[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6745894,"mediaKeyId","5342687-3fa97f3e1041ba2bc79ea8b24af49927","parentId",5342687,"title","Southwest Allen County Schools unveils five‑pillar strategic plan emphasizing academics, mental health and community engagement","audioSeconds",2708,"startMs",561000,"endMs",3269000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342687-3fa97f3e1041ba2bc79ea8b24af49927&start=561&end=3269","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342687-3fa97f3e1041ba2bc79ea8b24af49927/thumbnail_561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6745894/Indiana/Southwest-Allen-County-Schools-unveils-fivepillar-strategic-plan-emphasizing-academics-mental-health-and-community-engagement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745894-197e52d072d5d8ff585520d141904090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109914&Signature=do~jcvjt8wZ4yCKpSFRChp79zUVDkYkvy6r1C8SFPXrV2EsIO-f9WR-C2JLjdLV-glV~BiM3AI2eoJTykYB8I5V7dX1mE7lxzQ8gXxxMK3Ly4pJUhiPjCvIuT8LV8~hAd8WeKYB~zqIP0b3XdldHNXpgJh~RwuuNKnq2ntuKNuItlWSH0b7u9B5UQnIcgdjLTR-IVe9oTB-1BHh7Eziy-4pnsY8SNYw8-lV~204cOhrNdYEoENY2LaEPPY74Qk8XrxV4NAOBY8YTHmz2mxFX6jiuvoR184k8N9yxI9jxBf-37948OJG82csCTM-~EWny5Pr21gm2u~UGPIW5Ewhp8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MSD Southwest Allen County Schools","date","2025-07-09T11:16:23Z","article","Dr. St. John, superintendent of MSD Southwest Allen County Schools, presented a new district strategic plan at the July board meeting that lays out five priority pillars and initial implementation steps.

\"I believe this provides us with a really clear roadmap for the future,\" Dr. St. John said as he introduced the plan, which the district developed with broad staff and community input over 2024–25.

The plan defines five pillars meant to guide district work: academics; attract and retain talent; communications; community building; and mental health. Administrators explained that each pillar has a goal statement, a set of strategies and measures of success that leaders will refine into more specific activities.

On academics, Dr. St. John and Dr. Hartman said strategies include differentiation, expanded alternative learning and refinements to purposeful technology use. The district has already completed some curricular adoptions, including elementary science and secondary math, and plans a K–8 English language arts adoption process. Administrators also highlighted the Spartan Success Center and plans to expand career and technical education options.

JR Ankenbrook, director of student services, outlined the attract‑and‑retain pillar, which focuses on recruitment, mentoring for new teachers and equitable staffing. Ankenbrook said the district will pilot a new‑teacher support curriculum and mentor pairing that will begin informally during new‑teacher orientation on July 28.

Stacy (communications lead) described the communications pillar’s emphasis on increasing community engagement through expanded storytelling, a unified calendar, ParentSquare University materials for families, a website overhaul and a parent university hub. She said district social media and targeted outreach already produced measurable engagement and that communication efforts will seek to drive families to official district resources rather than social platforms.

Dr. DeKonick described the community‑building pillar, which aims to strengthen PreK–12 connections through traditions, mentorships and district events such as Arts Under the Lights on Sept. 18. The pillar includes alumni engagement and more intentional opportunities for younger students to see secondary activities.

Dr. Wolf and the mental‑health committee presented a proactive approach that combines awareness, needs assessment, curated resources and a district mental‑health task force. They noted partnerships with the youth mental health task force and plans to expand services such as Crosswinds and the Hoosier well‑being resources to support staff and students.

As next steps, the district intends to present the plan to staff in August, pursue administrative council follow‑up activities and begin monthly board progress reports in September. Dr. St. John said some \"low hanging fruit\" identified at an administrative retreat will be implemented in the fall to build early momentum.

Board members commended the process and the large committee of staff, parents, students and community members that contributed to the plan. The presentation included specific short‑term actions and named pilot projects rather than binding policy changes; administrators said more detailed timelines and measures will be developed during the 2025–26 school year.

