“Inside La Porte Schools” is designed to provide an in-depth look at programs, initiatives, and stories across the school district through authentic conversations with administrators, teachers, staff, students, and families.
Inside La Porte Schools: Becoming a Destination District
What does it mean for a school district to be a place families choose, rather than the one they default to?
At a board retreat this summer, the La Porte school board and district leadership spent a day answering one question: why are we here, and where do we want to go? The answer was a destination district, and this month the board announced what that means for the next six years.
Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood is joined by board President Ryan Seaburg and board members Amy Jackson and Nate Loucks for a candid conversation about the goal, the money behind it, and the two years of careful planning that come first.
In this episode:
What a school board actually does, and why these three ran
Why the board set a goal of becoming the highest-paying district in Northwest Indiana in every role by 2032
How revenue from the Microsoft development works, when it arrives, and why the district is confident in it
What changes for families and staff now, before any new dollars arrive
The revenue funding this goal comes from property taxes on new development that does not exist today. The district receives 15 percent of what that development generates. No referendum and no tax increase.
Learn more at https://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us. Board meetings are open to the public, and questions are welcome at any point along the way.
Inside La Porte Schools. Real stories. Clear answers. Students first.
5 Aug 2026
Bell to Bell: Inside the New Indiana State Phone Law
Indiana Senate Bill 78 requires bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices next school year. Dr. Sandra Wood talks with assistant principals Jordan Heckard and Ben Braden about the Yondr pouch program for grades 5-12 and what a normal school day will look like.
14 Jul 2026
Inside PLCs: How Teachers Learn Together
What are professional learning communities, and why does next year's calendar include eight early release days? Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sits down with Zach Huber, the district's new Director of Curriculum and Instruction, to explain how teachers will use that time to learn from one another, examine student progress together, and strengthen instruction in every classroom. Fresh off five years as principal of Hailmann Elementary, Mr. Huber shares the research behind the PLC model, what families can expect, and where the district is headed next.
Real stories. Clear answers. Students first.
5 Mar 2026
Inside the Microsoft Partnership: A Historic Investment in La Porte Schools
What does a global technology giant have to do with the future of La Porte Community Schools? Everything.
In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sits down with Mayor Tom Dermody and Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, to discuss the historic agreement between the City of La Porte and La Porte Community Schools made possible by Microsoft's full-tax commitment to the community.
Dr. Wood and her guests break down how Microsoft chose La Porte, what the new 20-year agreement means for the district, and why this partnership is unlike anything seen before in Indiana school finance. They also address common misconceptions about data center development and share what this investment will mean for students, including the launch of a Microsoft Data Center Academy at the Slicer CTE campus.
This is a conversation about more than dollars and tax agreements. It's about what's possible when public schools, local government, and private business work together with a shared vision for the future.
3 Feb 2026
Inside La Porte Schools: Welcome New Leaders
Superintendent Sandra Wood introduces Dr. Aaron Owney and Kyle Dean, new leaders in La Porte schools, who share their journeys and discuss strategies for school operations and finance to support student success in this interview episode.
14 Jul 2025
Inside the Slicer Ambassador Program
Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood interviews Merika Beaty and Craig Menne about the Slicer Ambassador Program, which fosters community engagement and provides insights into school operations, ultimately strengthening the connection between the district and its community.
11 Jun 2025
Slicer Stories: Senior Reflections - Part 4
Seniors Aiona Cornelio, Emily Hunt, and Charles Tonagel reflect on their diverse paths through La Porte High School, highlighting the impact of dual credit programs and supportive resources as they prepare for college and future careers.
11 Jun 2025
Slicer Stories: Senior Reflections - Part 3
Slicer Stories features seniors Logan Hay, Katie Bellah, and Kylee Bernth, who reflect on their diverse post-graduation plans and how La Porte High School prepared them for success in skilled trades, creative fields, and academics; this is an interview.
4 Jun 2025
Slicer Stories: Senior Reflections - Part 2
Seniors Drew Bush and Natalie Gartland reflect on their La Porte High School experiences, highlighting academic preparation and supportive relationships, in this interview episode.
3 Jun 2025
Slicer Stories: Senior Reflections - Part 1
Seniors Luke Cannon, Chase Moore, and Mason Kovalcin reflect on their diverse high school experiences at La Porte, sharing insights on college preparation, creative pursuits, and military service in this interview episode.
