Tonight: Hopefully you haven't planted those spring flowers, because below freezing temperatures this evening bring a freeze warning into effect from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Conditions with be mostly clear this evening and winds coming in from the east at 7 mph.

Tomorrow: Freeze warning still in effect as you head out the door in the morning. Lingering clouds all throughout the day but temperatures are on the rise. Starting the morning with 36 degrees then by 5 p.m. warming up to 66 degrees. Winds trending breezier as Thursday will be breezy.

Seven-Day Forecast: Spring has sprung and temperatures are trending warmer with highs near 80 and lows in the mid-60s. Spots of sunshine but lingering clouds throughout. Some breezy and rainy conditions late week clearing up for the weekend but returning early next week. Winter coats can be put away but keep the rain coats handy.

- Assistant Chief Weather Forecaster Elizabeth Myers

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Built in 1928 with a 6,579-person capacity, the Muncie Fieldhouse has been home to the Muncie Central Bearcats since its opening.

However, in November of 2017, the fieldhouse sustained severe damage to the west end of the building, tearing up the gymnasium floor. Though this left the community wondering if that was the end of the fieldhouse, it was far from that.

The Bearcats returned home to the Muncie Fieldhouse in 2019 after several upgrades. Even though renovations took time, the fieldhouse ultimately hosted the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Men's Basketball Semi-State, during which it showcased its brand-new scoreboard and bleachers.

Chief Communications Officer of Muncie Schools Andy Klotz described the new atmosphere as "more modern."

"The bleachers have been replaced on the court, the scoreboards are more visible and attractive, and those are just really the superficial changes that people notice right away," he said. "We received a lot of feedback that people appreciate those upgrades there."

While the fieldhouse now has updated bleachers and scoreboards, Klotz said the "bigger, more meaningful work" is the addition of air conditioning, as the fieldhouse's boilers are over 50 years old.

"I'm not an expert on heating, but they were well past their life expectancy, and we've actually been having a temporary heating hookup in the building for the last two years," he said. "Heat has been funneled into the building from these units outside of the building, and that was a short-term patch until we could get to this massive capital project."

He explained that a new HVAC system will be installed in the building, which will provide air conditioning for the first time since it was built.

With all these new additions, Klotz said the key is to preserve the building's history, even with all the modern amenities.

"It is very much still the same building. It still has narrow halls, and the outlay of all the seating has not been altered at all, even with the new bleachers," he said. "They are put in the exact same place as the old bleachers. They'll just function better, and they really are more attractive. So really there's not been anything to alter the history of the building at all."

Klotz said the key to renovations like these is investors, since there is still plenty of return for them.

"When you sell a bond, you are getting money from people who are looking for an investment, and it's a very common tool that a lot of schools use to improve their facilities, and we've done that several times over the years as well," he said. " It is a process by which we get these funds from investors, and then we promise to make the payments that give them their return on their investment."

When the new renovations were seen for the first time March 21 during semi-state, Klotz said all of the feedback he heard was positive.

"People were raving about the facility, they were happy to be in there, [in] an exciting atmosphere again, and obviously with brand new scoreboards to be able to see the scores and the statistics and other things that it displays. It just made it a more enjoyable experience," he said.

However, Muncie Community Schools is not just renovating its field house; Southside Middle School and Northside are being renovated as well.

"We're going to be doing some other things to the high school [as well]. We're going to be replacing some doors … we're going to be resurfacing the tennis courts over at Muncie Central. There's also going to be resurfacing of the tennis courts at Southside Middle School, and they're gonna be doing some other striping and reconstruction on the south side gym floor as well," Klotz said.

But there are more than just additions for athletics, as heating for Northside is being added not only in the gym, but throughout the school itself.

"Northside needs some work as well. So they're going to be getting new bleachers. They're [also] going to be getting new boilers in that building, not just for the gym, but for the whole building," he said. "So all of those are very expensive jobs that require hundreds of thousands of dollars."

While the school district has many renovation plans lined up, Klotz said it is more than just making more room for revenue in sports; it is about proving how important sports are to the community and to the history of Muncie Central.

"Muncie Central has a long tradition of athletic success, and people are proud of that, especially being a town of Muncie's size. Those high school sporting events are still a place where the community comes together. That's where people talk, catch up, visit and enjoy seeing a quality team be competitive on the field of play," Klotz said.

Klotz emphasized the importance of providing the Muncie community with high-quality facilities to create a positive experience for student-athletes, as well as for parents and supporters who attend.

"A lot of community members who don't have kids in our school still want to come out and be part of the action, part of the excitement, because they are proud of the product that goes on out there," he said.

Contact Rylan Crum with any questions at rylan.crum@bsu.edu or on X @RylanCrum

Today: It will be a sunny day with the temperature being 48 degrees with the winds coming from the north-east direction at 15 mph, if you are going out on a walk, to north dining, or the atrium make sure to bring a jacket and some warm pants.

Tonight: We will be seeing clouds move in with it being 30 degrees with winds coming from the east direction at 10 mph and it being below freezing, so if you are planning to go out for dinner bring a coat and warm pants.

Tomorrow: During your morning commute the temperature will be 35 degrees with it being cloudy and winds coming from the east south-east direction at 9 mph. During lunch hour it will 53 degrees with winds coming from the south south-east direction at 11 mph, and it will be sunny the rest of the day. At 5 p.m. the temperature will be 62 degrees with sings coming from the south 13 mph.

Seven-Day Forecast: 68 degrees on Wednesday being mostly sunny. on Thursday it will be partly cloudy with it being 78 degrees. Friday brings in rain with is being 76 degrees. Saturday 66 degrees with it being partly cloudy. Sunday gets much warmer with it being 83 degrees and partly cloudy. Monday will be mostly cloudy with the temperature being 82 degrees. Tuesday 77 degrees with it being stormy in the afternoon.

