North Side students and teachers spotlighted as Muncie Community Schools touts gains in arts, attendance and programs

Ben Williams, principal at North Side Middle School, told the Muncie Community Schools board that "right now our enrollment is at 626," and he highlighted a string of student successes across arts, civic education and extracurricular programs.

Williams briefed the board on staffing and programs, saying the school has 46 licensed teachers and an array of supports, and he described partnerships with Ball State University that brought an immersive-learning recognition. He pointed to performing-arts achievements announced earlier in the meeting — a band and choir earning gold ratings and an indoor percussion ensemble finishing a close second at state — and praised a new speech and debate club that placed third at a December state competition.

Why it matters: school leaders argued these programs are tied to higher attendance and improved behavior. Williams said the districtwide attendance rate at the end of March was 92.4% (the district’s target is 94%), and he credited in-school interventions such as a success academy and advisory time for reductions in out-of-school suspensions.

Williams also described classroom and technology investments — classroom phones, display boards and Chromebook support — and previewed near-term events and projects, including a planned near-space balloon launch for PLTW students and a state esports competition April 25.

Students who participated in the We the People civics program spoke to the board about their work studying the Constitution and constitutional thinkers. Nathan Earl, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, said the program helps students practice public speaking and debate: "It's kind of the competition aspect of We the People," he said, noting his students finished among the top 10 in the state.

Board members asked specific follow-ups about a smartphone policy at the middle school, which requires students to power off and store phones during instruction. Williams and other speakers said the policy has reduced classroom distractions and sparked discussion about whether similar rules should extend to the high school. A board member referenced research on youth face-to-face interactions declining in recent decades to frame the policy’s importance.

What’s next: Williams said the district will continue recruiting for instructional coaches (a literacy coach is expected next year) and closing facility gaps, such as installing gym bleachers and planned roof and HVAC work this summer. He also encouraged continued community support for extracurricular offerings that he said boost attendance and engagement.

Provenance: Transcript segments covering the North Side presentation and Q&A appear throughout the meeting (topicintro: SEG 032; topfinish: SEG 784).