[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6161384,"mediaKeyId","5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae","parentId",5441933,"title","Board approves several grants, curriculum donation and equipment bids; votes to raise lunch price by 25 cents","audioSeconds",700,"startMs",5600000,"endMs",6300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae&start=5600&end=6300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae/thumbnail_5600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161384/Indiana/Board-approves-several-grants-curriculum-donation-and-equipment-bids-votes-to-raise-lunch-price-by-25-cents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161384-465f263851aa12d7009bbb14c382b2e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770672916&Signature=LjHzmNArpNjTZ9rSDHSTMKKgcM~yBIZZrHx~FFe6LVua~Zv4rQbSXt8OkYLc~irWDzKOnkbL6Pm96g~jjhnzxA6tkXc4d~o2buBJYx9BLtTP-jWpB9Gt~sd5w5RdFbH56omP30MKM7OVeTJ9QcsKkW5l~SvYpfmtIhpEifqBM1AA6IzwSwg0t86nNibTx8-cI4pqGqz7fiMzEej2BgdmuVbsCS4zzXJmzkSsJ6vb-OdktydZtKnHNTwRYNxcLNVM~2NeldUUoL2hHLdcAu~y~TPcBy8mYNkfUid7NH~kI80u5MVt6uUzUZuYKGap1hYGteSD-dXFweXjlzy7-4zDOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northwest Allen County Schools","date","2025-07-23T00:08:37.923Z","article","At its July 21 meeting the Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees approved several operational items: two state grants to support digital intervention and learning, a donation of a financial‑literacy curriculum, a purchase order for band instruments, a modest lunch price increase and a health‑insurance renewal.

The board approved the Indiana Digital Intervention Training and Implementation Grant — $10,716 — to pay for training and IXL intervention software for K–8, presented by Wade Books, district math and testing coordinator. The board also approved the Indiana Digital Learning Grant — $37,932 — which will fund Amira literacy tools and a pilot of a classroom AI tool (Magic School AI) at Carroll High School.

Carroll High School will accept a donated Ramsey education personal financial planning curriculum offered by a community partner; the district said the curriculum is state‑approved for the course. The board also approved acceptance of the donation and its implementation at Carroll High School.

On facilities and equipment, the board awarded the Willow Creek band instrumentation bid to Sweetwater for $307,493.52 and noted that classroom chairs and music stands were purchased separately (roughly $45,000) and therefore not included in the bid tabulation.

Business staff recommended a 25‑cent increase in paid lunch prices for the 2025–26 school year after reviewing a federal tool that recommended a 50‑cent increase; the district chose a smaller increase because of its available reserves and to remain competitive with neighboring districts. The board approved the meal price recommendation.

The board also approved the district health‑benefit renewal, working with Brown & Brown and renewing UnitedHealthcare for medical coverage and moving dental coverage from Delta Dental to Sun Life; staff said the overall insurance renewal represents roughly a 1% increase in district health‑plan costs and that Sun Life will offer a two‑year rate hold.

All motions for these consent and business items were made, seconded and approved by voice vote during the regular agenda portion of the meeting. These actions were approvals of grants, donations, purchases and policy implementation steps; none of the approvals authorized construction contracts or bond issuance.

Ending: District staff said they will monitor implementation of grants and procurements and will continue to report on budgetary effects at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NACS Regular School Board Meeting - July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Northwest Allen County Schools board approved two state grants for digital interventions and learning tools, accepted a donated Ramsey financial‑literacy curriculum, awarded a $307,493.52 bid for Willow Creek band instruments, and approved a 25‑cent school‑meal price increase and a 1% health‑insurance premium renewal.","taxTitle","Northwest Allen County Schools, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",38355,"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},6161388,"District posts mixed assessment results; leaders flag math as priority as iLearn/iPad changes approach",510,4830000,5340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae&start=4830&end=5340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae/thumbnail_4830000.jpg","/articles/6161388/Indiana/District-posts-mixed-assessment-results-leaders-flag-math-as-priority-as-iLearniPad-changes-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161388-59e15a0c4ad4c3a952e0007382360acd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770672916&Signature=nuVADntuZtND9Tx~1hmxeK3mePuTI9QH4zRySl0Arf5QV~RPPR22uPjF9fm3cy2Ohhor56D0fH46hQHD0lHJYXJxcwaZs0cvzjlWmE7rsFAeoDR0gjOj5YP0rh2Rv1Cr32-bpylsiRCvDdN6LpqlqjMbWi8fCM~dWkuxxCCs9uPwl9Z8ha1pM3OjVrASkuVB6eoIovqDrz7bmKk74ACxoMUz5qTywXRbMILAKnSTt84LJSyO6DYQ-hzKzRDTMS86f6X0GcPaEv2Ran~XLFxFuGLWVbY8ucE6lgzBTic0mgSHybNlBTuJxsr3LPeYK3BngMod8iDrvLHOBcS-8vFryQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northwest Allen County Schools presented recent student assessment results on July 21, reporting modest district‑level gains in English language arts and mixed results in mathematics, and outlined next steps for local assessment strategy as the state moves to new iLearn checkpoints.