-Weather Forecaster Jon Urbina-Reyes

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Ullom saw his team rally around the player, as well as the community, and a couple days later, the Bearcats defeated Richmond in a sectional playoff game.

"We stopped worrying about other things; we all saw each other," Ullom said.

Those times are a big reason why Ullom got into coaching basketball.

Around the time he was in college, Ullom received a phone call from Paul Keller, his high school coach. He decided to give coaching a shot after Keller offered him the opportunity to coach middle school basketball at Delta. It was a time in his life before he had a wife and kids, and Ullom said he quickly realized how much he loved it.

"Just getting back in the gym and seeing how much fun you can have coaching basketball [and] how much fun you can have investing in young guys' lives," Ullom said. "I decided then that I wanted to try and find a way to be involved."

Ullom played for Keller at Delta, and Keller said he was always a "smart player." He said that it always felt like having another coach on the floor when Ullom was in the game.

"The fact that he became a coach certainly didn't surprise me at all," Keller said.

Even though Ullom was only a middle school coach at the time, Keller said he thought Ullom was "one of the best coaches he had." So, it was no surprise to him how fast Ullom moved up the rankings at Delta after his initial first year coaching middle school.

"I wasn't the head coach when he made those moves, but I did talk to the incoming head coach and I said, 'Justin Ullom is one of your best coaches,'" Keller said. "He was more than capable of moving up the ladder."

Being able to be a role model for high school kids has always been a passion for Ullom. He recalled times where he was able to reach out to his former coaches when "something exploded in life."

Ullom said that even though years would go by without him talking to those coaches, he knew they were always a call away. He said that is something unique about coaching high school basketball, with the opportunity of helping kids realize the importance of not only basketball, but becoming an adult.

"You're getting kids at a formative time in their life doing something they love," he said.

While Ullom wants his players to realize the importance of playing high school basketball at a high level, he also wants to teach them lessons about what really matters in their lives, and he said coaching gives him the opportunity to do so.

"At the end of the day, this is basketball, it's not who you are," Ullom said. "It's something you do and helping it to shape and guide you is okay, but to let it become your identity is not generally a good place to be."

Ullom spent four years at Delta High School as a freshman and junior varsity coach, and in 2014, he was given the opportunity to begin his head coaching career. He coached with former head coach Stan Daugherty at Delta, and when the Monroe Central job opened, Daugherty recommended Ullom to the school's superintendent, saying that Ullom was "ready."

Even though Ullom said he was not sure if he was ready for the job yet, Monroe Central decided to hire him.

"I don't know when you are ready," Ullom said. "But it was a great fit for me."

Daugherty said he saw Ullom mature the most when he started at Monroe Central. He was not coaching with Ullom at the time, but when he went to Monroe Central games to watch, he noticed Ullom's "coaching presence."

"He had a really good coaching presence," Daugherty said. "He had a good mind for the game [and] he had a plan."

Daugherty said he saw an exponential amount of growth from Ullom's first year working with him to his first year as a head coach, and he said he has seen that continue in each year of Ullom's career.

"Justin [Ullom] was great because he wanted to learn and he was always asking questions [and] observing," Daugherty said.

"Moving over that one seat" from an assistant coach to head coach was one that Ullom said matured him really quickly. He said that when he was thrown into that big of a change that quickly, the only choice he had was to mature.

Ullom said he realized off the bat how big a shift it was sitting in that head coach seat.

"It's not just basketball," Ullom said. "It's year-round investing in kids, being there, supporting them, helping with any struggles they may have."

With that shift, Ullom said his first couple of years at Monroe Central were like "drinking out of a fire hose." He said instead of being someone who dishes out suggestions to the head coach during a game, he was the one making those decisions.

"When you're in the seat, you're taking suggestions from maybe two or three assistant coaches and then having to make a decision, having to explain it, implement it, teach it and then get guys bought in on it," Ullom said.

Despite the jump to head coach being a big one, Ullom saw a lot of success at Monroe Central. Ullom had a 25-1 season in 2021-22, and won IBCA district two coach of the year that same season.

He went 119-72 in eight seasons with the Golden Bears, won four Randolph County Tournament titles and took home the school's first Alexandria sectional trophy since 2010.

After eight years at the school, Ullom decided to move on, taking an opening at Muncie Central to be the Bearcats' head coach. The decision to move on from a place where he had been for nearly a decade was not easy, and it came with a lot of thought. Ullom has five kids, and three out of five play basketball.

Ullom said he has always had a great relationship with his third son, Justus, but he said he did not know if that would be the case if he continued to coach at Monroe Central. He said their personalities could sometimes clash on the court, and he valued keeping that relationship with his son.

"I had a great relationship with Justus, and I wasn't sure I was gonna have that if I coached him, and that's not fair to either one of us," Ullom said.

Ullom said it was "really hard" for him to make the decision to leave the school knowing he would have to miss some of Justus' games. He said initially, he thought taking a break from coaching could have been a path for him, but after conversations with his wife and a job opening at Muncie Central, Ullom knew he still wanted to coach.

"My wife really encouraged me to keep doing it, it's something I love," Ullom said. "She helped me realize that it's something we think I'm good at."

The difference in size between Monroe Central and Muncie Central is vast, and Ullom said he recognized that immediately. The Bearcats have what is called a feeder system into their high school basketball program, with two sixth grade teams, two seventh grade teams and two eighth grade teams.

Muncie Central is a historically good program, and Ullom said there was initial pressure when he first accepted the job.

"[There's] been some great coaches through there, some great players," Ullom said. "We wanted to just honor them in trying to do it the right way and get back to winning."

