By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

Perry Township is a unique community. On the Southside we have a strong commitment to help not only our neighbors but those in need. The district reflects the values of our community. This is why you notice so many activities in our schools being planned to help others.  
This week I would like to share a story about a recent event at Southport High School – the Riley Dance Marathon, which raised more than $23,000 to benefit Riley Hospital for Children. Not only was this $7,000 more than last year, but this year’s marathon had the highest student participation ever!  
Participants celebrate the patients at Riley and stay on their feet during the entire event. The students sacrifice a little bit of comfort, which is symbolic for those children who can’t stand or dance. In the past 13 years the students have raised more than $100,000. 
Funds are collected in many ways. Local restaurants have agreed to donate a percentage of profits during a specified period of time. Students use Riley Red buckets to collect change during “Miracle Minutes” at athletic events, and they offer gift wrapping at Christmas. Kickball tournaments, pizza and donut sales and collecting cans are other methods utilized to collect money.  
This year’s dance was coordinated by Danielle Keeler and Tori Updike, and 16 committee directors and approximately 70 students volunteered their time and talents. 
Jorie Oskay and Joseph Leonard, staff co-sponsors, established a goal to increase the number of students who participate in the event each year. They shared, “We believe that any student who becomes involved once, will want to participate every year during their high school career.”  
In addition, Southport hosted a smaller version of the marathon at Southport Middle School, where more than $400 was raised. This introduction of the program to middle schoolers will encourage them to continue their involvement as they enter high school. 
Many students who participated in the event remain active at the college level as well. Thus, the program just continues to grow and flourish. In fact, the marathon is also evolving into an occasion that involves students from Perry Meridian High.
This is only one example of the hundreds of ways our schools and organizations are involved in fundraising events. Our community cares, and it is important for our patrons that our schools reflect community values.
We are thankful that we live in Perry Township, and we are proud of our students and our staff for their contributions to the quality of life on the Southside.

Perry Township is a popular place to raise a family and to send children to school, as evidenced by the district’s growing enrollment.
 While the increased student growth is taxing on our school facilities, it’s a positive trend for our community. There are many school districts in Marion County that would love to see the kind of growth that we experience.
We are fortunate to live in Perry Township. My property taxes increased, but the value of my home went up as well. This is a positive economic sign for our district.
We monitor class sizes closely and strive to keep these numbers as low as possible. To decrease the number of students per class and expand the number of classrooms at each grade level, portable classrooms are installed to temporarily address the need for space.
The district has 22 such rooms in use at our elementary schools and four at Southport High, the latter of which are solely being utilized while rooms are upgraded.  
As is the norm for spring, we are planning for the upcoming school year. During the April school board meeting a presentation and recommendation for additional staffing were reviewed and approved. Five more teachers will be employed at the elementary level. This is good news but brings the challenge of adding more portable classrooms.   
These additional instructors will enable us to increase grade level sections, but we will need to install four additional portable classrooms over the summer break: two at Mary Bryan Elementary and two at Burkhart Elementary, which already has four. 
When the 2014-15 school year begins, there will be 26 portable classrooms at the elementary schools. This amount would literally create an elementary school with four sections of each grade level. 
Three additional teachers will be employed at the secondary level. Since enrollment has increased in the physical education programs,  an instructor will be added at Perry Meridian Middle to maintain reasonable class sizes. 
An additional guidance counselor at Perry Meridian and Southport highs was also approved. At this time, each of our high school counselors are assigned approximately 450 students. The addition of an another counselor at each building reduces that number to approximately 330 students.  
The role of a counselor in the life of a student is important. Counselor responsibilities include academic aand career guidance, transcript maintenance, college and career preparation, SAT/ACT/ECA/AP testing, student supervision and much more.
The board approved the staffing requests, and we are in an excellent position to employ the best and the brightest to work with our students. We are grateful for a board that supports and cares for our staff and students.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

