Crown Point Community School Corporation Board Meeting Summary

May 18, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.

 

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

 

Opening Items
 

Board of School Trustees Resolution of Commendation Awards

• Jerry Ross 2025-2026 Math Bowl Team for winning State Runner-up in the Orange Class at the Regional Elementary Math Bowl Competition - Students: Aleksandar Galic, Aria Coffee, Ariana Ilic, Audrey Derwinski, Charlotte Stovall, Christopher Naughgle, Cooper Walsh, Donny Dorsuleski, Evan Spasoff, Giovanni Salas, Griffin Custy, Jack Dawson, Jackson Grady, Jaxson Kerwin, Kegan McKenna, Laken Chinderle, Lucy McBride, Luke Rodriguez, Samantha Kiger, Tejveer Singh; Coaches: Karie Lukas, Robert Lukas
• Taft Middle School 2025-2026 Academic Super Bowl Team for being named State Runner-up in the Science category in Class 1, and 1st Place in Lake County in the English category in Class 1 at the Indiana Junior Academic Super Bowl Competition - Students: Science - Maksim Chernobay, Jackson Mann, Maanav Shah, Emili Miloshevska; English - Bianca Josifoski, Nathaniel Lambersie, Shaylan Patel, Sophie Meyer; Coaches: Jamie Lies, Karen Snoddy
• Wheeler 2025-2026 Academic Super Bowl Team for winning 1st place in Lake County in the Math category in Class 1 at the Indiana Junior Academic Super Bowl Competition - Students: Shayaan Khan, Mia Baker, London Hynes, Victoria Zamora; Coaches: Amy Mehrle, Rachel Miller
• Col. Wheeler Robotics Teams 78151N for winning the Excellence Award, and Team 78151C for winning 3rd place in the division finals at the Indiana State VEX Robotics Competition - Team 78151N: Liam Patel-Miller, Oliver Ligda, Sam Bartkovsky, Elliott Johnston; Team 78151C: Daksh Kalra, Leonardo Anagnos, Tristan Voyles, Brody Meyers, Allen Young; Coaches: Michael Early, Kelly Hayes; Volunteer Coach: Dennis Hilburger
• CPHS Project Lead the Way students, Emily Alahmad, Simrah Khan, Aseel Salameh, for winning 1st place in the Big Sell Pitch Competition at Purdue Northwest University
• CPHS Business Professionals of America Club student Mason Erbini for winning 1st Place for Individual Presentation; and winning 6th Place students Karam Erbini for Administrative Support Research Project, and Cesar Querimit for Health Research Presentation Project at the Business Professionals of America National Competition -Advisor: Mary Bachnak; Co-Advisor: Scott MacFarland
• 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, and Administrator of the Year Award Presentations - Mary Bachnak, Crown Point High School, Teacher of the Year - secondary level; Josh Hedl, Winfield Elementary School, Teacher of the Year - elementary level; Kathy Birk, Jerry Ross Elementary, Employee of the Year; Teacher of the Year Finalists: Connie Scott, Taft Middle School; Austin Thorne, Col. Wheeler Middle School; Patty Begley, Eisenhower, Elementary School; Kathleen Zacharias, Lake St. Elementary School; Kristin MacPherson, MacArthur Elementary School; Leah Naumovic, Solon Robinson Elementary School; Haritine Kostouros-Saenz, Timothy Ball Elementary School; Kylie Extin, Jerry Ross Elementary School; Employee of the Year Finalists: Marijana Celksoska, Crown Point High School; Jodi Kvachkoff, MacArthur Elementary School; Beth Peters, Timothy Ball Elementary School; Lisa Kosiara, Winfield Elementary School, and Jake Rodriguez, Administrator of the Year

Patrons’ Comments

• A community member spoke about their concerns regarding Senate Enrolled Act 1 and recent reductions in the district.
• A community member spoke about the benefits of hosting a foreign exchange student with their family this year.

