Inside La Porte Schools

What does it mean for a school district to be a place families choose, rather than the one they default to?

At a board retreat this summer, the La Porte school board and district leadership spent a day answering one question: why are we here, and where do we want to go? The answer was a destination district, and this month the board announced what that means for the next six years.

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood is joined by board President Ryan Seaburg and board members Amy Jackson and Nate Loucks for a candid conversation about the goal, the money behind it, and the two years of careful planning that come first.

In this episode:

• What a school board actually does, and why these three ran
• Why the board set a goal of becoming the highest-paying district in Northwest Indiana in every role by 2032
• How revenue from the Microsoft development works, when it arrives, and why the district is confident in it
• What changes for families and staff now, before any new dollars arrive

The revenue funding this goal comes from property taxes on new development that does not exist today. The district receives 15 percent of what that development generates. No referendum and no tax increase.

Learn more at https://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us. Board meetings are open to the public, and questions are welcome at any point along the way.

Inside La Porte Schools. Real stories. Clear answers. Students first.

Indiana Senate Bill 78 requires bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices next school year. Dr. Sandra Wood talks with assistant principals Jordan Heckard and Ben Braden about the Yondr pouch program for grades 5-12 and what a normal school day will look like.

What are professional learning communities, and why does next year's calendar include eight early release days? Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sits down with Zach Huber, the district's new Director of Curriculum and Instruction, to explain how teachers will use that time to learn from one another, examine student progress together, and strengthen instruction in every classroom. Fresh off five years as principal of Hailmann Elementary, Mr. Huber shares the research behind the PLC model, what families can expect, and where the district is headed next.

Real stories. Clear answers. Students first.

What does a global technology giant have to do with the future of La Porte Community Schools? Everything.

In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sits down with Mayor Tom Dermody and Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, to discuss the historic agreement between the City of La Porte and La Porte Community Schools made possible by Microsoft's full-tax commitment to the community.

Dr. Wood and her guests break down how Microsoft chose La Porte, what the new 20-year agreement means for the district, and why this partnership is unlike anything seen before in Indiana school finance. They also address common misconceptions about data center development and share what this investment will mean for students, including the launch of a Microsoft Data Center Academy at the Slicer CTE campus.

This is a conversation about more than dollars and tax agreements. It's about what's possible when public schools, local government, and private business work together with a shared vision for the future.

In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, Superintendent Sandra Wood kicks off season two by introducing two new leaders for the 2025-2026 school year: Dr. Aaron Owney, the new Assistant Superintendent for Operations, and Kyle Dean, the new Principal of Kingsbury Elementary School. Dr. Owney and Mr. Dean share their educational journeys, goals, and initial experiences in their roles within the La Porte Community School Corporation. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies related to their roles and examines how school operations affect student success. The episode concludes with insights into the intricacies of school finance and the collaborative efforts required to navigate upcoming budget constraints.

00:00 Welcome to Inside LaPorte Schools

00:34 Introducing New Leaders for the 25-26 School Year

01:20 Dr. Aaron Owney’s Educational Journey

04:52 Kyle Dean's Path to Kingsbury Elementary

08:13 Challenges and Growth in New Roles

14:05 Dr. Owney's Role and Responsibilities

16:17 Navigating School Funding Challenges

21:06 Goals and Future Plans

31:30 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Step inside La Porte Schools for an in-depth conversation about community transparency and engagement. This week on Inside La Porte Schools, we bring you real conversations about the district's innovative Slicer Ambassador Program, featuring insights and perspectives from two pilot participants who experienced this groundbreaking initiative firsthand.

Join Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood as she sits down with Mericka Beaty, Director of Community Corrections and generational La Porte alumni, and Craig Menne, local business owner and father of three Slicers, to discuss their experiences as founding members of the district's first-ever community ambassador program. This pilot initiative brought 12-15 community members behind the scenes for an unprecedented look at the operation behind La Porte Community School Corporation.

Explore how this innovative program addressed complex topics, including school finance and budget constraints, career and technical education, early childhood programming, and the development of the Kesling campus. Both participants share candid reflections on what surprised them most, from the complexity of school funding to the impressive scope of career pathways available to today's students.

Mericka and Craig discuss how the program shifted their perspectives on everything from tax referendums to the challenges of merging school cultures, while providing valuable feedback that helped shape district communications. They offer advice for future participants and explain why this transparency initiative represents a crucial bridge between the school district and the community it serves.

The conversation concludes with exciting news about the program's expansion, including details about the application process now open for the 2025-26 school year. Whether you're a parent, community member, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes in public education, this episode showcases the power of open dialogue and community engagement in building stronger schools.

