It’s not the first time Jennifer O’Brien has been invited to become Northeastern Wayne Schools’ assistant superintendent, but she’s previously had to say no.

This time, when Superintendent Matthew Hicks asked O’Brien, currently Northeastern Elementary’s assistant principal, she asked for time to ask her family and then said yes.

Hicks told the board he “couldn’t be more delighted” to recommend the board hire O’Brien for the 2025-26 school year at its April 16 meeting.

The vote was 4-0. Afterward, Hicks said he’s excited about the work they’ll do together.

O’Brien worked for Richmond Community Schools for about 20 years as a teacher, principal, chief human resources officer, assistant superintendent and interim superintendent.

O’Brien said leaving NES is bittersweet, because she’s had so much fun being a principal again and is proud of her team’s work.

“That love will continue, just in a different capacity,” O’Brien said.

SAT scores

Northeastern High School Principal John Markward was excited about large increases in the school’s SAT scores compared to state growth.

Northeastern’s combined reading, writing and math mean score increased 35 points from 886 to 921, while the state average increased two points, 937 to 939.

On reading and writing, the number of NHS students meeting or exceeding the benchmark increased by 14%. Indiana’s increase was 3%. For math, NHS students meeting or exceeding the benchmark increased by 2% while Indiana remained the same.

Markward noted there’s always opportunity for improvement, and not all students believe it’s important to try hard on the test if they’re not going to college, so they’ll continue explaining it’s a pathway for some opportunities.

Other business

  • Changing state requirements mean that those wishing to attend future board meetings online can do so at meet.google.com/tmn-funw-mdg
  • A few changes to Northeastern Early Learning Center’s 2025-26 handbook were approved.

A market comparison shows NELC’s preschool was near the bottom in cost. Weekly costs increase to $115 for five days per week and $100 for three days. For the first time, preschool will start on the same day as K-12 school.

Soda will be prohibited in packed lunches, and chaperones will have to drive separately to field trips.

  • Hicks met with Richmond Family YMCA about the possibility of Northeastern teaching assistants receiving additional pay from the Y to provide before-school care.
  • A contract is being jointly finalized with Wayne County’s other school districts and Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce on an employer engagement position to help place students in workplace learning opportunities to meet new high school diploma requirements.

NWS’ board approved a memorandum of understanding in March, but others favor a contract that requires schools to give months more notice if they choose to leave the partnership.

Hicks said employers are interested in having students on site, but they have many logistical questions, and having an engagement employee will help.

  • NWS school resource officers, administrators and aspiring administrators attended Indiana School Safety Specialist Advanced Academy. Hicks said it’s rare for districts to have all administrators trained, including the athletic director, and he appreciated the board’s support.
  • At NES, several teachers are moving between grades for 2025-26, and some teachers are interested in staying with one group for two years. A class of next year’s kindergartners will have the same teacher for first grade. The pilot will run for two years before additional changes are made.
  • Kindergarten Roundup is April 29.
  • The board approved a $20,000 contract with Lebra for administrators to improve skills in internal and external engagement to look for new funding sources and partnerships. It replaced costlier district-wide training.

Personnel

  • Hires: Anne Wissel, varsity volleyball coach; Tara Hershberger and Elizabeth Arroyo, substitutes; Cait Gilland, sub bus driver
  • Departures: Elizabeth Arroyo, Jonna Potter, Lisa Stucky, Sheree Mull
  • Northeastern Student of the Month, Early Learning Center: Josephine Barnes
  • Northeastern Student of the Month, Elementary: Briele Gifford
  • Northeastern Student of the Month, Middle school: Hosanna Cameron
  • Northeastern Student of the month, high school: Holly Hancock. Submitted photo.
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A version of this article appeared in the April 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.