MSD Martinsville Schools honored student achievements and presented a wrap-up of the district art showcase during its meeting. Administrators and teachers recognized individual student accomplishments (singing at Carnegie Hall, salutatorian and valedictorian honors) and described an art exhibition that featured more than 600 pieces from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Jess Taylor, Martinsville High School visual arts department chair, told the board the district's arts program emphasizes STEAM—adding arts to STEM—to support creativity, critical thinking and cross-disciplinary problem solving. "The arts are a universal access point that breaks down societal, cultural, and disciplinary barriers," Taylor said during her presentation. She said the show was the largest in her four years with double the awards compared with the previous year and included student work ranging from 3-D blown glass projects to paintings that used linear perspective techniques.

Martinsville High School Principal Jeff Bell introduced several student recognitions, including freshman Aubrey Lawson, who sang at Carnegie Hall, senior salutatorian Brandon Leonard, and valedictorian Caitlin Long. Brandon Leonard told the board he plans to attend Purdue University for mechanical engineering and said he took AP classes and dual credit courses during high school. Caitlin Long said she will attend Indiana University and enter as a sophomore after completing Core 30 requirements.

Taylor and presenters acknowledged community partners: Ron Stanhouse, owner of the Art Sanctuary, donated gallery space free of charge for the exhibition; resident artists served as judges, and members of administration—Assistant Superintendent Susie Lipps and Superintendent Eric Bolin—selected superintendent-choice awards at each school level. Taylor also thanked the art teachers for the unpaid hours they spend mounting and preparing student work for the show.

Board members praised the arts showcase as a community event that engaged students across grade levels and acknowledged that arts teachers and partners contributed significant volunteer time.

The district also announced routine academic updates including kindergarten and pre-K enrollment dates and a reminder that pre-K is available at all seven elementary schools for children who will be 4 years old by Aug. 1, 2025.