The Board of School Trustees meets the second and fourth Monday of every month. The members begin each meeting by asserting their commitment to our mission:

• To develop a competitive educational system that empowers our graduates for college, careers, and life
• To maintain support systems that meet the needs of our students
• To ensure financial stability and fiscal responsibility
• To attract, develop, and retain the best people to serve our students and families

These tenants inform their decision making and are the framework for every recommendation brought to them for consideration by my leadership team. This mission was the foundation for the strategic plan authored by the board in 2020 and by which every action taken by building leaders is measured against. We are privileged as a district to have a laser focus for our work and to strive only to make decisions that honor our mission.

Baugo Community Schools contracted with Performance Services, Inc. to install a solar field capable of generating just under a megawatt of solar power. The solar project was designed to offset the energy needs of Jimtown High School, the Education Service Center, and the future needs of the 1929 gym. We are excited to cut energy costs, but we are also thrilled about the long term benefit that harnessing the power of the sun has on the environment. Most of the arrays have been positioned in areas on campus that could not be developed, like the water retention field near the football field. Other arrays will be positioned on car ports over parking lots. Warranty concerns and regular membrane maintenance made roof installations undesirable.

The Board of School Trustees approved the pandemic reentry plan for our district for the 2021-2022 academic school year. Five major highlights from the plan include:

• A return to in-person learning for all students

• Optional mask wearing in buildings

• Federally mandated mask wearing on all school transportation

• Continuation of socially distanced cafeterias and classrooms wherever possible

• Discontinuation of plexiglass dividers on classroom desks

These plans remain flexible and may be adjusted throughout the pandemic as need requires.

On Tuesday, August 10, from 5:00 - 6:30 pm JHS will host a Freshmen Meet and Greet. Freshmen and their parents will be able to get familiar with the building prior to the start of school. Counselors and administrators will be available to help answer any questions along with teachers, coaches, and club sponsors. Come explore all the activities available to JHS students!

• All Student Breakfast and Lunch Meals are Free for the 21-22 School Year!

• Free/Reduced Applications must still be filled out and approved for discounted Curricular Material Fees.

• More information will be sent out by August 4. Check your email.

• Adult meal rates have been set according to the USDA/IN requirements. Adult breakfast price - $2.50 Adult lunch price - $4.60

• The HS kitchen will have a new serving line

• Salad Bar will return!

• Merchandisers will increase options of prepackaged cold meals, salads, wraps, and protein boxes which meet the USDA requirements.

• Ala Carte Room has added a yogurt machine!

Work teams have been getting the facilities and technology ready for students and staff to return! A few of the accomplishments include improvements to roofs and athletic fields along with updates to all district computers.

Please let us know if we can help you as you arrive back on campus! You can contact technology at technology@baugo.org and the operations department by calling 574-293-8583 ext 1002. Staff, as always, you can use the work order system for immediate needs and we will resolve them ASAP!

Summer enrichment programming thrived at Jimtown Elementary and Jimtown Intermediate. Mrs. Friedauer, Mr. Gallmeyer, and Mr. Hamstra created many hands on experiences that allowed students to explore working collaboratively on projects, thinking critically, and problem solving.

• Kris Seymore - President - kseymore@baugo.org
• Eric Ott - Vice President - eott@baugo.org
• Troy Bontrager - Secretary - tbontrager@baugo.org
• Caleb Pontius - Member - cpontius@baugo.org
• Chris Carithers - Member - ccarithers@baugo.org