By HOLLY GASKILL
During their regular meeting Tuesday, the board for Norwell Community Schools approved a contract for physical therapy with Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur.
Mindy Scheumann, education services director, said the partnership was the final piece needed for the district’s special education program after it left the Adams-Wells Special Services Co-op. AMH will charge $70 per hour for physical therapy services at the hospital, and all students will be evaluated to start.
Scheumann also told the board that the district psychologists have been “working day and night” to get requests completed, and shared several family stories from those who were previously denied evaluation for their student by the co-op.
That said, Scheumann acknowledged two areas — autism-generated behavioral issues and emotional disabilities — “still need work.” She said the staff continues identifying solutions to student needs in these areas.
Shortly after, the board members voted 5-0 to give Superintendent Mike Springer a $10,000 stipend for his leadership and accomplishments. Board member Angie Topp listed the projects Springer has spearheaded — including district-wide branding initiatives, building the new middle school, and aligning Lancaster and Ossian elementary curriculum, among other items — in his four years with the district.
“The other one, off the top of my head, was breaking away from the co-op,” Topp said, pausing to collect her emotions. “I have a personal connection to that. From the time that my daughter was in kindergarten, my goal was someday we wouldn’t have to put up with the co-op.”
Board member Corey Krug affirmed this sentiment, adding, “What the public doesn’t get to see is the five of us get to evaluate (Springer) — that’s the only person we are in charge of, so to speak. We all see what we put on those evaluations. And I’m pretty comfortable saying we’re pretty hard on Mike because we expect a lot.” Board members Chad Kline and Gene Donaghy nodded in agreement.
“And so I think the timing is exceptional because there’s been a ton accomplished,” Krug continued. “We know where we’re going, and I’m excited (about) where we’re going, but I think it’s well deserved.”
Also during the meeting, the board formally adopted the district’s 2025 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan. The board also approved revising the student handbook outlining procedural consequences for misbehavior on school buses.
Roger Thornton, Bluffton, gave public comment during the meeting to thank the board for their trust in building the new Lancaster Park across from Lancaster Elementary School. The board members also recognized Thornton and thanked him for his role on the city side of planning.
In other updates, the board:
• Recognized Brenner Newsome, a senior show choir member who will be participating in an All-State Show Choir group this weekend. Newsome was selected as one of 49 students in the state to be a part of the choir at Noblesville High School.
• Accepted resignations of Tanner Lesh, Norwell Middle School aquatics/health teacher and middle school swim coach; Janice Havener, Ossian Elementary School special education teacher; Ashleigh Marshall, OES teaching assistant; Janice Snyder, LES teaching assistant; and Shelbie Reuille from LES food service. The board also approved the termination of OES latchkey assistant Anne Troutman.
• Approved an employment recommendation for Amanda Parkhill as an OES special education teacher.
• Accepted donations of $100 from Mr. Kools for NMS Robotics Club, $500 from Roembke Manufacturing for LES Robotics Club, and $2,500 from an anonymous donor for the FFA program.
• Approved an overnight field trip request from FFA to travel to Indianapolis Oct. 23-26 for the national convention.
The board’s next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 12 at Norwell Middle School.
holly@news-banner.com
