Southeast Dubois County School Corporation August 6 board meeting

The Southeast Dubois County School Corporation Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting on August 6 and took the following actions:

Stadium Construction and Dedication Plans

Heard the Best Home Furnishings stadium project is nearing completion with substantial completion targeted for August 15th. Concrete pouring and fencing installation are currently underway. The first football games are scheduled for August 29th, with 5th and 6th grade boys playing first, followed by the varsity home game. A dedication ceremony honoring the Lange family is planned for September 4th or 5th against Washington. Mary C. Lange will attend the ceremony to recognize her family’s unprecedented financial contribution to the stadium project. “Not many communities receive the financial contribution we ahve received from her and the impact this stadium will have on our students, student athletes, just overall for the community is truly amazing,” said Superintendent Jamie Pund.

The baseball field project will commence once football stadium work is complete, with an expected completion date of December. Bond project meetings for Forest Park and Ferdinand Elementary are beginning, with construction scheduled to start in May 2026.

Community Donations and Support

The district received several generous donations totaling $8,500. The Kiwanis Club of Ferdinand contributed $1,000 for summer remediation programs at Ferdinand Elementary and Pine Ridge. There were also a $5,000 donation from Kight Home Center toward the baseball field renovation, while Kenneth and Mary Wahl contributed $500 for the same project. SP&F Football Boosters provided $2,000 for Forest Park Football Team. These donations demonstrate strong community support for educational programs and facility improvements. The board unanimously approved acceptance of all donations, expressing gratitude for the community’s continued investment in student success and facility enhancements.

Outstanding Academic Performance Results

Southeast Dubois achieved exceptional results on state assessments, ranking among the top performers statewide. In ELA, the district had the highest proficiency in the surrounding area at 57.5%, with 4th grade ranking 14th statewide and 7th grade ranking 15th. Math results were equally impressive, with 5th grade achieving 77% proficiency and ranking second in the state. Third through sixth grades all exceeded 65% proficiency in math, with 6th grade ranking 15th statewide. Science performance placed the district first locally and 13th statewide for the corporation’s fourth graders, while social studies results showed the second-highest local performance among fifth graders. SAT performance reached 75.9% proficiency, ranking first locally and 17th statewide. All content areas significantly outperformed state averages.

Teacher Mentor Program Implementation

The administration launched a comprehensive teacher mentor program to support new educators during their first two years. The program addresses changes in teacher preparation programs and reduced field experiences post-COVID. Experienced teachers serve as mentors, providing wraparound support including classroom visits, goal setting, instructional planning, and guidance on both professional and practical matters. Monthly group sessions led by administrators focus on themes aligned with the teacher evaluation system, including classroom culture, reaching all learners, assessments, avoiding burnout, and preparing for year two. The program aims to increase retention, reduce first-year overwhelm, build good habits, and accelerate professional growth while providing leadership opportunities for mentor teachers.

Budget and Transportation Updates

The 2026 budget is nearly complete with a public hearing scheduled for the September meeting. Bus route modifications were necessary, with Route 12 being eliminated and split between two existing routes covering areas like Kings Ridge Road and the east side of town. Contract addenda were approved to adjust mileage compensation for affected drivers. The board approved salary increases for bus drivers, raising the per-trip rate from $35 to $40 and the mileage rate from $0.30 to $0.50 per mile, effective immediately. This increase recognizes the challenging nature of the job and aims to retain quality drivers. The administration expressed gratitude to all staff for their efforts in starting the school year successfully.

Final

The board issued a commendation to all involved in opening up the schools for the new school year. “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our custodians, maintenance crew, technology staff, and everyone who played a role in preparing our buildings for the start of the school year. Your hard work, attention to detail, and dedication to our schools do not go unnoticed. We truly appreciate the teamwork and effort that went into making sure everything was ready to welcome back our students and staff.”