NCHC Chamber Magazine, Fall 2024

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5SCHOOL DISTRICTS & LEADERS WHO ARE INFLUENCING HENRY COUNTY’S FUTURE

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Innovative new Charm Grants benefit small local businesses

Well-known American anthropologist Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Your Chamber is committed to improving life in our part of the world, and evidence of those efforts makes up this edition of Chamber Magazine. We know that collaboration and engagement are essential elements for the community’s vibrancy and success.

• Your Chamber recognizes that economic development depends heavily on the success of small businesses. We want these entrepreneurs to succeed, because our community needs them. And that’s where our new Charm Grants come in. Be sure to read about the three deserving recipients of the inaugural grant.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

‘By underwriting the printing costs of the Chamber Magazine, the Economic Development Corporation is helping assure that you, our members, continue to receive this important benefit.’

• Meridian Health Services, a long-time Chamber member and corporate sponsor, is keenly involved in improving the health of our residents, through their strategy of “whole-person” health, which addresses physical, mental and social well-being. Meridian’s recently established Teaboldt House in New Castle combats addiction and helps residents on the path to a sustainable life.

• We know that the path to a meaningful career is often cloudy for our youth and our community’s school systems are constantly upgrading and adapting to provide clarity. In this edition of Chamber Magazine, we have included an overview of our five area school corporations and the superintendents who lead them.

• Congratulations to the big winners of your Chamber’s biggest fundraiser, Cash Bonanza! We are revisiting the evening with a photo spread that just shows how much fun we had while supporting the many essential and valuable Chamber programs and initiatives. Many thanks to those dedicated people who helped make this an evening to remember!

• Finally, we want to make you aware of a new collaboration that affects Chamber Magazine: The New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation is the magazine’s printing partner, beginning with this edition. Corey Murphy, the EDC’s president and CEO, recognizes the importance of the magazine as a tool for outreach to members and beyond. By underwriting the printing costs of this publication, the EDC is helping assure that you, our members, continue to receive this important benefit.

Kane is Executive Director of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Magazine: The voice of New CastleHenry County Chamber businesses. It is a product of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group. These materials are the sole and exclusive property of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group, and may not be used without written consent.

PUBLISHER

Shonda Kane, Executive Director, New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce info@nchcchamber.com

DESIGN AND EDITORIAL DIRECTION

The JMetzger Group

Juli Metzger | juli@thejmetzgergroup.com John Metzger | john@thejmetzgergroup.com www.thejmetzgergroup.com 765.744.4303

CONTRIBUTORS

Writing: Michelle Kinsey, Brenda Morehead, Courtney Schmoll

Photography: Kurt Hostetler, Jeff Morehead, Adam Sturm

Design: Tammy Pearson

The JMetzger Group specializes in branded content, custom publishing and social media solutions.

Learn more: www.thejmetzgergroup.com

PRINTING PARTNER

Corey Murphy, CEcD, President www.growinhenry.com

Copyright 2024: The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group.

Shonda
Shonda Kane

CHASE YOUR DREAMS

ON THE COVER:

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12 HENRY COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS

Meet the leaders of Henry County’s five public school districts: Matthew Shoemaker, Lori Dickerson, Jediah Behny, Sarah Lynch and Kyle Barrentine.

16

Chamber leader outlines recent initiatives to benefit members

Reclaiming lives at Trebolt House

2024 CHAMBER CASH BONANZA

Chamber news and updates

Chamber awards new Charm grants to local businesses

8 tips for making an impact as a community board volunteer

Over the past few weeks, you might have received an email from the Chamber office asking you to consider joining the board of directors. Most organizations, especially non-profits, go through cycles with their boards:

Members come and go for a variety of reasons, and while continuity is important, having fresh faces and ideas around the table is imperative.

What are the attributes of a good board member? Bloomerang, the donor management software for communitybased non-profits, published a list of traits on their website. I am paraphrasing that list here.

1. Be passionate for the cause. The strongest, most effective board members not only support the Chamber and its goals. They are constantly considering how to improve the organization with new ideas that appeal to the general membership.

2. Actively participate at EVERY meeting. First, it’s important to show up. And while you are there, don’t just sit and listen. We need your input.

3. Come to the meetings prepared. The most effective board members start working on their tasks immediately after one meeting ends and be able to report on progress at the next meeting.

4. Serve willingly on committees. Volunteer to serve on (or chair!) committees so the obligations of the board are spread evenly. As the old phrase goes, “Many hands make light work.”