Doctor Toler, a staff member presenting achievement updates, said the district’s overall iLearn pass rate rose 2 percentage points year over year and that language arts showed measurable cohort growth at several grade levels. \"That number is 2% higher than last year,\" he said of the districtwide iLearn pass rate, and noted the district is in the top 12% of the state for ELA performance. For math, the district’s pass rate (49%) places it in the top 23% of the state, but Toler and other staff said math remains the district’s primary area for improvement because of grade‑to‑grade declines in some cohorts.

Toler summarized NWEA (MAP) achievement and growth distributions, noting strong movement of students into higher achievement percentiles in reading and language usage. \"To see a 10% change and move 10% of our kids up into those higher percentile groups on achievement, that's a large number of students,\" he said. For math, he said the district saw smaller growth and a dip in students in the highest growth percentile group.

District staff discussed how assessment practice may change: the Indiana Department of Education is rolling out iLearn checkpoints designed to align with standards and allow targeted retesting on standards; at the same time, state funding for the district’s use of NWEA is being reduced to cover only up to 10% of students in grades 3–8 next year (funding will continue for K–2). Toler said the district will continue NWEA for K–8 during the coming year while it monitors checkpoint rollout and state funding; he called the DOE checkpoints “a positive direction” but said the district must balance testing frequency and usefulness for teachers.

At the high‑school level, the district reported a 94.12% graduation rate (2024), stronger SAT English (EBRW) benchmarks with 76% meeting the benchmark (a 7‑point gain), weaker SAT math results (37% met benchmark, down 5 points) and strong AP outcomes (87% of AP students scored a 3 or higher on AP exams; a department had 100% pass rate on a Spanish AP exam this year).

Staff said next steps include targeted work on math fundamentals, assessment cadence decisions (how often to administer diagnostic measures), and use of intervention tools purchased or funded through recent grants. The district emphasized a planned focus on number sense, math facts and intervention minutes at elementary levels.

Ending: District leaders said they will report additional data when embargoed iRead scores are released and will bring updated assessment plans to the board for discussion in August.","Superintendent and assessment staff reported modest gains in language arts and variable results in math on state tests and NWEA; district will continue NWEA this year while evaluating new iLearn checkpoints and state funding changes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6161395,"District launches referendum website and presents sample tax impacts; board shares voter calculator",1080,4080000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae&start=4080&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","/articles/6161395/Indiana/District-launches-referendum-website-and-presents-sample-tax-impacts-board-shares-voter-calculator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161395-a271e332fd7ba3e66c21c24c9606acc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770672916&Signature=Z116dI3dyywjUs27qNU6dgSTHqrE289JQdMj5vaPn85NLPV-ICSr5ZRkvvpKjVPiGeLxbBguagCbX1PchC1ZIrI3wTbSUlpa48g9oC~F-ocDMrwfNemr~4EuGjZZtcPFfNUTmpB9qkUskizKuIhh9qCihAvseUiifWwcibrvAOHFjo4NM4HcDfQz8fN7SDIIr6CxPMHHas3uAyK~Kxz0zKaqu0tj7ijpWh1koFGeUh7W1LfjkRtN0USluV9qJrWc8R3uBNuF0pwXvGjRFKW~1sJS1VZppnl3tNv6LdphYiyXEYS~n-PC5l7LEMFllsU1tE-Z84PMEEvukgpt0Y2D6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northwest Allen County Schools on July 21 reviewed an operating‑referendum information site and sample tax‑impact scenarios aimed at helping voters see how a proposed operating referendum would affect individual property tax bills under the changes created by Senate Enrolled Act 1.