Ullom had a shaky three years at Muncie Central, as he led the Bearcats to a 31-41 record in three seasons. The expectations that he and his staff placed on himself were high, and Ullom said he was not sure he could live up to those after his third season there.

He said it was a "long three or four weeks" after the season ended, where he was going back and forth on if he should stay or leave. Once again, Ullom had the idea of maybe taking a break.

Then the head coach position at Yorktown opened.

"[I was thinking] 'maybe I'll get back in [to coaching], maybe I won't,'" Ullom said. "The Yorktown job opened the next day."

With the idea of taking a break from coaching in the back of his head, Ullom always recognized his love for the sport, and his love for coaching and that is what always brought him back.

"I love watching young men grow and become young adults," Ullom said. "I love the challenge of putting a team together, figuring out what parts we have, where we excel, where our deficiencies are."

Ullom has been all around Delaware County in his three trips, and he described it as a "basketball community." Every place he has been, he said, he has felt the support from every community he has been in.

The head coach said he came into Yorktown with a great foundation laid out by previous head coach Matt Moulton, and Ullom is motivated to bring Yorktown championship hardware.

"I think the community is starving to cut down some nets," Ullom said.

Ullom and the Tigers nearly did that in year one, as the team went 16-9 and fell just short in the sectional championship to Delta 56-48. Even though the Tigers fell just short this season, Ullom said there is momentum in the community with all their athletic teams, and he knows he can win at Yorktown.

"You don't have to look very far down the hall to know that it can be done here," Ullom said.

Ullom said this year's Yorktown team had "one of the best locker rooms" that he has ever had in his coaching career. He said the buy-in from his players made it easy to perform. Ullom said he noticed the community rallied behind the team when they were losing, and also when they went on an eight-game win streak late in the season.

The head coach said he learned an important thing in year one at Yorktown.

"This is a place I can see being a coach for a long time," Ullom said.

Ullom said he wants to stay in high school coaching for the rest of his career. He said he knows it is the right spot for him, and he has seen the impact he has been able to have on players at the high school level, and vice versa.

Ullom said he wants his players to not only learn things on the basketball court, but also be able to apply them to their lives.

"I hope that I've made it hard enough and yet enjoyable enough for guys to take those lessons with them," Ullom said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

Tonight: Another cold night is ahead for us with temperatures expected to reach 28 degrees for our low. There is a freeze warning in effect so make sure to bundle up if you are going outside tonight. Conditions will remain partly cloudy with winds blowing from the north north west at 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph.

Tomorrow: A chill will carry over through the night into the morning with temperatures remaining at 28 degrees as you start your morning commute. Temperatures will slowly increase throughout the day being in the mid-to-high 30s at noon and 45 degrees for our high at 5 p.m. Conditions will be sunny and clear with winds blowing a consistent 10 mph throughout the day.

Seven-Day Forecast: Even with a cool start to the week, temperatures will increase dramatically by Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures will jump almost 20 degrees back up to the mid-60s. Temperatures will continue to increase up until Thursday with a high of 73 with more cloud cover moving in Thursday afternoon. Friday will bring a 40 percent chance of rain in the afternoon with temperatures cooling off to 69 degrees. That rain will continue into Saturday morning. The temperatures will remain warm despite the rain on Saturday with the high being 65 degrees. The heat will return on Sunday though with a warm highs in the low-80s. Winds and cloud cover will stay in our area even into next work week with the temperatures remaining in the mid-70s.

-Weather Forecaster Evan Reed

NewsLink Indiana is a proud Ambassador for the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation program.

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The ceremony will be May 2 at 10:00 a.m. in The Quad, followed by individual college celebrations throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium, according to the press release.

Jackman will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the main ceremony, according to the press release.

For more information about commencement, including ceremony times and locations, as well as travel and parking information, visit Ball State's commencement website.

Contact the Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com.

Pickle Festival

The 2nd Annual Pickle Festival is officially back, and it's even more zany! There will be pickle flinging (you asked, now come see it!), chocolate-covered pickles & more "Tasting Lab" experiments, pickle decorating, spoon races, Dill E. Pickle painting, and exclusive pickle-themed foods at North Dining eateries.

• Price: Prices vary

• Location: North Dining

• Date and Time: Wednesday, April 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt

Hop on over for a grown-up twist on a childhood favorite! Grab your basket and hunt for eggs filled with an assortment of goodies! Come for the hunt, stay for the fun-great drinks, delicious food, and a chance to win big! This event is 21+.

• Price: Adult: $8 per participant
• Location: Belgian Horse Winery
• Date and Time: Saturday, April 11, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Spring Opera - The Marriage of Figaro

For their spring performance, Ball State's Opera Theatre program will presentThe Marriage of Figaro.The Marriage of Figarocontinues the plot of The Barber of Seville (which centers around Count Almaviva's pursuit of Rosina) several years later and recounts a single "day of madness" (la folle journée) in the palace of Count Almaviva. Come see these talented performers!

• Price:General Public: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, Students: $5 in advance, $8

at the door, Seniors (62+)/ BSU Faculty/Staff: $15 in advance, $17 at the door

• Location:Sursa Performance Hall

• Date and Time:Saturday,April11, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m.

River Teeth Birthday and Book Launch with Editor Jill Christman

Come join the hometown launch of co-editor Jill Christman's new memoir,The Heart Folds Early, & the 27th birthday of Ball State's top-ranked national literary magazine-River Teeth: A Journal of Nonfiction Narrative.Come to the Student Center for Jill's reading & a premiere video montage of RT readers in the Multipurpose Room followed by snacks, signings, and pool in the Billiards room.

