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Archived Live Report: MCCSC board annual reorganization (Jan. 6, 2026) | Cooperman now board president

This will be a live, text-based report from the MCCSC school board meeting on Tuesday (Jan 6) beginning at 6 p.m.

Archived Live Report: MCCSC board annual reorganization (Jan. 6, 2026) | Cooperman now board president
B Square file photo of a Monroe County Community School Corporation bus driving along Walnut Street on Aug. 5, 2025. This bus was likely driving its regular route in preparation for the first day of school, which was Aug. 6 for the 2025-26 school year. (Kelton O'Connell, Aug. 5, 2025)

The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) board of school trustees is holding two back-to-back, annual meetings on Tuesday (Jan. 6) beginning at 6 p.m.

First is a Board of Finance meeting, during which the district’s chief financial officer, Matt Irwin, will present to the school board: 1) an investment report that is to be sent to the local board of finance; and 2) a financial condition report.

The second meeting is the school board’s reorganization meeting. The agenda includes elections for school board leadership and appointments to committees. Current board president April Hennessey said in a text message to The B Square on Friday (Jan. 2) that after holding the role for two and a half years, “it’s time for me to pass the torch.”

Board members with terms ending in 2026 are: Erin Wyatt (District 1), Ashley Pirani (District 3), and Aja Jester (District 7; Jester was appointed to fill a vacancy on April 10, 2025). MCCSC board residential districts: map | text descriptions.

The meeting is available for viewing via a YouTube live stream. The full agenda and accompanying documents can be viewed at Boarddocs, the district’s board management platform. This text-based live reporting system built by The B Square will update automatically, so you don’t need to refresh the page to see updates throughout the meeting.

New Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) school board officers were elected at the reorganization meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 6) for the 2026 calendar year. From left: assistant secretary Tiana Iruoje; president Erin Cooperman; vice president Ross Grimes; and secretary Ashley Pirani. (Kelton O’Connell, Jan. 6, 2025)
6:57 p.m.  Newly elected board president Erin Cooperman told The B Square: "I'm excited to continue serving MCCSC; excited to have this new role." In 2026, Cooperman said she thinks the board's priorities are going to continue from 2025. She mentioned the Redistricting Study Commission report, which is expected this Spring. She said, "What ... we get from that committee and that report is going to be a big agenda item for 2026." She also mentioned renewing MCCSC's two referendums: one from 2022 and one from 2023. "We will likely combine those two the next time we put a referendum to vote," she said. "We have not made any kind of decision yet about whether to do that in 2026 or 2028. It has to happen by 2028." She said that would likely be one of the first decisions the board makes this year. Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1, passed in 2025, restricts referendums to only general statewide elections, which happen every two years.
6:14 p.m.  The meeting has been adjourned. Newly elected board officers took a photograph.
6:13 p.m.  3.14 Ex Officio Committee Appointments
ISBA Legislative Liason: Ashley Pirani and April Hennessey.
MCCS Foundation Board member: Aja Jester.
Insurance Committee: Ross Grimes.
High Ability: Tiana Iruoje.
Health Council: Erin Wyatt.
Non-board member appointments
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission: Sam Fleener.
MCCSC Building Committee: Jim Muehling, Sarah Rogers, and Martha Street.
Monroe County Solid Waste Citizens' Advisory Committee: Brad Lucas.
These appointments passed unanimously.
6:11 p.m.  The following agenda items have been passed unanimously:
3.10 Appointment of Legal Counsels
3.11 Appointment of School Corporation Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer
3.12 Recommend Authorization for the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer to Invest Corporation Funds
3.13 Appointment of Executive Administrative Assistant to the Board of School Trustees
6:10 p.m.  Agenda item 3.09: There are no conflict of interest disclosures for 2026.
6:10 p.m.  The following agenda items have been passed unanimously:
3.06 Adopt 2026 Board Calendar of Regular Meetings and Work Sessions
3.07 Resolution 2026-01: Board Member Compensation
3.08 Resolution 2026-02: Use of Facsimile Signatures
6:10 p.m.  April Hennessey nominated the following officers under agenda items 3.01-3.05
President: Erin Cooperman.
Vice president: Ross Grimes.
Secretary: Ashley Pirani.
Assistant secretary: Tiana Iruoje.
These nominations passed unanimously.
6:07 p.m.  Board president April Hennessey has called the organizational meeting to order.
6:07 p.m.  The Board of Finance meeting is adjourned.
6:06 p.m.  Agenda item 1.05 Financial Condition Report to the Board of Finance: CFO Irwin is explaining and summarizing MCCSC's report. He said the data is lagging from the site—it's from 2024. He also said this report goes beyond what state statute requires. The next quarterly financial report will be in February.
6:05 p.m.  Agenda item 1.04 Investing Officer's Report to the Board of Finance: MCCSC chief financial officer, Matt Irwin, is summarizing the 2025 Investment Report to the Board of Finance.
6:03 p.m.  Agenda item 1.03 Meeting and Reorganization of the Board of Finance has been moved by Ross Grimes and seconded by Ashley Pirani to approve the recommendation. It passed unanimously.
6:03 p.m.  Board president April Hennessey has called the Annual Board of Finance meeting to order.
6:00 p.m.  All board members and superintendent Markay Winston have arrived and are seated.

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