Elkhart update breakfast brings community together for answers as school year begins

ELKHART, Ind. -- Superintendents from Baugo Township, Concord, and Elkhart School Districts were brought together to answer questions over coffee and breakfast.

The Elkhart Chamber of Commerce opened the floor to community members, teachers, and other school staff to get their questions answered.

One of the main topics of discussion was the advancement of career pathways. Byron Sanders, Baugo Township Superintendent explains, “We've evolved into this world that we're in today with education trying to navigate new expectations. Graduation has new requirements.”

These districts are working to expand career pathways by building apprenticeships, career centers, and new courses to set these students up for a successful future.

Dan Funston, Concord Superintendent says, “We're trying to reimagine the high school experience to include a broader range of goals."

Courses like banking, I.T., and advanced manufacturing are where this growth begins as these superintendents work to prepare students for evolving job markets and industries.

Dan Funston, Concord Superintendent says, “Kids can receive 75 hours of work-based learning experience if you give us a problem, a real problem, business problem, challenge that you have in your workplace, and let us create a project based learning unit within our classrooms at our high school, where kids are working to help present ideas to you to solve that challenge.”

Dr. Larry A. Huff, Elkhart Superintendent says, “We need to plan now. The world is changing much faster than I think our heads can even think about right.”

The event concluded with opening the floor to the public to ask questions and make comments. One woman stood up and explained to the visitors that all six of her kids went to school in the area and five out of the six are back in their hometown making an impact through their careers.