By HOLLY GASKILL
Norwell Community Schools are seeking an Indiana Purple Star Designation to signify the school’s commitment to active service members, veterans and their families.
To do so, the district will have a dedicated page on its website, create a public military display, host an annual Veterans Day program, assign a point of contact for military families, interview all veterans and their families who meet job posting requirements, and adopt a resolution outlining the district’s commitment to the previously mentioned points. The board of trustees approved a resolution for this 4-0 Tuesday; members Korey Krug, Angie Topp, Chad Kline and Gene Donaghy were in favor, and Traci Neuenschwander was absent.
Norwell High School Assistant Principal Holly Morgan stated the district would proceed with these commitments regardless of whether the district would receive the designation. Award notification will be Nov. 8.
The special meeting on Tuesday was held during the school day at NHS, allowing the board to hear an update on the school from Morgan and Principal Kam Meyer. The group also toured several career-technical classrooms and the new e-sports room.
One of the biggest changes coming to the school is the state’s new diploma path, which aims to equip students with one year of college credits upon graduation. While the district is well on its way with dual-credit and advanced placement class opportunities, Meyer said the administration and counseling staff feel uncertain about the upcoming year as the state’s requirements have not been finalized.
“But the scary part, I guess as an administrative team, is that the final draft (of the diploma track) going to come out in December when we start our planning process now for next year’s schedules,” Meyer said. “So we don’t really know what our freshmen (next school year) are going to be looking at.”
Even so, Meyer highlighted the 1,132 credits NHS students received in the 2023-24 school year. Fifty-five new college courses are being offered at NHS, including six classes in software development, principles of teaching, culinary arts, and higher-level courses in English and Spanish.
Meyer also celebrated seven students who became certified nursing assistants through the high school’s program, which he said was the only place in Wells County to receive certification apart from Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
He estimated this represented a nearly $1 million total savings for the average college credit price. Some dual credit and AP classes come with a fee, but significantly less so than if students were taking the same course elsewhere.
Additionally, the Class of 2024 had a 98% graduation rate and the Class of 2025 tested in the top 20% of Indiana schools testing proficient in both math and English on the SAT. That said, the state average for proficiency in both subjects is 23%. Meyer attributed this partially to the fact that all juniors are now required to take the test, and students who already know they’re not attending college may be less likely to put in effort on the test.
Morgan also highlighted several developments in student support efforts, including new digital social and emotional skill building lessons being used by the school and the role of the Alive & Well curriculum on abstinence, drugs and other topics.
Athletic Director Kelby Weybright similarly highlighted a program he’s begun offering for athletes, “Champions 101”, to discuss the mental strengths of an athlete. Weybright reported 588 athletes were on the roster for 2023-24, 60 of which were three-sport athletes. Weybright also plans to add boys’ volleyball to the spring sports lineup and has recently posted the coaching position.
Also during the meeting, the board:
• Accepted the resignation of Shelby Schaufelberger, NHS intense intervention assistant.
• Approved employment recommendations for John Cox as OES teaching assistant, Madison Casey as LES youth authors coordinator, and Madison Casey and Jeffery Smith as LES Spell Bowl co-sponsors.
• Accepted donations of $920 from Bluffton Family Eye Care for the high school volleyball program and $500 from Park Community Church for school lunches.
holly@news-banner.com
