Board Meeting

The 2019 Zionsville Community Schools budget was approved at Monday night’s meeting following an evening of reports that painted the picture of a school and community committed to the growth, achievement and success of each and every student.

The approved 2019 budget for the Zionsville Community Schools will be balanced and includes many structural changes as a result of recent legislation. The entire budget book and presentation appear on the school district’s website and have been posted for many weeks during advertisement and a multiple meeting approval process.

ZCS will continue to be the lowest funded school district in the state of Indiana. Pending state agency approval in early 2019, ZCS will see a stable school tax rate. School Superintendent Scott Robison and Chief Financial Officer Mike Shafer will work with peer school district leaders in advocating for fair funding from the state in the 2019 budget session of the Indiana General Assembly. Their work in the 2015 session to found and forward the “Fix-it Coalition” produced positive results to slow the downward trend of foundation funding for ZCS and other lowest funded Indiana districts.

Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Coffman gave the annual class size and enrollment report. Once again, the report  demonstrated that the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC - IU Kelley School of Business) is right on track with enrollment projections when compared with the actual number of students enrolled in the district this year. The overall student enrollment growth in ZCS this year is 211 students.  IBRC projected enrollment growth of 197 (93.4%accuracy). The 2018 IBRC demographic study predicts enrollment growth in the same range (around 200 students per year) across the coming ten years.

In a detailed report, Mrs. Coffman highlighted the district’s long established ideal class size targets for student success. The theoretical class size metrics in ZCS cites an ideal average of 18 students per class in kindergarten and first grade, 20 students per class in second and third grade, and 25 students per class in grades four through 12. After reviewing the elementary school class sizes and showing that the actual overall class sizes are on target, Mrs. Coffman reviewed the middle level classes and gains the district continues to make in the secondary school class sizes. Mrs. Coffman reported 75 fewer core middle school classes with 30 or more students in 2018 as compared to 2011, prior to the successful 2012 referendum. She added that in 2018 there are no core classes with 35 students. The high school is showing a similar trend with 69 fewer core classes with 35 students in 2018 as compared to 2011, and as in 2017, no core classes at ZCHS exceeding 35 students.

Mrs. Coffman shared statistics regarding students who are both entering and exiting the school district. The number of students who move out of state in comparison to those moving into the state and into Zionsville Community Schools is about the same, at around 200 for the current school year enrollment. She also shared details about the small number of students who leave the district due to in-state moves, private school transfers and online learning opportunities.  

ZCHS Athletic Director Greg Schellhase carried the Strong in Every Way torch with a fall athletics update. Athletes are taking the stage with overwhelming success. Mr. Schellhase shared that last year, Zionsville Community Schools’ athletes finished the year with a 100 percent sportsmanship rating with the IHSAA.

Mr. Schellhase highlighted all of the fall athletic teams’ successes while also weaving the important thread of how athletics build character which is fundamental to Strong in Every Way --  the district’s ongoing human capital campaign to foster world and work ready ZCS graduates. Regardless of the sport, fall athletes have shown a commitment to character, grit, perseverance and strong sportsmanship. Coaches have embraced a transformational style of leadership promoted by Mr. Schellhase.  This approach encourages relationship building, personal connection and development of life skills. All of this aligns with the district’s Strong in Every Way  initiative and is a driving force behind the ongoing athletic successes.

Mr. Schellhase reported that ZCS piloted a unified flag football team last year when there were only three teams statewide. IHSAA’s expansion to 32 teams this year with a sanctioned tournament was a remarkable experience for students. This year’s  ZCS team won the sectional title but fell in regional competition.

Mr. Schellhase described the girls golf team as one of the most remarkable groups he has seen in high school sports.  He said the golfers embraced a selflessness, mental toughness, grit and resilience that contributed mightily to their second state finals run in a row, and the runner-up trophy, too.

The boys tennis team has been through a lot this season and displayed brotherhood and camaraderie while processing grief due to the loss of a team mate.  Though their season ended with a loss in regional competition, they won by experiencing the support that can be found through the unification of team.

Mr. Schellhase said the girls soccer team had a challenging season but overcame injuries and finished the season with a sectional championship, while the girls volleyball team also won a sectional title and learned, among other things, the value of coming together to embrace individual roles while contributing to the team’s success.

Mr. Schellhase highlighted that the ZCHS football team will play the biggest game of their season against the number one team in the state this week. He said the ZCHS team is playing at a high level and embracing a culture of competitiveness and sportsmanship. He expects it to be a great game.

The boys cross country team won sectional and regional titles and will compete in the state meet this weekend. Likewise, the girls cross country team will compete in the state meet after winning the semi-state race this past weekend. Both teams have displayed an incredible work ethic and are strong athletic leaders.

The boys soccer team will play in the state championship this weekend. Tickets for the game can be purchased ahead of time in the ZCHS office during school hours. It is expected to be a great game. Mr. Schellhase said the soccer team is an incredible group of athletes who are all in for each other and show it in the way they play.

 Zionsville Education Foundation Director Lyle Browne recapped the 2018 Fall Classroom Grants. She said the foundation awarded nine grants totaling more than $33,000 to ZCS educators. She talked about the joy felt by the ZEF Prize Patrol as they awarded grants to ZCS educators who, in turn, displayed a wide range of emotion when learning their classroom idea had been selected for funding. The district is thankful for those committed to helping educators enhance student learning and provide experiences that would not otherwise be possible without the financial support of the community and an organized effort by ZEF.

ZCHS Assistant Principal Greg McDaniel offered an overview of the new state diploma requirements called Graduation Pathways.  Required implementation begins with students who are currently in the 8^th grade. This new initiative will require students to have a minimum number of credits earned through coursework, employability skills and postsecondary readiness competencies. Mr. McDaniel described the expectations of students as well as ZCS’s strategy for implementing programming and monitoring to ensure ZCS students are on track to meet the new graduation requirements.  Development is underway and there will be additional communication as programs and plans are solidified.

The next regular monthly board meeting will be held on November 12, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the ZCS Educational Service Center.