Fort Wayne Community Schools

The board meeting addressed the appointment of a new trustee for the third district and reviewed the five-year contract renewal for the 3DE Indiana Schools LLC and Junior Achievement Northern Indiana initiative. Additionally, leadership provided a detailed presentation on the impact of the 3DE instructional model on student success, including measurable improvements in graduation rates and increased participation in college credit programs. There was a discussion regarding communication strategies with families and the implementation of an opt-out procedure for the program, as well as an overview of how the seminar courses align with core state standards and career readiness.

The agenda for the Board of School Trustees meeting includes public commentary sessions, the call to order, and the Pledge of Allegiance. A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to awards and recognition, including honors for Indiana M.A.T.H Bowl participants, scholarship recipients, music awards, JROTC achievements, and student organization winners. The meeting also covers a consent agenda, old and new business, reports on district goals, and general announcements.

The board meeting featured a series of recognitions for student and faculty achievements. Key topics included honoring elementary and middle school students for their success in state math competitions and school music awards. Several high school seniors were recognized as scholarship recipients, and a student athlete was acknowledged for their selection to the Indiana High School Athletic Association's student advisory committee. Additionally, the board celebrated the Wayne High School JROTC unit's distinguished status, a student team's success in a national design challenge with Home Depot, and career academy students who qualified for national competitions in their respective technical fields. The meeting concluded with the recognition of students who received awards for their scholastic art and writing.

The board meeting involved several key administrative and operational items. A new board president was appointed to fill a vacancy. Discussions and approvals occurred regarding the renewal and expansion of the Alive Community Outreach contract to provide peace advocates at additional school sites. The board approved the purchase of 240 upgraded handheld radios from JNK Communication Incorporated for 10 schools and 206 IP security cameras from Mobile Communications America Incorporated for nine buildings, both funded by a school safety referendum. Additionally, a contract for behavior support case management services with Park Center, Inc. was approved. Finally, the board adopted a resolution to amend its governing plan to stagger the election cycle of the two at-large board seats, starting with the next election.

The FWCS Vision for Literacy aims to foster a love and proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for all students through a systematic instructional approach across all content areas and grade levels. Key strategic areas include an elementary focus on district-wide explicit and systematic phonics instruction aligned with Science of Reading components, data-driven assessments, and supplementary support programs. The secondary focus involves systematic instruction using Read 180, morphology and syllabication bell ringers, data-driven assessments, and ongoing professional learning and curriculum writing.