VCSC holds public hearing for 2025 budget

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The public hearing was held at the September 30 Board of School Trustees Meeting.

Among several topics, the public hearing for the 2025 budget was the first item on the agenda. VCSC Superintendent Dr. Chris Himsel says that the budget will be higher.

“We’ve been very blessed with funding increases from the State of Indiana, so from that standpoint it is a little bit higher than what it’s been in the past,” Himsel said. “We’ve also been blessed with some assessed evaluation growth here locally, but we put together a fiscally responsible budget that still allows us to meet the needs.”

Last year’s $165 million budget has increased by over four percent, putting the 2025 proposal at approximately $165 million. Himsel says the school corporation recognizes that there are learning spaces that still need work.

“In 2024, we were blessed to be able to put a $30 million investment into our schools, which was the most that’s been invested into our schools since 2004,” Himsel said. “We were proud of that, and we are hopeful that we can continue to do something similar as we move forward into this coming year and future years.”

With the public hearing finished, Himsel says the board is preparing for the next step in the approval process.

“At this particular point in time, it’s time for the board members to go through all those details that were presented today, ask questions, make sure that we get any changes or any clarifications that need to happen.”

The formal approval for the 2025 budget will be at the next meeting, which is scheduled for October 21.

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