Stephanie Bibler of the Sweet Sassy Golf Classic discusses the history of the program, what it meant to wife and founder Scott Bibler, and the program’s continued donations at the September Tippecanoe Valley School Board meeting. The school corporation accepted a check of $24,000 from Sweet Sassy Golf Classic at the meeting. Photo by Maksym Hart.

By Maksym Hart
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — The Tippecanoe Valley School Board heard updates on district-wide literacy efforts, construction progress and approved several donations and new hires during its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 8 at Mentone Elementary School, 301 E. Jackson St., Mentone.

Superintendent Blaine Conley and district leaders presented a detailed report on Tippecanoe Valley’s literacy initiative, which focuses on improving student reading outcomes across all grade levels. The plan is modeled on “It’s Possible,” by Pati Montgomery and Angela Hanlon and represents “a shift from a culture of compliance to one of commitment and shared ownership,” Conley said.

Staff described steps to build trust with teachers, streamline leadership team meeting and use data consistently to guide education. Curriculum Director Inga Omondi said the district has implemented oral reading fluency testing in grades K-12, provided “one streamlined assessment” to measure progress.

Teachers will now use the results to form data teams and identify students needing additional support.

Omondi said all staff members, regardless of subject, are being encouraged to see themselves as literacy teachers. “Everybody has a stake in literacy,” she said. “Even if you’re a history or agriculture teacher your students needs specialized vocabulary instruction.”

Board members praised the effort, calling it one of the most comprehensive instructional initiatives the district has undertaken.

“It’s quite amazing work, guys,” said board member Adam Heckaman.

Donations And Spotlight

Board members also excepted a $24,000 donation from organizers of the Sweet Sassy Classic Golf Outing, which has been funding classroom grants since 2016. representatives said this year’s contribution will replenish teacher funds in January.

“We just completed year 10 of the Sweet Sassy (Golf Outing),” Stephanie Bibler, program leader and wife of the late Scott Bibler, said. “So we’re proud we are able to do that. This started out as a little whim … we didn’t have any expectations.”

Other contributions included $10,000 from the Dekko Foundation for Tippecanoe Valley high school’s photography program, a $900 dollar anonymous gift for wrestling equipment and $200 from Beaver Dam Community Church to help meet student needs.

The “Spotlight On The Valley” portion of the meeting also recognized the Tippy Valley middle school students who competed at the National History Day contest in Washington, D.C. Students presented their project on literacy tests in U.S. history which qualified them for nationals after advancing through district and state competitions. Students competing in the event were able to meet senators Todd Young and Jim Banks, and were even given an unexpected tour of the nation’s Capital Building.

Other Business

• The board approved several personnel changes, including the hiring of Blake Olinger as a technology associate for the corporation; instructional assistants Hailey Swope and Katelyn Reutebuch at Tippy Valley High School; food service employees Kyle Boster and Brittney Reese at Tippy Valley Middle School; Lauren Leon Clark as an instructional assistant at Akron Elementary; and Josie Elliott, Ashley Conley, and Karissa Johnson as special education instructional assistants at Mentone Elementary.
• The board also accepted the retirement of technology director Keith Lang, as well as resignations from several food service and coaching positions.
• The board also conducted its 2026 budget hearing, including capital projects and bus replacement plans. Notices were posted online, and no public comments were received.

The board’s next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Mentone Elementary.