The Van Buren Local Schools Strategic Plan Advisory Team met on Wednesday, August 6, to review the annual report from the 2024-2025 school year and plan for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dr. Jason Inkrott, Van Buren Superintendent, and Cassie Schaffer, Director of Teaching and Learning, facilitated the meeting focused on discussing the progress made over the last year in each of the strategies (Learning, Finances, Stakeholder Engagement, Facilities) identified as essential to accomplishing the district’s vision: Build a culture of learning that enables all students to achieve and grow.
Schaffer led the discussion of the first strategy (Learning), focusing on the state-required Science of Reading training teachers completed last year, improved information to parents and students about the ACT test, the addition of AP courses, the district’s use of data to inform instruction, and how the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) ensures all students receive the educational support they need.
Treasurer Cathy Schuller led the discussion of the second strategy (Finances), focusing on how the state legislature’s initiatives threaten our local funding; the balance between saving and spending to achieve a balanced budget; $477,986 we received in local, safety, and federal grants to supplement our budget; and our current overall financial health.
Communications Coordinator Brian Bratt and Inkrott led the discussion of the third strategy (Stakeholder Engagement), focusing on new communications initiatives last year like the Quality Profile, Knight Insight, and Knights in the Know; community-led initiatives like the Van Buren Schools Education Foundation and Forge the Future; and how the work of Jack Marshall and Jenn Barrett led to positive engagement with our community when they brought the Tunnel to Towers exhibit to our district.
Maintenance and Facilities Supervisor Casey Morman and Inkrott also presented an update on the improvements made in the district in the last year and other priorities, including updating restrooms in the high school building, renovating the greenhouse on the second floor of the high school building, adding wayfinding signage throughout the district, maintaining the boilers and overall heating and cooling systems, updating the exhaust fan and walk-in cooler in the high school cafeteria, updating lighting in the parking lots and buildings to LED lights, and many other completed projects from the past year.
Following each report, table groups met to identify strengths, growth opportunities, and how the district could be looking ahead in each of the strategy areas before sharing their ideas with the entire committee. Dr. Inkrott will be taking all of the feedback received at the meeting to the board of education, strategic plan subcommittees, and district employees so they can explore implementation options.
Subcommittees will continue meeting frequently throughout the 2025-2026 school year to make progress on the strategic plan, and the Strategic Plan Advisory Team will meet again in August 2026 for the next annual review.
Advisory team members attending the meeting included Abby Allen, Anna Anderson, Jenn Barrett, Brian Beining, Kristen Broski, Bryan Crissman, Danielle Doxsey, Laura Ebright, Brittni Gladysz, Adam Greer, Bill Griffith, Michael Leifheit, Ed May, Gene Meyer, Michael Newcomer, Tammy Routson, Holli Sattler, Ryan Schroeder, and Phoxay Sumney.
If community members are interested in learning more about the Strategic Plan, please contact Dr. Inkrott at jinkrott@vbschools.net or 419-299-3578 x101.