Special Report: Renewal at Western Wayne Schools
This article is a part of a series of special reports, where Western Wayne News is looking past social media chatter to explore the state of Western Wayne Schools, why its student body has decreased over the past decade, and how the district is faring generally.
In addition to looking at education data and school finances, we’re talking with educators, students, families, coaches and community members to understand more about the heart and spirit of the place that so many of our readers hold so near and dear.
Read other articles in the series:
- Enrollment, finances, facilities: Perspectives on a path forward
- Western Wayne Schools milestones, 2008-present
- Between concern and commitment: Parents share mixed perspectives
WWS isn’t the only Wayne County district facing enrollment and funding challenges, and future series will explore those as well. We also know this is a story that’s still being written by the WWS community, and we expect to continue our reporting on it beyond this series. If you’d like to share your own perspective or experiences, please get in touch.
Susan Moistner has opinions about the leadership at Western Wayne Schools. She even said one recent departure should have happened sooner. But the Cambridge City mother of four Lincoln High School graduates and three current WWS students knows that the challenges facing the school district are bigger than any one employee.
Looking back, Moistner cites how opening Indiana school districts to all students changed past school collaboration into competition, allowing students to pursue greener pastures when they thought there was more opportunity elsewhere for academics and sports.
She’s also aware of financial changes happening at the state level, including public school funding shrinking as money is tied up in vouchers and alternative school options.
However, she says community support and engagement is the biggest hurdle.
“I don’t think enough parents are involved,” said Moistner.
She wishes there was more participation, but understands families might have different priorities. Some face issues with schedules and transportation. Some students might elect to work, while others can’t afford to participate in extracurriculars.
And there are those who Moistner says have no interest at all.
“I really do think COVID affected this age group,” said Moistner. “That’s the time you’re getting involved in sports and stuff. I think they kind of missed that. Maybe they just have more family time and that’s how they choose to live their lives. It’s not necessarily anything bad. It’s just, it was just a different time.”
Moistner said she tries to stay focused on the future. “With every change I’m hopeful that people can latch onto the good and if everybody would work towards the good instead of saying ‘This or that happened,’ those people are gone,” she said. “We need to move forward.”
“I do not understand talking negatively about the school your kids go to. I just don’t. Our mindset should always be, ‘What can I do to help make it better?’”
Susan Moistner
Milton’s Larry Smith experienced changes at the school district firsthand as a former archery coach at Western Wayne Elementary. He said he worked to bolster community engagement and volunteered to establish a National Archery in the Schools Program team at the school.
Students welcomed the opportunity immediately and 24 fourth and fifth graders joined the program.
“It was very motivating watching the children’s self-esteem rise with each practice, their confidence increasing weekly,” said Smith. He said the program made space for students who might not have fit traditional extracurricular activities. He led five students to state competition in his inaugural year.
Smith was removed from leading the program but officials declined to comment on the reason. He said after that change, he saw participation dwindle to just eight students, and felt devastated at the loss. Smith said he is concerned the district is on a downward trajectory, and has since transferred his four children away to South Hancock Elementary and Tri Jr./Sr. High School.
Lincoln alum and parent of two students Nathan Ulerick is very pleased with the new principal and is encouraged by board leadership who have children in the school system.
“It makes the position much more meaningful,” he said. He believes administration and staff are doing the best they can, and he shares Moistner’s view that parents need to do more.
“Kids are only in school for 13 years. We need to make our children our priority, not ourselves,” said Ulerick. “The kids are the future, we need to prepare them, not put them on the back burner.”
Moistner also thinks social media has hurt terribly. She referenced this year’s softball season being canceled. Many negatively speculated online about a deeper cause or issue. Moistner, whose own daughter, a junior, played last year, summed it up simply.
“The problem is we don’t have enough girls. That’s the whole story,” she said. “I do not understand talking negatively about the school your kids go to. I just don’t. Our mindset should always be, ‘What can I do to help make it better?’”
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A version of this article appeared in the May 6 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.