The Van Buren Local Schools Strategic Plan Advisory Team met on Wednesday, August 7, to review the annual report from the 23-24 school year and plan for the 24-25 school year.
Dr. Jason Inkrott, Van Buren Superintendent, and Cassie Schaffer, Director of Teaching and Learning, reported on progress made on each of the strategies (Learning, Finances, Stakeholder Engagement, Facilities) identified as essential to achieving the district’s mission: Building Thinkers, Building Connections, Building Experiences.
Casey Morman, Director of Operations, also presented an update on the improvements made in the district in the last year, including the completion of the new parking lot on the north side of the middle/high school building, purchase of the property at 209 South Main St., and repair and improvement of the HVAC systems, along with many other completed projects.
Following the reports, team members met in strategy groups to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the district in each of the strategy areas and reported their findings to Dr. Inkrott so he can take them back to the board of education, strategic plan subcommittees, and district employees to act on the feedback.
Subcommittees will meet frequently throughout the 24-25 school year to continue working on the strategic plan, and the Strategic Plan Advisory Team will meet again on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, for the next annual review.
Advisory team members attending the meeting included Anna Anderson, Jenn Barrett, Brian Beining, Laura Ebright, Bill Griffith, Arian Keeran, Mike Leifheit, Ed May, Gene Meyer, Michael Newcomer, Cassie Ohlrich, Tammy Routson, Holli Sattler, Cathy Schuller, and Phoxay Sumney.
If community members are interested in learning more about the Strategic Plan Advisory Team or would like to join the team for future meetings, please contact Dr. Inkrott at jinkrott@vbschools.net or 419-299-3384 x101 for more information.