[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6146481,"mediaKeyId","5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf","parentId",5527119,"title","District reports construction progress at Carroll High, Willow Creek and Perry Hill; transportation center and CT site still in schematic design","audioSeconds",419,"startMs",1656000,"endMs",2075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf&start=1656&end=2075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146481/Indiana/District-reports-construction-progress-at-Carroll-High-Willow-Creek-and-Perry-Hill-transportation-center-and-CT-site-still-in-schematic-design","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146481-89292554d2860ded9582d666a1792007/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406429&Signature=eQKBfQ30TBo0yrPFj73LB2JYXR9dPyhaI8eQ6mxTw-8WnRqJD4rWMyiSCg2c2cB2AqTqr6HemamENt1U1S3GebZy0m~WBLMC1iBzMXTtH7d8XKnoFS5rBImt44K-dLSblrTw1gQu5qY30uowzQUqB4tvcgvTQljpwEx-5~MOCjPqerK22jvjoVHA~kPjXUAbqcZa~YlR79jMekpIic-T-5CMb055JMAatXU~TolBKHme-YaW4OLJxliaZDtZygwI5~V2EIvBd~d2fNHAvtwkDtGQWCqO-xSODOnWFcsQSSB8eyGMo8MUBTUyPY8EUOyZE0WFb8q4IlC569Egen1l4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northwest Allen County Schools","date","2025-08-04T13:12:58Z","article","Carroll High School’s new additions are in active use and Willow Creek’s new building continues to advance toward key milestones, district officials told the Board of School Trustees during a facilities update.

Why it matters: The projects will change where students learn and how district operations are routed (transportation center planning), and the board emphasized patience as construction continues while school opens Wednesday.

Progress at Carroll High and Willow Creek

Dr. Bidding, who leads operations and safety, said the district held a ribbon cutting for Carroll High’s new structures two weeks ago and staff have begun moving into the east addition. “We’re moving into those spots,” he said, noting the media center, weight room and new applied‑skills spaces were ready for staff at the ribbon cutting.

Willow Creek construction also showed marked progress. Dr. Bidding said the gym floor “is one of the upcoming milestones here coming up in the next month, 6 weeks,” and contractors have completed HVAC upgrades and are installing specialized floors for choir and band. He said many renovated spaces were emptied and reoccupied over a few weeks, crediting custodial staff and subcontractors for the pace.

Renovations and short‑term impacts

The district described three interior Carroll High areas where construction will continue during the semester: a converted construction/PLTW space, two new computer‑science or project‑based classrooms and an expanded radio/TV suite. The district hopes to open some remodeled rooms by the end of the first semester and said certain contractor work will occur while school is in session; crews will shift hours to reduce disruption.

Perry Hill preschool and playground

At Perry Hill, the board said a former central office space was converted to a classroom and staff have occupancy. A new accessible preschool playground was built with volunteer labor from United Way’s day‑of‑giving program and BF Goodrich; the district will install a turf surfacing next week, the board said.

Transportation center and CTE/alternative facility planning

District staff said the transportation center site work is narrowing in schematic design; planners are considering stormwater retention and how a new drive could separate parent and bus traffic. The transportation center is being planned to accommodate up to 120 buses, district staff said.

For the proposed Career and Technical Education (CTE) and alternative facility, staff reported continued site and program planning. Dr. Bidding said designers are refining internal spaces — culinary, welding, nursing labs and other specialized classrooms — and are exploring internal connections to the high school campus while addressing wetlands and drainage constraints. He described the images shown as schematic ideas, not final designs.

Board comments and transition planning

A board member thanked custodial staff and contractors for preparing spaces and asked for patience from families during the first days of school. Dr. Bidding said some contractors will shift to early morning shifts “so they can get 4 good hours of work in before the high school really gets busy,” reducing louder activities during student hours.