5. Be generous with your time, talent and treasure. Those who are able should support the organization financially. We all know that most organizations can benefit from added income. If that’s not possible for you, contribute your time and talent, and do so without reservation.

6. Possess a strong sense of stewardship. Taking care of others is the whole idea here. The best board members are those who think of the organization before they think of themselves. They seek to meet the needs of the organization, and the individuals supported by it.

7. Be supportive, but don’t be afraid to disagree. Express your opinion, respectfully. The most effective boards make room for a free exchange of ideas. In fact, having a wide variety of perspectives helps foster beneficial change.

8. Strive to learn as much as possible. Knowledge is power. Asking questions and conducting research builds the board’s strength, and you are learning something in the process!

Your Chamber is fortunate to have a long history of dedicated, hard-working board members, and I hope you will give some thought to whether you can contribute. But remember, volunteering isn’t exclusive to board membership! Case in point: The Annual Chamber Christmas Walk is scheduled for December 5. Please consider reaching out to the Chamber office to volunteer for this well-attended community event.

Justin Helman is President of the New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is a loan officer with Cross Country Mortgage, a certified executive coach with FocalPoint Business Coaching and Career Coach Liaison for Henry County high schools.

Justin Helman
photos by Kurt hostetler.
We know how expensive it can be for small businesses. ‘ ’

Chamber Charm

A new Henry County grant program supports local small businesses

For three Henry County businesses, it’s not “third time’s a charm,” but instead three times the charm.

The first-ever round of Chamber Charm grants have been awarded to WholeHeart Communications, Kellie’s Jellies & More and the Henry County Solid Waste District. The grants, totaling $2,500, are for locally owned small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Grant money can be used for visual improvements like paint or carpet, software, equipment, education or quality of community improvements such as a bike rack or bench near the business.

New Castle Henry County Chamber Executive Director Shonda Kane said the idea for the grants grew from discussions about how the Chamber could add more benefits. The majority of Chamber membership is small businesses, she said.

“We know how expensive it can be for small businesses,” Kane said. “Maybe it’s a restaurant that needs funds to pay for drinking glasses, or money to get over the hump as you’re getting a business going.”

WholeHeart Communications

The grant for WholeHeart Communications was used to purchase a standing desk for use by business owner Christy Ragle and her two employees. Ragle, who founded her public relations firm 10 years ago, said she has been running the business differently this year, trying to be as lean as possible, but at the same time was interested in taking care of employees’ health.

“We recognize that sitting all the time is not great for us. I’ve been wanting to get standing desks, but it wasn’t feasible. Although one staff member has one, to do it for the other two staff members was going to be too much,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Henry County Center Recyling Center

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computer printout shows an initial design for the new recycling center signs.

Kellie Riggs, owner of Kellie’s Jellies & More. Photo provided.
Christy Ragle, founder and owner of WholeHeart Communications, middle, Philana Orem, project manager, left, and Rachel Snavely Appleby, marketing coordinator, right, are pictured with the new standing desk purchased with the Charm Grant.

When they learned of the grant opportunity, the team came up with a plan to get one standing desk in a spare office – for anyone to use at any time. The $225 grant went toward that desk cost. Ragle said the grant award made her team feel like the passion they have for the community is being recognized. “It’s nice to be seen. To have someone give back to us means so much,” Ragle said. “Our Chamber does such a wonderful job supporting business owners. They’re the ones cheering for us.”

Kellie’s Jellies & More

Kellie Riggs, owner of Kellie’s Jellies & More, said she is going to use her $1,315 grant toward the health-department grade kitchen she is building at her farm – using one bay of their three-car garage. Riggs said her business grew from a passion she had for sharing her homemade food.

“When someone was sick, I would take them food. When someone was happy, I would take them food,” she said. “Someone told me I should start selling what I was making.”

And she did. She worked with the health department to determine what she could make as a home-based catering business and learned with her current setup she could make jams, jellies and pies. Her first two batches of food sold within minutes of her posting on Facebook. After 20 years in a government job, she made the decision to retire at age 44 and take on creating her own business.

By building a kitchen that meets health-department guidelines, Riggs will be able to expand to include other types of homemade meals, which she is currently preparing at a friend’s catering kitchen while her own home-based catering kitchen is getting the finishing touches.

