Pictured, from left, are Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Board Members Aaron Zolman, Adam Heckaman, and Tom Bauters; and TVSC Superintendent Blaine Conley. InkFreeNews photo by Brianna White.

By Brianna White
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — The Tippecanoe Valley School Board discussed a reduction in suspensions between 2024 and 2025 during a meeting on Monday, Nov. 17.

TVSC Superintendent Blaine Conley brought a slideshow comparing the discipline issues between the first nine weeks of the school year for the middle and high school, and the first trimester of the elementary schools between 2024 and 2025.

Exclusionary consequences have decreased significantly since 2024. In-school suspensions decreased by 76%, going from 29 to seven, and out-of-school suspensions dropped by 62%, going from 79 to 30. According to Conley, “These improvements show a change in focus to relationship building, classroom engagement, strategies, and consistent Tier 1 expectations.”

In the elementary schools for the first trimester, white slips, or minor infractions, went from 147 in 2024 to 58 in 2025, a decrease of 61%. DRs, or major infractions, went from 24 to 18.

Conley said, “This is a lot to be proud of, our teachers, all of our staff members, have been working very hard and been very focused on these new initiatives, and we’re starting to see some good things come about. More students remain in class, and they’re engaged in learning. Earlier and more effective interventions … Staff communication of explicit instructional systems. It’s producing consistent results K to 12, and our discipline trends demonstrate a positive cultural momentum.”

Board Member Aaron Zolman questioned the decision to just compare the first nine weeks of 2024 and 2025. He commented that it might indicate a better sense of student behavioral trends and “make sure 2024 was not just a ‘funk year.'” Zolman was quick to reassure the board that it’s a great thing and that he appreciates the hard work, but that he was just curious about what the data looks like over a longer period.

Other Business

The board also:

• Approved a resolution to raise the micro-purchasing threshold from $10,000 to $50,000. Internally the process will remain the same, preventing an employee from making a $30,000 purchase without oversight, but it will give internal programs, especially food service, more freedom to make necessary purchases with less paperwork.
• Approved a resolution to transfer funds from the education fund to the administrative fund. This transfer will allow funds to be used for HVAC repairs at Mentone Elementary School and support the TVSC Technology Department.
• Heard a record number of Valley students received college board awards. Brent Miller in particular was recognized at the school board meeting. He was identified by the College Board as a commended student and was in the running for National Merit Scholar because of his high test scores.
• Heard the girls’ golf team had an excellent season. The Tippecanoe Valley girls’ golf team won the Indiana Northern State Conference. All five varsity golfers were All Conference. Savannah Miller was named the INSC golf MVP. She also had the best time at sectional and was sectional champion. This made Miller the first sectional champion in TVSC history.
• Addressed the 2026-2027 school calendar, which was tentatively proposed. The proposed start date is Aug. 7, 2026, and the proposed final student day is May 18, 2027. Parent teacher conferences for middle and high school students will be on the same day. Zolman commented that it seemed like the proposed school year would start “too early.” Zolman said that he gets a lot of pushback from the community, and people often ask him why Valley starts so early. Zolman questioned why the proposed start date was Aug. 7 specifically. Conley replied that they base their start date on Warsaw Community High School’s start date, so the students who are part of the WAC classes with WCHS are not inconvenienced. The calendar will be voted on at the next school board meeting.
• Heard the administration building and childcare center is still under construction. Work is progressing overall, but there is a delay in the roofing material at the moment.
• The board agreed to hire the following people: Ashlea Davis as media center assistant, Michael Loper as fifth grade boys’ basketball coach, Leslie Riddle as special education instructional assistant, and Jodi Simpson as instructional assistant.