[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5998702,"mediaKeyId","5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d","parentId",5844115,"title","Resident asks board for data on graduates, absenteeism and horticulture pathway during public comment","audioSeconds",144,"startMs",1899205,"endMs",2043765,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d&start=1899&end=2043","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d/thumbnail_1899205.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5998702/Indiana/Resident-asks-board-for-data-on-graduates-absenteeism-and-horticulture-pathway-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5998702-67d9dc9ef79a370dbf289d31badc7ca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870596&Signature=BW3ORkHb1DT5v0oE5baVRv6Z933pDSU53RHcsUxA0xOViXc54AFXm6sHo2ZTVrKup4PHkKxzsS4twDsfoK99Am5Mkji6zb7RJAooVY4TYs5vx9nF1LIyuQgrtUnqi2Gs9yfGZnW6FaaBbmYuMiKFxgZIHpaD0kVQtesjPbp5Q62JE739369OtIEwYHPBUgXJlJCuTkajp-P4ZlbFQakwhXBCBgohVf8gtRnoRzrOxqccCyJgfH5Wl3NG7ZWM4sAIFKgZ866NjPP~94DXnKK-K4A0y9-jnJwj~1OobvoJ3EMPLje06tttpJLrN-32EpmMhOL-cO25mS-T5zGdqCtrLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School City of Mishawaka","date","2025-05-08T11:29:43Z","article","Mishawaka — During the public comment period of the School City of Mishawaka board meeting on May 7, resident David Strahan asked seven detailed questions seeking district data on the class of 2025, absenteeism and plans for a horticulture career pathway.

Strahan identified himself as a local property owner and said he had no affiliation with the district. He asked for specific metrics the board did not provide during the meeting and requested follow‑up from district staff.

His questions were: the size of the Mishawaka High School class of 2025 cohort; how many graduates are nonresident or out‑of‑district students; how many students will graduate through the Caveman Academy of Virtual Excellence; counts of graduates with academic or technical honors (excluding subject honor societies); the number of students anticipated to enroll in one or more credit remediation courses after May 29, 2025; the expected chronic absenteeism rate for the 2024–25 year (he noted the district previously reported a 45.2% chronic absenteeism rate for 2023–24 at Mishawaka High School); and the status, timeline and planned use of Room 246 and a greenhouse for a prospective high‑school horticulture pathway.

Strahan also offered positive remarks about the EV team and a staff member he saw representing the school earlier that day. Trustees accepted the public comment; no immediate data or responses were provided on the questions during the meeting. The district did not answer those metrics on the record at the meeting and staff members present indicated they would follow up afterward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - May 7th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident used public comment time to ask seven specific questions covering class cohort size, out‑of‑district students, virtual academy graduates, honors counts, anticipated remediation enrollments, chronic absenteeism rates and plans for a high‑school horticulture pathway.","taxTitle","School City of Mishawaka, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",38506,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5998706,"Mishawaka High launches multilingual learner ambassador program to boost peer mentoring and belonging",659,3819119,4479014,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d&start=3819&end=4479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d/thumbnail_3819119.jpg","/articles/5998706/Indiana/Mishawaka-High-launches-multilingual-learner-ambassador-program-to-boost-peer-mentoring-and-belonging","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5998706-31e9d8d616b33001a4952438feaed2bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870596&Signature=LM5MVw-MHdhjHZq~j2y8h0fIDmjLoy2AnzQRonbmhzItPguvqEsGxHJ1~mTTGdLjLz0GBGgpyZyhy8xf7S3Z2g1YFT-MkMIWgd2up8hSBhGGiCkYZUxUXPif5bexV6XmbuqBofgmCUiy65CRCmCJqdSYq5lttVKKD5ik17mQYPoZ74UkzBEGMurCyzM31FJQ6owfqDJlH3L6aQDD9CsfYyfHfgOf0SpW9gajQkR9EfXK9MbOxhuqsfCMlfPiVlnWBr38GLQq4jAFe~4NbeF4boY3zKQOqGJ8JRRraFOSGrSsqc0XQsAskSWslKhgMZJTp7XEgDoeWTpbWWFi3kTcAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mishawaka — School City of Mishawaka trustees heard a presentation on May 7 about a new Multilingual Learner ambassador program at Mishawaka High School designed to provide peer academic support, cultural connection and leadership opportunities for students learning English.

District staff said the program emerged from a department self‑evaluation and pairs multilingual learners with trained student ambassadors during advisory time to provide tutoring and mentoring.

Dr. Stockdale introduced the program and credited several staff and students for building it. \"One of the recommendations that came from that self evaluation was to create a program to support students through peer mentorship,\" Dr. Stockdale said. Randy Bridal and Malu Lyman led the teacher team and described weekly meetings during advisory time and plans to expand participation and encourage mentees to become mentors.

