NEW EDUCATION LAWS IMPACTING K-12 EDUCATION

ZCS Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman reported that during this year's session, the Indiana General Assembly passed a total of 244 new laws, pending the governor’s signature. Of these, 45 directly impact K-12 education, school governance or child-related policies. Over the past eight years, this brings the total to 310 new laws affecting K-12 education.

State Budget Highlights (HEA 1001)

• Tuition Support: Tuition support for K-12 schools will increase slightly by 2% each year. This change provides additional funding to support educational operations and student learning. Dr. Coffman cautioned that the 2% increase is not necessarily an increase, as the funds for curricular materials are rolled into the basic amount, and there is an expansion of eligibility for school voucher dollars. 
  
  Statewide, the foundation funding per student will rise slightly from $6,681 to $6,967 in FY26 and reaching $7,071 in FY27. There is also a slight reduction in funding of less than 1% per student in FY26 for special education, multi-lingual learners, and Career/Technical education. Funding for curricular materials will now be included within Basic Tuition Support, simplifying the funding structure for schools.
  
• Teacher Appreciation Grants (TAG)
  
  The Teacher Appreciation Grants (TAG) program has been adjusted, with the overall funding reduced by $1.9 million per year across the state and has been modified to include just 20% of the teachers per district. In ZCS, this would equate to roughly 100 teachers as eligible, as opposed to 500 plus. ZCS is awaiting additional guidance and a rubric from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Notably, the program will now be administered as a competitive grant through the IDOE, with three tiers of recognition available for teachers including:
• Recognition
• Exemplary
• Exemplary Plus

Summer School and Alternative Education Funding Changes

• The Summer School program funding has been reduced by $900,000 annually.
• Alternative Education funds have been decreased by $4.5 million per year, with the new appropriation set at approximately $766,000 annually. Dr. Nicole Chisley, Director of Customized Learning, continues to seek grant opportunities to support students enrolled in our alternative education programming.

Education Deregulation and Local Control (HEA 1002)

HEA 1002, a 139-page bill with 217 sections, is known as the "deregulation bill." It provides school boards with expanded autonomy through "home rule" designations. Key provisions include:

• Eliminating the requirement for teachers to be rated as highly effective, effective, improvement necessary or ineffective.
• Permitting schools to charge fees for supplies and materials that supplement instruction. Parents can expect to see supply lists during back-to-school time outlining materials that will be beneficial for students taking a course. 

School Accountability Updates (HEA 1498)

HEA 1498 requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to develop a new methodology for assessing school performance. The updated model will:

• Use data from the Department of Education’s GPS data dashboard.
• Factor in proficiency rates from IREAD and ILEARN assessments.
• Prioritize attainment of one of the new diploma seals.
• Allow for additional factors determined by the the State Board of Education (SBOE).

By December 2026, the SBOE will assign each school a performance grade using an “A” through “F” scale, starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Conclusion

These legislative changes reflect a continued focus on education funding, teacher recognition, local governance, and school accountability. We will continue to monitor the impact and keep the community informed

CELEBRATING SCHOOL SPIRIT AND HONORING EDUCATORS

Dr. Coffman highlighted two exciting opportunities for the community. She highlighted the upcoming Zionsville Color Run. Additionally, she promoted the Eagle Honor Program, which provides a special way to recognize and celebrate outstanding faculty and staff through the end of the school year.

ZIONSVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS COMMON SENSE DISTRICT

Zionsville Community Schools (ZCS) has been honored as a Common Sense District by Common Sense, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe and responsible technology use among students. This recognition highlights ZCS’s commitment to teaching digital citizenship and equipping students with the skills they need to navigate the online world responsibly.

The district utilizes Common Sense Education's research-based digital citizenship resources, empowering students to explore, create and learn while staying safe and respectful online. This achievement reflects ZCS's dedication to fostering a supportive digital environment for all students.

THREE ZCS SCHOOLS NAMED PLTW DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS

Three Zionsville Community Schools have been recognized as 2024-25 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools: Zionsville Community High School, Zionsville Middle School and Zionsville West Middle School.

This prestigious recognition highlights a commitment to expanding student access, engagement and achievement in PLTW programs, including Computer Science, Biomedical Science and Engineering.

These schools have demonstrated excellence in providing students with transformative STEM learning experiences, preparing them for future success in technology, healthcare and engineering fields.

Congratulations to our PLTW Distinguished Schools for their dedication to empowering students through innovative STEM education.

APPROVED NEW BUSINESS

• Consideration of Additional Locker Room Furniture Bids
• Request for ZCHS 1:1 Chromebooks
• Library Board Appointment: Director of Operations Matt Doublestein
• Policy Revision: First Reading (No action)