“This grant is a blessing,” she said. “It’s going to help tremendously. When you start a small business, you don’t have a lot of money set aside. You start it because there is something you love doing and that you excel at doing. Any amount of money that can help is wonderful.”

Henry County Solid Waste District

If you visit one of the local recycling centers, you’ll soon see how the Henry County Solid Waste District is spending its $960 grant. New signage will help guide visitors about what items are recyclable and also instruct people against dumping trash in the recycling area.

Melissa Hiday, Executive Director of the Henry County Solid Waste District, said that many of the signs at the recycling centers have deteriorated over the years, and some recycling rules have changed.

“One of the biggest problems we have is people dumping trash or recycling the wrong things. We’re trying to prevent contamination,” she said. “One of the ways to educate people is to have proper signage.”

Educating people to recycle is a slow process, Hiday said. “You’re changing behavior, and it’s hard to change human behavior. If we can make real change in people’s behavior, we are going to see significant change years from now,” she said. “You want to leave the world better than you found it.”

Hiday said the Charm Grant means a lot to businesses like hers on a limited budget. “It allows a business to not put a big dent in the limited funds they have,” she said. “It gave us some breathing room.”

Kane said she hopes the Chamber’s Charm Grant program can grow in the future and help additional businesses. “People depend on small businesses for so many things,” she said. “These grants help the businesses and will also improve the customer experience as well.”

Chamber hopes to grow Charm grants program in the future

Melissa Hiday, executive director of the Henry County Solid Waste District.
I n Henry County, where substance use has devastated communities, hope is making a comeback.

“This place sets the foundation of support that people critically need to get through recovery,” says Laura Clarke, a nurse practitioner at Meridian Health Services. Many residents arrive with serious health issues—such as hepatitis C, high blood pressure, and other long-ignored conditions caused by long-term substance use. “At Teaboldt, we address those health issues right away as part of their recovery plan.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

LIVES ARE BEING RECLAIMED AT HENRY COUNTY’S

Teaboldt House

STORIES BY COURTNEY SCHMOLL | PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER
From left, Laura Clark, Cari Conwell and Betty Hancock.
From left, Betty Hancock, Cari Conwell and Laura Clark.

FROM PAGE 12

Meridian Health Services, a Chamber Bronze Partner, has long been a key player in Henry County’s healthcare system. Recently, the organization has expanded its focus on combating addiction, with Teaboldt House becoming a central part of this mission.

The home provides a structured environment for individuals in recovery, addressing not only their physical needs but also their emotional and mental health challenges.

At Teaboldt House, the goal isn’t just sobriety it’s about building a sustainable life. Residents participate in intensive outpatient therapy (IOT) for 12 weeks, followed by relapse prevention programs.

Beyond therapy, the home emphasizes essential life skills, such as finding employment and managing finances. Peer recovery coaches also play a vital role, offering lived experience, guidance, and support.

“It’s not enough to focus solely on sobriety,” says Cari Conwell, practice manager. “We’re helping residents rebuild their lives whether that’s reconnecting with family, securing employment, or learning to manage daily responsibilities.”

In addition to Teaboldt House, Meridian Health Services offers a wide range of addiction recovery programs throughout Henry County,

including a partnership with local drug courts. For individuals involved in the legal system, this partnership provides a path to recovery rather than punishment.

Betty Hancock, MA, LMHC, therapist at Meridian, explains, “We’re in constant communication with the court team — judges, prosecutors, probation officers, Community Corrections — to keep participants on track. It’s about changing the behaviors that landed them in the system in the first place.”

Meridian’s integrated approach addressing addiction, mental health, and primary medical care makes its programs particularly effective. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) address the root causes of addiction holistically.

“We’re addressing the whole person,” Hancock adds. “That means not just the addiction, but also the mental health issues behind it and the life skills needed to prevent relapse.”

As Meridian Health Services continues to expand its recovery programs across Henry County, the impact is clear—individuals are not just surviving addiction, they are reclaiming their lives.

“The community needs to know there is hope,” Conwell says. “We don’t shut the door on anyone. Whether someone has been struggling for years or is taking their first step toward sobriety, we’re here to support them.”

How Fast Internet Feels

THE PRIZE IS RIGHT

Cash Bonanza is the Chamber’s premier annual fundraiser that helps pay for grants, free advertising opportunities, bulk mailing permit, continued education, and many more member benefits. “We had a lot of fun with ‘The Prize is Right’ theme for this year,” said Executive Director Shonda Kane. “It provided some unique decorating opportunities, and we were able to add a new game.”

