Superintendent Mark Smith

🍏 It was an amazing evening celebrating our Golden Apple Award winner Leah Cramer and our Teachers of Distinction: Sean Berendes, Erica Hardwick and Erica Kentop! 🏆 I am grateful to have such incredible staff members who are passionate, dedicated, and committed to serving our students and families. 👏

Lineville Intermediate School | Forest Glen Elementary

⭐ I am filled with gratitude.

✅ ✅ Thank you to our community for supporting our students and schools. Your approval of both referendum questions demonstrates a shared belief in the future we are building together.

🤝 I am especially grateful for the thoughtful engagement throughout this process. Your voice and involvement make us stronger. Because of you, we can make sure our schools remain a place where every child can thrive! Thank you for believing in our work and in our kids.

I will be available for informal Coffee and Conversation this week to answer referendum questions, share information, and hear your thoughts:
☕️ Tuesday, March 31 (7:30–8:30 am) – Starbucks on Lineville
☕️ Thursday, April 2 (7:30–8:30 am) – LaJava on Cardinal

One of the most important parts of my role as Superintendent is staying connected and accessible to our community. So, please feel free to stop by at any time during that hour. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you.

Our Bay View students are increíble! 👏 Thanks to Spanish teacher Mr. Letter for allowing me to spend time subbing in his classroom this week. My Spanish may be rusty, but the kids were awesome teachers. 😉 👟

Join me tomorrow morning for coffee! ☕ If you have questions about the April 7 referendum or anything else that's on your mind, I would love to chat with you. 💬

This week I had the opportunity to step into Mr. Miller’s shoes as a substitute teacher at Lineville Intermediate School with his 6th grade students. 🏴‍☠️ Spending time alongside students and experiencing the skill, care, and preparation our educators bring every day is one of the best ways to stay grounded in the heart of our work. Grateful to learn with students and from great teachers! 👟

Thank you to the thoughtful community members who have been treating our crossing guards to hot chocolate on these cold mornings. ☕

Our crossing guards play an important role in keeping students safe every single day, and it means a great deal to see them supported and appreciated. We’re grateful for their dedication and for a community that shows such heart. ❤️ Village of Howard

✅ Getting books ready for the shelves
✅ Helping students check out books
✅ Troubleshooting iPads...

Today I got to as Mrs. Langkamp, Bay View’s Library Aide, enjoyed an extra day of PTO she won at HSSD Convocation! I am grateful for all our staff who keep our schools running smoothly. 👏

We had a wonderful evening reconnecting at our one-year Stronger Together reunion! Thank you to everyone who joined us to reflect on how far we've come, and to celebrate the progress we have made together. 🤝 The energy, curiosity, and continued support of our community members reminds us why this work matters. We’re grateful to be on this journey, and excited for all that's still ahead! 🙌

Being a guest reader at the Meadowbrook Elementary School Grinch Event was so much fun! 💚 It was amazing to see so many families coming together to make ornaments, share a cup of hot cocoa, and be together during the holiday season. We are so lucky at HSSD to have such involved and caring parents. Thank you to the Meadowbrook Bulldogs PTO and our staff members for all their hard work to bring this special event to life. 🎄

Earlier this week, Board of Education Clerk Christina Amtmann and I had the privilege of meeting with Bay Port students who wanted to share their ideas about the future of our schools. 💡 What began in a Civics class turned into a thoughtful conversation about facilities needs, costs, and long-term planning. We were impressed by their leadership, curiosity, and forward thinking. Our future is truly in great hands. 🤝