Dear Decatur Township Families,

We have hosted two District Update Sessions on March 11 and March 16, featuring district highlights, financial information, and proposed school schedule changes (daily start/end times) for the 2026-2027 school year. Thank you to our families and staff who attended.

As promised, we are including a video of the content that was presented in this post (see below), as well as a document of Frequently Asked Questions linked here.

If you would like to provide feedback, please use the QR code provided at the end of the video or access the feedback form linked here by March 20, 2026. The form will be closed after 3/20/26.

District Update Session Video: March 2026

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students and schools!
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MSD of Decatur Township Administration

The MSD of Decatur Township named Mr. Jack Birmingham as the new Career Partnerships Coordinator, effective July 1, 2026.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2026

The MSD of Decatur Township School Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. Jack Birmingham as Career Partnerships Coordinator for the MSD of Decatur Township, effective July 1, 2026. This newly created position is funded through the Lilly Endowment Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative and will support the expansion of work-based learning opportunities for students at Decatur Central High School and Decatur Township School for Excellence.

In this role, Birmingham will serve as the primary point of contact for work-based learning programming, helping students access real-world experiences that support career readiness, skill development, and industry credential attainment. He will work to expand partnerships with local employers, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations, creating both in-person and virtual pathways for students to explore career opportunities. Birmingham will also coordinate student transportation for work-based learning experiences using the district’s two new activity buses, also funded through the Lilly Endowment Grant. The position supports the district’s College and Career Readiness goals and strengthens the K–12 continuum of career exploration, preparation, and hands-on learning.

Mr. Birmingham brings more than 38 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. Since 2001, his administrative leadership has included roles as assistant principal, athletic director, assistant superintendent, and E3+ recruitment and retention coach. He currently serves as Principal of Valley Mills Elementary School in MSD of Decatur Township. In addition, Birmingham mentors school leaders across the state through the Indiana Principals Leadership Institute and the Indiana Aspiring Leaders Institute, where he has mentored more than 25 school leaders since 2016. He is also the author of the school leadership book Carnivals 2 Theme Parks, published in 2019.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to not only assist our students in Decatur Township, but equally support our local businesses to create a lasting connection between student and workplace,” Birmingham said.

Mr. Birmingham enjoys sports, country music, spending time at the beach, and being with his family. He and his wife Doreen have been married for 34 years and have four children. The family is also excited to welcome their first granddaughter in April.

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About MSD Decatur Township

The MSD of Decatur Township is student invested, community connected. Decatur Township prioritizes student learning, safety and customer service, and fostering a support system for our families. Located on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Decatur Township is proud to serve thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students and families. The district vision is Preparing Students to be Tomorrow Ready. Together, we are DECATUR PROUD! Learn more at www.decaturproud.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily LeMay, Director of Student & Family Engagement 

MSD of Decatur Township

elemay@decaturproud.org

317-856-5265

The MSD of Decatur Township names Mrs. Kelli McGuffey as Principal of West Newton Elementary, effective July 1, 2026.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2026

The MSD of Decatur Township School Board of Education approved the appointment of Mrs. Kelli McGuffey as Principal of West Newton Elementary, effective July 1, 2026. Mrs. McGuffey will succeed Mrs. Susan Strube, who is retiring after an extraordinary 39 years of dedicated service to MSD of Decatur Township.

Mrs. McGuffey brings 15 years of experience in public education, including the past 10 years in Decatur Township. Prior to serving in school leadership, she worked as a Special Education Teacher for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade and as a Reading Intervention Teacher. For the past four years, she has served as Assistant Principal at West Newton Elementary, where she has supported students, staff, and families while contributing to the school’s academic initiatives and student programs.

Mrs. McGuffey earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and her Master’s Degree in Administration and Principal Licensure from Indiana Wesleyan University. “I have thoroughly enjoyed dedicating the past ten years to MSD of Decatur and am thrilled to now serve as Principal of West Newton Elementary,” McGuffey said. “I love to read, complete puzzles with my family, and it brings me joy to see our students excel every day. I look forward to continuing our traditions at West Newton and beginning new ones with our West Newton families.”

Mrs. McGuffey is a wife and mother of four and looks forward to continuing to serve the West Newton school community in her new role.

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About MSD Decatur Township

The MSD of Decatur Township is student invested,community connected. Decatur Township prioritizes student learning, safety and customer service, and fostering a support system for our families. Located on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Decatur Township is proud to serve thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students and families. The district vision is Preparing Students to be Tomorrow Ready. Together, we are DECATUR PROUD! Learn more at www.decaturproud.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily LeMay, Director of Student & Family Engagement 

MSD of Decatur Township

elemay@decaturproud.org

317-856-5265