiana law and updated procedures. 
• Textbook & Resource Adoption - Approval to adopt a book title for next year’s One District, One Book program, with plans to purchase novels with help from a Crown Point Community Foundation grant. Stay tuned for the novel reveal next school year!
• Resource Purchase - Three-year contract renewal with ParentSquare Engage Premium communication system, a total of $202,382.67. This price will average just over $7 per student each year for the next three years.
• Donation - Bulldog Wrestling Club - Donation of $5,000 to help purchase new wrestling mats for the high school wrestling program.
• Donation - CP Music Boosters Association - Donation of $6,108.08 from Music Boosters to the high school band program to purchase new instruments and music stands.
• 2026-2027 School Meal Prices - The Department of Food Service recommends increasing the price of breakfast and lunch by 10 cents, except for an increase of 20 cents for middle school breakfast.
• Food2School Purchasing Contract - This annual cooperative purchasing agreement secures food prices for the next year, including items like dairy and bread, at lower costs for the district. 
• Life and AD&D Insurance Policies - A change in provider moves administrators and other non-certified, benefit eligible staff to the same life insurance company that covers our teachers. There are no changes to coverage or benefits to any employees, but the district will have a cost savings by moving to one policy provider.

 

6. Information & Recognition Items

• Director of Elementary Education - Dr. Ciochina recognized principal Marian Buchko and congratulated her on her upcoming retirement. He also provided some information about the end of the year testing season and timelines for providing reports to parents. Finally, congratulations to our schools who participated in Math Bowl, including Jerry Ross who earned state runner-up.
• Director of Secondary Education - Mrs. Ramirez thanked teachers and staff for their hard work and preparation for ILEARN and AP testing. She noted that next week is Educator Appreciation Week and thanked our teachers and staff for their work. Finally, she recognized extracurricular activities at CPHS, Taft, and Col. Wheeler.
• Director of Exceptional Education - Mrs. Paskis thanked the EE team for their work with the annual transition fair event held last week, which included 50 vendors. She thanked Col. Wheeler NJHS and the organization Ben’s Bags for their partnership in providing resources for student sensory needs across the district. Wednesday, May 20 will be our annual Unified Game Day event.
• Assistant Superintendent - Mr. Gianfermi recognized the seven students from CPHS who were named National Merit Scholarship qualifiers - they are in the top 50,000 students in the nation. He congratulated Marian Buchko on her retirement.
• Chief Financial Officer - Mr. Ruess explained that the remonstrance period has ended for the $150 million debt issuance presented last month, which means these bonds could be issued over the next few years as needed. He clarified that bonds are used for debt service, and cannot be used for needs in the education and operations funds, which are experiencing a shortfall with funding changes.
• Director of Communications - Friday, May 8th is School Communications Day. This year, more than 350 CPCSC staff have contributed 1,500 pieces of good news to be shared via school and district newsletters, websites, and social media, reaching nearly 4 million people. Mrs. Allen thanked the individuals who are serving in roles that manage each building’s social media and website as they navigated new federal accessibility requirements this year.
• Superintendent of Schools - Dr. Terrill congratulated Marian Buchko on her retirement. He also noted Director of Transportation Marty Freeman is retiring later this year. Dr. Terrill provided a brief update on the district’s financial situation. Last November, CPCSC made reductions of approximately $1 million. An additional $6.3 million will be necessary before the upcoming school year. Because of retirements and resignations, it will not include reductions-in-force (RIFs) to classroom teachers. More information will be provided to staff and families about upcoming reductions later this week. These cuts address necessary changes for the 2026-2027 school year, but will not fully address the negative impacts of Senate Enrolled Act 1, which continue each year through 2031.

 

7. Other Business of the Board

• Mr. Warne asked a clarifying question about how the delay in some ILEARN final results later this year will impact work in the elementary settings.
• Mr. Angel and Mr. Smith clarified dates for upcoming meetings and end-of-year events with the board.
• Mr. Smith clarified some items regarding upcoming budget reductions, which will be provided in more detail to staff, parents, and community later this week. He noted that difficult decisions are being made, but he hopes the community will continue to support our district as changes are made.
• Mr. Warne encouraged individuals with questions to reach out to the board or administration if they need information about school finances.

 

8. Board Statements of Appreciation & Recognition

• Mr. Warne congratulated Miss Buchko on her upcoming retirement and reflected on an opportunity where he toured the building with her.
• Mr. Angel congratulated Marian Buchko on her retirement and shared a story about a time she removed a raccoon from inside a car in the car line. He also thanked Marty Freeman for his work over the past few years.
• Ms. Bazin also thanked Marty Freeman and Marian Buchko, noting her appreciation for providing the best environment possible for students. She also mentioned her appreciation for the recent laude ceremony at the high school.
• Mr. Smith also attended the laude ceremony and said the student speeches were a testament to our teachers and staff. He echoed the congratulations for Miss Buchko and Mr. Freeman.