The district will report implementation updates to the board monthly beginning in September and continue community outreach to sustain the plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SACS School Board Meeting LIVE Feed July 8, 2025 beginning at 6 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. St. John, superintendent of MSD Southwest Allen County Schools, presented a new district strategic plan at the July board meeting that lays out five priority pillars and initial implementation steps.","taxTitle","MSD Southwest Allen County Schools, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",38356,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6745889,"Board approves consent agenda, lease resolution, handbook and two grants including $4 million AI learning award",96,3752000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5342687-3fa97f3e1041ba2bc79ea8b24af49927&start=3752&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5342687-3fa97f3e1041ba2bc79ea8b24af49927/thumbnail_3752000.jpg","/articles/6745889/Indiana/Board-approves-consent-agenda-lease-resolution-handbook-and-two-grants-including-4-million-AI-learning-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745889-c6368585856e4d7e0989c1ec65d2474a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109914&Signature=ol4uef0Vb62w7NBZA32wGjqbwbGV~odbn-YTGjkya0cF5NbTyszT-lJgl6PDiHeedDtSf7n7e4V5EsY1d7v6idqlfV5kXvETytWbNL1UYinvU9mYQUOwKLpypwb1N1m6LGRTf7DXDrwLPKQQHFk48TYqcvNNxnwDAkJ3-1rYKEh~XCM~bXkIE6nKOn8PORGuRVeZMEZBWQDnYuESCAo5Em8h7jUrcwaYdZOredfeNJzbUoexJboIDL8JJgnZ2Pkp5psw8ERLF2jDjJSPKgHYRQciFPYNym7L3Ot01k6jbKWtSOSwpSv~5UthHYzUrBRR9m~uQU9lthOxzG75r4sYvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The MSD Southwest Allen County Schools board approved a series of routine and programmatic motions at its July meeting, including consent‑agenda items, contracts and grant acceptances.

The board approved the consent agenda (minutes of June 17, 2025; bills, claims and payroll; and personnel recommendations) by voice vote after no items were removed for separate consideration. The consent agenda included multiple personnel recommendations that took effect as part of routine business.

Randy Levy presented a repeated CCBCC Coke agreement that had been before the board at the prior meeting; with no changes noted, the board approved the agreement by voice vote.

The board also approved a resolution of amendment related to a lease for the 2025–26 districtwide facility project, a legal step the administration described as part of the bond issuance process. Hannah from Barnes & Thornburg was present as legal counsel for questions; the administration said the lease documents will be executed in August as the bond process moves forward.

The 2025–26 administrative handbook was approved. Superintendent Dr. St. John noted one notable handbook change: effective July 1 each year, administrative contracts will be renewed for two years for administrators with an evaluation rating of \"highly effective\" or \"effective\" in the most recent school year unless otherwise recommended by the board.

Two grant awards were approved:

• A digital learning grant in the amount of $4,045,200 to support artificial‑intelligence literacy for staff and students. Dr. St. John said the district intends to use the funds to subscribe to a tool identified by the district AI committee, called Magic School AI, and to advance responsible and ethical AI use. The board approved acceptance of the grant by voice vote.

• A $15,000 teacher residency grant from the Commission of Higher Education to pilot a full‑year teacher residency. Dr. St. John said the pilot pairs Ball State student Aidan Homan with Covington third‑grade teacher Angie Erwin; the grant supports the resident and the mentor teacher. The board approved the acceptance of the grant by voice vote.

Board members offered brief comments of appreciation as the meeting closed; there was no public comment.

Actions recorded during the meeting will be followed by administrative steps (execution of lease documents in August; implementation and procurement tied to grant conditions).","The MSD Southwest Allen County Schools board approved consent‑agenda items and a set of motions on contracts, policy and grants at its July meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Southwest Allen County Schools unveils five‑pillar strategic plan emphasizing academics, mental health and community engagement

Board approves consent agenda, lease resolution, handbook and two grants including $4 million AI learning award