At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Silver Creek School Corporation board voted unanimously to seek $750,000 in additional appropriation from the DLGF to increase the education fund’s spending authority, and approved changes to school start times and the 2026–27 calendar.

Doctor Balmer, the district’s financial and operations lead, told the board the request is a change in spending authority, not a request for more taxpayer dollars: “I wanna cover this is not a request for additional funding. We're not requesting additional taxpayer dollars. This is simply a request to ask for more spending authority.” He said the district’s 2024 enrollment increased by about 100 students, requiring staff hires and raises, and a state mandate folded the curriculum material fund into the education fund, increasing costs for items such as Chromebooks and textbooks.

The bulk of the request — $750,000 — is intended to give the district flexibility to cover pay raises and unanticipated education-fund expenses; Balmer said he does not expect the district to expend the entire amount during the remainder of the budget year.

During the public hearing portion, Carmen Toms asked whether all 100 new students live in the Silver Creek district. Doctor Briggs responded that approximately 25% of the district’s students are from out of district and that the board did not have a precise residency breakdown for last year’s new enrollees.

The board moved to bring the additional-appropriation resolution to the floor; the motion carried 4–0. The meeting record shows the action item was described to the DLGF as an additional appropriation for the education fund in the amount of $750,000.

Votes at a glance
- Additional appropriation for education fund (request to DLGF, $750,000): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 4–0.
- Changes to school start times (2026–27 school year): board approved superintendent’s recommendation after brief discussion; outcome: approved, 4–0. The administration said the change has been discussed for several years and is expected to remain in effect for 2026–27.
- Removal of waiver days from the 2026–27 calendar and end of early-release Wednesdays: administration explained that changing start/end times alters qualification for waiver days (minimum-minute requirements); to align the calendar with the new daily minutes, the board approved removing waiver days for 2026–27; outcome: approved, 4–0.
- Contract with Lancer Associates Incorporated: added to the agenda and approved by the board; outcome: approved, 4–0.

Context and next steps
The board’s supplemental appropriation request must be reviewed by the DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) under state rules. If approved by the DLGF, the district will have increased authority to spend from the education fund; the board and administration said they will continue to monitor expenditures and keep the public updated through posted financial reports. The schedule and calendar changes take effect for the 2026–27 school year; the administration said no changes to the current year’s schedule are planned.

Other business
Administrators reported that the district received a STEM integration grant of $37,395 to support coaching and professional development; the board also recognized the high school boys’ tennis team for reaching the state finals and noted recent vision and dental screenings and other school events. The board set its next regular meetings for Dec. 16, 2025, and Jan. 12, 2026.

The meeting adjourned following unanimous approval of the final motions.