Student mentors described benefits firsthand. Angela Ansanja, who said she was born in Malawi and moved to Mishawaka in 2021, told the board the program has helped her \"gain confidence to speaking around people\" and allowed mentees and mentors to bond over shared experiences. Senior mentor Leslie Ordonez said the program helps younger students navigate high‑school challenges and provides a positive support network.

Organizers said the program intends to increase participation, encourage mentees to become mentors and eventually launch an international student organization to celebrate cultural backgrounds. The board received the update and thanked students and staff who presented.","The board heard a presentation on a new Multilingual Learner (MLL) ambassador program at Mishawaka High School that pairs multilingual students with peer mentors for tutoring, cultural support and leadership development.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5998711,"Mishawaka High showcases student programs: writing, art, esports, robotics and community service",1227,897680,2125645,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d&start=897&end=2125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d/thumbnail_897680.jpg","/articles/5998711/Indiana/Mishawaka-High-showcases-student-programs-writing-art-esports-robotics-and-community-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5998711-7160864a9df5af6e1cf919a15d4c94fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870596&Signature=LLixo9~xdiEVMDmaGuRGmDFf6vappYrhl43SdMoHoW59BwOdvbxSxv8v7CoBOEAZ8IxdkbEWB1WZPRfIyjg-lCBpnvfkWH24jCOexYrBkkrrP0elOHaXuki~q4WFm2b6lLNyQRmtI40do0kDqdy~sggds7PNTmjoYWMtyihTxfEJhL71eqoqljiJjKXh~A6UH95qEV02fZk4~lFQlpBXMZPfvP5dA7maK1-HlLhrN8RWnyQeTBamR~E-f3bkVDxXDOaRpeZykZGiSkYDXK0jBqDjI-ONcLdLKrZJ23nNU6H2uRCwClkl2JgWkf0Q~R8Y0PuJVuM089ArMSW9OydoVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mishawaka — Teachers and students from Mishawaka High School used the School City of Mishawaka board meeting on May 7 to present a year‑in‑review of extracurricular programs, awards and community service work.

The presentations showcased academic, artistic and technical programs that school leaders said support student engagement and future pathways.

Matt Brew opened the high‑school presentation by introducing the senior recognitions and the program overviews. Randy Bridal, an English teacher who leads the writing program, told the board the Scholastic Writing Club increased submissions and continued to earn regional honors: \"We earned 13 honorable mentions this past year, 9 silver keys and 4 gold keys,\" Bridal said. He also described the club’s recent work helping students with scholarship and Common App essays and a volunteer Caveman and Community Club that raised funds and supported local causes.

Ryan Sargent, department head for art, said Mishawaka High School tied for first in a 100‑school region for gold keys and reported three national medal winners whose work will be publicly displayed in New York on June 11. \"We had 3 national medal winners,\" Sargent said, and he highlighted awards in drawing, photography and a student with two consecutive gold medals.

JR Boysen, science teacher and esports coordinator, described an esports program that launched in August and now fields five competitive teams; two rostered teams reached playoffs this year. Boysen said about 30 learners participated at least once this year and that the program plans middle‑school feeders and community partnerships.

Julie Fassett and student members reviewed the FIRST Robotics program’s two‑year review. Fassett described the two competition levels the school supports — FIRST Tech Challenge for middle grades and FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) for high school — and said the FRC team traveled to regional events and produced a season robot. The team noted costs associated with the FRC level and thanked the Mishawaka Education Foundation for support.

Doctor Mann and staff reported on the Heroes Club and blood drives. The program has run 11 drives and collected 160 pints this school year, with 176 first‑time donors since 2023; organizers said one student received a $2,500 scholarship tied to the drives.

Presenters framed the programs as feeders into career and college opportunities and as ways to build leadership and community ties. The board received the presentations; no formal board action was required beyond recognition and thanks.","Students and teachers presented program highlights at the board meeting, including Scholastic Writing Club awards, three national art medalists, an expanding esports program, robotics team achievements and the heroes club blood drives.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5998716,"Irons Foundation donates $50,000 to Mishawaka High School athletics and activities",54,2109565,2163705,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d&start=2109&end=2163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d/thumbnail_2109565.jpg","/articles/5998716/Indiana/Irons-Foundation-donates-50000-to-Mishawaka-High-School-athletics-and-activities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5998716-9920413d41163c0bf750f6297e4b07e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870596&Signature=lsV2OqKyDvJQQRaaqiceiYP4Y9zVmkiAMTBovwXXfJoqpYvc-qGFBMDVwrHJYlsSQOIUPGYi8Hu8fu0ildNyn93to3InlV~I4CPqUkNz1MrYi9nUpIdHEIQ3WVaoJucJTMBkxfs~R0Dpa~zYRj-miysOiyyZpfUxuXkBkNDRCHL5aNYXtCg8FsX3iSNLQNbe5oTIvQQWHrA63PYismhRr9FrUVyA5-FQ3KchEX14JdTcq60RTvosR740Tt1PWkan0PiZqKGSAYvSQWByXpbdoKajeKnsX19Yli2OmyFdC9g9~NO9AYFsdpxjyGslRBSFzzXZmxstrncOrJm0mgKFEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mishawaka — The School City of Mishawaka Board of School Trustees accepted a $50,000 donation from Tom and Jennifer Irons for the 2025–26 school year during its May 7 meeting at Mishawaka High School.

