By Greg Denecker
Bluffton school superintendent
Note: This is from the spring school district newsletter
As we approach the end of our very different school year, I want to wish a huge congratulations to the Class of 2021.

Obviously, the end of their junior year and their senior year (as a whole) has not been normal, but they have been resilient and flexible in facing the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

I know that we, as a school district, and you as family and friends of these young adults are proud of how they have handled this unprecedented situation. We wish the class of 2021 the very best as they leave the halls of Bluffton High School for the last time and enter a new stage of their lives. 

We trust that we have prepared them well to be successful in whatever career path they choose. Graduation is Saturday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at Harmon Field.  If we have inclement weather, we will move graduation to the High School gymnasium.

As the school year ends, we also wish the best to Tim Closson, who is retiring after serving as our elementary principal for the last 14 years. Best wishes go to Deb Augsburger, as well, who has worked in the Middle School Cafeteria for the past 34 years.  We thank both of these excellent employees for all of their service to our district. They will be missed.

As I reflect over the school year, I want to express gratitude for the patience, understanding, and flexibility of our students, parents, staff, and community. As a school district, our goal was (and always is) to provide your students with a strong learning experience, and this year that goal included learning that occurred in person and online.

Despite this challenge, we worked diligently to help all our students, K-12, achieve the learning targets for their grade level.

While we cannot know for certain what the next school year will bring, we do expect a more traditional start to the school year when we begin classes again on Aug. 30, 2021. Our plan is for students to attend school in-person five days a week, and our teachers will be providing solely in-person instruction.

We look forward to welcoming our online students back to in person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.

Voting update
Finally, here is a quick update on voting. If your polling location was previously the Bluffton Elementary School, that polling location has been changed to The Centre in Bluffton.  The Allen County Board of Elections made this decision without any input from the school district.  I found out that the polling place changed when I received the information in my personal mail.

Please call or stop in if you have any questions regarding the information in this letter.

The school newsletter is attached below