“Come on Down” chance tickets were drawn and the ticket-holders “came on down” to bid on the value of a travel package provided by Lana Freeman/Travel Creations. Drew More made the closest bid without going over and chose between seven destination packages. The big winners of the evening split the $11,000 grand prize: Seth Lee, Matt Huffman, Kristi Koger, Hannah Graham and Tony Young.

“Cash Bonanza seems to get better each year,” Kane said. “We are fortunate that we can have so much fun while raising money for important member benefits. Plus, tons of attendees went home with a little something extra in their pockets!”

2024 CHAMBER

Splitting the $11,000 grand prize, from left: Seth Lee (proxy Vickie McIntosh), Matt Huffman, Kristi Koger, Hannah Graham (proxy Diana Coy) and Tony Young.
Dr. Kyle Barrentine, superintendent of Shenandoah Schools.
Dr. Matthew Shoemaker, superintendent of New Castle Community Schools.
Jediah Behny, superintendent of Charles A. Beard Schools in Knightstown.
Lori Dickerson, superintendent of Blue River Valley Schools.
Sarah Lynch, superintendent of South Henry School Corporation.

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BLUE RIVER VALLEY SCHOOLS

CHARLES A. BEARD

MEMORIAL

SCHOOL CORP

NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

SHENANDOAH SCHOOL CORP

SOUTH HENRY SCHOOL CORP

Henry County school districts set goals & celebrate success

Henry County is home to five public school districts. Together, they form the backbone of the community’s educational landscape, preparing students for future success in both academics and life.

These five districts provide a range of educational opportunities, from early childhood programs to high school diplomas. Each district is shaped by its own traditions, demographics, and community. All share a commitment to quality education for all children in Henry County.

Leading those efforts are district superintendents. In this special report, these leaders share their goals, successes, challenges and the ways in which they are engaging with families.

STORIES BY MICHELLE KINSEY | PHOTOS BY KURT HOSTETLER

BLUE RIVER VALLEY SCHOOLS

is a public school district located in New Castle. BRV serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade across two main campuses - Blue River Valley Elementary and Blue River Valley JuniorSenior High School.

The district is known for its small, close-knit community atmosphere, providing personalized education with a focus on academic excellence and extracurricular opportunities. The schools emphasize a student-centered approach, fostering a supportive learning environment with dedicated staff and a variety of programs in athletics, arts, and technology.

LORI DICKERSON has 17 years of experience in education and has been with the BRV district for 7 years in various roles - Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Elementary Principal, and Assistant Superintendent – before becoming Superintendent. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Elementary Education, a master’s degree from Ball State University in Educational Administration and Supervision, and is currently a student at Indiana State University, where she hopes to earn her doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her 11-year-old twins - Jaylee and Mitchell - are fifth-graders at BRV and her husband, Michael, works full time for the Indiana National Guard.

GOALS: Dickerson has big plans for the district this school year. “Our top goals for the school corporation include making BRV a place where students and staff want to be,” she said. “Naturally, we want to continue to increase our test scores, but more importantly, we want our students to know what options are available to them beyond high school. Whether they enter the workforce, enter the military, or enroll in college, we want them to get experiences and opportunities to prepare them for their next step.” She said the greatest challenge facing her school district is “finding ways to increase our staff pay while meeting the needs of our district.”

SCHOOL STRENGTHS: The biggest strength at BRV? “The small community,” Dickerson says. “For a school our size, we offer a wide variety of student programs and courses. We have a newer elementary athletic program called Jr. Vikings with volleyball and basketball. We offer e-sports and robotics in both elementary, junior high, and high school. We have a theater program, choir, and band. In addition to athletic programs, we also have academic teams that our students compete in. As a small school, we are also able to offer a variety of graduation pathways in biomedical, agriculture, business, and computer science.” She adds: “We have a livestock barn on our campus and sell meat and eggs from our animals as a part of our student enterprise. This year, we are opening a new business called Vikings Enterprises that will combine our agriculture and business pathways together to support our students and our community.” Dickerson said her district is always looking for new ways to not only engage students academically, but also engage the community in what’s happening on its campuses. “Our administrative team sends out newsletters frequently,” she said. “Last year we had two career days: One for Jr./Sr. high school students and one for elementary students. We have a district-wide career readiness team that is working on planning our next career day experiences. We are always looking for guest speakers and stakeholders who are willing to partner with our school to provide opportunities to our students. If you are interested in partnering with Blue River Valley Schools, please reach out!”