Step inside La Porte Schools for our final "Slicer Stories" conversation with three remarkable members of the Class of 2025. In this Inside La Porte Schools episode, we conclude our senior reflection series with Aiona Cornelio, Emily Hunt, and Charles Tonagel as they share powerful stories of growth, opportunity, and preparation for bright futures.

A first-generation college student, Aiona discusses her journey to Purdue University for accounting after exploring psychology through dual credit courses. Her story showcases how LPHS's free college programming allows students to discover their true passions without financial risk. Emily shares her path to Ball State University for communications, finding her calling through college visits and realizing how her performing arts background connects to her future career. Charles reflects on his transition from agriculture to nursing, earning his CNA certification and preparing for Olivet Nazarene University, where he'll continue running cross country while studying to become a nurse anesthetist.

All three seniors will graduate with significant college credits - Aiona and Charles both earning the Indiana College Core diploma, essentially completing their freshman year for free. They discuss the benefits and challenges of the new block scheduling, the importance of exploring different pathways, and how dual credit opportunities have set them up for success.

These conversations emphasize the transformative power of education, the value of staying open to new possibilities, and the incredible support system at LPHS. From first-generation college dreams to athletic scholarships to healthcare certifications, these stories demonstrate how La Porte Schools opens doors and creates opportunities for every student to thrive.

Step inside La Porte Schools for another inspiring conversation with three members of the Class of 2025. In this episode, we continue our "Slicer Stories" series with Logan Hay, Katie Bellah, and Kylee Bernth as they share their unique journeys and exciting plans.

Logan discusses his path into truck driving, following in his father's footsteps and sharing how hands-on experience and family mentorship shaped his career choice. Katie celebrates her full academic scholarship to Purdue University, where she'll study graphic design, building on her passion for digital art developed through LPHS's visual communications pathway. Kylee shares her journey to IU Bloomington's interior design program, inspired by her mother's business and nurtured through years of creative exploration.

These three seniors showcase the incredible diversity of post-graduation paths available to LPHS students - from skilled trades to creative fields to academic excellence. They reflect on the value of athletic participation in developing time management and leadership skills, emphasize the importance of exploring different pathways during high school, and share advice about staying open to change when initial plans don't feel right.

Their stories highlight how La Porte High School's comprehensive programming - from technical communications to art pathways to athletic opportunities - prepares students for success regardless of their chosen direction. Join us for this celebration of different talents, family influences, and the supportive community that helps every Slicer find their path.

Step inside La Porte Schools for another inspiring conversation with two members of the Class of 2025. In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, we continue our "Slicer Stories" series with Drew Bush and Natalie Gartland as they share their high school journeys and future plans.

Drew, our class valedictorian, discusses his path to Notre Dame University, where he'll study political science and finance with aspirations for law school. He reflects on earning the prestigious AP Capstone diploma and how rigorous coursework like AP Research prepared him for college-level academics. Natalie shares her journey to IU Bloomington's nursing program, building on extensive healthcare certifications earned through LPHS's robust nursing pathway, including CNA and EKG certifications.

Both seniors emphasize the profound family atmosphere at La Porte High School, from teachers who invest countless hours in student success to administrators who create genuine connections. They share candid stories about overcoming academic failures, the power of dual credit opportunities, and how dedicated educators like Mr. Olson, Mr. Sherrick, and Ms. Hughes shaped their paths.

These conversations highlight the depth of preparation LPHS provides - from advanced coursework that challenges students to supportive relationships that sustain them through difficult moments. Drew and Natalie offer heartfelt advice about embracing failure as growth, finding your people, and making the most of the family you gain at La Porte High School.

Join us for this meaningful discussion, which will showcase academic excellence, personal growth, and the lasting bonds formed within our Slicer community.

Step inside La Porte Schools for inspiring conversations with three members of the Class of 2025. This episode on Inside La Porte Schools, we bring you real stories of growth, preparation, and bright futures as we sit down with Luke Cannon, Chase Moore, and Mason Kovalcin to discuss their high school journeys and next steps.

Luke shares his path to Purdue University's Mitch Daniels School of Business, where his passion for mathematics and finance will take center stage. Chase discusses his plans for Ball State University's media production program, building on his love for videography and camera work developed through LPHS's media classes. Mason reflects on his decision to serve in the United States Army, following in his family's footsteps of military service.

These three seniors offer genuine insights into how La Porte High School has prepared them for their diverse futures - from college academics to creative careers to military service. They share advice for incoming freshmen, reflect on the close-knit nature of their graduating class, and express gratitude to the teachers, coaches, and family members who supported their growth.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation that celebrates the unique paths our Slicers take and the foundation La Porte Schools provides for success in whatever direction life leads.