Jeff Hauswald has been selected as the new superintendent for the Monroe County Community School Corp. (MCCSC). The decision was made at the MCCSC board's Feb. 3 meeting.

He has served as superintendent of the Kokomo School Corp. since 2010 and will replace Judith DeMuth, who is retiring on July 1.

Click here to read an Indiana Public Media report on the hiring.

Following the death of trustee Keith Klein in January, the Monroe County Community School Corp. Board is seeking applicants to fill the District 5 seat on the 7-member board.

​District 5 covers portions of Perry Township in the central part of Monroe County. Click here for a map of District 5.

Applications are due on Monday, Feb. 8 and candidates will be interviewed by the board on Feb. 16 & 17.  Click here to apply. Find additional details here.

The 2020 General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In addition to the race for U.S. President, many candidates are running for local, state and federal office. To help voters navigate their options, the Chamber has launched a nonpartisan resource guide for elected positions that represent all or parts of Monroe County.

In addition to general resources about the voting process, the site includes information about candidates for U.S. Congress District 9, Indiana Senate and House of Representatives, Monroe County Council and Commission, Monroe County Circuit Court, other Monroe County elected offices, and the school boards for Monroe County Community School Corp. and Richland-Bean Blossom Schools.

Not sure who's on your ballot? Go to the League of Women Voters Vote411 site, enter your address and get a listing. Or search for your ballot on the Indiana Voter Portal by clicking the "Who's On The Ballot" link.

The Hoosier Safe Six campaign, a collaboration led by the Chamber, kicked off a community-wide effort to keep Bloomington and Monroe County healthy, safe and open. The initiative was launched as Indiana University students return to town amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19.

​The campaign includes customizable graphics that businesses and organizations can use, a "real talk" roommate discussion guide, and the Hoosier Safe Six Pledge to support the community. 

The effort is a collaboration with the Chamber, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Bloomington, the City of Bloomington, Monroe County Health Department, Monroe County Community School Corporation and Richland-Bean Blossom School Corporation.

As uncertainty continues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, our community’s K-12 public school systems recently announced plans for the start of the school year. The trustees and administration for Monroe County Community School Corp. and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. are working to balance safety issues for students and staff while ensuring a positive learning experience.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce urges support for parents, teachers and students during this stressful time. We encourage employers to be flexible and patient as their employees navigate this shifting landscape. There are no easy answers, but we trust that our local educators are working to find the best possible outcome for students.

Information about MCCSC’s reopening plan is on the district's website. RBBCSC’s back-to-school plan is available here.

Good luck to all students, teachers, and parents for a successful start to the school year. We support you!

The Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. board approved its reopening plan on July 7, adding to the school plans already authorized in this area. R-BB's plan requires students and staff to wear face coverings, with some exceptions. Click here for the R-BB reopening plan.

​The Monroe County Community School Corp. board approved its reentry plan in June. It also requires face coverings for students and staff, with exceptions. Click here for the MCCSC Reentry and Recovery Plan.

Information and updates about Indiana University's reopening are available on the IU Fall 2020 site.

Jacinda Townsend Gides was sworn in on Jan. 28 as the newest trustee for the Monroe County Community School Corporation, representing District 6. She replaces Lois Sabo-Skelton, who resigned in late 2019.

​Gides was appointed by a vote of the MCCSC board during a Jan. 21 closed session that followed interviews with six candidates for the position. Click here to watch her interview on CATS.

Click here for a map of MCCSC board districts.

​Trustees of the seven-member MCCSC board serve four-year terms and are paid $2,000 annually plus $112 for each regular meeting, among other compensation. Gides will serve out the remainder of Sabo-Skelton's term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2020. If she wants to continue serving on the board, she would need to run for that seat in 2020. 

Other trustees are: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer (District 4 – president), Sue Wanzer (District 2 – vice president), Elizabeth Ruh (District 1 – secretary), Martha Street (District 3 – assistant secretary), Keith Klein (District 5) and Brandon Shurr (District 7).