The community backs our schools. 
You supported a referendum that replaced 50-year-old boilers, repaired leaking roofs and rejuvenated science classrooms. 
Funding for public schools continues to be a challenge. We have turned to business partnerships that support and enhance the athletic, fine arts and academic programs. This saves taxpayers dollars and provides the opportunity for businesses to reinvest in the community that has spurred their growth.  
The Ray Skillman Auto Group has been most generous, and we are talking with other businesses to support our needs. The Perry Township Education Foundation and Perry Schools have united to raise the needed funds. 
I believe most people would agree that students need the opportunity to explore an array of curricular offerings to begin to plan a career path. We are fortunate that our students have the ability to enroll in a variety of courses while participating in various activities. 
The advantage of having two high schools offering complimentary subjects is an excellent use of financial resources. Students can and do enroll in courses at Perry Meridian and Southport, depending upon their interest.     
For example, the robotics program is tremendously popular and successful. Many students elect to go into engineering careers because of this experience. Individuals who never would have considered this career path are now working in positions that they enjoy and find financially rewarding.  
We also believe that music and artistic expression is paramount to creativity in the workplace. Individuals who can solve problems and think outside the proverbial box are extremely valuable to employers. Students with these talents are truly an asset to the community. We boast an excellent fine arts program.
“Athletics build character” is a statement we hear from the time children are old enough to kick, throw and bat a ball, wrestle around with their siblings or do a somersault. Time management, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence and leadership are all positive characteristics that result from participation in athletic programs.  
Your school buildings are in good condition. However, your athletic facilities are in need of repair, and the equipment for your fine arts programs has to be replaced. 
Flooded baseball fields and the overworked sump pumps in the dugouts at Holder Field must be addressed. Muddy softball and baseball diamonds at Perry Meridian High must be drained and refurbished. Turf on the school’s football field would provide that facility with a safe surface for various activities. 
Your children playing musical instruments that have been cast off from other school districts is not acceptable.   
Our goal is to provide a quality educational experience for your students, to be the school district of choice on the Southside, which will protect the value of property.
 Together, we will achieve this goal. 

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

Perry Township prides itself in maintaining an open line of communication with the public. It is vital for the community to be knowledgeable about its school district while building and maintaining a sense of trust in its schools. 
A well-crafted public relations plan provides the community with the information to be confident that its students are safe and acquiring a quality education. 
Our school board expects its employees to be actively involved in community events. Each month there are always several programs planned to nurture, strengthen and increase our partnerships within the school community.
The township’s reputation is strong and well-respected, as evidenced by being invited to present its approach to conducting two successful referendums. 
Vivian Leach, campaign manager of the 2011 referendums, Charles R. Mercer Jr., a school board member; representatives from the Winston/Terrell Group; Paula Clegg, communications coordinator for the district; and I will conduct this presentation before an audience of superintendents, school board members and public relations staff from across the state.
We are honored to share our experience with others and to discuss the positive aspects of our school district. When a district experiences success, it translates to success for the entire community.
Later this month we will host our fourth annual pastors breakfast. The outreach program is growing in strength and numbers, and we are excited that attendance continues to climb. I will provide an update of the district: construction work, transportation, enrollment trends, budgetary items, achievements, future goals and our challenges. We will discuss the pastors’ involvement and support in our schools for meeting the needs of our children. 
Our clergy members interact with thousands of people throughout the week. They know their communities and are in a unique position. I appreciate their openness to share any concerns they hear about our schools. The exchange of perspectives is invaluable. 
We encourage churches to “adopt” a school, and we value the relationships we have made with the churches within our township. These church groups offer guidance when we experience a loss or have a need for family counseling. They also provide support in purchasing school supplies and other items.
In addition to connections outside the school family, I firmly believe that you must build bridges and listen to your students. Each semester I have a working luncheon with a group of student leaders from Perry Meridian and Southport high schools. We discuss topics such as social media, class options/schedules, instruction, bullying, school spirit, safety, construction, technology, communication and other matters.
I am interested to hear their ideas for the future, as well as what is successful and what can be improved. These connections provide insight and help us make future decisions.
Perry Township Schools: community-focused, community-driven.