Hagerstown’s Dan Davis opened Nettle Creek school board’s May 13 meeting with encouraging words as the district faces a reduction in staffing for the 2026-27 school year.
The past school board member offered thanks to the board and praised Superintendent Emily Schaeffer as the “best hire in the last 50 years.” He added that their schools have been “under attack” for 20 years and they must stand up to state representatives who don’t support them.
Indiana’s Republican-controlled state legislature has recently passed sweeping property tax legislation that reduces funding available for public schools. As a result, Nettle Creek Schools is exploring how to reduce $600,000 in expenditures by Dec. 31, including possible staffing reductions.
Board members shared similar sentiments. In mentioning appreciation for feedback from teachers, staff and the community, Sandi Schraub added they have more power when using their collective voices, and Ruthie LaMar plans on speaking to state legislators more.
Board member Cody Sankey doesn’t like the cards they’ve been dealt, but views the needed changes as ensuring the “heartbeat of the community” remains for future generations.
Board member Julie Blaase tearfully recited Nettle Creek’s mission, which she takes to heart. Marcie Houghton emphasized her faith in Schaeffer’s leadership.
President Shaun Lieberman added a heartfelt anecdote about a track star stumbling over their first hurdle. Choking back tears, he said they might be knocked down by this hurdle, but will bounce back. And in time, realize it’s “led me to a door that I’m thankful that I found.”
The board planned to notify any impacted staff by this week. They said they would not publicly announce the changes until after a special board meeting is held before July 1 to make their staffing decisions official.
The board approved other recommended items, tabling one. Second readings for employee handbooks and job description updates were approved, and they introduced a first reading of 12 board policy updates. This included a policy change ahead of the new “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban.
District News
- Tigers Boosters’ upgrades to athletic spaces will be finished by graduation
- Ten seniors participated in Ivy Tech Richmond graduation on May 9
- The district received a $5,000 grant from Reid Health supporting community feeding efforts
- Patricia Fox was a state Food Service Employee of the Year nominee
Jr./Sr. High School News
- Senior Kaden Ervin named runner-up for WCACC’s Every Day Counts celebration
- Teacher Mary Randall featured in a media article
- National Honor Society added 18 inductees
- Three student winners shined in RAM’s Student Exhibition
- Praise for baseball, softball, boys golf and girls tennis teams
- Senior Davin Chew will continue swimming at Anderson University
Elementary News
- Students, teachers and staff enjoyed Field Day festivities
- Second and third graders completed second round of IREAD
- Final weeks will consist of grade-level field trips to the Children’s Museum & Conner Prairie
- Annual Senior Walk will occur on last day of school
Other Business
- Discovery Preschool has 66 pre-enrolled
- Six IREAD retesters passed; five will attend summer school for final retesting
- ILEARN results for English Language Arts, math and social studies are delayed until the fall
- ILEARN science scores exceeded state average; biology and government scores were below state average
The next school board meeting will be held June 10, at 6:30 p.m. in Hagerstown Elementary’s LGI Room at 299 N. Sycamore St. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the May 20 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