4 Apr 2025
Inside LPHS and the Indiana Diploma Changes
In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, Superintendent Sandra Wood welcomes Principal Scott Upp from La Porte High School and Director of Career and Technical Education Jen Goss to discuss Indiana's new high school diploma requirements. The conversation explores how these changes will create more personalized educational paths for students through three new diploma seals: Enrollment (college-bound), Employment (workforce-ready), and Enlistment (military preparation). The discussion covers La Porte High School's extensive preparations for these changes, including their CTE pathways, 75+ dual credit opportunities, and innovative work-based learning programs that will give La Porte students advantages in whatever path they choose after graduation.
Chapters:
Introduction (0:00)
Welcome to Inside La Porte Schools
Introduction of guests: Scott Upp and Jen Goss
Overview of Diploma Changes (2:15)
Indiana's shift from Core 40 to new diploma structure
The concept of "Rethinking High School"
Focus on personalization and flexibility
Key Curriculum Changes (5:30)
New requirements (computer course, personal finance)
Preparing for College and Careers (PCC) course
Pathway options and exploration opportunities
Implementation Timeline (10:45)
When changes take effect (Class of 2029)
Transition plans for current students
Four-year planning process
Understanding the Three Diploma Seals (14:00)
Enrollment Seal (college-bound)
Employment Seal (workforce-ready)
Enlistment Seal (military preparation)
La Porte's Dual Credit Opportunities (19:30)
75+ dual credit options
Indiana College Corps program
Plans for "Slicer University"
Career and Technical Education Pathways (23:45)
Overview of 20+ pathway options
Principles, Concentrator A, and Concentrator B courses
Industry credentials and work-based learning
Work-Based Learning Requirements (29:15)
150 hours for Employment Seal
650 hours for Employment Honors Plus
How summer jobs count toward requirements
The Enlistment Seal Details (32:30)
ASVAB requirements
Criminal justice pathway
Leadership and attendance components
La Porte's Readiness for Changes (35:15)
Block scheduling advantages
CTE program expansion
Resources for parents and students
Conclusion and Resources (39:00)
Where to find more information
Ongoing updates as state requirements evolve
Final thoughts
12 Feb 2025
Inside Early Childhood Learning
In this episode of Inside LaPorte Schools, Superintendent Sandra Wood discusses the evolution and future of early childhood education in the La Porte Community School Corporation with guests Mrs. Becky Jeffers, principal of Little Learners Preschool, and Mrs. Jeanette Raymond, a preschool teacher. They cover the history of the Little Learners program, the transition to a new Early Childhood Center set to open in the 2025-2026 school year, and the benefits of the High Scope Curriculum. The conversation also highlights the upcoming Preschool Virtual Roundup to gather community input for effective planning, potential inclusive preschool opportunities, and the logistics of childcare and transportation support for working families.
00:00 Welcome to Inside La Porte Schools
00:26 Introduction to Early Childhood Learning
01:29 History of Little Learners Preschool
03:51 Current Structure and Inclusion Programs
08:23 Future Plans: Early Childhood Center
13:02 High Scope Curriculum and Teaching Methods
21:48 Transitional Kindergarten and Additional Programs
25:47 Logistics and Accessibility
29:09 Next Steps and Community Involvement
39:29 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
24 Jan 2025
Inside Kesling Campus: Part Two
Join Dr. Wood, Principal Bill Wilmsen, Counselor Melissa Mrozinski, and Teacher Laurie Scroggin as they explore the unique advantages of the Kesling Campus model. After addressing initial challenges in Part 1, this episode highlights how combining grades 5-8 creates special opportunities for student growth, specialized programming, and smoother transitions. Learn why this innovative approach may offer significant benefits for La Porte students.
23 Jan 2025
Inside Kesling Campus: Part One
This inaugural episode is the first of a two-part conversation that features a candid discussion between Principal Bill Wilmsen, School Counselor Melissa Mrozinski, and Fifth Grade Teacher Laurie Scroggin about the Kesling Campus and fifth-grade programming. It addresses community questions and showcases the evolution and improvements made over the past six years.
Who has been a guest on Inside La Porte Schools
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Aaron Owney
Kyle Dean
Merika Beaty
Craig Menne
Aiona Cornelio
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
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Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
31
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