January 2026- NIESC Newsletter
Executive Director Notes
Join Our Study Councils
Collaborate, Learn, and Lead Together!
Our Study Councils are a great way to connect with colleagues across districts, share ideas, and learn from one another. They provide a welcoming space for collaboration, professional growth, and real-world problem-solving with others who understand the work you do every day. Most councils meet virtually for your convenience, with occasional in-person gatherings to deepen connections and collaboration.
We invite you to jump in and join any of our specialized councils:
- Curriculum Council – Join conversations about curriculum design, instructional strategies, and fresh ideas that support teaching and learning.
- Cybersecurity Council – Stay ahead of new threats and work with peers to strengthen your district’s digital security.
- Early Literacy Council – Partner with others to support young readers and share strategies that build strong early literacy foundations.
- Network Administrators Council – Exchange tips, troubleshoot issues, and keep your district’s systems running smoothly with help from fellow tech pros.
- Principals Council – Connect with other building leaders to talk through challenges, celebrate wins, and grow your leadership toolkit.
- School Counselor Council – Focused on supporting counselors and providing a collaborative space to explore best practices in academic, career, and social-emotional learning aligned with the newest education requirements.
- School Social Worker Council - Collaborate on student support, mental wellness initiatives, and ways to meet the needs of the whole child.
- School Safety Council – Work together on planning, preparedness, and best practices to ensure safe, secure school environments.
- State Reporting Council – Navigate reporting requirements with confidence through shared guidance and peer support.
- Technology Directors Council – Lead conversations around innovation, future-focused planning, and effective district-wide technology leadership.
- Work-Based Learning Alliance - ESCI - With Indiana’s new diploma requirements and the increased emphasis on work-based learning, ESCI is committed to supporting educators as they navigate all aspects of work-based learning.
- Transportation Directors Council – Share insights and solutions that support safe, efficient, and well-coordinated student transportation.
By joining a Study Council, you’ll connect with a community of peers who understand your challenges, support your goals, and are committed to making a positive impact in education.
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact us—we’d love to help you get started!
Cooperative Purchasing
Cooperative Purchasing has joined hands across the state.
NIESC and NWIESC have joined with other Cooperative Purchasing Specialist in Indiana to bring you the best contracts.
The Educational Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (ECPA) is a collaborative alliance between eight Indiana education service centers dedicated to streamlining the purchasing process for member school districts. ECPA’s purchasing team actively works to remove barriers for schools, streamlining and simplifying the procurement process while ensuring full compliance with state and federal regulations. Through vetted contracts with leading vendors, ECPA enables districts to leverage collective buying power to secure high-quality goods and services at significantly reduced costs.
Click Here For The Cooperative Purchasing Newsletter
Food Service
Indiana ESC School Food Co-op
NIESC School Food Co-op Flyer
Co-op Updates
- 26-27 SY Participation Agreements were sent to food service directors for electronic signature in December. The agreements are due on January 15, 2026.
- If you are not currently part of the co-op and are interested in joining, please reach out to Sara Williams. Per the IDOE, we cannot accept new co-op members for the 26-27 SY after February 1st.
- Our next co-op meeting is on January 15, 2026 on Zoom.
2026 National School Breakfast Week - School Nutrition Association
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.
Curriculum
- Click here to register your team!
Technology Integration
Click Here to Learn More and Register
Click Here to Learn More and Register
STEM Integration
STEM Connection Council
NIESC is excited to announce the planning of a regional STEM collaboration group dedicated to strengthening inquiry-based learning and effective STEM instructional practices. This collaborative network will bring together educators and stakeholders to share best practices, examine research-informed strategies, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue focused on high-quality STEM teaching and learning. Through ongoing collaboration, the group aims to support innovative instruction, promote student-centered inquiry, and build collective capacity to improve STEM outcomes across the region.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please fill out and SHARE the following survey with anyone in your corporation who might be interested in joining the council to aid us in our planning!
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY
Contact Laura Unsicker with questions or input!
School Counseling
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
Click Here to Learn More and Register
Click Here to Join
NIESC Member Spotlight
Kerry & Bruce Johnson
This month, we are proud to spotlight Kerry Johnson, the new Superintendent of Argos Community Schools. After seven years serving the district in various administrative roles, Kerry is now in her inaugural year as superintendent—an opportunity she describes as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
Argos Community Schools is known for its strong community roots and commitment to students and families, and this year Kerry has focused on continuing that tradition while planning thoughtfully for the future. Under her leadership, the district has prioritized strengthening instructional practices, engaging in collaborative strategic planning, supporting academic growth, and investing in facility and safety improvements. She credits these accomplishments to a dedicated team and a supportive community united in their passion for student success.
For Kerry, the most rewarding part of the work is witnessing the impact of these collective efforts: students growing in confidence, teachers innovating, and staff coming together to support one another. These moments, she says, represent what makes Argos such a special place to learn and lead.
Looking ahead, Kerry’s vision is to build on the district’s strong academic foundation while continuing to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners. She is committed to maintaining high expectations and effective instructional practices, while also pursuing opportunities that allow students to explore their interests and prepare for diverse future pathways. Creating learning environments where students feel supported, challenged, and proud of their school remains a top priority.
As she steps into this new chapter, Kerry embraces the challenges and growth that come with leadership—leaning into collaboration, networking, and purposeful decision-making. She remains dedicated to serving alongside the staff, families, and community members who make Argos Community Schools exceptional.
Outside of her professional role, Kerry enjoys spending quality time with her husband Bruce, their three sons, and their granddaughter, who brings tremendous joy to the family. She also loves connecting with friends, traveling, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers.