The Indiana Department of Education (DOE) recently released its second round of 2015-16 Four Star Schools. The Four Star Schools designation is designed by the DOE to recognize the best schools in Indiana.

To receive Four Star designation, a school must receive an “A” on the state’s A-F accountability system, have excellent ISTEP pass rates and an overall high graduation rate (if applicable), and show success in closing achievement gaps. Including round one, a total of 248 schools received the award.

I am proud of the schools in Senate District 27 that have received this designation. Quality K-12 education leads to strong performance in higher education and trade industries. This results in a strong workforce, which helps grow Indiana’s economy. 

Below are the schools in SD 27 that have received this designation:

• Saint Michael School in Brookville

• Charles Elementary School in Richmond

For a complete list of recognized schools, click here.

Hoosier farmers planted over a million acres of cover crops for the second year in a row, which makes Indiana the leading state in the Midwest, according to the 2016 Fall Conservation Transect Report.

Cover crops are grown for the protection and enrichment of the soil. They have many benefits like increasing organic matter for better soil biology and improving infiltration and water-holding capacity, according to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In a state that receives as much as 40 inches of rain in a year, cover crops also prevent nutrient leaching by capturing excess nutrients and sediment – keeping them on the farm and out of nearby waterbodies and streams.

Planting cover crops benefits Indiana’s soil and is a wise farm-business decision for local farmers. Click here to learn more about your local Soil and Water Conservation District office.