SUPERINTENDENT JEDIAH BEHNY began his education journey in Knightstown in 2011 as the principal of Knightstown Elementary School. After three years, he transitioned to the role of superintendent. “This followed a period during which the district saw six different superintendents in just five years,” he said. “I’m now in my tenth year as superintendent, proud to be leading the district through stability and growth.” After years of commuting from Hamilton County, Behny and his family moved to the district two years ago. His wife, Megan, is the business teacher at Knightstown High School. Their daughter, Grace, is a junior at KHS, and their twin daughters (Lauren and Caroline) are fifth grade students. “And then there’s Fred, the beloved five-year-old golden retriever and an important member of our family and team at CAB. Fred is an ICAN-trained and certified facility dog who works daily in our schools, using his superpowers to support students and, of course, ensure no food is left on the floor!”

GOALS: Behny said the 2024-25 school year is “off to a fantastic start.” He says: “With renewed energy and enthusiasm, our students, staff, and community have embraced the year ahead, setting the stage for continued growth and success. We are excited about the opportunities this year brings, and our commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and academically challenging environment remains at the forefront, ensuring that every student has the resources and encouragement to thrive.” Behny said the district has witnessed some exciting changes recently, including the return of Stephanie Madison as the district’s Business Director. “Stephanie played a pivotal role in establishing the district’s financial stability more than a decade ago, and we’re thrilled to have her expertise back in action,” Behny said. “We are also excited to introduce our new guidance counselor at Knightstown High School, Mindy Weaver. Mindy joins us from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and has already proven to be an invaluable addition to our team, offering tremendous support to both students and staff.”

SCHOOL STRENGTHS: And there are more big things on the way. It just might take a little longer. “Over the past decade, we have implemented a structure to eliminate debt, positioning ourselves to undertake a building project that would make us a one-campus school corporation,” he said. “This is designed to enhance efficiency and ensure our district’s fiscal strength for decades to come. Throughout this process, the Board of Trustees and leadership have remained committed to avoiding tax increases through referendums or irresponsible borrowing. Our goal has always been to provide a top-tier facility while maintaining sound financial practices and not increasing taxes. However, the soaring construction costs forced us to make the difficult decision to pause the project for the time being.” Behny said that over the past few months the district has worked diligently behind the scenes to adjust plans, establish new partnerships, and re-evaluate the district’s plan of action. “These efforts have put us in a strong position to revisit the project as early as the first of the year. We remain optimistic that the adjustments we’ve made will allow us to move forward, while maintaining our commitment to financial responsibility,” he noted.

CHARLES A BEARD MEMORIAL SCHOOL CORPORATION

is a public school district serving Knightstown and includes Knightstown Elementary School and Knightstown Intermediate and High School. The district provides a comprehensive education from kindergarten through 12th grade. It emphasizes academic achievement, personal growth, and extracurricular involvement, offering programs in athletics, arts, and career development. The schools are committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

SHENANDOAH SCHOOL

CORPORATION is a public school district in northern Henry County serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The district includes Shenandoah Elementary, Shenandoah Middle, and Shenandoah High schools.

The district is known for its strong academic programs, dedicated staff, and emphasis on both student achievement and personal growth and is deeply connected to its rural community, promoting a supportive and close-knit learning environment.

SUPERINTENDENT KYLE BARRENTINE has been with the district for 3 years. His background in education includes teaching middle and high school English for 9 years, serving as a building-level administrator for 16 years, and as a superintendent for 6 years. His wife, Whitney, is the dean and instructional coach at Shenandoah Middle School. His daughter, Bailey, teaches first grade in Brownsburg; his daughter, Kailyn Laflen, teaches kindergarten at Clinton Central in Michigantown; his stepson, Aiden Coffey, is a junior at Shenandoah High School, and his stepdaughter Sloane Coffey, is a freshman at Shenandoah. The family also includes two chocolate Labs, Gus and Hank.

GOALS: Barrentine has lofty goals for the district. “At Shenandoah, we are striving to be the premier school district in the state.” He said. “We are working each day to meet the needs of every student, every day! We want to continue to provide a rigorous academic experience for our students while also creating a sense of belonging for all students and staff.” He added that in order to do this, “we really focus on people development. Am I getting better so that I can better lead our district? Are our administrators getting better so that they can best lead their respective buildings? Are our teachers continuing to innovate, develop, and grow so that they can meet the ever-changing needs of our students? Are our students being pushed to be their very best in order to reach their after-high-school goals?” And with any goal, comes some challenges. The biggest challenges this district is facing, Ballentine said, are focus and funding.

