Jennings County School Corporation outlines 'Blueprint 2030' priorities in work session

The Jennings County School Corporation presented a data-driven framework for its next four-year strategic plan, called "Blueprint 2030," during a livestreamed work session. Staff summarized findings from about 100 pages of county and state data and outlined five proposed action areas that will be brought to the board for approval at the next regular meeting.

The moderator opened the session by saying, "The entire focus of tonight's work session is about strategic planning," and described a committee process that used SMART goals, affinity prioritization and an accountability lens. The presentation drew on several sources, including the Indiana Youth Institute and assessment data from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

Panther Well‑being emerged as a primary area of focus. Melissa Patterson, a presenter on the Panther Well‑being team, said the goal is to "create increase student and staff well‑being because we know that student and staff well‑being is the foundation" for academic success. Dustin Roller noted that nearly 64 percent of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch and that the district ranks among the highest in the state on poverty measures; staff listed existing supports — the Hope Food Program, a Panther Pantry at the high school and a pop‑up clothing shop that uses "Panther bucks" to preserve students' dignity — and discussed finding sustainable funding for pre‑K and paid work‑based learning opportunities for high school students.

Mental health was another cross-cutting priority. Presenters said survey feedback from parents, students and staff put mental‑health supports among the top priorities; one slide reported that 60 percent of medically homebound students were so classified for anxiety‑related conditions. Presenters recommended creating clearer transition processes for students returning from residential or intensive supports.

Academic presenters reviewed literacy and math trends across grade bands. Dylan Boswell highlighted steady gains in early literacy scores and explained an increased emphasis on I‑Read outcomes in second grade; Leslie Hill noted a districtwide uptick in special‑education percentages amid declining enrollment and flagged a marked drop in math performance between sixth grade and middle school. The district plans to add math coaches, expand professional development on the "science of math," and use a common student tracker so progress follows students who move between schools.

Operational effectiveness recommendations covered seven pillars, including special‑education staffing and certification, professional development and recruitment, marketing to boost enrollment, and online programming. Staff said they plan to apply for an ED Flex professional‑development waiver to create more in‑service days and will continue the Panther Online Academy (K–8) as one strategy to reduce losses to external online providers.

On school culture and climate, presenters emphasized building‑level safety enhancements, stronger emergency‑services and law‑enforcement partnerships, proactive behavior instruction through PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports), and more deliberate teaching of executive‑function and employability skills. Presenters also raised a communication gap: ParentSquare reaches an estimated 25 percent of county residents, and staff urged broader outreach to the whole community.

Fiscal priorities include conducting a facility study and a redistricting study, aligning resources to enrollment trends, exploring the district's available bonding capacity, and maintaining cash‑balance sustainability as enrollment declines.

The moderator said the board will be asked to approve the five action areas at the next regular board meeting; after approval, staff plan to broaden stakeholder involvement, recruit volunteers in June, and create SMART goals with progress monitoring for each action area. The work session was adjourned and the board's regular meeting was scheduled to follow at 7:00 p.m.

What happens next: the board will consider formal approval of the action areas at the next regular meeting; if approved, staff will develop SMART goals and progress‑monitoring plans with expanded community and teacher participation.