Looking Ahead While Finishing Strong

May Board of School Trustees Meeting highlights summer construction projects, student opportunities, and district recognitions

Following the special recognition portion honoring teachers, retirees, and milestone employees, the Zionsville Community Schools Board of Trustees transitioned into the regular business portion of the May meeting. The evening reflected both the momentum of the spring season and the continued planning already underway for the future of Zionsville Community Schools.

Zionsville Education Foundation Shares Updates and Celebrates Classroom Innovation

During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Rebecca Coffman invited Catherine Moser, executive director of the Zionsville Education Foundation, to provide updates on the foundation’s ongoing work supporting students, staff, and classrooms across Zionsville Community Schools.

Moser began by sharing that ZEF continues focusing on building connections with families earlier in their ZCS journey through initiatives such as Kindy Club yard signs and outreach efforts designed to welcome younger families into the school community. She noted that the foundation is continuing to look for new ways to engage families during the earliest stages of their ZCS experience so they can benefit from opportunities available through the foundation during their time in the district.

She also highlighted the continued success of Eagle Honors, which allows families and community members to recognize educators and staff members throughout the district. Moser shared that many of the handwritten messages submitted through the program have become especially meaningful moments for the ZEF team, including elementary students writing notes to teachers and graduating seniors recognizing former educators who impacted their lives years earlier.

Moser provided updates on upcoming ZEF fundraising events, including the next ZEF Bash scheduled for Saturday, November 7, and Trivia Night scheduled for Friday, February 26.

Moser's presentation highlighted the foundation’s recent classroom grants program and the impact educators are creating through innovative learning opportunities across the district. Moser shared that ZEF awarded $72,000 in grants this spring through the foundation’s grants parade, where representatives surprise educators in person by visiting classrooms and announcing funded projects.

Several grant-funded projects were highlighted during the presentation.

At Zionsville West Middle School (ZWMS), educators partnered with the nonprofit organization ArtMix to support functional academics and life skills students through creative expression and art engagement opportunities. The experience culminated in a student art show at SullivanMunce Cultural Center, where students and families gathered to celebrate the work and creativity of participating students. Moser described the experience as a powerful example of inclusion and student engagement.

Moser also highlighted a grant supporting kindergarten classrooms at Eagle Elementary, where educators introduced hands-on STEM and critical thinking experiences using large-scale building materials and interactive learning tools designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving among young learners.

Another featured grant project involved a ZCHS educator who transformed an unused outdoor area into an outdoor classroom space designed to support biology instruction and environmental learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.

Moser closed the presentation by thanking educators across the district for their creativity, innovation, and willingness to pursue new ideas that enrich student learning experiences throughout ZCS.

Construction Updates and Skillman Partnership Highlight Summer Work and Student Opportunities

Vice President of the Skillman Corporation Victor Landfair provided updates about ongoing and upcoming construction projects across Zionsville Community Schools before introducing Skillman Departmental Coordinator Lindsey Kraick to discuss the district’s growing work-based learning partnership with Zionsville Community High School.

Landfair first reviewed several summer facility and improvement projects scheduled throughout the district. Among the projects discussed were front entrance canopy and column improvements at Eagle Elementary School, auditorium sound, lighting, new asphalt and concrete replacement work at ZWMS, Boone Meadow Elementary, and Stonegate Elementary, track improvements at ZWMS, and auditorium and stadium sound system upgrades at Zionsville Community High School.

It was noted that the summer months will bring significant construction and maintenance activity across many campuses as teams prepare facilities for the 2026-2027 school year.

Landfair then transitioned into updates connected to the district’s partnership with the Skillman Corporation and the expanding opportunities available to students through work-based learning experiences. He shared that ZCS was one of Skillman's earliest partners and emphasized how the experience has continued to grow over time. Landfair also noted that the partnership has become an important part of Skillman’s engagement with schools and students across the state, while benefiting both the company and participating students.

Lindsay Kraick, departmental coordinator at Skillman and a former educator, shared how the internship program works alongside the high school’s work-based learning program. She explained that recruiting efforts begin during career fairs at ZCHS, where students learn not only about Skillman, but also about careers connected to construction, engineering, architecture, and the trades.

Kraick described the internship process as intentionally designed to provide students with professional experiences before graduation. Students prepare resumes and cover letters, participate in interviews, and work directly alongside project teams. She also explained that many students continue participating in the program across multiple semesters.

She emphasized the ongoing mentorship built into the partnership, including regular check-ins with students and school staff, job site visits, and classroom presentations. Kraick also shared that she recently met with female engineering students at ZCHS to discuss careers in the industry, pathways into the trades, internship experiences, and what it is like to work in construction-related fields.

Student interns, Dane Carr and Luke Peevler, shared reflections on their experiences working with Skillman project teams. Carr explained that he has long been interested in construction and was excited to participate in the internship opportunity through the work-based learning program.

He described responsibilities that included taking and organizing construction photos, conducting site safety checks, tracking project progress, uploading documentation for meetings, and supporting team communication. Carr also reflected on lessons learned about job site safety, construction terminology, responsibility, and communication while working alongside industry professionals.

This partnership continues to serve as a strong example of authentic career-connected learning opportunities available to students through ZCS programming while helping students gain practical experience before graduation.

District Earns Project Lead The Way Recognition

Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Coffman shared recent recognition received by Zionsville Middle School, Zionsville West Middle School, and Zionsville Community High School.

All three schools were recently recognized as Distinguished Project Lead The Way institutions for their commitment to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement within PLTW programs.

Coffman shared that nearly 1,900 middle school students participated in Project Lead The Way coursework this year, helping create pathways into high school engineering, STEM, and career exploration opportunities.

Consent Agenda and Donations Approved

Board members approved the evening’s consent agenda, which included personnel recommendations, field trip requests, contract renewals, annual reports, donations, and monthly financial items.

Several donations across the district were also recognized during the meeting, including media center resources, classroom library materials, writing supplies for students, café aprons, and a donation supporting the ZCHS band program.

Roofing Bid Approved

During new business, the board approved a roofing bid for replacement work on the Zionsville Community High School varsity gymnasium roof.

The existing roof dates back to 1997 and has exceeded its expected lifespan. The project will also allow crews to coordinate work alongside other construction projects already scheduled at the high school this summer.

The submitted bid came in below anticipated projections, and the board approved moving forward with the replacement project.

First Reading of Wireless Communication Device Policy

There was also a first reading of proposed revisions connected to student wireless communication device policies following updates during the 2026 Indiana legislative session.

District leaders explained that new state legislation requires school corporations to formally adopt policies governing student use of wireless communication devices during the school day. The updated definitions include cell phones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and certain smartwatches capable of communication.

Administrators shared that the district’s current bring-your-own-device approach for rising seniors remains aligned with the new legislation and will continue for the upcoming school year. School districts are awaiting the suggested policy language and model guidance from the Indiana Department of Education as outlined in the new law. The item was presented as a first reading only, with no board action required during the meeting.

Next meeting

The next ZCS Board of School Trustees meeting is June 8 at 6 p.m. in the Educational Services Center, 900 Mulberry Street, Zionsville.

ZCS Spring Newspaper