Outstanding Board Service Award

The Outstanding Board Service Award is conferred annually by ISBA to a school board member who exemplifies the best attributes of effective board governance.

2025 Outstanding Board Service Award

Heather Reichenbach, Warsaw Community School Board, 2025 Outstanding Board Service Award recipient

Heather Reichenbach, president of the Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees, is the Outstanding Board Service Award winner for 2025. A former teacher and lifelong advocate for education, she has served on the Warsaw school board since January 2015. Now in her ninth consecutive year as board president, she is commended for fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and open communication, while guiding the district as it adapts to changing demographics and needs. Reichenbach credits former board president Jennifer Tandy, her board colleagues, Warsaw Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, and her parents, for shaping her leadership style. During her tenure, she has championed initiatives such as expanding professional development and tuition support for educators, helping launch and sustain the district’s dual language immersion program, establishing an employee health clinic, and efforts to ensure competitive salaries. She is most proud of the district’s broad academic and career opportunities for students, growth in STEM education aligned with local industry, Tiger Ambassador program, and strong partnerships with the community. Reichenbach said receiving the statewide honor is both humbling and deeply meaningful. “This award reflects the collective success of our district, the dedication of our staff, the commitment of my board colleagues, and the unwavering support of my husband, Brian, and our children, Jonah and Claire,” she said. “I hope my school board service highlights the vital role public schools play in building strong, vibrant communities.” Her advice to future board members is to “be more curious” – to ask questions with an open mind, always assuming good intentions. Looking ahead, her vision for the Warsaw Community Schools is that every student and staff member feels a sense of belonging at school, where they can grow and thrive in a supportive learning environment.

2024 Outstanding Board Service Award

Allison Shook, Plymouth Community School Board, 2024 Outstanding Board Service Award recipient

Allison Shook, president of the school board for the Plymouth Community School Corporation, is the Outstanding Board Service Award winner for 2024. Allison’s leadership on the Plymouth Community School Board has been pivotal in promoting positive change, from championing solar projects that save on energy costs to guiding redistricting efforts that ensure every student in a K-4 building receives an equitable education. She has been a powerful advocate for establishing Pre-K and childcare programs. As Director of the Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network, Allison has been the driving force behind the Marshall County Career Innovation Center, a multimillion-dollar project transforming career education opportunities for students across the region, as well as adults seeking additional workforce skills. “As a school board member, I have worked to be a servant for our youth and an advocate for better opportunities for our students, staff, and community,” said Shook. “I truly am grateful and honored to be receiving this award.”

Past Outstanding Board Service Award Recipients

1974 John C. Wagner | South Bend
1975 Mann Spitler, Jr. | Valpariso
1976 William A. Gitlin | Bluffton-Harrison
1977 Luise Schnakenburg | Evansville
1978 Iverson C. Bell | Terre Haute
1979 Terry Lehr | South Bend
1980 James Weaver | Columbus
1981 Phyllis Tully | Merrillville
1982 Kenneth Simmons | Blackford County
1983 Leon Trachtman | West Lafayett
1984 John E. VonPein, Jr. | Richmond
1985 Dr. Mary E. Busch | Indianapolis
1986 S. Suzanne Zinser | Carmel-Clay
1987 Richard Jensen | Elkhart
1988 Berbard D. Carmin | Marion
1989 James H. Black | Clark-Pleasant
1990 Carolyn L. Tate | Vincennes
1991 Sylvia E. Tramm | MSD of Pike Township
1992 Joyce Hall | Center Grove
1993 Phillip T. Ross | Franklin Township
1993 Kenneth D. Barlett | MSD of Decatur Township
1994 Phillip E. Buecher | Greater Jasper
1995 Dale “Woody” Emmons | Mishawaka
1996 Nancy McNabb | DeKalb County Central
1997 Phyllis Lewis | MSD of Wayne Township
1998 Ann D. Schaefer | MSD of Washington Township
1999 Diane M. Black | Franklin
2000 John Payne | Blackford County
2001 Carl Johnson | Fort Wayne
2002 Fran Milo | LaPorte
2003 John Heerema | Kankakee Valley
2004 Stephen Maple | MSD of Perry Township
2005 Dale Petrie | Crawfordsville
2006 Susan Switzer | MSD of Warren Township
2007 Nancy Habig | Greater Jasper
2008 Lisa Tanselle | North West Hendricks
2009 Richard Anderson | Griffith
2010 Patricia G. Heiny | Richmond
2011 Todd Marshall | Springs Valley
2012 Terry Jo Lightfoot | East Allen
2013 Linda Singer | Western
2014 Linda Y. Day | Tippecanoe
2015 Mark Iunghuhn | North Gibson
2016 Charles Sprague | Franklin County
2017 Jane Troup | Goshen
2018 Bill Wilson | Clarksville
2019 Terry Butler | Hobart
2020 Richard Shail | New Prairie United
2021 Scott Flood | Plainfield
2022 Karen Springer | West Lafayette
2023 Beth McFadin Higgins | MSD of Mt. Vernon
2024 Allison Shook | Plymouth
2025 Heather Reichenbach | Warsaw

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