 

Consent Agenda

• As part of the personnel agenda, appointments were made to CPCSC Director of Transportation, CPHS Athletic Director, and CPHS Assistant Athletic Director. You can read a message about those positions here.

 

Action Items

• 5.01 Policy Conversion – Waive Readings and Approve Wireless Device Policy
  • Mr. Equihua presented updated policy language regarding student electronic devices in response to new Indiana legislation. The revised policy requires personal communication devices to be powered off and stored during the school day, including during passing periods and lunch. The update allows the district to incorporate the new expectations into student handbooks prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year. Board members clarified that the policy changes were driven by state law requirements and based on language provided through policy guidance updates.
• 5.02 Resolution #874 – $2.5M Transfer from Rainy Day to Education Fund
  • Chief Financial Officer Matt Ruess presented Resolution #874 authorizing a $2.5 million transfer from the Rainy Day Fund to the Education Fund as part of the district’s previously discussed financial recovery plan. Mr. Ruess explained the transfer would help offset budget reductions impacting the upcoming school year, particularly expenses occurring between July and December. He noted the transfer would reduce the district’s projected Rainy Day balance to approximately $5.3 million, or about 5% of operating expenditures.

 

Information / Recognition Items

Director of Elementary Education

Dr. Ciochina shared updates from the elementary level, including recent curriculum mapping meetings involving approximately 80 teachers across all grade levels and elementary schools. Teachers collaborated to review pacing, standards alignment, and adjustments needed for reading and math instruction. He praised staff for their deep understanding of curriculum standards, collaborative mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Dr. Ciochina also recognized the elementary music team for organizing the second grade music event held at the Taft football field, which brought together hundreds of students and families. He previewed the upcoming Bulldog Bash celebration for preschool students transitioning to kindergarten and thanked elementary staff for the many end-of-year activities taking place across schools, including field days, concerts, award ceremonies, and DARE graduations.

 

Director of Secondary Education

Mrs. Ramirez highlighted several end-of-year secondary initiatives and celebrations. She recognized Assistant Principal Zach Wells and the Crown Point High School team for coordinating Advanced Placement testing, which included administering approximately 1,779 AP exams to more than 1,100 students across 29 subject areas. Mrs. Ramirez also thanked the Crown Point Community Foundation for helping offset AP testing costs for students facing financial hardship, allowing 43 students to receive assistance. Additional recognition was given to students in the biomedical innovations course, as well as Alison Duncan for organizing the high school entrepreneurship fair where students presented business concepts and sales pitches to community members and judges. She concluded by recognizing the many year-end events occurring throughout secondary schools, including career exploration activities, celebrations, honors programs, and graduation preparations.

 

6.04 Director of Exceptional Education

Mrs. Paskis highlighted a partnership with Ben’s Blue Bags, a program led by local first responder Matt Kodicek that provides sensory and communication support bags for emergency responders assisting students with sensory or communication needs. Mrs. Paskis recognized Col. Wheeler National Junior Honor Society students along with their sponsors for helping deliver the bags to applied skills classrooms throughout the district. She also shared that the Exceptional Education Department is currently participating in a new Indiana Department of Education audit process that includes both fiscal monitoring and a comprehensive review of district policies and procedures related to state and federal special education requirements. Mrs. Paskis thanked her staff for their ongoing work supporting students and families through thousands of case conferences held throughout the school year.
 

6.05 Assistant Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent Mark Gianfermi reflected on the end of the school year and praised the district’s teachers, administrators, and staff for their work supporting students. He specifically recognized this year’s Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year finalists, noting how consistently they spoke about their passion for education and appreciation for working in Crown Point schools during the interview process. Mr. Gianfermi also thanked guidance counselors at Crown Point High School, led by Lauren Sandor, for organizing the district’s annual Grad Walk tradition. The event allows graduating seniors to return to their elementary schools in caps and gowns to celebrate with younger students and former teachers. He noted the tradition continues to strengthen connections between schools and create meaningful memories for students and families.