Superintendent Becker and communications staff said the district’s new referendum page (linked on NACS’s homepage) centralizes presentations, data, a downloadable flyer comparing district funding per pupil to peers, and a tax calculator with a QR code so residents can enter their own assessed value and township to estimate the referendum’s effect. \"It's on our main NACS dot k12 dot IN dot us on the main page underneath operating referendum,\" a staff member said during the meeting.

The board presented four illustrative examples to show both the Act 1 impact and the referendum effect. For a Perry Township homeowner with a gross assessed value of $350,000, the district showed a 2025 tax bill of $2,672.76 that would drop under Senate Enrolled Act 1 to $2,319.48 in 2026; if an operating referendum passed, the example showed an added $505 annually for a 2026 bill of $2,824.49 — an increase of $151.73 compared with 2025. For a $700,000 Perry Township home the district displayed a $1,090.27 referendum impact ($485.83 higher than 2025). For agriculture and large‑acre landowners the presentation gave two farm examples: a 39.6‑acre parcel assessed at $84,500 with a $221.37 referendum impact and a 120.2‑acre parcel assessed at $193,800 with a $507.71 referendum impact. The district provided those examples as illustrations and encouraged residents to use the calculator for precise figures.

Communications staff member Mrs. Valdez demonstrated the referendum page, which she said includes: an overview of district operating and capital funds, a chart showing NACS receives about $8 million less per year than the state average, Policy Analytics charts on assessed‑value composition, a downloadable flyer comparing districts, the tax calculator with guidance on input values, links to policy analytics and Baker Tilly, board meeting materials, a voter‑registration link and an operating.referendum@nacs.k12.in.us mailbox for questions.

Board members said the site is intended to give voters neutral, factual information rather than advocacy. \"We're not trying to make emotional appeals. We're trying to say here's the information and allow…voters to make the decision,\" a staff member said.

Ending: The district will continue to update the referendum page and to publish presentations and data; staff said they will assist residents who need help using the calculator.","Northwest Allen County Schools unveiled an operating‑referendum website, a tax‑impact calculator and sample homeowner/landowner scenarios showing how Senate Enrolled Act 1 affects 2026 bills and how a referendum would change taxes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6161399,"School board sets maximum bond package for career-technical and bus facilities after project hearing; staff to refine campus access plans",481,59000,540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae&start=59&end=540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441933-6937a5c58b3b10c454e9e790af474bae/thumbnail_59000.jpg","/articles/6161399/Indiana/School-board-sets-maximum-bond-package-for-career-technical-and-bus-facilities-after-project-hearing-staff-to-refine-campus-access-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161399-915b01eb23c73136220b6c5a1a3cacad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770672916&Signature=FR1UapcQgpsAGWJcDng3WuGAq16IHYrjcYFSFQwCrTwYXNUxzflcJQj4voNJnQlipr4BdnThJ18eDftIoyzgYRE0VwEs3kxsaizcdqDU9JUh0uffatemnmXso2OMJLCW8Oqf-d7zZ6HAd62P51ZmP2gfv5b9DhpnPpJua1tq-eESc2GxkmJjU4aJQ6tjVPJdg7hFB9KDTtzEyXCpq3-vgGurh28CiqeALoT9xt3MkR6GLxmWP7pADQVUQaai3MNDaTsxMKX7P5~CI5U9ZYzRrCJG3uFiA4t7Lr0R3BGOp72Olvno5pt5tQKXvgHGgJcr0GSkiVTOYKECTz0sIyRZQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees on July 21 held a project and preliminary determination hearing and established a maximum bond issuance of $88,850,000 to finance a proposed career-technical education (CTE) center and a new transportation facility. The board voted to approve a project resolution, a preliminary determination resolution and a reimbursement resolution to allow the district to move forward with design and later issuance if the board elects to proceed.

The hearing matters because both projects would be financed through debt and because state law requires public hearings before a school corporation issues bonds or enters leases above statutory thresholds. “Pursuant to Indiana Code 20-26-7-37 … and Indiana Code 6-1.1-20-3.5,” a staff member summarized at the start of the hearing, “these public hearings and the consideration of resolutions represent the beginning of the legal process.”