• Price:Free
• Location:Student Center, Multipurpose Room and Billiards Room
• Date and Time:Thursday, April9,from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

As a part of the collaboration, Ball State has offered tuition at half price and additional guidance and support for MCS K-12 educators to obtain their Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Eric Grim, the assistant superintendent for MCS, expressed that this addition to the Leadership Pipeline emerged from the school corporation's desire and need to see internal applicants fill leadership positions within the district.

"Out of a need we had seen here in the schools - where we would have some potential assistant principals, some of those entry level, administrative positions open, and a lot of our teachers weren't applying and really weren't qualified for those positions through their degrees - we reached out to Ball State to set up this pipeline that we have going now," he said.

The current program participants take part in online courses taught by Ball State faculty alongside their other cohort members, so that they may foster a leadership community and further build rapport and support postgraduation.

Leadership events are also provided through the program, such as "Team Day" last fall, where members of the educational cohort discovered their leadership styles and compared and contrasted others' with their own.

Conner Polk, a special education teacher at the Muncie Area Career Center and a member of the initial educational cohort, participated in this event and noted the value of understanding both his own approach to leadership and that of his classmates.

"You are going to have all kinds of different styles of leadership in your building, and it is up to you as the school's leader to make the puzzle pieces fit together in the best way possible," Polk said.

Polk was also provided the opportunity to fill in for Muncie administrators during their training day due to his participation in the Leadership Pipeline.

"The experience allowed me to see how quickly administrators must make decisions, communicate with staff and students and balance multiple responsibilities at once. It also helped me build confidence in handling situations that arise throughout the school day and reinforced the importance of being visible, supportive and solution-oriented as a school leader," he said.

The program also has a set of incentives put in place to encourage those who graduate from Ball State with their MAE to stay within the district and continue to contribute to the Muncie community.

"[We are] just looking for ways to retain teachers. If you send teacher leaders to a pipeline, and they become administrators, you hope that they're able to serve in your district, whether they stay in the classroom, or whether they become administrators," Grim said.

According to Ball State's press release regarding the program, these incentives include stipends for year landmarks that the educator stays in the corporation after completing their MAE.

In addition to both discounted tuition and future pay incentives, MCS and Ball State have also promised further leadership opportunities and mentorship as a continuation of the support they plan to provide during the current cohort's time in the program

Jeremy Coleman, the official liaison for the Leadership Pipeline and assistant clinical professor in educational leadership, has had the opportunity to work alongside the Muncie educators during the two classes he taught as a part of the program in the fall.

In addition to Coleman, five members of Ball State's faculty are consistently available to members of the cohort, so that they may have the best educational experience possible.

In addition to fostering collaboration between its faculty and MCS educators, Ball State has an additional goal of continuing to help the greater Muncie area through its support for its educators' education.

"Now [leaders] can help teachers, and teachers can help families. So, in a way, it's a beautiful virtuous cycle of empowerment and support of leaders. Those leaders can empower and support teachers, and hopefully those schools can empower and support those families and those communities inside of Muncie," Coleman said.

Coleman not only stressed the importance of leadership and its role in the community, but also highlighted key traits that mark a good leader - ones that the program aims to highlight for participating educators.

"I believe a reflective leader is an effective leader," he said. "So we do get in a lot of reflective activities and prompts in the cohort."

Polk mentioned the program's goal to "connect theory to the actual practice of being a school administrator," which he, along with other educators, was able to learn and reflect on during Team Day. Discussion boards are also a part of the courses, adding to that reflective element.

Coleman also emphasized that "leadership is less of a role and it's more of a relationship," especially when a role such as a principal or assistant principal in a building requires constant and consistent communication with both teachers and parents.

"We are interested in helping them discover how people experience them as leaders," Coleman said. "Intentions are one thing, but how people experience you is really the mark of a true leader."

The emphasis on creating "reflective and relational" leaders weaves through the program, as educators are surrounded by a support system both on Ball State's campus and within their own district to better support them throughout their educational journey.

"Having support from both the district and the university has made the experience more meaningful and has helped me grow in confidence as I continue developing my leadership skills," Polk said.

10 Muncie educators have participated in the first educational cohort that was created for the 2025-2026 school year and are expected to graduate with their MAE in the spring of 2027.

Contact Kyler Effner via email at kyler.effner@bsu.edu.

Dear Muncie,

School funding in Indiana is complicated. I will try to simplify it in the following paragraphs. What is not complicated is the fact that the new property tax legislation known as SEA1 is having a severely negative effect on the budgets of most public school districts, including Muncie Community Schools (MCS). If something does not change in the next couple of years, there could be catastrophic consequences.

A quick breakdown: there are two main "buckets" for funding schools, an Education Fund and an Operations Fund. The Education Fund, which is funded by the state and is tied to each district's student enrollment, pays for academic curriculum, teacher and staff salaries and other educational-related costs.

The Operations Fund is funded by property tax revenue and is used for annual operational expenses, including student transportation, building upkeep and maintenance, liability and casualty insurance, school security, utilities, custodial services and other expenses necessary to house and teach children in a safe and educationally conducive environment.

Not unlike your grocery bill, operational costs have not gone down in several years and, in most cases, are rising. For example, the annual property and casualty insurance premiums required by law have risen from $350,000 per year in 2023 to over $900,000 per year in 2026.

Because many districts do not receive enough property tax revenue for their Operations Fund to meet all these expenses, the state allows them to transfer up to 15 percent of Education Fund dollars to help. Unfortunately, while this is unavoidable, it diverts money that should be used for the educational benefit of our children to annual capital operating costs.

SEA1 reduces property taxes for homeowners, but also cuts school revenue. These cuts are in addition to those created by what are known as property tax "circuit breakers" that went into effect nearly two decades ago. The combined impact will be that revenue will continue to decrease in the coming years while operational costs continue to increase.

