Strong Schools, Strong Communities Inside New Palestine Community Schools

Strong Schools, Strong Communities Inside New Palestine Community Schools

Show NotesIn this episode of Building Hancock, Shawn P Neal talks with Dr. Gina Pleak, superintendent of New Palestine Community Schools, about what makes the district one of Hancock County’s strongest community assets. Dr. Pleak shares what drew her to New Palestine, including the district’s strong statewide reputation, academic excellence, extracurricular success, and deep community support for education. She explains why relationships remain at the center of the district’s culture, even as the community continues to grow. The conversation also explores how New Palestine Community Schools maintains high performance while continuing to innovate. Dr. Pleak highlights the district’s 97% graduation rate, Brandywine Elementary’s National Blue Ribbon School recognition, strong IREAD and AP performance, and success across athletics, performing arts, and student achievement. A major theme throughout the episode is “Dragon Excellence Every Day.” Dr. Pleak discusses how every employee, from teachers and administrators to bus drivers, custodians, office staff, coaches, and maintenance teams, plays a role in educating and supporting students. She also shares how the district celebrates staff members through its teammate recognition program, helping reinforce pride, visibility, and shared purpose. The episode looks beyond the classroom as well. Dr. Pleak explains how strong schools help support workforce development, economic health, family relocation decisions, and long-term community stability across Hancock County. She also discusses the importance of transparent communication, community input, parent involvement, business relationships, and local leadership collaboration. Looking ahead, Dr. Pleak shares her excitement about the district’s strategic planning process, long-term capital planning, facility needs, financial responsibility, and the continued pursuit of excellence for students and families. For families considering New Palestine, Dr. Pleak describes the district as a place with high expectations, strong support, a small-town feel, meaningful opportunities, and a deep commitment to helping students reach their personal best.Topics Covered Featured Guest:  Dr. Gina Pleak, Superintendent, New Palestine Community Schools Dr. Gina Pleak leads New Palestine Community Schools with a focus on academic excellence, strong relationships, transparent communication, staff recognition, and student-centered decision-making. With more than three decades in education, she brings a deep commitment to supporting students, families, staff, and the broader Hancock County community.Memorable Themes * Strong schools help build strong communities. * Relationships are central to the New Palestine school experience. * Excellence requires intentional work, shared expectations, and daily commitment. * Every school employee influences students. * Families choose communities where they feel connected, supported, and informed. * New Palestine offers high expectations with care, support, and opportunity. Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community is brought to you through a partnership of NewPalOpen4Biz [https://facebook.com/newpalopen4biz], BringingTech2You. [https://bringingtech2you.com], and AdvoCast [https://advocast.media] Hosted by Dave Meeker [https://linkedin.com/in/bringingtech2you] Co-Hosted by Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal] Produced in partnership with AdvoCast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] at Studio236 #NewPalOpen4Biz #AdvoCast #HancockCounty #Indiana #ShawnPNeal

Building Communities and Infrastructure- An Inside Look with Hancock County Engineer Gary Pool

Ever wonder who decides where roads get built, why construction takes so long, or how those decisions affect your daily life? In this episode, Shawn P Neal sits down with Gary Pool, County Engineer for Hancock County, to break it down in a way most people never hear. From road safety and construction projects to parks, trails, and future growth, Gary shares what actually goes into building a community that works. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the work happening behind the scenes—and the real people making tough decisions that impact how you drive, live, and move every day. What You’ll Learn * Why Road Projects Take Time * How Safety Drives Every Decisio * The Tradeoffs Behind Every Project * The Tough Reality of Change * How Projects Improve Everyday Life * What’s Being Built Right Now Key Takeaways * Road construction is more complex than it appears * Safety is the top priority behind every decision * Not every project can happen at once * Some improvements are invisible but highly impactful * The people making these decisions live in the same community A Few Moments That Stood Out * “There's a limited amount of money and an infinite amount of need.” * “People can’t walk on plans. They walk on what gets built.” Why This Conversation Matters This episode offers a different perspective. It shows the level of thought, coordination, and care that goes into building a safer and more connected community. It also highlights something simple but important: The people making these decisions are not distant. They are part of the same community, dealing with the same roads, the same traffic, and the same outcomes. Podcast Information Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community highlights the people, projects, and partnerships shaping the future of Hancock County, Indiana. Produced in partnership with Advocast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] Hosted by Dave Meeker and produced in collaboration with Bringing Tech to You [https://bringingtech2you.com/], #NewPalOpen4Biz, AdvoCast [https://advocast.media], and our title sponsor, Hancock Health [https://www.hancockhealth.org/]. Hashtags #community #roads #construction #safety #localgovernment #infrastructure #everydaylife #growth #neighborhoods #publicservice Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community is brought to you through a partnership of NewPalOpen4Biz [https://facebook.com/newpalopen4biz], BringingTech2You. [https://bringingtech2you.com], and AdvoCast [https://advocast.media] Hosted by Dave Meeker [https://linkedin.com/in/bringingtech2you] Co-Hosted by Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal] Produced in partnership with AdvoCast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] at Studio236 #NewPalOpen4Biz #AdvoCast #HancockCounty #Indiana #ShawnPNeal

