Benjamin Armstrong

This strategic plan aims to establish the organization as a preferred employer by focusing on comprehensive strategies for attracting, retaining, developing, and recognizing all employees. Key pillars include systematic recruitment and retention plans, enhanced professional development for classified staff, robust employee recognition and satisfaction programs, competitive compensation and benefits packages, formalized succession planning processes, and systemic communication strategies for all stakeholders.

The meeting commenced with student recognitions, honoring students for exemplary achievement, including perfect scores on the Indiana's learning evaluation and readiness network (ILearn) assessment in mathematics, science, and social studies, leading to the Dunland Empower Award. Winners of the 2025 winter card contest for grades K through eight were also recognized. A senior from Chesterton High School was recognized for earning the National Speech and Debate Association's Academic All-American Award. The accomplishments of the boys varsity cross country team and the varsity volleyball team were celebrated. The board proceeded with the consent agenda and addressed several action items, including the introduction of the new head and assistant coaches for the girls lacrosse program. Key agenda items involved annual updates to employee handbooks, specifically recommending updates to the certified employee handbook to align with the new teaching agreement, which involved changes to sick/flex days conversion to personal days, bereavement leave language, and the addition of a leave of absence for injury from a student or parent. Compensation adjustments were reviewed and approved for 2025-2026 benefited classified employees (3% increase) and 2026 non-benefited classified employees (50 cent per hour increase). Administrator compensation increases of $3,500 were also approved, effective retroactively to July 1, 2025. Permission was granted to advertise for bids for capital improvements at Chesterton High School, including dust collection, media center furniture, sports venue improvements, and facility upgrades, with prioritization based on cost, funded by a general obligation bond. Finally, the board conducted first and final readings for revisions and repeals of numerous board policies concerning various topics, such as statutory compliance, teacher tutoring restrictions, substance abuse policy updates, student depression support, diploma seal retake opportunities, and mandated reporting of child abuse.

This School Improvement Plan outlines the strategic direction for Brummitt Elementary School from 2025 to 2028. It addresses core elements such as curriculum, instructional programs, assessment, technology integration, career awareness, fostering a safe and disciplined environment, cultural competency, attendance review, and parent/family engagement. Key goals include achieving 80% student proficiency in ILEARN ELA for grades 3-4, reaching a 94% student attendance rate, and implementing comprehensive professional development in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Kendore Phonics. The plan emphasizes evidence-based strategies and alignment with district-wide goals.

The meeting involved the organization of the Board for 2026, including the election of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary), the re-appointment of the Corporation Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer, the establishment of salary and compensation for Board members for 2026, and the appointment of committee members and the ISBA Legislative Liaison. Presentations were given regarding updates on the YMCA Healthy Living Campus & Westchester Public Library Brown Mansion site development, and an update on the DSC Strategic Plan, which included proposals for adding actions related to Artificial Intelligence. New Business included the formal approval of the Artificial Intelligence additions to the 2024-2028 DSC Strategic Plan, the awarding of the base bid for the CHS LED Lighting Retrofit, and the approval of several Board Policies following first and final readings.

The Duneland School Board held an Executive Session where the only business discussed pertained to personnel matters, pursuant to Indiana Code section 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9).