The result will be budget deficits in the millions of dollars for many school corporations throughout Indiana. More specifically, in 2029, MCS is looking at a budget shortfall of roughly $4 million, and that is simply not sustainable. When state legislators passed SEA1, it was clear they wanted all school corporations to "tighten their belts."

At MCS, we have been doing that for years. Since partnering with Ball State University eight years ago, we have attracted millions of new dollars in grant funding, stopped what was declining enrollment and created efficiencies in many of our buildings. Those efforts took us from a $1.5 million overall budget deficit in 2016 to a positive total cash balance of $40 million in 2025, all while raising teacher salaries 40 percent and keeping class sizes small, two hallmarks of a desirable school district.

More recently, we brought our maintenance services "in-house," providing roughly $1.2 million in annual savings. We have also outfitted buildings with modern HVAC and lighting equipment that will cut our utility costs over time. Still, there is no way to make up the deficits created by this legislation without profound changes that will negatively impact educational outcomes. Simply put, resources matter.

A recent survey of statewide school superintendents conducted by the Indiana Coalition for Public Education (ICPE) revealed that SEA1 will negatively affect 99 percent of Indiana districts, and that urban districts, like MCS, will have far fewer ways to absorb the financial hit.

More than 65 percent of districts have started or plan to reduce support staff. Nearly 56 percent have started or expect to reduce teaching staff.

At Muncie Community Schools, we are discussing and implementing strategies to deal with the impending financial changes. Staff reductions may be part of the formula, but we hope that many of these reductions can be done through natural attrition - current employees leaving positions for personal or professional reasons. Regarding transportation, we have a wonderful partnership with MITS that will continue.

We will also continue to work with our busing partner, Auxilio, to see where we can gain some efficiencies in our routing of yellow buses. We are also continuing to leverage our community partnerships to maximize positive impacts for our students. According to the ICPE survey, 90 percent of urban school districts are considering pursuing an operating referendum in their communities.

If voters approve a referendum, it would allow property tax bills to exceed the legislated tax cap and provide funds to help minimize budget deficits. Will we pursue a referendum? That has not been decided, but it certainly must be considered. Muncie schools have come a long way in a short time. IREAD-3 scores have risen dramatically, and the Indiana Department of Education has lauded our progress.

Graduation rates are above 90 percent. Teacher retention is soaring. Our facilities are in good condition. There is much to be proud of with our schools, which is great news for our entire community. None of this would have been possible without the leadership at Ball State and the "buy-in" from individuals and organizations throughout Delaware County. Let's keep the momentum going!

If Muncie really wants to return to being a thriving city with a robust and growing economy, we must come together and find solutions to this looming financial cliff we are on. If you have specific thoughts on how to help, I would love to hear from you.

Please go to muncieschools.org and sign up to speak at one of our upcoming school board meetings or send an email to MCS CEO Dr. Chuck Reynolds at chuck.reynolds@muncieschools.org.

Thank you for your concern on this incredibly important issue. I look forward to working with you to ensure that we continue to provide the very best education possible for Muncie children. They are certainly worth it!

Sincerely,

James Williams, President of Muncie Community Schools and the Board of Trustees

The Cardinals lone win came in the first game with a score of 7-6, thanks to a go-ahead home run from redshirt junior Grace Spencer. Ball State then dropped game two 3-6, and barely fell short in game three, losing 7-8.

Although Ball State dropped the final two games, they hung around all weekend with a fight. Head Coach Helen Peña mentioned that it is all about their response, and finding their way over the hump.

"I mean, [gritty losses like this] can make us tougher, like if we allow it right? So if we choose to perceive it a certain way, to help us learn from certain moments and being able to capitalize in certain situations, then I think as soon as we come over this hump, we're gonna be rolling. So it really is just a matter of how we view it, how we respond from here, and just being even hungrier when we get on the field [against Northern Illinois]," Peña said.

As the weekend didn't go as planned for Ball State, there were still positives. One of those being the go-ahead home run for Spencer in game one, before following it up with another homer in game two. Both of the home runs were not only Spencer's first of the season, but the first of her career.

"Oh my gosh. It was just amazing. It was my first two career home runs as well, so just feeling the ball off my bat in a big moment for the first one too. It was just amazing," Spencer said.

Knocking two balls out of the park in one day is always a special feat, especially when it is the first home run of your career, and Coach Peña credits that moment to Spencer's constant hard work.

"I'm super excited and proud of Grace. I mean, those swings that she's been putting on the balls have been a lot of hard work, a lot of lonely hours in the cages. So just for that to come forth, and knowing how much work she's put into that swing, I'm just so proud of her," Peña said.

The Cardinals now get ready to play six games in five days as they head west to take on Northern Illinois on April 7-8, and then travel to play Western Michigan on April 11-12.

A quick turnaround means quick preparation, and Coach Peña emphasized rest and film above anything else.

"Rest is one, and then the next thing is going to be film, a lot of film for us and then just being able to get back to basics. You know, we're not going to do anything crazy on Monday. It's really just, can we keep growing in our systems and processes to where it's us versus us every single game, like we're not trying to beat the opponent, we're just trying to be our best selves out there and play the game," Peña said.

As Ball State currently sits at a 3-9 record in the conference, their upcoming games could put them right back in contention for the postseason tournament.

Contact Rylan Crum with any questions at rylan.crum@bsu.edu or on X @RylanCrum

Ball State only scored eight total runs across the two games, while Miami (OH) managed to tack on 34. The RedHawks have been putting up an offensive clinic recently, as they scored 21 runs against Kent State Mar. 28, who is first place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

"We couldn't get them out," Head Coach Rich Maloney said. "They were hot with the bats, and they carried it into this week, and they played better all weekend."

