SOUTHWEST DUBOIS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The Southwest Dubois County School Board had a lot to celebrate in its October meeting. 

Highlighting recent achievements, the board recognized the district for receiving two awards at the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Annual Report to the Region in French Lick. Southwest Dubois received the Regional Welcoming Award for its dual language immersion program, which begins in kindergarten and will go through 8 th grade, allowing some students to earn college credits as 8 th graders. It also received ROI’s Employer Innovation Award for its student- industry partnership with OFS through Southridge High School. 

The Athletics Department was also celebrated for several recent accomplishments. The high school boys’ soccer team won the Pocket Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship in a historic first for Southridge. The milestone achievement was applauded, as the board noted that this year’s success showed tremendous growth for the program. The middle school boys’ cross- country team also won the PAC championship, another first in school history. The middle school girls’ eighth-grade volleyball team finished 18-0, undefeated for the second consecutive year. 

The board unanimously approved adoption of the budget, the capital projects plan, the bus replacement plan, and all resolutions. It approved the demolition of the existing playground structures at Huntingburg Elementary, and also approved the replacement quote with other related project expenditures. 

Superintendent Chip Mehaffey reviewed the tentative agreement reached with the teachers’ union, thanking the union for its representation and support of its teachers. He also emphasized how privileged the district is to have such extraordinary teachers. The tentative agreement will add five paid maternity/paternity leave days (totaling 10). It will also update adoption leave policies, where employees may use of to 12 weeks of sick and personal time if they are adopting a child. Beginning this school year, classroom teachers will be paid a minimum $50,000 salary and staff will receive a $2500 increase. The board will reconvene on October 27 to vote on the agreement. 

Southwest Dubois County School Corporation regular board meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-6:30. The SWDCS board room is located at 105 W Sunset Dr. in Huntingburg.  

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.swdubois.k12.in.us/school-board


- By Drew Hasselbring