Ashley Sloboda

1 week ago | journalgazette.net | Ashley Sloboda

Northwest Allen County Schools' existing elementary buildings might hold the solution to alleviating the district's overcrowding throughout its youngest grade levels. Brandon Bitting, an assistant superintendent, told the school board Monday that the district could add 28 classrooms by expanding seven of its eight elementary schools. That's equal to the number of grade-level classrooms at Aspen Meadow Elementary School, which opened in 2021.

1 week ago | journalgazette.net | Ashley Sloboda

The construction of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s new $25 million music facility is about to reach a milestone, the campus announced Monday. The university plans to “top out” the Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building Thursday afternoon. This construction tradition involves placing the last and often highest beam, a news release said. It indicated the milestone is intended to be observed by only the campus community. Students, faculty and staff may also leave their mark on the project.

1 week ago | journalgazette.net | Ashley Sloboda

The Northwest Allen County Schools administration team revealed Monday that it hopes to annually fund $10 million in needs – including higher teacher pay – through an eight-year operating referendum. Superintendent Wayne Barker was blunt about the consequences if voters in November deny the district's ability to collect additional property taxes beyond state-imposed limits. Plans for the career and technical education center and alternative school would have to stop.

1 week ago | journalgazette.net | Ashley Sloboda

University of Saint Francis students Amelia Fowerbaugh and Grace Warner recently ended their sophomore year with an unheard-of accomplishment. The elementary education majors contributed to the Indiana Learning Lab, the Indiana Department of Education-funded online platform that provides teaching and learning support for educators. It was created in 2020. Abigail Dutcher, an assistant professor of education, described Fowerbaugh and Warner’s achievement as a big deal.

2 weeks ago | journalgazette.net | Ashley Sloboda

Carroll Middle School teacher Kim Goeglein reluctantly accepted the spotlight Friday when the principal called her onstage, and she instantly knew why upon spotting Superintendent Wayne Barker. He was there to honor Goeglein as a Northwest Allen County Schools Teacher of the Year, an award Amanda Waybright at Eel River Elementary School also received within the hour. The back-to-back celebrations concluded three days of recognition at NACS.