Crown Point Community School Corporation Board Meeting Summary

January 26, 2026 - 6:00 PM

A podcast summary of the board meeting is available online. It was generated by A.I., but double checked by our communications team for accuracy.

 

Opening Items 

Board Reorganization Meeting 

The board suspended the regular meeting and conducted annual reorganization for 2026:

Election of Officers:

• President: Brian Smith
• Vice President: Danielle Bazin 
• Secretary: Tim Vassar 

Appointments:

• Treasurer: Matt Ruess; Deputy Treasurers: Laurie Cooper and Tracy McMahon 
• Meeting Schedule: Fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 PM, exceptions May 18 and December 14, 2026 
• Board Stipend: $2,000 annual stipend, $150 per diem for regular meetings, $75 for executive/special/committee meetings
  • State statute allows up to 10% of beginning teacher salary (approximately $5,900+), making current compensation about 30% of allowable amount.
• Primary Law Firm: Pillar Jones, LLC. Mr. Smith confirmed rates are below market value for firm's experience level
• Legislative Liaison: Tim Vassar

 

Board of Finance Meeting 

Investment Report: 2025 interest earnings totaled $1,586,379.97, down from previous two years due to decreased balances from completed construction projects and declining Fed funds rate. 

Financial Condition Report : Reviewed fiscal and qualitative indicators for calendar year 2024:

• Fall 2024-25 student count: 8,957.3 (8-student increase)
• Fund balances showed spend-down of capital funds from construction projects
• Operating funds at 28.2% of expenditures, moving toward board goals
• Mr. Ruess noted 2025 indicators will show "different tone" due to budget challenges, and reiterated that reporting on the 2024 fiscal year is required at this meeting.

 

Patrons' Comments

No patrons registered to comment.

 

Action Items

Textbook and Resource Adoptions

• Elementary Math Update: Dr. Ciochina requested approval to update Bridges Mathematics (current since 2017) to third edition for grades K-5, beginning 2026-27. Current edition being sunsetted by Math Learning Center. Pilot teachers from each school tested the new edition. 

• Middle School Health Curriculum: Mrs. Ramirez requested approval of McGraw Hill's Teen Health for middle school health education standards, beginning 2026-27. Teachers participated in the review.

DOE Excess Cost Authorization

• Mrs. Paskis requested the board authorize Dr. Terrill as signatory designee for alternative services and private residential school placement contracts requiring additional state funding. 

Precision Machining Grant

• Mr. Gianfermi reported an $86,000 competitive Perkins Reserve Grant awarded through Southlake Career Co-op for precision machining equipment and Vincennes University dual credit curriculum alignment. Students can earn up to 11 dual credits and industry certifications. Collaboration between Bob Phelps (Southlake), Diana Smith, and Lynn Alkire was noted. 

Financial Resolutions

• Resolution #868 - Permanent Transfer of Funds: Five year-end grant closeout transfers totaling approximately $53,000 from various funds. 
• Resolution #869 - Year-End Appropriation Transfers: Budgetary adjustments across line items to align appropriations with actual expenditures within fund classifications. 

 

Information/Recognition Items

Elementary Education Update Dr. Ciochina thanked pilot teachers and math specialist Joe Bysiek for testing Bridges Math third edition. Reported K-2 students completing mid-year NWEA assessments with strong results compared to previous years; grades 3-5 working on ILEARN Checkpoint 2 (results available in state family portal soon). 

Secondary Education Update Mrs. Ramirez highlighted the January 17 Science Olympiad at Taft organized by Jamie Lies and Pam Abraham. Nationally-recognized STEM competition included Crown Point and surrounding district students. Crown Point High School won Dynamic Planet; Taft won Metric Mastery; placements in Code Busters, Mission Possible, Potions and Poisons. Thanked teachers, sponsors, administrators, families for creating curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

Exceptional Education Update Mrs. Paskis announced the February 11 SEPAC parent workshop at the administration building featuring behavior specialists presenting on understanding behavior, available supports, and advocacy. Distributed Bulldog Ballers schedule (first game February 5, 6:00 pm at high school).

Assistant Superintendent Update  Mr. Gianfermi anticipated reporting on the new Indiana accountability model, but it is delayed in legislature. Praised third annual Science Olympiad growth and facilities at Taft. Thanked State Representative Julie Olthoff for attending and helping present awards.

Human Resources Update  Mr. Equihua thanked the transportation department (Marty Freeman and team) for starting/maintaining buses during freezing weather on e-learning days to ensure operational readiness.

Chief Financial Officer Update  Mr. Ruess thanked Mike Maski and custodial staff for overnight snow plowing and sidewalk clearing. Announced conflict of interest statements coming in February meeting, expanding beyond business relationships to include employment situations per policy review.

Superintendent Update Dr. Terrill echoed recognition of transportation, custodial, teachers, administrators, and parents for supporting students through weather-related situations and e-learning days.

 

Other Business of the Board

• In discussion of recent weather and e-learning:
  • Mr. Warne praised improved e-learning day productivity, noting significant growth in student learning compared to past remote days. 
  • Dr. Terrill noted temperature-based closures rarely miss predictions; snow-related more challenging. 
  • Mr. Angel reminded the community that approximately 6,000 students (about 2/3) ride buses, making safety-first decisions critical during extreme cold. 

 

Board Recognition Statements

• Mr. Angel congratulated the seventh grade girls basketball team on conference championship. 
• Mr. Smith recognized boys and girls wrestling programs for winning team state championships. Promoted Bulldog Ballers games as amazing community events. Appreciated early weather closure calls. 
• Miss Bazin echoed appreciation for communication about school closures and strategic planning participation.