The Indian Lake Board of Education got a back-to-school update at their Monday evening meeting, Aug. 18, as the first day of classes approaches, along with a tour of the new Weight Room in the former bus garage.
The entire Indian Lake staff came Monday for meetings and the district Open House Night for all buildings.
Dr. Underwood explained that Tuesday, Aug. 19, will be continued training for staff.
“We’re really excited to offer a behavioral leadership professional development day — it’s something that our district has been heavily involved in the last couple of years. It’s just a way for us to make sure that our kids are ready to learn and that it’s a conducive learning environment for them.
“And then Wednesday is the start of school. We are really excited, we have the new bus garage. We know that that’s going to create some complications with traffic flow, but our staff is on top of that and all students should be ready to go.”
Dr. Underwood said he expects occupancy to be granted on the new bus garage in just a few days.
After the board meeting, which consisted of routine business to start the school year, board members gathered in the new Indian Lake Weight Room. The building was recently converted from a bus garage to the new expanded weight facility.
Several donors from the Indian Lake Moose Lodge, the Indian Lake Eagles and Mary Rutan Hospital gathered to check out the new equipment, medical training area and signage.
Indian Lake Athletic Director Jeff Courter explained that this project will have a lasting impact on Laker student-athletes.
“I think this will be a game-changer for Indian Lake athletics. We have so much space, state-of-the-art equipment. It’s great for our coaches and kids…I think it will impact all the kids that come through here because our Physical Education classes will use this facility, too.”
In other action, the board approved or extended:
• McKenzie Thorpe for advancement on the salary schedule to master’s plus 25;
• bus driver contracts for the 2025-26 school year: Bob Shaffer and Jeff Whatley as drivers for special needs extra duty route, as needed (2.5 hour per day, 5 days per week for each), for student attending Resilient Heights;
• Lori Carpenter and Patti Bailar as lunchroom monitors;
• Pam Scarpella as District PBIS Coordinator 2025-26 School Year $1,000 paid through Title IV-A;
• Justin Metzger and Andrea Jacobs for Reading Horizon’s Elevate Intervention Training, $200 stipend: full day of training paid from the General Fund;
• Andrea Jacobs for 45-minute tutoring sessions, 2-3 times per week, at $30 per hour, for extended school year services provided to a special education student;
• supplemental contracts Dustin Franks, middle school cross country; Steven Major, middle school football; and Dan Young, Leapin’ Lakers;
• the out-of-state overnight 8th Grade Washington DC trip from May 26-29, 2026;
• the 2025-26 bus stops as presented and authorize the transportation director to adjust as needed;
• joining the 25/26 META Solutions purchasing cooperative’s annual bus purchase consortium;
• the confidential list of authorized armed staff;
• a resolution to correct a clerical error in the resolution authorizing negotiation and execution of agreements for the auditorium lighting upgrades; and
• the Preschool Special Education Agreement with the Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the 2025-26 school year.
The Indian Lake Board of Education meets again Sept. 15.
The Indian Lake Board of Education meets again Sept. 15. The first day of school at Indian Lake is Wednesday, Aug. 20.
