LAWRENCE COUNTY- The School Board and Administration of North Lawrence Community School Corporation (NLCS) have been closely monitoring events at the Indiana Statehouse that will affect NLCS and all Indiana schools. Primary among these events is the passing of Senate Bill 1, focused on property tax reform, which was signed into Law by Governor Braun on Tuesday, April 15th.
All school corporations receive funding in two primary areas: Operations, which is derived from local taxes, and Education, which is provided by the State and is based on student enrollment. The budget cuts for Indiana schools will occur in the area of Operations. The figures above represent a projected decrease in the Operations Fund over the course of the next three years.
NLCS’ recent efforts to create and maintain a fiscally sound district leave us perhaps better positioned than many school systems to weather these budget cuts. However, no Indiana school will come away unscathed by these cuts. The NLCS Administration is working to ensure we understand the impact and range of actions that NLCS may need to consider in light of the new reality. The Superintendent will present data-informed recommendations and potential courses of action to the School Board for consideration. At this time, no decisions have been made, and no courses of action have been set. Any Board deliberation of this type will be made with full transparency and will seek input from the community.
NLCS has spent a considerable amount of effort in the past year ensuring that our financial systems are auditable and that our account balances are well understood. This has been no small undertaking, but we are emerging with a more solid foundation of knowledge from which to make decisions. Additionally, NLCS initiated a Facilities Study in March that will be completed by October 1st. This Facilities Study will help NLCS fully understand the scope and scale of issues with our buildings and the costs associated with addressing those issues.
Enrollment trends for this School Year (SY25) have shown a slight increase after several years of decline. A large portion of the NLCS budget, the Education Fund, is determined by enrollment, technically called our Average Daily Membership or ADM. NLCS strives to continue to see an increase in ADM, which will translate into more funds for the Education Fund and ultimately teacher pay. Increasing teacher compensation is a primary goal of the NLCS Board.
NLCS continues to make significant investments across the district to ensure our facilities support student success and safety. Roof replacements and repairs are underway or completed at multiple schools, including Shawswick, Lincoln, Parkview, Needmore, and BNL. Major HVAC renovations, LED lighting, and cosmetic improvements have been made at multiple buildings as well. Additional enhancements include playground renovations, elevator upgrades, and new septic systems. At BNL, substantial upgrades are transforming the campus with new chillers, HVAC controls, audio/visual improvements, LED lighting, exterior renovations, and safety upgrades to athletic facilities.
District-wide advancements also include the installation of new Promethean smart boards in every classroom, upgraded network infrastructure, and enhanced security systems. The NLCS Career Center has received electrical and culinary upgrades and new ventilation systems to support hands-on learning. In transportation, the district has already added 12 new buses, with plans for 8 more by the end of 2025, demonstrating a continued commitment to modernizing the fleet. Additionally, our early childhood program, Playful Pathways, has seen tremendous growth, expanding from 41 to nearly 200 students in just one year. Further enhancements will be considered and informed by the Facilities Study.
At NLCS, we are committed to being responsible stewards of public education funds and the premier destination for learning in our region. As we continue to refine our vision, mission, and goals through a comprehensive Strategic Plan – targeted for release in summer 2025 – we remain focused on improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of our educational system.
We measure our success by the outcomes and experiences of our students. They are not only our responsibility—they are our purpose. While we don’t claim to be perfect, we are relentlessly pursuing excellence and growth. We welcome feedback, value transparency, and deeply appreciate the support of our community. After all, we are the community. On behalf of the NLCS Board and Administration, thank you for your trust. It’s an honor to partner with you in shaping the future, one student at a time.