Taper: District officials said they will continue to provide photos and updates as the projects advance and will work to minimize disruption as students return.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NACS Regular School Board Meeting - August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Carroll High’s new additions are in active use and Willow Creek construction is approaching key milestones, while the district continues schematic design for a transportation center and a proposed CTE/alternative facility.","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},6146486,"Neighbors urge district to avoid Baird Road entrance for proposed CTE facility, raise safety and property concerns",2297,72000,2369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf&start=72&end=2369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6146486/Indiana/Neighbors-urge-district-to-avoid-Baird-Road-entrance-for-proposed-CTE-facility-raise-safety-and-property-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146486-dbd2aab5d38988d3ee10ac0172505b11/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406429&Signature=STG7qMI2hLWrl46UVotQyxoQV3XyB6Z~omAqODFUuCIZRn51BbEmmrwC5b6H3R7ifmj58CAeXhDnzLoQGqjuyQuDlLb~diTHNwEilrK4uMZPIbziHJ4p12kq8vd5pfyDRhzfWwlaTb01N9QeWZW-jeGLvirjDRbp9ohMi0tg2sSjH-WPmyhmnnQzc975Wp8ROx2UUmkXmUH0-EJsTnVv9~L3ngeRJv2XyUFTY-gjxAcTVZbWjLIpd-T40xXxyugFtINKui2toRAI5v-ORvvUHs7~tcUa0-fDJALZEVMFyNRoYAy78XCytoINI5cw15a8caCA6VAXnHcRLy7UJJ~New__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors of Baird Road told the Board of School Trustees that a proposed entrance to a planned Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility should not be routed across their properties because the road is narrow, has a history of crashes and could damage adjacent yards and driveways.

The comments came during the board’s public‑comment period, when five residents spoke about projected traffic, safety and property impacts related to the CTE site and its possible connection to Baird Road.

Why it matters: The district and its consultants are still studying access options and said any connection to Baird Road would require engineering work and county approvals. Neighbors asked the district to pause work on evaluating a Baird Road entrance until more outreach and clearer traffic data are available.

Residents’ concerns

Anne Davis, a resident at 4601 Baird Road, said the driveway “would be right across from my driveway” and that the existing infrastructure “would not support the road.” She asked that “the entrance come in off the Carroll Road side properties.”

Steve Bell, 4535 Baird Grove, described Baird Road as “a small country road” and said it lacks curb and storm infrastructure. He told the board his neighbor, who learned of the plan only the day before the meeting, would be most exposed if a turn lane and vehicle queuing were added because their house “already sits very close to the road.” Bell also said the nearby Hickory Center already produces heavy peak‑period congestion and questioned adding more student traffic to that pattern.

Barry Brown, a Baird Road resident of 38 years, said the road is narrow and has a record of vehicles leaving the roadway, hitting mailboxes and getting stuck in ditches. He asked the district to “limit student access to that road to that entrance road that’s being proposed.”

Karen Peterson, who identified herself as an Eller River Township trustee and a Baird Road resident, thanked the district for early community engagement and urged district staff and consultants to visit the narrow parcel being discussed before finalizing access plans. Dustin Peterson, also a neighbor, urged the board to stop spending district money on evaluating a Baird Road connection and said required traffic studies and pavement sampling “will need to be completed as well as 4 samples obtained for the road that the district will have to pay for.”

District response and next steps

Superintendent Barker said the district “has every intention of meeting with folks who are going to be impacted by this project” once engineers have a clearer picture of the impacts. Dr. Bidding, who leads operations and safety, told the board that school‑safety guidance typically favors “two points of entrance and exit from a facility,” and that engineers are working with the county to identify what improvements would be required on Baird Road to permit a connection.

Dr. Bidding said the design team is exploring an internal connection to the high school campus and that county codes and drainage constraints will affect road‑improvement requirements. He said the district plans to perform traffic counts and obtain video of traffic flows on Wednesday — an attempt to observe the campus at “its worst” — and will report findings to the board and the community.

What the meeting did (and did not) decide

There was no formal vote or change to the project at the meeting. The board approved routine consent items earlier in the agenda, but no action was taken on site access for the CTE facility. District staff said they will continue engineering work, county coordination and community outreach before presenting any recommended access plan.

Clarifying context and outstanding questions

- Neighbors repeatedly noted Baird Road’s narrow width, shallow ditches and prior vehicle run‑offs; they asked for an on‑site visit by district engineers before advancing an entrance plan.
- District staff said a two‑entrance design is being evaluated for safety reasons but did not recommend a final alignment at the meeting.
- Residents gave differing informal estimates of additional student traffic (one speaker said “800” and then referenced “about 400”); the district did not provide an enrollment projection during public comment.
- Dustin Peterson said traffic studies, pavement samples and any county permitting would add time and cost; the district confirmed traffic counts are planned.