But the tides turned in the series finale Mar. 4. Ball State came out with a different swagger and were determined to not be swept for the first time this season. Despite falling behind 4-1 early, the Cardinals knocked in four runs in the fourth inning, thanks to a three-run shot by sophomore infielder Brayden Huebner.

"Huebner was the big positive," Maloney said. "Huebner's been playing great all year, and he put us on his back and gave us a chance to win [today]."

The 5-4 lead for the Cardinals was the last time the team led. The team saw themselves in a 6-7 deficit entering the ninth inning, and the Cardinals could not rally despite having runners on first and third.

The loss resulted in the Cardinals falling back to a .500 record, as well as falling from third place in the MAC.

Maloney said the team played much better in the series finale, but they just "couldn't pull it off." The head coach said the RedHawks got timely hits all series, and the Cardinals did not.

"They played better all weekend," Maloney said. "They deserved to win."

Defense was the main issue for the Cardinals in the series, as the 42 runs given up were the most allowed by Ball State in a series this season. This was the first time the Cardinals were swept this season, and it allowed the RedHawks to surge past them in the MAC standings.

Maloney said the reality is that the team cannot get these games back. The head coach said the team needs to "put it all together" moving forward.

"The guys know they're capable," Maloney said. "We just got to execute better and we're just in a little bit of a funk right now. We gotta work our way out of it."

Despite being losers of four straight, Ball State will have an opportunity to bounce back big April 7, as they will travel to Bloomington to face the Indiana Hoosiers. Maloney said the midweek non-conference games are good preparation for the weekend series.

The Cardinals have a big home series next weekend, as they will face the Akron Zips in a three-game set.

"We have to grind it out and go compete against IU, see what happens, and then be ready to beat Akron," Maloney said.

Contact Kyle Stout with questions via email at kyle.stout@bsu.edu or on X @kylestoutdailyn.

"Always kind of expected something to be like a stop that made me have to reconsider or readjust or pivot, but I just have never hit a roadblock. And so now here I am starting year 3, keep growing, so I'm happy with it," Hottinger said.

Growing up, Hottinger looked up to his parents. His mom was a teacher and principal for years. Hottinger said she was always the last to leave the building. His dad was an entrepreneur himself, owning two successful startups. He attributes a lot of his success to them.

"Watching them have that work ethic and then my dad succeed in the entrepreneurial world has definitely made this adventure easier to pursue," Hotringer said.

Smokey Drew's was one of the first local Muncie food trucks. However, Hottinger says the competition is growing all the time. While some may see this as a negative, Hottinger sees it as a good thing. He even helps those who are trying to start if they ask, offering tours of his truck so they can get an idea of the layout and the way things operate. Hottinger doesn't regret leaving behind his old professions, even though he experienced cool things there as well.

"I just finally found something I love," Hottinger said.

Smokey Drew's has a variety of menu items. If you're interested in learning more, you can find them on Facebook.

Contact Addison Hampshire with comments at addison.hampshire@bsu.edu

The cabin currently houses 16 pre-K and kindergarten students at a time during the 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. school day. Though more often than not, the schoolhouse is vacant, as students are receiving hands-on learning opportunities through immersive outdoor activities.

Forest Academy is currently in its pilot year, but has been in development for about three years.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mallory McCullough, the program coordinator at Camp Adventure, had spent a good portion of her career in academia as an upper-elementary school teacher and middle school assistant principal.

While patrolling the halls and making daily connections with students of varying age groups, "I realized there was a huge break in behavior and foundations that those middle schoolers were really missing," McCullough said.

After the pandemic and the birth of her son, McCullough watched him grow up and knew he would not fit the mold of a standard American classroom.

"All of those things combined really turned me to a non-traditional path, because I was thinking, 'Sitting in a classroom for six hours a day is just not really working with a majority of these middle schoolers. They need something new," she said.

Something had to be done. A solution was out there. McCullough sought to find it - for her son and other young families.

While "deep-diving" for answers across the internet, McCullough was continually pointed toward a scenic route - literally.

"Nature was the answer," she said. "Get the kids outdoors. More greentime, less screentime."

A February 2020 study, published in The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, explored the influence of nature preschools on executive function skills. Those skills, defined as "attention-regulation skills that allow conscious planning and the ability to work toward goals," are considered a foundation for learning, and thus, a critical component of school readiness.

With the solution out there, the issue became how to bring it to Muncie - and if a nature-based education program would even fit into the community.

"I always believed this would work," McCullough said. "But I know many other people above me, they were not sure, just because it is so unusual."

Luckily, there was space for it at Camp Adventure, the city's hub for outdoor learning, "proving that real learning happens outside the classroom," according to its website.

Since 1939, the camp has been "an integral part of the Muncie Boys & Girls Club." A decade later, the leasehold of the land was transferred to The Muncie Optimist Club, which rented the space to activity centers such as Muncie's Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), according to its website.

With the advent of technology, McCullough said the demand for summer camps has inadvertently diminished to the point that in 2025, The Muncie Optimist Club officially transferred ownership of Camp Adventure to Muncie Community Schools.

She said the land was the ideal place to push Forest Academy past the idea stage and into actuality.

"We wanted to pull students into MCS because we are always trying to place learners first. The goal is always to get the kids outside as much as possible. We blend in a lot of Montessori principles with The Science of Reading and outdoor education," McCullough said.

RELATED: Muncie Community Schools sees improvements in standardized test scores following the implementation of "Science of Reading" curriculum

According to The American Montessori Society (AMS), "Montessori education is an approach to learning that was developed by an Italian physician and educator, Dr. Maria Montessori, more than a century ago and is now changing the face of education worldwide."

