East Chicago board hears hiring recommendations as superintendent warns federal Title II–IV funds remain withheld

Superintendent Dr. Bonet told the School City of East Chicago Board of Trustees on July 22 that the district recommends Dr. Elroy Estes as principal of Lincoln Elementary School and Ms. Katherine Bridal as district career and technical education director. He described Estes as a “30‑plus year veteran educator” with a record of student gains and said the recommended CTE director has extensive career‑technical and workforce partnership experience. Dr. Bonet told trustees more than $6,000,000,000 in federal funds approved by Congress are being withheld by the federal Office of Management and Budget. He said the withheld grants affect Title II (professional development), Title III (services for English learners) and Title IV (academic enrichment and student supports) and urged trustees and community members to contact local representatives and senators to push for release of the funds. Board members did not take formal action on the hiring recommendations during the administrative report. The superintendent said the recommended CTE director would be responsible for K‑12 career and technical education and that the district will proceed with next steps in the hiring process. The board heard the announcements as part of the superintendent’s administrative report; no motions or votes related to the hires or the federal funding statement were recorded at that time.