“There are a lot of things thrown at schools, and it is very easy to keep adding ‘stuff’ to our plates,” he added. “So, maintaining our focus on what we have deemed to be most important is a big challenge. Funding is always a challenge. We have lost nearly 2 million dollars in the past several years due to the voucher program. ...Last year, it was nearly $400,000.” Ballentine said he would also like to see more focus on engaging the community more. “We need to do a better job of developing partnerships in our community to support our students,” he said. “Our community does an amazing job supporting our students and our school. With the new and improved high school diploma on its way, this is going to be an area of challenge for our school district.” Communication, he said, is key. “Our building leaders have regular communication through newsletters, Facebook pages, and events at their schools,” he said. “We have hosted Facebook Live events after board meetings to share action items that impact our community.”

SCHOOL STRENGTHS: Ballentine said he is confident the district will thrive thanks to its biggest strength – “Our people.”

“I believe we have great people in key leadership positions, we have unbelievable support staff members, and great teachers! When you have great people who are willing to continue to learn and grow, that is a tremendous asset!” Another great asset, Ballentine noted, is what also makes this district unique. “In our area, I believe our instructional framework makes our district unique,” he said. “Our framework creates a leadership structure that allows for sustainability [if people leave] and allows for people to ascend to leadership roles without having to leave the classroom.”

NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MATTHEW SHOEMAKER has been with the district for 8 years. Shoemaker grew up in the area (outside of Portland) in a house full of educators and graduated from Ball State University before moving to Florida, where he taught 4th grade and special education for several years. He then earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and served the next 17 years in a variety of administrative positions including principalships at three elementary schools, a middle school, and a large high school. He received his doctorate in Educational Leadership before becoming Director of Extended Learning, and Assistant Superintendent of the Western Palm Beach County schools – supporting up to 36 different schools representing about 38,000 students. He and his wife met at Jay County High School – in the library – and they have two daughters, six grandchildren, a dog, and a few aquariums.

GOALS: Shoemaker loves to talk about his school district, its accomplishments, and its bright future. “Through the support of our teachers, school board, and community partners, we have generated many valuable student programs,” he said. “Amongst our top goals is to fully support these programs and to expand our communication about achievements, specifically our student accomplishments.” The district has expanded its college course offerings. The class of 2024 had four students who received full-ride scholarships, seven students earned an associate’s degree, and 27 students earned one year of college credit through the Indiana College Core program. “This year, we forecast 71 students will meet early college designation!” he said proudly. He noted that it is because of results like this that the “New Castle High School was also named the No. #1 High School in Henry County, according to the 2024 US News and World Report.” The biggest challenge facing the district? Empty chairs. “Since emerging out of COVID, absenteeism has been the biggest challenge for us,” he said. “Statistically, students who have higher absences also have lower grades and a much less chance of graduating. Therefore, in 2023 through our School Improvement Grant, we hired Katie Smith, our Secondary Attendance Liaison. Katie is an amazing communicator and through the job, she has essentially assumed a life coach role for our students in grades 6-12.” Shoemaker said the district has seen “tremendous results” from her efforts and the support of teachers and administrators to improve attendance. In September, the district was invited to share its success stories before the Senate Education Committee at the Indiana Statehouse.

SCHOOL STRENGTHS: When asked what makes the district unique, Shoemaker lists several reasons including “a unique balance of personalized educational pathways and extracurricular programs for our students that are exceptional. A few of our new exciting programs and pathways include: Apprenticeships for Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Music Business, and Civic Arts,” he said. “Coming in the fall of 2025 is our Agriculture Institute.” He noted businesses partnerships with the district have quadrupled over the past few years and now includes 132 business partners. He mentioned the district’s work-based learning internships, the path to college program that offers 95 different in person college courses, and robust extra-curricular opportunities. Shoemaker said he is thankful for the community’s support. “We are very fortunate that we have such great traditions and outstanding community support,” he said. “I’ve never been in a place where people wanted to give so graciously. As educators, we must be collaborative examples to our students as they watch us conduct our work. Because of the prevailing generous spirit mentioned, we have a successful model of collaboration in New Castle. I believe our unity in working together is our greatest strength as a corporation and a school community, and we are definitely building exciting momentum.”

NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

serves the students and families of New Castle and surrounding areas. The district includes Tiny Trojans Preschool, Eastwood Elementary, Parker Elementary, Riley Elementary, Westwood Elementary, Wilbur Wright Elementary, New Castle Middle School, New Castle High School and the New Castle Career Center.

Known for its strong academic programs, the district offers diverse extracurricular activities, including a renowned basketball tradition. It is committed to providing quality education, fostering student success, and creating a supportive learning environment that encourages academic excellence and personal development.

SOUTH HENRY SCHOOL CORPORATION is located in southern Henry County, serving the communities of Straughn, Spiceland, Lewisville and Dunreith. The district includes Bev’s Kindergarten Prep and Child Care, Tri Elementary and Tri Junior-Senior High School.

Known for its small, tight-knit community, South Henry emphasizes personalized education and student success.

The district offers strong academic programs alongside a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics, arts, and clubs, fostering both academic and personal growth. South Henry School Corporation is dedicated to providing a supportive and nurturing environment where students can excel.

SARAH LYNCH has only been superintendent of this school district since September, but she is already immersing herself in the culture, setting goals, and celebrating the district’s successes. Lynch, who was born in Richmond and raised in Liberty, has spent nearly 20 years in education after earning her bachelor’s in Secondary Education (Mathematics) from Indiana University East, a master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ball State University (she’s working toward an Education Specialist degree from Indiana State University). She holds a Professional Educator’s licenses in Mathematics Grades 5-12 and Building Level Administration, as well as a temporary superintendent license. Throughout her career, she has served as a principal, alternative education teacher, mathematics teacher, educational diagnostician, summer school behavioral interventionist/assistant principal, instructional coach, interventionist, and adjunct math instructor. She and her husband of 16 years, Eric, have two sons, Owen and Dillon. They are looking forward to meeting their first grandchild, a boy, in March 2025. A self-described “pet-loving family,” Lynch has six dogs, “including my therapy dog Stella who frequently accompanies me to work,” five cats, 10 chickens, and a variety of fish.

GOALS: Her primary goal for this school year is to “immerse myself in the South Henry School District culture, observe and learn the established practices and traditions, and actively contribute to strengthening the district’s overall effectiveness.” She added: “I am eager to identify areas where my skills and experience can be most beneficial in supporting student success and enhancing the overall quality of education.”

SCHOOL STRENGTHS: Lynch said the district’s biggest strength is that it provides “a personalized learning environment, fostering stronger connections between students, teachers, and the community.” This environment, she said, “leads to increased student engagement and a sense of belonging, creating a supportive and nurturing atmosphere that benefits students’ overall development and academic success.” One of the projects that makes this district unique, she said, is the “Path to Purpose” district vision that focuses on helping students discover their passions and potential through intentionally designing experiences and enrichment opportunities. “While recognizing that discovering one’s purpose is often a lifelong endeavor, we strive to create systems that accelerate this process for our students,” she said. “By graduation, we aim for all students to have a clear understanding of their talents, passions, career options, and the demands of the workforce, empowering them to confidently pursue their life’s purpose.”

No district is without its challenges, and Lynch said her district is facing one that many other districts are grappling with today. “A significant challenge facing many school districts, including South Henry, is the recruitment and retention of qualified staff members to fill open positions and provide adequate substitute coverage,” she said. “This shortage can strain existing staff, impact program offerings and the overall quality of education.” But she is ready to take on that challenge this school year and build, not only her staff, but her South Henry community. “My goal is to build strong relationships with parents, community members, business leaders, and other stakeholders by attending school and community events, maintaining open and timely communication, leveraging social media platforms, and prioritizing transparency in all interactions,” she said. “By fostering these relationships, I hope to create a positive and supportive environment that benefits both our school and the broader community.”

Visit these websites to learn more about Henry County’s school districts

BLUE RIVER VALLEY SCHOOLS

https://www.brv.k12.in.us/

CHARLES A. BEARD MEMORIAL SCHOOL CORP. https://www.cabeard.k12.in.us/

NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS https://www.nccsc.k12.in.us/

SHENANDOAH SCHOOL CORPORATION https://www.sscraiders.org/

SOUTH HENRY SCHOOL CORPORATION https://www.shenry.k12.in.us/

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HENRY COUNTY DAY OF CARING

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