However, McCullough underscored that "not necessarily everything is about environmentalism or stewardship of the land" because those principles are "organically ingrained" into the curriculum. Instead, the program puts a greater emphasis on the idea that "anytime we're outdoors, we're learning."

The teaching methods honor the human spirit and the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children, while also focusing on caring for oneself, others and the environment, according to AMS.

MCS Assistant Superintendent Eric Grim said offering this teaching approach is "a way to better meet the needs of our students and families that want to learn in a more non-traditional school environment," akin to online classes or homeschooling.

Learning at Camp Adventure can also happen at any time, and in almost any weather conditions.

"We really strive to go outdoors as much as possible, and we don't like to have weather be a barrier. The kids do come prepared with all weather gear," McCullough said.

While the weather itself has not yet posed much of a problem, what was unexpected was just how time-consuming it was to get a classroom full of 4- and 5-year-olds bundled up amid chilling, single-digit winter temperatures.

"We thought we were ready for that this year - and we were - we made it work. We realized it does take a lot of time to get those students ready. At the beginning of the year, it took like 45 minutes for all of the students to get all of their things on and out the door."

While those 45 minutes initially cut into instruction time, toward the end of the winter season, many of the kids were able to get themselves dressed for the weather in under half an hour.

"That is a great part of the Montessori learning process, because many things that you can do for your kids, they can do for themselves. We are all about independent learning, and Montessori is very hands-on - including practical life and living skills - that's all included in the Montessori method and principles," McCullough said.

Once outside, she said she enjoys observing the students as they engage in immersive play with the environment and hone social skills with their peers.

"You don't get to do that in a traditional classroom. It's so great for the regulation of their nervous systems, because they're not sitting down all day. They're moving, which is what our bodies are made to do," McCullough said. "I really feel like these students will have a one-up on many other students, so I can't wait to give more students that opportunity."

She is not the only one excited about expanding Forest Academy's outreach to more MCS families. Grim said Forest Academy is his "favorite class to go visit because it's so different."

"It's a whole different way of learning, [and] right now, our data shows that [Forest Academy students] are on pace - or even, probably, slightly above other kindergarten and preschool classrooms. So, they're really learning academics, and the kids are really doing well in the program. We're very proud to offer this to our students and families," he said.

Currently, Grim said the program ages with the students. Next year, it will serve kindergarten and first graders. Those interested in applying to the Montessori school can do so online.

Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu.

Mason and Ian discuss the recently released Mario Galaxy movie and the characters that have been revealed.

Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether it's video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered!

Anchors: Mason Mundy and Ian Case
Executive Producer: Ian Fraser
Script: Mason Mundy
Video Editing: Ian Fraser
Audio Editing: Ian Fraser
Intro Graphics: Ryan Minter
Graphics: Ryan Minter
Thumbnail: Ian Fraser
Original Thumbnail Images From: Nintendo, Illumination
Music: Jack McGinnis
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Ian and Mason discuss the the recent layoffs at Epic Games and those affected.

Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether it's video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered!

Anchors: Ian Case and Mason Mundy
Executive Producer: Ian Fraser
Script: Ian Case
Video Editing: Ian Fraser
Audio Editing: Ian Fraser
Intro Graphics: Ryan Minter
Graphics: Ryan Minter
Thumbnail: Ian Fraser
Original Thumbnail Images From: Epic Games
Music: Jack McGinnis
Sources:
Tribune Content Agency
https://www.epicgames.com/site...

During the previous week, SGA introduced three new pieces of legislation centered around campus infrastructure. Two of the three pieces of legislation were authored by Sen. Quinn Davis and off-campus caucus chair Addy Morey, the next SGA president and vice president.

SGA had planned to review the pieces of legislation one more time before going into a vote to remind the senate of what each resolution plans to do.

Related: Student Government Association introduces extended parking meter time legislation

Before SGA began reviewing the pieces of legislation, President Chelsea Murdock spoke on sexual assault awareness month in April and upcoming events.

"Today is April 1, so not only is it One Ball State Day, but it's also the first day of sexual assault awareness month, which is a very important thing across the nation, but also a really important thing on our campus," Murdock said.

Murdock also mentioned that SGA and the Center for Engagement and Civic Learning will host a voter registration drive April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University Green to help students get registered for upcoming elections.

Then April 6, from 7 to 9 p.m., SGA will host SGA Late Nite to explain and introduce students to Student Organizational Funding and to help students register to vote before the deadline is over. The event will also be catered by Hot Box Pizza.

The first piece of legislation, Senate Resolution (S.R.) 06, was reviewed again and written by Sen. Lisette Ariza. The legislation aimed to extend time limits for parking meters at Ball State due to many students running into conflicts with class time and the number of tickets being produced.

Vice President Shaina Miller read the beginning of S.R. 06 before the senate motioned to skip the second reading and proceed to voting. The senate had gone through the motion and began the voting process.

After the voting ended, the results were 27 yays, zero nays and one abstention, passing the legislation on to the university senate.

The next legislation SGA reviewed was S.R. 07, written by Davis and Morey, which focused on implementing a comprehensive automated external defibrillator (AED) mapping system. The AED mapping system, if implemented, would help make AED locations easier to access in a timely manner.

Miller began to read off the beginning of S.R. 07 before being motioned to skip the second reading and go straight into voting. The senate had gone through the motion and began the voting process once again.

After the voting ended, the results were 28 yays, zero nays and zero abstentions, passing the legislation on to the university senate as well.

The final piece of legislation reviewed was S.R. 08, authored by Davis and Morey as well, which aimed to enhance campus safety by expanding the network of blue light emergency phones and improving visibility through updated signage and location maps.

