Board hears strategic-planning update, Cummins donation and growth in robotics programs

Dr. Hemming briefed the board on the district’s strategic-planning work, saying four working groups are advancing goal-area actions and committee leads meet every other month. She said recent Lilly Endowment grant news (phase 3) will require the district to modify some planned actions or identify creative alternatives because of resource reallocations.

Committee reports included a donation from Cummins of a large diesel engine for instructional purposes and a director-contract correction. The board ratified the teachers association contract and approved non-teacher salary increases as part of routine committee work.

Dr. Hemming highlighted extracurricular growth: the district went from no robotics teams a few years ago to six teams competing statewide (two middle school teams and four elementary/other teams). Board members also noted robust early-grade program interest and on-campus events such as MLL night.

"We have 4 working groups for our strategic goal areas...because of the phase 3 of the Lilly Endowment Grant news, we are going to need to modify some of the actions," Dr. Hemming said. The board approved the items presented and will pursue modifications and follow-up through the committees and administrative staff.