Key Takeaways:
Welcoming new educators and support staff across the school district.
Expanding high school academic coaching, 18 middle school electives, and targeted K–12 math alignment while celebrating 89% of students earning at least a 3 on Advanced Placement exams last spring.
Completing summer improvement projects, including high school gym air conditioning, renovated locker rooms, and a new electronic sign going up in front of the middle school in the near future.
Dear Van Buren Family,
As the second week of the school year begins, we want to give you an update on the actions we have taken to continue making progress toward our goal of building thinkers, connections, and experiences in our schools every day.
Because of retirements and career moves, we have some new teachers filling positions this year. We are happy to welcome Mrs. Morgan Ream (Elementary Intervention Specialist), Mrs. Loveda Watts (Elementary Gifted Math Teacher and Gifted Coordinator), and Mrs. Mel Napierata (HS English) to our district. Other staff members who have joined our district or moved into new positions for them include Shannon Bennett (HS Aide), Carolyn Bowers (Elementary Noon Monitor), Keith Clark (Custodian), Jeffrey Flick (Bus Driver), Heidi Mercer (Elementary Aide), Garrett McCoy (Technology Assistant), Jennifer Patterson (Custodian), Terry Sammet (Custodian), Kevin Schroeder (Custodian), Jennifer Underwood (Bus Driver), Sarah Wagner (Elementary Noon Monitor), and Paige Wallen (Elementary Aide).
One new service we are offering this year is breakfast for students in elementary, middle, and high school because we know proper nutrition is essential for our students to achieve academic success each day. Food Service Supervisor Mrs. Chelsea Griffith and her staff have worked diligently to prepare to offer this service, and we appreciate the work they have done.
Academically, we are excited to continue the momentum we have built toward helping our students achieve academic excellence regardless of the career paths they choose to pursue after high school. We want to be intentional when helping students make choices about their futures, and that begins with giving them options to explore that will help them make informed decisions.
One way we are helping students achieve academic success is by adding a variety of academic growth opportunities this year. In the high school, Mr. Addison Carter, Mrs. Alyssa Leddy, Mrs. Napierata, and Mr. Roman Williams will be working with students as academic coaches to help them set goals and routines. School psychologist Mr. Ryan Borger, along with principal Mr. Kevin Shoup and guidance counselor Mrs. Holli Sattler, will be meeting with the coaches as they review data points to maximize the support students receive.
In the middle school, growth classes serving all students will be available as they have been in the past, but there will be an emphasis on adding growth opportunities in advanced math. Students will also have 18 electives offered to them in addition to their core English, math, science, and social studies classes. Those electives range from robotics to digital media to agriculture and more.
At the elementary level, we are redesigning our growth time (formerly known as I/E) to focus on targeted skill building. Students will work in groups aligned with their learning goals, participating in mini-lessons and practice designed to strengthen core concepts. Whether a student needs reinforcement on a foundational skill or an added academic challenge, this updated format ensures this time is spent intentionally every day.
Sustaining student growth in our classrooms starts with our teachers, who are dedicated to their own professional learning and development. This year, our K–12 math educators will engage in targeted professional development alongside Mrs. Cassie Schaffer, Director of Teaching and Learning, focusing on closely aligning instructional materials with state standards. A primary priority of this work is elevating mathematical rigor across all grade levels by deepening conceptual understanding, building procedural fluency, and expanding real-world application. By ensuring our curriculum is cohesive from kindergarten through senior year, our teachers are setting every student up for long-term mathematical success.
Our teachers’ ongoing dedication to refining their instruction reinforces a culture of high academic expectations across the district. We see the strength of that culture reflected in our Advanced Placement (AP) results from this past spring. Across the six AP classes we offered during the 2025-2026 school year, 89% of the students earned at least a 3 on the AP exam, which sets them up to earn college credit depending on the schools they choose to attend. We are also proud to recognize 2026 graduates David Cavera, Maverick DeWalt, Carter Fry, and Andrew Puperi for earning the College Board's AP Scholar award. That award is given to students who earn a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams over the course of high school. Students will also have the opportunity to take four CCP classes taught by our own teaching staff this year: Bowling Green State University Writing 1110 and 1120 with Mrs. Napierata, Owens Community College Government 111 with Ms. Chelsea Burden, and Owens Community College Spanish 211 with Mrs. Leddy.
Our outstanding teachers and staff positively impact our students every day as they grow academically, but we also know how important our school environment is. In addition to renaming the Medieval Garden to honor Mrs. Cassie Ohlrich, there were also campus improvement projects focused on installing a new electronic sign, renovating the locker rooms, and adding air conditioning in the high school gymnasium. We appreciate all of the effort the Medieval Garden Committee, Facilities Committee, and maintenance staff put into all of these projects over the summer.
We also appreciate the role our community has played and will continue to play in our future success. Our Strategic Plan committees continue to contribute to our school district, and another group that contributes every year is our Strategic Plan Advisory Team. When they met on August 5, they provided feedback we will use throughout the 2026-2027 school year to inform our decisions.
From welcoming new staff members and launching our new school breakfast program to expanding targeted academic growth opportunities and completing key campus facility upgrades, the 2026–2027 school year is off to a strong start. Guided by our dedicated educators, strategic planning committees, and ongoing community feedback, we remain focused on achieving academic excellence and preparing our students for whatever paths they choose. Together, we look forward to making meaningful progress every day toward our goal of all students developing as thinkers through their connections and experiences in our buildings.
Have a great year!
Sincerely,
Jason Inkrott, Superintendent
Check out what else is happening at the Van Buren Local School District:
Breakfast Available to Students Starting September 14