Taper: District officials said they will schedule follow‑up meetings with neighbors once engineers produce more detailed assessments and options.","Neighbors of Baird Road told the Board of School Trustees that a proposed entrance to a planned Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility should not be routed across their properties because the road is narrow, has a history of crashes and could damage adjacent yards and driveways.",{"_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},6146466,"Board approves retirement and personnel hires; district reports all certified openings filled",133,1002000,1135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf&start=1002&end=1135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf/thumbnail_1002000.jpg","/articles/6146466/Indiana/Board-approves-retirement-and-personnel-hires-district-reports-all-certified-openings-filled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146466-c8208a9a07a40a2fe9b6aca9bcb71cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406429&Signature=nEnyO1rz3LNCnFxSghB6lxu6yIiwYAYjrGC9g2m-x3~7IeZBnOhrJkuGXW-FcWkTkI85T0HuFAZ76jPwOiBFWZLko59nWv5hC1pYMl3BQOTn2NyqD9hgN70uj1nzi~qnmLauyrQRaaVkGsrac4mdTHMsjPpDtQd6mT6y2yd83FZ~oOLe8hfl6PXIVRkMrglRUClPkV6gJ8NNRqUYSIJi-s0N1uZxKW~VaIZjiLOVM2PLgX0K0vo5GClS85XSeyHGsy96WP5cky1WWkPq~imVg~G1AzNDbddwI1-MAssrB8wVeQWfG16XP7AhHLBJ6mdO4Rs6A3EUqSxNvvrnxZd6wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of School Trustees approved personnel recommendations that included retirements, administrator and teaching hires and classified positions, the personnel director said.

Why it matters: Staffing decisions affect classroom coverage and school operations as the district opens a new year.

Key personnel items and vote

Mr. DiPrimio, referencing the personnel packet, announced a summer retirement: Vicky Abel Simpson, hired in August 1994 and who “did indeed complete 31 years of service to NACS, students and staff.” The board expressed thanks for Simpson’s service.

Agenda items approved included permission to post and hire an assistant principal/athletic director at Willow Creek Middle School and a weekend addition to the certified‑recommendation list: a math teacher at Carroll High School who can start immediately because no 30‑day hold was implemented. Mr. DiPrimio said the district has “filled all certified openings” as of the meeting.

On the motion approving personnel recommendations the board voted to approve the items (motion by Miss Slaughter; second by Miss Chaffee). The personnel summary read to the board noted one administrator recommendation, 14 certified positions and 28 classified positions on the packet.

Taper: The board welcomed the new assistant principal at Carroll High School and congratulated new hires and retiring staff.","The board accepted a retirement and approved personnel recommendations that include administrative and multiple certified and classified positions; the personnel director reported that certified openings are filled and highlighted one summer retirement with 31 years of service.",{"_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},6146471,"Board receives first reading of 16 policy changes tied to state legislative updates",136,1247000,1383000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf&start=1247&end=1383","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf/thumbnail_1247000.jpg","/articles/6146471/Indiana/Board-receives-first-reading-of-16-policy-changes-tied-to-state-legislative-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146471-e64b2c2ee9a5dcd98f6c64abdba0b0e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406429&Signature=Hjapsps5v44~0clIZvZ3C2El3LR4cswvjlh1-~DxWQSvW6GkLqY3Z10-4dhNEdS22JGzVfPfDMwbrQ5q0JdSuK4DZtaNbEX2Q6w06cR5QvGULllajnyFsRVoEC15PMLOIbhD52SfTn00NDFbfQl0kBDZtjfPvNYrtLd1~AR~6DR6H9RxiiI80fzvZwB6aGqG3~38ZMJvRIm61EfLo3mVNeDoheME0BJk1vR00OjmoWKFbSI8kKUJ7izmeoD6f-tM6iGMSQ0pAvf0SBT6S9rNf00c~G0ZKCWgoDnSjJTyhBw0z-kmORnGREnUC95tee7H5wTfk5eb1TCxCJK~SQf4kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received a first reading of 16 policies and two forms that district administrators said are required to align local policy with changes enacted by the Indiana General Assembly.

