SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING

New Zionsville Community High School principal named to succeed Tim East in retirement; Elementary earns state recognition for early literacy

EARLY LITERACY

In 2022, Pleasant View Elementary (PVE) School won the statewide award for early literacy. As a result, the district received a $400 thousand dollar grant to continue literacy work. All elementary school administrators and staff have benefitted from professional development opportunities and literacy enrichment in their buildings throughout this time.

This week, PVE Principal Dr. Stacy Smith and Assistant Superintendent Kris Devereaux will be attending a literacy recognition at the Indiana Statehouse.

State leaders are recognizing educators from schools with scores of 95 percent or above on the 2023 administration of the IREAD assessment at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday.

Director of Academic Services Christine Squier shared that as we continue our work in this area, Zionsville Community Schools will be hosting a Literacy Summit on June 4th and 5th. This event will include national speakers and an opportunity to collaborate on literacy initiatives.

In keeping with the momentum, Mrs. Squier said that the district will begin materials adoption in late March. She said families should watch school newsletters for details on how to participate in the process. The materials that are adopted will be introduced and studied as part of the Literacy Summit in June.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

In other news, Superintendent Rebecca Coffman offered thanks to board members Dr. Christy Wessel-Powell and Jen Valentine for spending time downtown with legislators to review proposed language of bills being presented in both chambers. There are about 40 remaining bills that affect schools of the more than 100 originally presented.

Dr. Coffman noted that of the remaining bills, the one of most concern is House Bill 1376 that considers when school districts can conduct referendums. Amendments have narrowed this bill to building and operation referendums. While this is an improvement to the original bill, this could be restrictive for the facility needs of growing school corporations.

CELEBRATING BLACK EXCELLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS

February is Black History Month, and we are engaged in celebrating black history and black excellence in all our schools. We had secondary students who attended a leadership event at Butler University. Elementary students are studying and learning about leaders who have made a significant impact. At all levels, students are focusing on Everyone Belongs Here.

NAVIGATING FASFA

This year for the first time, all seniors must complete the FASFA. Counselors at Zionsville Community High School are offering a series of workshop for families who need assistance or support. The next session will be held on February 28th at 6 p.m.

ZCHS NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL BEGINNING 2024-2025

The board unanimously approved Mrs. Karen McDaniel as the next principal of Zionsville Community High School, effective July 1, 2024.  

Mrs. McDaniel earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Animal Science and Chemistry from Southern Illinois and her Master of Science (MS) degree in Secondary Education from the University of Southern Indiana.  She began her career in education as a science teacher before holding several school leadership roles in rural and growing communities. She most recently served on the administration team in Carmel Clay Schools.  Mrs. McDaniel has been the Associate Principal of Carmel High School for several years.  

Mrs. McDaniel brings broad expertise in curriculum and instruction, leading a comprehensive counseling program and special services, all focused on continuously building opportunities for students.  She is currently serving on the advisory committee to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Education Secretary and has also served as an Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Board administrator representative.  Mrs. McDaniel is an active board member of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and has been engaged in the Indiana School Safety Academy throughout her time in school leadership.  Additionally, Mrs. McDaniel has experience in supporting her community of learners and broader community as an Autism Cadre Leader and as an active member of the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) in neighboring Hamilton County.

Principal Tim East will retire at the end of this school year and we will welcome Karen McDaniel for the 2024-2025 school year. We have much to celebrate as we focus on a strong finish to the 2023-2024 school year and look ahead to the future for our school community.

NEW BUSINESS

Actions

• Request to Advertise Firewall Replacement approved
• Request to Purchase Buses approved
• Consideration of Bids for Elementary Interior Work and ZCHS Asphalt approved
• Permission granted to advertise Elementary Pictures/Yearbooks 
• Permission to advertise for Farm Lease
• Semi-Annual Reports of ECA Treasurers
• Early Literacy Achievement Grant accepted

The next school board meeting will be held March 11, 2024 in the Educational Services Center at 900 Mulberry Street, Zionsville.

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