College and Career Readiness News
The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) announced that Dr. Benjamin Tonagel, currently serving as Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning, was approved for the Assistant Superintendent position at Duneland School Corporation during their board meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Dr. Tonagel will leave LPCSC at the end of the current school year to begin his new role at Duneland School Corporation for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Dr. Tonagel has served the La Porte community for 13 years, bringing more than 20 years of educational experience to his work. He served as Principal of La Porte High School before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, then stepped into the role of Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning at the start of the 2025–2026 school year. Throughout his tenure as Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Tonagel oversaw K–12 schools and their principals, directed the district’s strategic plan and teaching and learning initiatives, managed federal and competitive grant programs, and launched the district’s first online school.
“Dr. Tonagel has been an invaluable part of our leadership team, and he has built a strong foundation in student learning that will continue to benefit our community for years to come,” said Dr. Sandra Wood, Superintendent. “We are committed to building on that work as we move forward, and we wish him every success in his new role.”
Dr. Wood stressed that maintaining stability is the top priority. “I will collaborate closely with our leadership team to ensure the district’s operations remain steady during this transition,” she added.
“As a proud Slicer graduate, it has been a true privilege to serve as Principal of La Porte High School and as Assistant Superintendent. I am deeply grateful for the relationships built, the experiences shared, and the opportunity to support continued growth and improvements in La Porte’s schools,” said Dr. Tonagel.
The district will assess its leadership structure and next steps in the coming months, keeping the community informed throughout the process. Dr. Wood and the leadership team are committed to a seamless transition of responsibilities before the next school year, ensuring continuity of operations for the district.
La Porte Community School Corporation is excited to announce that nominations are now open for our 2026 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards!
This is your chance to recognize the teachers and staff members who make a difference every day in our students' lives. Whether it's a teacher who inspires a love of learning or a staff member who goes above and beyond to keep our schools running, we want to hear from you.
Any LPCSC community member, parent/guardian, student, or employee can nominate up to two teachers: one at the elementary/intermediate level (PreK-5) and one at the secondary level (6-12). District winners will have the opportunity to represent LPCSC in the Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) program.
You can also nominate up to two non-teaching staff members who exemplify exceptional service, innovation, and a positive impact on our school community. This includes custodians, administrative assistants, cafeteria workers, maintenance staff, nurses, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and technology staff. Although we greatly appreciate our principals and directors, administrative roles are not eligible for the Employee of the Year award.
Nominations are open now through March 16th. It only takes a few minutes to recognize someone who makes a difference.
Nominate a Teacher | Nominate an Employee
From all nominations, a Top Ten will be selected in each category. An Elementary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Employee of the Year will be announced in April and celebrated at the LPEDF Evening with the Stars on May 14th.
Thank you for helping us honor the incredible people who make LPCSC a great place to learn and grow!
What does a global technology giant have to do with the future of La Porte Community Schools? Everything.
In this episode of Inside La Porte Schools, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sits down with Mayor Tom Dermody and Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, to discuss the historic agreement between the City of La Porte and La Porte Community Schools made possible by Microsoft's full-tax commitment to the community.
Dr. Wood and her guests break down how Microsoft chose La Porte, what the new 20-year agreement means for the district, and why this partnership is unlike anything seen before in Indiana school finance. They also address common misconceptions about data center development and share what this investment will mean for students, including the launch of a Microsoft Data Center Academy at the Slicer CTE campus.
This is a conversation about more than dollars and tax agreements. It's about what's possible when public schools, local government, and private business work together with a shared vision for the future.
La Porte—La Porte Community School Corporation today joined the City of La Porte and Microsoft in announcing a landmark new tax agreement that marks a defining moment for La Porte students and families.
Under the restructured agreement, Microsoft will pay its full and fair share of property taxes, with 15% of that revenue allocated directly to La Porte Community School Corporation for 20 years, with no cap. Importantly, that 15 percent represents the maximum amount permitted under Indiana law to be designated for educational programming. This represents a historic and sustained investment in public education, unlike any arrangement in place for a school district in Indiana.
The previous agreement included a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) structure with a $100 million cap over 40 years. The new agreement removes that cap entirely and moves to a full-tax model, creating a significantly more lucrative and long-term revenue stream for the district.
"This is a defining moment for our school district," said Dr. Sandra Wood, Superintendent of La Porte Community School Corporation. "What the City of La Porte and Microsoft have made possible gives our students an advantage that is unmatched anywhere in the state. An opportunity of this magnitude doesn’t just open doors for this generation, it builds them for every generation that follows."
