Northeastern Wayne School Superintendent Jennifer O’Brien shared that the school received a Lilly Opportunity to Learn planning grant of $75,000 at the Oct. 13 school board meeting. The funds can help K-12 students overcome nonacademic barriers. Securing this grant allows the school to apply for a competitive grant in March for up to $818,000.
Portions of the planning grant will help expand a memorandum of understanding with Every Child Can Read for an afterschool tutoring program. ECCR will hire a Northeastern teacher to include kindergarten and first grade students in the twice-a-week program piloted with second graders. The board approved the MOU set to begin after fall break.
In construction updates, the track is complete as steel work and asphalt continues. The patio between the concession stand and football bleachers will be done this week.
Council approved previously distributed consent agenda items which included adjusting wording for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic calendar, and approved the 2027 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan. A tentative agreement was reached through the collective bargaining process and is currently available to view on the school’s website. Board review and ratification is set for a Nov. 3 special session. Part A of a policy’s second reading and part B of the policy’s first reading were approved.
In administrative reports, the Early Learning Center’s Fall Festival was Oct. 14 from 6-8 p.m. and a costume party will be Oct. 30. The elementary’s Spooktacular Fall Festival is 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Middle school students had checkpoint No. 1 testing Oct. 14 and 15, started an initiative to reduce missing work, resumed its Reid Healthcare Club Oct. 16 and will have their annual Reverse Career Fair on Nov. 6.
Sixteen high school students participated in the Model Legislative event this year, and senior night recognized graduating students of all extracurricular activities. An Oct. 15 volleyball match started sectional play with football and cross country to follow. And 103 students had no absences or tardies for the first nine weeks.
In board comments, board secretary Dan VanDuyne appreciated everyone’s patience and O’Brien’s leadership throughout the multiple construction projects.
Students of the month were the ELC’s Faith Goebel, fourth grader Tegan Cook, seventh grader Christian Gipson and high schooler Marc McDugle.
The board conducted school board vacancy candidate interviews during a special 7 p.m. meeting. The candidates interviewed were Jerry Behagg, Daniel Hoelscher, Hannah Kircher, Brittany Pardo and Nova Woods.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Student Service Building, 7299 N U.S. 27, Fountain City.
A version of this article appeared in the October 21 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
