Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE — Tippecanoe Valley School Board honored two retiring teachers Monday and heard a construction update on its new day care facility and administration building.
Prior to the start of the meeting, a small reception was held for Mentone Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Layne Early and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School English language arts teacher Lynette Mauger. Both are retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Superintendent Blaine Conley read some background information on each of them during the meeting and shared their thoughts on retiring.
Conley noted Early has spent all of his 31 years of teaching within TVSC.
"The staff at Mentone has been amazing to work with," read Conley of what Early wrote. "However, developing positive relationships with my students and watching them grow educationally has been the most rewarding. I'll miss the students and spending time with them daily."
Early and his wife plan to travel and are "excited to see what God has for us in the next chapter," read Conley of what Early wrote.
"I'd like to thank the community, parents and students of Mentone for their support," Conley read of Early's words.
Conley said Mauger taught for 32 of her 34 years in education with TVSC.
"The most rewarding part of my career is hearing back from students who've grown up and had an impact on their communities," read Conley of Mauger's words. "Whether it's a quick update on Facebook or sitting down with them at the Distinguished Alumni banquet, it's always heartwarming to hear from them."
Conley said Mauger "will miss mostly the people who impacted and supported me, (Scott) Backus and the students."
"I look forward to traveling, fishing, home renovations and possibly opening a small pottery studio someday," read Conley of Mauger's plans.
Mauger also thanked TVMS Principal Kyle Wieland and instructional coach Staci Revere for their help and said "it was a blessing" to work with late teachers Scott Bibler and Jeff Shriver.
"TVSC has always been like a family," read Conley of what Mauger said.
Construction Update
The board also heard from Conley about the start of construction for the new day care and administrative building at the site of the old administration building near Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Conley noted the new building's "basement is almost (fully) dug out."
"I anticipate (workers will be) pouring concrete here in the next few weeks to complete the basement portion," he said.