The partnership extends beyond tax revenue. In collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College, LPCSC will establish a Microsoft Datacenter Academy at the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) center. The program will prepare La Porte students for high-skill, high-wage careers in data center operations and IT infrastructure, connecting classroom learning directly to one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide.
"La Porte has long invested in career-connected education, and this partnership elevates that commitment to a new level," Dr. Wood added. "Our students will graduate not just with a diploma, but with real pathways into careers that didn’t exist here before. That changes what’s possible for this community."
The new agreement was approved this morning by the La Porte Redevelopment Commission and the La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees. Additional details about the Datacenter Academy and partnership milestones will be shared in the coming weeks.
The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) Board of School Trustees has appointed Nate Loucks to fill the vacant seat on the board. The appointment was made following a public interview process held on February 11, during which the board met with candidates who applied in response to the publicly posted vacancy notice.
Nate Loucks is the pastor of State Street Community Church and president of the Pax Center, a La Porte-based organization dedicated to community development and support. Well known for his deep roots in the La Porte community and his commitment to service, Nate brings a strong voice for families and neighborhoods to the board.
"We were impressed by the quality of candidates who stepped forward to serve our community," said Board President Ryan Seaburg. "It was clear that each person we spoke with yesterday cares deeply about the future of La Porte schools. Selecting just one was not easy, but we are confident that Nate's dedication to the people he serves will make him an outstanding member of this board."
"I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the students, families, and educators of La Porte," said Loucks. "The future of La Porte schools is bright, and I look forward to working alongside this board, our superintendent, and our community to ensure every student has the support and resources they need to succeed."
Loucks will participate in the next regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees on March 9, 2026. He will serve the remainder of the unexpired term through December 31, 2026.
Thank you to Kingsbury Elementary for sharing what makes your school so special at the February School Board Meeting! We loved seeing members of the Kingsbury PR Team, former Kingsbury Kings who are now current Slicers, along with current and future students, staff, and families. Your pride in your school community truly shines through.
La Porte Community School Corporation invites families to register for preschool and kindergarten on February 25, 2026. Please see below for details.
Date: February 25, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Location: Little Learners Early Childhood Center, 402 Harrison Street (Door 1)
Who is Eligible?
What to Bring:
View Complete Preschool Program Information - Includes program locations, session times, childcare options, and enrollment priorities.
Date: February 25, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: Elementary school buildings (register at your attendance area school)
Who is Eligible? Children who will be five years old on or before August 1, 2026.
August Birthdays? If your child turns five between August 2 and 31, they may qualify for early admittance. Complete the Early KG Admittance Application by August 1st.
What to Bring:
Which School? Contact the LPCSC Transportation Office at (219) 362-1023 if you're unsure which elementary school serves your attendance area.
This evening, the New Prairie United School Corporation Board announced that Justin Holmquest will transition to the role of Director of Finance for their district. The La Porte Community School Corporation congratulates Mr. Holmquest on this significant professional opportunity.
Mr. Holmquest has resigned from the La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees, effective January 29, 2025, to devote his time fully to his new position.
“Justin has been a dedicated advocate for our students and families during his time on the board," said LPCSC Board President Ryan Seaburg. "While we will miss his insight and commitment, we understand and support his decision to pursue this professional opportunity. We congratulate him on his promotion and are grateful for his service to our community."
Holmquest, who has served on the La Porte school board since 2023, stated, "Serving the La Porte community has been a true privilege, and I have appreciated the support from the La Porte community during my tenure. I'm proud of the work we've done for our students, staff, and the LPCSC community. I'm confident the district is in excellent hands moving forward, and I look forward to continued success for the district."
The board will follow the procedures set forth in Indiana Code 20-23-4-30 to appoint a qualified candidate to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Holmquest's term, which extends through December 31, 2026.
Qualified community members interested in serving on the school board may submit letters of interest to the Office of the Superintendent at gteets@lpcsc.k12.in.us or hand-deliver to 1000 Harrison St., La Porte, IN. Letters must be received by Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
In accordance with Indiana's Open Door Law, candidate interviews will be conducted on February 11, 2026, and a public vote will be held at a special board meeting on February 12, 2026. Both meetings will take place at 1000 Harrison St., La Porte, IN. The public is welcome to attend.
For complete details about qualifications and the appointment process, visit our Board of School Trustees page.