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Year-In-Review

Some of the most impactful stories from 2023:

Parents voice support of axed dual-language program

LIGONIER — Parents with students in West Noble’s dual language program voiced their displeasure with the administration’s decision to cancel the program for next year. A group of 15-20 parents and other adults attended Monday’s school board meeting to plead for the program’s reinstatement. A letter was sent home to parents April 19, which explained the district’s decision to cancel the program because of the lack of staff. Parent Justin Blotkamp said the dual language program is “education at its finest” and that he was disappointed the program was going away. He said the program is important in a community as diverse as Ligonier and can help students facing language challenges as they move to the high school. Blotkamp said his wife was a teacher at the high school.

School board applies for technology loan

LIGONIER — West Noble School Corporation will apply for a Common School Loan to upgrade its technology. School board members agreed to the application at Monday’s meeting. Technology director Mike Burke said that three phases of infrastructure improvements will happen if the loan application is approved. An aging main server in the data center will be replaced at an estimated cost of $59,000; 70 desktop computers at West Noble Middle School will be replaced at an estimated cost of $913 each; and new Chromebooks with licensing fees will be purchased for all 180 teachers at an estimated Cost of $80,000. Schools may apply for a Common School Loan twice a year, and may receive funds equal to $100 per student. There is no guarantee that the district’s application would be approved. Superintendent Galen Mast said West Noble has received a Common School Loan twice.

Grades K-4 shifting to in-person classes after break

School choice, testing keep superintendents in suspense

LIGONIER — School leaders are keeping an eye on the Indiana General Assembly as legislators consider two key topics: school choice expansion through education savings accounts, and how this spring’s ILEARN standardized testing will operate. West Noble superintendent Galen Mast said the days carved out for testing would be better spent in instruction and helping students. All students, including those who have been in virtual learning, will be required to take ILEARN in person at school. “We want accountability but we want those days for instruction,” he said. Schools were “held harmless” from the effects of 2020’s test scores because of the pandemic’s disruption of families’ lives and student learning. So far the legislature hasn’t taken the same action this year.