Why it matters: State legislative changes can require school districts to update local policies and procedures; the district’s legal partner will provide periodic updates after each legislative session.

What was presented

Administrators said the packet reflects legal changes the district must adopt to conform with the latest state law. The board’s policy overhaul work was done in partnership with the law firm Church, Church, Hittle & Antrim and the updates were presented as required first reading material; administrators also included related administrative forms for the board’s review.

The superintendent noted that the legislature expanded circumstances under which school boards may hold executive sessions and said the board should expect that change to affect practice even though executive session rules are not a policy the board adopts.

Next steps

Administrators asked the board to submit suggested edits before the next regular meeting, when the policies will return on second reading for board action. No policy votes were taken at this meeting.

Taper: The board is scheduled to consider the policies for approval on second reading at the next meeting.","District administrators presented 16 policies and two forms on first reading that reflect recent changes enacted by the Indiana General Assembly and the district's legal partner; the board will take action on second reading at its next meeting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6146476,"Superintendent urges factual, non‑divisive outreach on operating referendum; limits staff political activity during work hours",188,804000,992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf&start=804&end=992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5527119-bd2ca6aaf25fcb1dd44cb9222a4fa5cf/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6146476/Indiana/Superintendent-urges-factual-nondivisive-outreach-on-operating-referendum-limits-staff-political-activity-during-work-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146476-97ccca346c4e7c4bf81d24880c534b8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775406429&Signature=Mpal86cDP-lkY8YPdT0EsRux8U86YYVHX3FjR~yZCAyFvT6Poig1UI-G-jBjcCuMPNSTDRWZWsqKgDQNcBwVLmrfVDLdPl32H3lwtnEZOpZHFkUmmRJ4w~Lao7EDBo4PDQkW5YUYzMQo~KCJWvBke50i8OA9UO~40Z-YBc~m-PcXKuRdFtVEsKqZwM64sqH3aFWLOcDBWnKL3Z3~TzS74wCwAops8WPmqyBsyypSc6pwyhxkiq6et8L8CLNSXyOFmyCjfMGzK5XW5OVHxRKZ-RzDvZnW8qNbzDZoatWiM8B06VrCjy43rd9DseTUOnxAxniHjTBwKctax9hEeqQyig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Barker told the Board of School Trustees the district will approach the upcoming operating referendum with an emphasis on factual information and civility, and that the district will issue rules limiting staff political activity during school hours.

Why it matters: Operating referenda affect local tax rates, school budgets and programs; how the district communicates during the campaign is tightly watched by families, staff and community groups.

Superintendent’s approach

“It's important for me that this referendum is not a divisive issue in our community,” Superintendent Barker said, urging voters to “learn facts, learn how those facts impact them, and vote, with whatever reflects their values.” He said the district’s website contains an operating‑referendum calculator that homeowners can use to estimate their personal impact.

Staff rules and designated spokespersons

Barker said he will send rules to staff clarifying what employees may do during work hours. He said that during school hours the only district employees authorized to speak about the referendum will be Superintendent Barker, Dr. Bidding, Dr. Toler and Mr. Basham, and that their outreach will be “from a factual standpoint and not an emotional standpoint.”

He asked the community and staff to treat one another respectfully during the campaign and offered to discuss factual questions with residents who want more information. No board action was taken at the meeting; the superintendent said the rules would be distributed to staff by the next day.

Taper: The district will continue posting factual referendum materials and will publish the staff guidance that governs communication during work hours.","Superintendent Barker told the board the district will aim for factual public information about the operating referendum, will publish staff rules about communication during school hours and said only designated administrators will discuss the referendum with staff during work time.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports construction progress at Carroll High, Willow Creek and Perry Hill; transportation center and CT site still in schematic design

Neighbors urge district to avoid Baird Road entrance for proposed CTE facility, raise safety and property concerns

Board approves retirement and personnel hires; district reports all certified openings filled

Board receives first reading of 16 policy changes tied to state legislative updates

Superintendent urges factual, non‑divisive outreach on operating referendum; limits staff political activity during work hours