District staff described two separate facilities. Dr. Bidding, a district staff member leading design presentations, said the proposed CTE building is “roughly 89, 90,000 square foot” and would house 21 half-day programs for juniors and seniors, including early childhood, nursing, culinary, welding, construction trades, engineering, fire rescue and criminal justice. He said the building would include high-bay areas and exterior learning spaces such as a greenhouse and outdoor civil-construction “sandbox” for hands-on training. The CTE timeline presented shows schematic design continuing, a planned bid in December, a February–March 2026 ground breaking if scheduled, and a roughly 17‑month construction period to open for students in fall 2027.

Brandon Basham, a district staff member who presented financing scenarios, said the two projects’ total project hard/soft cost estimate is $77,850,000, with a maximum issuance estimate of $88,850,000 that includes $11,000,000 in smaller “Geobond” items the district typically uses for maintenance and preventive work. Basham outlined two repayment options prepared by the district’s financial advisors: a level‑repayment plan that slightly increases the tax rate but reduces total interest, and a deferred‑payment plan that would hold the tax rate steady initially but yields larger payments later. \"I would personally recommend that we go with the 0 change to the rate, which would be the deferred payment,\" Basham said, citing uncertainty about effects from Senate Enrolled Act 1 and potential circuit‑breaker revenue loss.

The transportation facility plan described by staff would expand bus storage and maintenance capacity from the current facility’s four bays to seven bays and provide space to house as many as 120 buses, plus a multiuse training area. The district said the transportation building could be bid in November, with a 12–14 month construction timeline and possible move‑in the following May to allow renovation of the current transportation site.

Public comments at the hearing focused on site access and safety for neighbors. Dustin Peterson (5039 Baird Road) and Rob Yates (4305 Baird Road), nearby residents, said a single driveway onto the narrow, rural Baird Road would concentrate student, employee and construction traffic on a road they described as chip‑seal without shoulders and already used as a high‑speed cut‑through. Peterson said the proposed driveway location “puts a lot of construction traffic for, I believe, 18 months on our road” and asked that staff ensure traffic would not be routed onto residents’ roads; he also said he would withhold support for the district’s operating referendum unless vehicle access is resolved. Michael Gross, another resident, urged the district to consult local construction professionals and to confirm demand before committing to a $90 million facility.

Board members and staff recorded these public concerns as issues to resolve in design. President Hathaway said staff had been asked to “talk through the logistics of the internal road” and that nothing on road alignments had been set in stone. Dr. Bidding said district civil engineers have begun traffic and site work, have identified wetlands and ditches on the property, and are pursuing traffic studies and coordination with county highway officials; he said staff is working toward one or more internal drive options and may include an alternate driveway in bidding packages should the board wish to make the second access contingent on final funding.

Formal actions taken at the meeting were limited to establishing financial parameters and authorizing staff to continue design and procurement steps. The board approved (voice vote) a project resolution setting estimated project costs and a maximum issuance, a preliminary determination resolution to allow future issuance steps, and a reimbursement resolution permitting the district to reimburse qualifying preliminary expenditures from future bond proceeds. Motions were made and seconded (project resolution: motion by Ms. Slaughter, second by Mr. Boat; preliminary determination: motion by Ms. Jamieson, second by Mr. Vogt; reimbursement resolution: motion by Mr. Lauder, second by Mr. Boat) and each motion was approved by voice vote.

Discussion vs. decision: the board’s vote only established the maximum financial terms and allowed staff to continue with design and bidding preparations; no bond was issued and no construction contract was awarded at this meeting. Staff said final decisions about issuing bonds, going out to bid and selecting contractors will come later and will depend on bid results and additional decisions by the board.

The district plans to return to the board with refined site drawings and a schematic‑design update at a future meeting. Dr. Bidding said he expects to present a clearer site graphic and additional traffic analysis at the next board meeting.

Ending: The board’s approvals enable the district to continue design and to prepare for future bidding and financing steps, while staff and engineers continue to refine driveway locations, drainage and traffic mitigation in response to neighborhood safety concerns.","Northwest Allen County Schools held a project and preliminary determination hearing and set a maximum issuance of $88.85 million for a proposed career-technical center and new transportation facility while staff continues work on site access and traffic mitigation after public safety concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves several grants, curriculum donation and equipment bids; votes to raise lunch price by 25 cents

District posts mixed assessment results; leaders flag math as priority as iLearn/iPad changes approach

District launches referendum website and presents sample tax impacts; board shares voter calculator

School board sets maximum bond package for career-technical and bus facilities after project hearing; staff to refine campus access plans