The gift, presented on behalf of the Irons Foundation, was delivered by Keith Kender, who told the board the Irons family made an initial 2018 gift that funded the Irons strength and conditioning center and remains committed to supporting students. \"His commitment to annually giving to School City of Mishawaka is his way of ensuring that all young people in our corporation have the same chance at the wonderful experience that he had,\" Kender said.

The donation was included in the consent agenda and approved by the board. President Parks and Superintendent Stevens thanked the Irons family and asked staff to pass along the board’s appreciation.

Kender said Mr. Irons could not attend the meeting and asked him to present the check in his place. The board accepted the donation and recorded its approval as part of the consent items.

The donation is designated to support the school’s extracurricular and athletic programs; the board did not record a separate vote on the specifics beyond consent agenda approval.","The board accepted a $50,000 donation from Tom and Jennifer Irons presented by a foundation representative; trustees publicly thanked the donor and recorded acceptance in the consent agenda.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5998720,"Mishawaka board reviews finances, approves March reports and readies explanation for education-to-operations transfer",641,4536655,5178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d&start=4536&end=5178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5844115-8d445369983815b46eea33bd1f86135d/thumbnail_4536655.jpg","/articles/5998720/Indiana/Mishawaka-board-reviews-finances-approves-March-reports-and-readies-explanation-for-education-to-operations-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5998720-c2c2bda46c6fd974edb35c4f6ed3ebce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870596&Signature=dGTs6iekod7hfAdqrpzMA7XNnVjc8RgaxA3U7ty5IQebXhysBTRES3PrNY8oDoQUp5eg9KCEZ8-qdaPq0g1WDOialneDrmGAKiVU1XycEIFX~LNoX9wXxB9xdzlh0YZu8U957-VjwaexrJLAVTsEb5vDKn4xMhf2IfhBYKOp68MdnLhKl7h4rM3YCJgEmS7okAgLs1YQPyAGsRZ20cs3WgDBDGv-dIdW6CmCHdjiwmCATf7l1i9Qma~v~pmLDwMu1702LoLOMIV~Kis4wuP-BJShEgPkIfrVlbVMrq2gJFEFIPGY34cuGjI~cnnxk6D01fvavMJBk0in3nXeS2Iifg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mishawaka — The School City of Mishawaka Board of School Trustees on May 7 approved December and March financial reports, authorized advertising for additional appropriations and agreed to submit documentation explaining why an education-to-operations fund transfer exceeded the state guideline.

The action matters because the district reported an education-to-operations transfer above the 15% threshold cited by the Indiana Department of Education and will send a packet explaining the district’s circumstances and budget strategy.

Finance director Mary Dutoy presented the financial summaries and told the board the education fund closed December with a balance of $9,796,629. She said the referendum operating fund carried about $2,000,002 into 2025 and that various restricted funds — including debt service and capital funds — were being managed for upcoming payments. Dutoy told the board the operations fund was negative $422,845 at the end of March but said the district expects tax revenues in June to move the fund back into the black.

Dutoy also described a larger transfer the district made in 2024 — 18.11% — and said the packet the board will send to state officials will explain the local effect of the circuit breaker and other revenue limits. \"Our circuit breaker takes two thirds of our operations levy before we ever see $1,\" she told the board, saying the district transfers funds to maintain comparable per‑student spending levels.

The board voted, by voice, to accept the December and March financial reports and to approve an itemized list required by the state showing transfers that exceeded guidance. The board also approved advertising for additional appropriations after state legislation increased the foundation amount, and adopted the 2026 budget calendar.

No roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes; motions were passed by voice vote with the chair asking for \"all those in favor, say aye.\" Dutoy noted the district will include comparisons to peer districts and explanatory materials when sending the transfer documentation to the Indiana Department of Education.

Board President Parks and Superintendent Stevens participated in the discussion but did not propose alternate motions. Dutoy said the district continues to monitor fund balances and will revisit strategies for operations funding as tax revenues are received.

Looking ahead, Dutoy asked the board to approve the advertising of additional appropriations to account for new state foundation funding and to reallocate curriculum material funds into the education fund per recent legislative changes.","The School City of Mishawaka board approved December and March financial reports, voted to advertise additional appropriations and placed its required explanation of an education-to-operations fund transfer above 15% on the record for state review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident asks board for data on graduates, absenteeism and horticulture pathway during public comment

Mishawaka High launches multilingual learner ambassador program to boost peer mentoring and belonging

Mishawaka High showcases student programs: writing, art, esports, robotics and community service

Irons Foundation donates $50,000 to Mishawaka High School athletics and activities

Mishawaka board reviews finances, approves March reports and readies explanation for education-to-operations transfer