By SYDNEY KENT

Steve Baker

Bluffton High School Principal Steve Baker has announced his plans to retire following the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2025. 

Baker has served as an educator with Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan Schools for 40 years, with 11 years as a math teacher and coach, three years as an assistant principal, and 26 years as the high school principal. 

During this time, he’s served on several committees with the Indiana Department of Education and on the board for the Indiana Association of School Principals. He was also named the IASP High School Principal of the Year in 2012.

He and his wife, Loni, have two adult children both BHS graduates, and four grandchildren. A district press release stated Baker plans to transition from principal to “Papa” in this next season.

The board of trustees for BHMSD begrudgingly approved Baker’s resignation during their meeting on Monday. 

“You started when I was a senior in high school — the football coach. We met on the football field,” board member Mike Murray said, looking at Baker across the room. “Our kids loved him, I loved him. Our kids appreciate everything he has done.” 

The Bluffton-Harrison board of trustees took an updated photo, with recently appointed member Preston Kaehir. Pictured left to right are, Kaehr, Mike Murray, Julie Thompson, Angie Sheets, Trent White, and Brad Yates. (Photo by Sydney Kent)

“You have served the students well,” board member Julie Thompson added. 

Also during the meeting, elementary school counselor Kole Meyer, who served as the district’s summer school administrator, spoke to the board about the accomplishments from the summer. Meyer highlighted students’ experience with the world of Hogwarts, creating duct tape sculptures and engaging in robotics activities.

“Almost 200 students received great programming in a safe environment with wonderful educators pouring into them,” Meyer said. 

Meyer extended gratitude to a long list of people for their part in providing and documenting the programming. Because of the combined efforts of Superintendent Brad Yates, Assistant Superintendent Julie Meitzler, and many more people, students received free access to summer school with free transportation and food.

Meitzler noted that over 5,351 meals were served through the summer food program in Bluffton, with 478 second meals requested. 

“Kids are getting so much more comfortable,” Meitzler emphasized. “They’re coming up and saying, ‘I’m still hungry, I need more food.’”

Yates announced that the construction at Bluffton-Harrison Middle School is almost finished, with minor items to be addressed in the science classrooms and the completion of the roof access door modifications. The OurTown Safety Village at the elementary has also made significant progress. Yates said the district anticipated a ribbon cutting in late September or early October. 

Yates also discussed the potential for students to receive telehealth doctor visits at school with a parent or guardian’s permission in the future. He acknowledged the demand the service would place on school nurses, however, he said that the district is exploring options. 

“The goal is to keep kids in class longer,” Yates explained. “(And) to make it more convenient for parents and guardians.” 

The board also:

• Accepted resignations from fifth grade science teacher Heather Kryiss, bus driver Peggy Diffendarfer and special purpose bus driver Samantha White. 

• Approved employment recommendations for: Allison Norman as a fifth grade teacher; Betsy Needler as a fifth grade mild disabilities teacher; Cruz Rinkenberger as an EL instructional assistant; Colin Sackett as a long-term substitute teacher; Neely Bultemeier as elementary school yearbook adviser; Holden Berlin as high school band director; Erica Bluhm as high school cheerleading sponsor with Sara Runyon as assistant and Cheyanne Penrod as middle school sponsor; Hannah Gerig as high school vocal music director; Michael Vanderkolk as high school yearbook adviser; Tara Cocanower and Andrew Cook as high school teacher technology specialists; Steve Linderwell as BPA sponsor; Erin Schantz and John Price as NHS sponsors; Stacy Morrison and Jill Buskirk as student council sponsors; Sydney Jeffers as head junior class sponsor with Alyssa Hatfield, Kyle Linton, Nick Miller, Karen Reed, Carla Rizer and Vanderkolk also as sponsors; Brent Kunkel as head senior sponsor; Kevin Powell, ick Man Matre, Jackie Chaney, Andrew Cook, Price and Cocanower as high school team leaders; Meredythe Fritz, Sydney Jeffers, Miller, Cocanower, Nancy Fisher, Aby Ribich and Steve Linderwell as club sponsors; Jonathan Morgan as  high school head eSports coach with Cook and Kurt Smith as assistants; Amy Rusu as middle school head eSports coach with Madison Sliders as assistant; Bailey Engle and Hallie Gallion as pre-K childcare adult supervisors; Laken Etzler as high school volleyball assistant coach; Felicia McElveen as preschool parent liason, Laurie Baumgartner as high school cross country assistant coach; and Cary McClure and Brandy Beer as substitute teachers.

• Announced their intent to employ an elementary instructional assistant, bus driver and special purpose bus driver. 

• Increased substitute teacher pay from $90 per day to $95.

• Accepted donations of $3,390 from Bargain Hut for vape sensors; $400 from Six Mile Church to students in need; school supplies for elementary and middle school students and staff from TI Fluid Systems; school supplies for students in need from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Firefly and ProFed Credit Union; school supplies and hygiene products to high school students in need and $2,000 to the athletic department from an anonymous donor; and a copy of “What’s Your Callsign?” by Michelle Curran for the middle school library from Susan Flueckiger. 

• Approved the advertisement of the 2025 budget process.

• Approved the 2025-2026 school calendar and review plan draft.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 16. 

sydney@news-banner.com