Due to a water main break, West Newton Elementary will be closed today, November 6, 2025. Students will participate in an "asynchronous" eLearning day from home. Teachers will provide lessons and assignments through Canvas. Please look for additional details from the school on ParentSquare.

Thank you.

Per the 2025-2026 school year calendar, November 4th, 2025, will be a “synchronous” eLearning day for all students. This means that schools will be closed to students, and students will attend classes virtually from home. The purpose of this scheduled eLearning day is to provide professional development time for our staff, while also an opportunity to test our eLearning systems and procedures.

Each school will schedule “live” Google Meet classes in the morning that will end by noon (see details below). Look for communication from your child’s school and teacher with important details and exact scheduled times. Teachers will also post “office hours” where they will be available to take calls or answer questions via email and ParentSquare. Attendance is based on work completion and meeting attendance. If your child does not have internet access at home, please contact your child’s school right away to obtain a Wi-Fi hotspot. For frequently asked questions and support, please go to https://www.decaturproud.org/academics/elearning

Synchronous eLearning Days: Live meetings with teachers

• Each school will share their synchronous schedule. 
• K-12 students will use Google Meet to meet live with their teacher through a link provided by the teacher.
• Lesson information like Google Meet meeting link and assignments will be available in Canvas.
• Students are to attend the Google meeting, be on time and ready to interact and participate.
• Grades K-6 teachers will provide 150 minutes of live instruction through Google Meet, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
• Grades 7-12 teachers will provide 180 minutes of live instruction through Google Meet, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
• Attendance is based on work completion and meeting attendance.

The MSD of Decatur Township held a “Community Renovation Discussion” event on October 30, 2025. This meeting provided an overview of the upcoming Armstrong Pavilion Renovation project including funding, design, construction, and equipment. Dr. Scott Collins, Superintendent, shared that we are proud to enter into this renovation process, knowing that the Armstrong Pavilion will be updated to serve all generations of Decatur Township, including students and community members.

Chief Finance Officer, Kirk Farmer, shared that capacity for the renovation of the Armstrong Pavilion was created from the payoff of bonds from the construction of Blue & Gold Academies, the renovation of West Newton and Stephen Decatur Elementary Schools, and the extension of the preschool wing at Lynwood Elementary. 

As prior debt is paid off, new bonds will be issued so that the rate stays the same. Therefore, the Armstrong Pavilion Renovation will be funded without an increase to the current tax rate. In fact, the School Board of Education has been fiscally responsible by lowering two of the rates directly connected to local property taxes. The Debt Service tax rate is .6683 (decreased by 26.4% since 2021), which funds construction, and the Referendum tax rate is .2343, (decreased by 14.27% since 2021), which supports operational expenses.

The current Armstrong Pavilion structure was designed in 1987 and constructed in 1989. Therefore, issues have occurred due to inefficient mechanical systems (plumbing, HVAC, and lighting), as well as deteriorating roof and exterior walls and outdated technology. The Armstrong Pavilion is used for student and community programming. Decatur Middle School and Decatur Central High School utilize the space to support physical education, K-12 Decatur Township Athletics, DMS/DCHS Performing Arts, and Large Group Instruction. Community programming includes membership, health, wellness and fitness activities, as well as a community meeting location.

The architectural firm of Fanning Howey shared that the newly designed space will meet the needs of all users with a total refresh of the user experience including new wood courts, two classrooms, increased area for community fitness (separate cardio and strength), spectator seating, concessions, and more.

The general contractor, Patterson Horth, shared the renovation timeline, with construction predicted to begin in early April of 2026, with an estimated completion in September of 2027. Justin Dixson, Director of Operations, stated that the goal of Decatur Township is to keep the Pavilion open as long as possible, but when access is not possible due to safety during construction, alternate plans will be made to accommodate members. 

The meeting closed with questions and answers from community members. Look for further updates in the coming months as this project gets underway!