In the reading of the resolution, Morey motioned to amend it, saying that there were a few grammatical errors, such as "visibility and visibly," and repetition in separate sections.

SGA then voted to either add the amendment to the legislation or to deny it and keep the legislation the same. The senate passed the amendment unanimously.

After the changes passed, SGA voted to pass the legislation or deny it. After the voting ended, the results were 28 yays, zero nays and zero abstentions.

SGA will meet again April 8 for its last meeting before the inauguration of the next ticket for the 2025-26 academic year at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center in Cardinal Hall B at 3:15 p.m.

Contact Landon Jones via email landon.jones2@bsu.edu.

Yap Sesh with the Libraries: Free Pizza & Giveaways!

Calling all Ball State students! Ready to share your thoughts and get rewarded for it? University Libraries Ambassadors want your feedback on how they can make your experience with the libraries even better.

Join the University Libraries Ambassadors (ULA) for a fun, informal "Yap Sesh with the Libraries"! Come hang out, share your ideas, and enjoy FREE Pizza, Swag and Giveaways!

Event Details:

Who: All Ball State Students
Date: Wednesday, April 8
Time: 6 PM
Location: BL 104

For more information, visit:

https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/yap-sesh-with-the-libraries-free-pizza-giveaways

Breaking the Silence: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026

Did you know April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month? Join the Center for Survivor Support, Counseling Center, and Fraternity and Sorority Life in raising awareness of sexual violence on college campuses. From visual art installations to powerful community marches, there are many ways for you to get involved, show your support, and help us build a safer Ball State.

Day of Action
April 7 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Scramble Light
A nationally acknowledged day, the Day of Action takes place the first Tuesday of every April to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by the Scramble Light to learn about SAAM, pick up teal ribbons to show your support, and learn more about the events happening in April!

Student Organization Yard Sign Competition
April 6 - April 10
Find yard signs created by student organizations at various locations on campus throughout the week! Check out all the ways to raise awareness and vote for your favorite!

Take Back the Night
April 15 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Brown Family Amphitheater
Join the Center for Survivor Support, the Counseling Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Alpha Chi Omega in honoring survivors at this annual event. Hear from survivors of sexual violence, learn about campus and community resources, and honor survivors with a silent candlelit march.

The Clothesline Project
April 20 - April 24 at the University Green
The Clothesline Project is a visual display of t-shirts, created by university students, to increase awareness of the impact of sexual violence and to honor survivors.

What Were You Wearing
April 22 in the Rec Center Game Lounge and 23 in the Student Center Cardinal Hall C from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
This exhibit features narratives and re-creations of outfits based on survivors' experiences. This event occurs yearly during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Please join us to unlearn one of our culture's most prevalent sexual assault myths.

Denim Day
April 29
Join the millions of people across the world that will wear jeans with a purpose. This day honors survivors and educates about the impact of sexual violence. Learn more here: https://denimday.org/

For more information, visit:

https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/breaking-the-silence-sexual-assault-awareness-month-2026

Join a storytelling event with Andy Davis on April 9

Quixotic! An engrossing and humorous one-man show which celebrates Don Quixote, and the capacity of art to impact the world. Through personal story, scenes from the novel, glimpses into the author's life, and a snapshot from recent history, the themes of Cervantes's masterwork blend with the enduring questions as to how humans should live.

Audience: Teens and adults

Date: Thursday, April 9

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Bracken Library 104

No prior knowledge of the novel is necessary for enjoyment.

Presented by: Department of Modern Languages & Cultures

If you need an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please contact Dr. Stephen Hessel: swhessel@bsu.edu

For more information, visit:

https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/join-us-for-a-storytelling-event-with-andy-davis-on-april-9-1

For more information, go toBall State's Communication Center.

The Cardinals welcomed in Northern Kentucky for a late season MIVA showdown on April 2. The Norses came into the matchup with a season record of 5-14 with the Cardinals holding the No. 7 spot in the Nation.

Ball State took control early and ended up winning 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-17) and continued to their sixth straight victory.

Head Coach Mike Iandolo said he feels good about the team's recent momentum knowing that the MIVA tournament is approaching.

"I feel good, feel confident," Iandolo said. "We took care of business, which is all that matters right now is winning games."

Iandolo knows that the road ahead is going to be challenging but necessary to prepare the Cardinals for their best volleyball.

"Going into next week are some big games," Iandolo said. "We are going to be pretty motivated, so I feel pretty confident."

Sophomore Outside Hitter Wil Basilio has seen the team not waver despite some tough moments in sets that has ultimately made the Cardinals successful.

"It is all about just point by point," said Basilio. "Each rotation, each point we have a gameplan that we just stick to and that helps us stay locked in".

Basilio knows that the sense of urgency has changed throughout the season. It has only heightened with the MIVA tournament approaching.

"Definitely a sense of urgency," Basilio says. "This is the time that we have been waiting for and we are definitely ready and locked in and just excited to get things going".

Senior Outside Hitter Patrick Rogers has been a standout player for the Cardinals all season. He has totaled 26 kills in the previous two games, and he added another 14 against Northern Kentucky.

"Not taking any team lightly," Rogers said. "Working as hard as you can versus whoever it might be".

Rogers has a strong belief in this team, and he said he sees great things ahead. Rogers knows how dangerous the Cardinals can be if they're playing at their best.

"We are really confident in how we are playing right now," Rogers says. "I think we can be a contender for the national title which is the goal. That is the main goal at the end of the year for us but not just us but our support from the fans too."

This game was the start of a three game homestand to end the year for the Cardinals. The next game for Ball State will be a matchup against Lewis April 9.

Contact Zachary Kendall with questions via email at zacharykendall@bsu.edu or on X @ZacharyKendall_