Rossville superintendent outlines staffing challenges, new programs and security focus on WILO 96.9 FM, WILO 1570 and Boone 102.7 FM.
Teacher shortages and tougher profession
Rossville Consolidated School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Hannah says finding and keeping teachers—especially in key subjects—is growing more difficult, even as expectations on educators rise. He told WILO and Boone 102.7 FM’s “Party Line” that positions in chemistry, math, some English areas and special education are among the hardest to fill. “It’s difficult for certain areas. Give example, chemistry. There’s not a lot of people out there in chemistry that want to come and teach,” Hannah said, noting that even general education positions no longer draw the large applicant pools they once did.
Hannah said fewer college students are entering education and that schools are now competing not only with each other but with private-sector employers seeking the same talent. “It’s both. It’s competing for the teachers that are out there and then the college enrollment is down for educators, and that’s a concern,” he said. He added that teaching is “harder now than it was 10 years ago,” citing legislative mandates, financial pressures and the tradeoff between time and pay.
Safety, mental health and a “four A’s and an S” focus
Hannah said Rossville’s priorities can be summed up as “academics, arts, athletics and agriculture,” with safety as the additional “S” that underpins all of them. He described a secured main entrance that requires visitors to scan an ID for an instant background check before they are allowed into the office and then into classroom areas. Classroom and exterior doors remain locked during the school day, and the district works with the Clinton County School Safety Commission and emergency responders on training and active-shooter drills, he said.
Beyond physical security, the district emphasizes mental health support and early intervention. Hannah credited counselor Aaron Dillingham and said Rossville uses monitoring tools that can flag student writing for references to self-harm, suicide or drug use so staff can follow up quickly. “We also utilize technology in a way that is preventative and then responsive,” he said, explaining that administrators may contact families even on weekends if a concern comes in. A threat-assessment platform guides teams that include administrators, the school resource officer and counselors in responding to potential threats, including suicide risk, he added.
STEM-certified elementary and one-to-one technology
Hannah highlighted Rossville Elementary’s status as a STEM-certified school, saying it is the only STEM-certified elementary in the greater Lafayette area, a designation that reflects state approval of its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program. The school went through a state certification process that included specialized coursework and teacher training focused on integrated STEM instruction, he said. “Rossville is the only STEM certified elementary in the greater Lafayette area. So we’re very proud of that,” Hannah told listeners.
Technology now touches nearly every part of the district’s work, Hannah said, from STEM instruction to day-to-day learning. Rossville operates as a one-to-one school where every student has a Chromebook to support classroom and at-home learning on e-learning days. He noted that statewide online SAT testing was disrupted by a “nationwide shutdown” on the first day of the testing window, forcing Rossville and other schools to reschedule. “Sometimes technology is good and then sometimes it’s a hindrance,” he said of the experience.
Programs, preschool through high school
Hannah pointed to a wide range of academic and extracurricular offerings, including FFA, robotics, e-sports, wrestling and volleyball, along with traditional athletics. High school students can earn up to 30 Ivy Tech college credits before graduation through Rossville’s dual-credit options, he said. The district’s FFA chapter participated in 66 different field trips in one year, and students in activities like wrestling and basketball have enjoyed strong seasons, he noted.
At the early-learning level, Rossville operates preschool programs for both tuition-paying families and children with identified developmental delays, and runs kindergarten round-up days to assess incoming students and help place them appropriately. Hannah said most children with preschool experience now arrive at kindergarten already knowing their alphabet, counting and, in some cases, reading, which raises expectations but also widens the range of readiness teachers must address. The district is also launching a new summer care program this year to support working parents, with weekly “adventure” activities such as water parks, nature trails or local business visits, he said.
High standards, transfers and community climate
Hannah said Rossville maintains high academic expectations, pointing to a 99 percent graduation rate and a 95 percent proficiency rate on third-grade IREAD literacy standards as examples of performance targets for students and staff. He said the district leans heavily on data, using delayed-start days for staff to review assessment results, identify gaps and adjust curriculum or individual support. “We look at the data, find the deficiencies, and then build our program around those deficiencies,” he said.
Rossville continues to draw a significant number of transfer students from outside the district, growing from 187 transfers last year to 225 this year, with applications still open for next year. Hannah said families considering a move to Rossville are encouraged to first explore the district website, then call and schedule a visit to see classrooms in action. He described a close-knit school climate where students and staff know each other by name and where caring and compassion go hand-in-hand with firm academic and behavior expectations. “We really welcome students on board, but there is that expectation too,” he said. “If you think you’re going to cruise through, you’re probably not.”
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