SE Dubois School Board Approves Pay Raises, Sets 2026 Leadership

On Wednesday night, the Southeast Dubois School Board prepared for the new semester with new board leadership, pay raises for staff, and a financial review. 

The board elected their officers for 2026, selecting Matt Eckert as President, Kent Uebelhor as Vice President, and Elaine Miller as Secretary. Board meetings were moved to the second Wednesday of the month in order to provide time for the close of financial transactions. In the finance meeting, the investments and banks were approved as presented. A conversation was held about property taxes and the increasing trend in net assessed values, which has had a positive impact in school funding. The impact of the recently implemented property tax relief was discussed, noting that SE Dubois schools were one of the few districts that went down for the 25-26 year. 

Enrollment is tied to state tuition support in an education fund that largely pays for staff salaries, educational programs, coach salaries, educational resources. Since last year’s graduating class was one of the largest for SE Dubois, those numbers are also down for the coming year. 21% of total enrollment has been identified for special education services, which shows a slight increase. 
 
In the public comments, Ms. Montgomery requested that seniors be allowed to decorate their graduation caps. She proposed that they submit a design to their English teacher, citing that this allows students to express their individuality as they move on at commencement. The board will take the request under advisement. 

After hearing a report from the Student Advisory Members, the board approved a series of resignations, hirings, and donations. The 2026 Budget Order from the Department of Local Government and Finance was approved, as was the German American Bank property casualty and workers compensation renewal. The board authorized non-certified staff salary increases, with a 3% increase for all salaried staff members. Hourly staff members will receive a step increase in addition to a 40 cent per hour increase. The board also approved a resolution for the transfer of funds and closure of the pension debt fund. 

Southeast Dubois County School Corporation meetings are public and will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30-7:30 pm. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.


 - By Drew Hasselbring