 

6.06 Chief Human Resource Officer

Mr. Equihua echoed appreciation for this year’s staff recognition honorees and shared that the interview process consistently highlights the strong culture within the district and employees’ passion for their work. He also announced the district is beginning implementation of electronic employee evaluations through Frontline software. While the evaluation process itself is not changing, the district is transitioning to a digital platform for the first time. He thanked Renee Rich, district administrators, principals, teachers, and support staff for helping pilot the new system and supporting the rollout effort.

 

6.07 Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer Matt Ruess shared updates regarding the district’s employee insurance committee, which was formed earlier this year with representatives from schools and support departments. The committee has been reviewing data, insurance plans, and cost trends while helping employees better understand how district healthcare programs operate. Mr. Ruess explained the goal is to improve plan utilization and help control healthcare costs while continuing to provide strong employee benefits. He noted the district has already begun seeing positive results from the committee’s work and plans to continue meeting throughout the year to evaluate future plan adjustments and long-term sustainability.

 

6.08 Director of Communications

Director of Communications Brooke Allen thanked Digital Media Specialist Rutch Johnson and CFO Matt Ruess for assisting with the development of the district’s online budget video series. The short-form videos, shared through YouTube and district newsletters, were designed to explain complex school finance topics in a more accessible and concise format for families and community members. Mrs. Allen also recognized high school intern Cailin Ward for her work supporting the communications department throughout the year. In addition to research and project support, Cailin independently managed social media content for one of the district’s elementary schools.

 

6.09 Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent Dr. Todd Terrill announced several new administrative assignments approved through the personnel agenda. Matt McCaleb will become the district’s new Director of Transportation, transitioning from the high school athletic department. Chris Seibert was named the new Athletic Director, and Alison Duncan will serve as Assistant Athletic Director.

Dr. Terrill thanked the board for its additional work this semester related to strategic planning and ongoing district discussions, noting members participated in eight extra meetings beyond the normal schedule. He also reflected on the many accomplishments celebrated throughout the school year, emphasizing that excellence continues to be a defining characteristic across the district.

He concluded by encouraging families and community members to listen to the district’s new podcast-style board meeting summaries, produced following each meeting to provide a shorter, more conversational overview of board discussions and district updates.

 

7.01 Other Business of the Board

Board members responded to comments raised during public participation regarding district budget reductions and staffing changes connected to state funding pressures and Senate Bill 1. Members discussed the district’s efforts to minimize the impact on classrooms and students while navigating reduced revenue and increasing operational demands.

Board members noted that some staffing structures, including shared assistant principal models, reflect approaches the district successfully utilized in previous years before additional positions were added during periods of stronger funding. Discussion also emphasized that class sizes remain a priority area of focus and are in a stronger position than they were several years ago, when some elementary classrooms exceeded 35 students.

Members acknowledged the difficulty of making staffing reductions and expressed appreciation for the extensive administrative work involved in identifying reductions with the least possible impact on students and schools.

 

8.01 Board Statements of Appreciation and Recognition

Board members recognized teachers and staff for maintaining strong energy and engagement during the final weeks of the school year, particularly through field days, classroom celebrations, concerts, and other elementary events that create memorable experiences for students. One member noted that while the end of the year can be exhausting for educators, activities like field day and student celebrations are moments children will always remember.

Board members also highlighted the district’s Girls on the Run program and thanked the many staff members and coaches who support the organization across schools. The program was praised not only for encouraging physical activity, but also for teaching confidence, resilience, and life skills that can have a lasting impact on participating students.

Additional recognition was given to retiring staff members ahead of the district’s upcoming retirement breakfast, as well as to Jake Rodriguez for being named Administrator of the Year. Board members specifically referenced his “fireside chats” and authentic leadership style at Col. Wheeler Middle School.