Leading with Kindness: How Hancock Health Is Transforming Community Wellbeing

In this episode of Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community, co-host Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal%5C] sits down with Steve Long, President and CEO of Hancock Health, to explore how one organization’s commitment to kindness, proactive healthcare, and community connection is reshaping the future of Hancock County. From the award-winning Wellbeing at Work program to an innovative Behavioral Health Mobile Response Team, Steve shares how Hancock Health is turning compassion into measurable community outcomes—making Hancock County one of the healthiest in Indiana. Key Takeaways: * Kindness is a strategy: Embedding compassion into operations and culture can drive measurable health and business outcomes.\ * Prevention is power: Proactive healthcare models—like direct primary care and “exercise as medicine”—save costs and lives. * Community collaboration heals: Hancock County’s success shows what’s possible when healthcare, education, business, and faith work together. Podcast Information: Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community highlights the people, projects, and partnerships shaping the future of Hancock County, Indiana. Hosted by Dave Meeker and produced in collaboration with Bringing Tech to You [https://bringingtech2you.com/], Produced in partnership with Advocast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] #NewPalOpen4Biz, AdvoCast [https://advocast.media], and our title sponsor, Hancock Health [https://www.hancockhealth.org/]. #BuildingHancock #CommunityHealth #HancockHealth #Leadership #KindnessInAction #WellbeingAtWork #HealthcareInnovation #EmployeeWellbeing #MentalHealthAwareness #IndianaStrong Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community is brought to you through a partnership of NewPalOpen4Biz [https://facebook.com/newpalopen4biz], BringingTech2You. [https://bringingtech2you.com], and AdvoCast [https://advocast.media] Hosted by Dave Meeker [https://linkedin.com/in/bringingtech2you] Co-Hosted by Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal] Produced in partnership with AdvoCast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] at Studio236 #NewPalOpen4Biz #AdvoCast #HancockCounty #Indiana #ShawnPNeal

Finding Joy in Clay The Art of Jennifer Meeker

In this episode of Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community, hosts Dave Meeker and Shawn P Neal sit down with Hancock County ceramic artist Jennifer Meeker, whose handcrafted pottery captures the textures, shapes, and spirit of nature. From her roots in New Palestine to her thriving studio in Garfield Park, Jennifer has built a career that blends artistry, sustainability, and community connection. Jennifer shares her journey with clay—from her first coil pots in elementary school to discovering the potter’s wheel at Herron School of Art and Design. She talks about the inspiration she draws from nature, her love for art fairs, and her private pottery experiences that invite people to create and celebrate special moments. Listeners will also hear how her work brings joy to everyday life, whether through a morning coffee mug or a personalized piece of art. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * How Jennifer Meeker blends her lifestyle and values with her ceramics. * Why art fairs are more than sales—they’re opportunities for connection. * The story behind her private pottery experiences and what participants can expect. * How her work inspires joy, appreciation for art, and connection to nature. * Jennifer’s vision for mentoring young artists and expanding her reach in the years ahead. Resources & Links: * Visit Jennifer’s website: JenniferMeekerArt.com [https://JenniferMeekerArt.com] * Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @JenniferMeekerArt [https://instagram.com/jennifermeekerart] * Connect on Facebook: Jennifer Meeker Art [https://www.facebook.com/JenniferMeekerArt] Produced in partnership with Advocast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community is brought to you through a partnership of NewPalOpen4Biz [https://facebook.com/newpalopen4biz], BringingTech2You. [https://bringingtech2you.com], and AdvoCast [https://advocast.media] Hosted by Dave Meeker [https://linkedin.com/in/bringingtech2you] Co-Hosted by Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal] Produced in partnership with AdvoCast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] at Studio236 #NewPalOpen4Biz #AdvoCast #HancockCounty #Indiana #ShawnPNeal

Highlights From The 2025 New Pal Summer Fest

Join host Dave Meeker and co-host Shawn P Neal as they dive into the heart of the New Pal Summerfest 2025. This episode features engaging conversations with local voices like David Stillinger, Elvira Davis, Mike Fowler, Scott Wooldridge, Becca Biedler, State Representative Ethan Lawson, and Tina Frey. Discover what makes this community celebration so special and hear firsthand stories from the people shaping Hancock County, Indiana. Key Highlights: David Stillinger shares insights on community values and the growth of his family-owned business. Tina Frey discusses the importance of water conditioning services and community loyalty. Elvira Davis talks about LifeWise Academy's role in character building through biblical education. Scott Woolridge reflects on his dual roles as an attorney and county councilman. Becca Beidler emphasizes the passion behind IDFIT Programs [https://idfitprograms.com/] and making fitness accessible. State Representative Ethan Lawson [https://lawsonforindiana.com/] shares his experiences and the importance of community engagement. Mike Fowler highlights the contributions of the American Legion and the local fire department. Hashtags: #NewPalSummerfest #Community #HancockCounty #LocalVoices #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #NewPalOpen4Biz #BringingTech2You If you're a business owner in the New Palestine or Hancock County area, join the movement to support local commerce by reaching out through the our Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/newpalopen4biz [https://www.facebook.com/newpalopen4biz] Produced in partnership with Advocast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] Building Hancock: Stories of Growth and Community is brought to you through a partnership of NewPalOpen4Biz [https://facebook.com/newpalopen4biz], BringingTech2You. [https://bringingtech2you.com], and AdvoCast [https://advocast.media] Hosted by Dave Meeker [https://linkedin.com/in/bringingtech2you] Co-Hosted by Shawn P Neal [https://linkedin.com/in/shawnpneal] Produced in partnership with AdvoCast Leadership Advisory [https://advocast.consulting] at Studio236 #NewPalOpen4Biz #AdvoCast #HancockCounty #Indiana #ShawnPNeal