The Indian Lake Local School District Board of Education met Monday night with a packed agenda as staff and students get ready to kick off a new school year.
Board members approved a number of personnel moves, including substitute employees recommended by the Midwest Regional ESC, salary advancements, special bus routes, lunchroom monitors, professional development stipends, supplemental coaching contracts, and athletic event workers.
Pay rates for substitutes in the 2025–26 school year were also set.
Substitute teachers and nurses will earn $130 per day, or $65 for a half day, while home tutors will be paid $30 an hour.
Bus driver contracts were approved as needed at the regular hourly rate.
Other approvals included:
- Transportation: Bob Shaffer as a driver for a special needs route to Resilient Heights, with Jeff Whatley as an aide.
- Lunchroom staff: Lori Carpenter and Patti Bailar as monitors, and Lynne Snipes as a substitute monitor.
- Coaching contracts: Dustin Franks as middle school cross country coach, Steven Major as middle school football coach, and Dan Young as Leapin’ Lakers coach.
- Student opportunities: The eighth-grade out-of-state trip to Washington, D.C., is scheduled for May 26–29, 2026.
The board also approved bus stops for the new school year, participation in the META Solutions bus purchasing consortium, a confidential list of authorized armed staff, and a preschool special education agreement with the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood shared updates on back-to-school preparations.
Staff kicked off the week with meetings and an all-building Open House Night on Monday. Training continues Tuesday with a districtwide professional development session.
“We’re really excited to offer a behavioral leadership professional development day—it’s something we’ve been focused on the last couple of years,” Underwood said. “It’s a way to make sure our kids are ready to learn in a positive environment. Then Wednesday is the first day of school. We’re really excited. With the new bus garage, traffic may look a little different, but our staff is ready, and our students will be ready to go.”
Dr. Underwood said occupancy approval for the new bus garage should come within the next few days.
After wrapping up business, the board toured the newly finished Indian Lake Weight Room, housed in the former bus garage.
The facility now includes expanded workout space, new equipment, a medical training area, and updated signage.
Donors from the Indian Lake Moose Lodge, Indian Lake Eagles, and Mary Rutan Hospital were on hand to see the transformation their support helped make possible.
Athletic Director Jeff Courter said the new space is a major step forward for both athletes and all students.
“This will be a game-changer for Indian Lake athletics,” Courter said. “We have more space, state-of-the-art equipment, and it’s a big plus for our coaches and kids. Our PE classes will use it too, so every student will benefit.”
The first day of school for Indian Lake students is Wednesday, August 20th.
The next Board of Education meeting is set for Monday, September 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office in Lewistown.
