Mishawaka board approves application for $495,300 technology loan; district reports Project Lead The Way grants for every elementary school

The School City of Mishawaka Board of School Trustees on March 5 approved administration’s request to apply for the 2025 Spring Common School Technology Loan and heard an update on Project Lead The Way (PLTW) grant awards for the district’s elementary schools.

Ally Parr told the board the district seeks a loan of $495,300 from the Common School Fund. She said common school loans carry a 1% interest rate and are repaid over five years; the administration intends to use the proceeds to purchase student Chromebooks, licenses, cases and repair-service plans to support the district’s 1:1 device refresh cycle. Parr said the district’s eligibility is based on assessed valuation per average daily membership and that School City of Mishawaka’s February 2025 ADM supported the approximate $495,300 figure.

Following the loan motion, STEM coordinator Ryan Mitchell and Dr. Stockdale reported on Project Lead The Way activities. Mitchell said the district, in its fourth year of a K–6 STEM special, applied for PLTW grants and received awards of up to $5,000 per elementary school. The grants are being used to replace costly lab and robotics equipment and to fund required professional development so every elementary student benefits from updated materials.

Board members approved the motion to apply for the technology loan by voice vote. Administration representatives said the loan, if received, would be used during the upcoming 1:1 refresh cycle and that specific procurement and deployment plans would follow standard purchasing rules.