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Communities In Schools credited with attendance gains; library expansion survey draws public comment
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Summary
A Communities In Schools presentation highlighted local attendance and academic improvements tied to wraparound supports, and a public commenter urged residents to complete a survey on a proposed Landova library expansion that would be funded by bonds.
Representatives from Communities In Schools (CIS) and district staff told the Southmont School Board that CIS’s first year in the district has coincided with measurable attendance and academic improvements at multiple schools.
CIS representatives described a data-driven, tiered-support approach that connects families to community resources and provides school-coordinated, individualized services. A district teacher credited the CIS position with enabling staff to reach out to families about attendance and nonacademic barriers.
Citing local results, Miss Pinkerton said Ladoga set an attendance goal of 94% and Walnut set a goal of 90; both buildings exceeded their goals this year, the presenters said. Miss Pinkerton also reported that the district’s chronic absenteeism rate at Newmarket fell from 11.4% last year to 3.9% as of the third grading period, which she characterized as "incredible" progress.
A CIS representative thanked volunteers, community partners and sponsors — including Hoosier Heartland State Bank — for supporting programs such as Literacy League, which pairs high-school athletes with elementary students, and women-in-STEM presentations that bring female professionals into classrooms. Presenters said CIS-provided supports have included basic-needs assistance (mattresses, meals), dental help and legal guidance, and that a mix of sponsors and volunteers helped deliver those services.
During public comment, Megan Nagle, who identified herself with the Landova library, described a proposed two-story expansion that would add a learning center and life-skills programming. Nagle said the library expects to use bonds to fund construction and asked residents to complete an online or paper survey; she left paper copies and a QR code for attendees and described multiple drop-off locations for completed surveys.
Board members posed no substantive objections to the CIS report during the meeting. Staff introduced Helena Drum as CIS’s director of data and evaluation and noted her role in coordinating reporting for the local program.
The board subsequently moved to business items and took votes on the consent agenda and other routine matters. The meeting ended after announcements and adjournment.
