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September 15, 2025 – Heather Reichenbach, president of the Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees, has been honored with the Outstanding Board Service Award for 2025 by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA). A former teacher and lifelong advocate for education, she has served on the Warsaw school board since January 2015 and is now in her ninth consecutive year as board president. Throughout her tenure, she has been recognized for fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and open communication, while guiding the district through evolving 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. She has championed initiatives such as expanding professional development and tuition support for educators, launching and sustaining the district’s dual language immersion program, establishing an employee health clinic, and ensuring competitive salaries. Among her proudest accomplishments are 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. Her advice to future board members is to “be more curious” – to ask questions with an open mind, always assuming good intentions. Looking forward, her hope is the Warsaw Community Schools continues to be a place where every student and staff member feels a sense of belonging at school, where all can grow and thrive in a supportive learning environment. The Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award is conferred annually by the ISBA to one school board member out of the 1,686 school board members in Indiana who exemplifies effective school board governance. Chosen by fellow school board members, the winner is recognized during the ISBA-IAPSS Annual Fall Conference at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. In addition to the statewide award, the following school board members were recognized as Regional Outstanding Board Service Award winners for each of ISBA’s 10 geographical regions: Region 1 - Steve Kissel, River Forest Community School Corporation Region 2 - Heather Reichenbach, Warsaw Community Schools Region 3 - Leon Steury, Dekalb County Eastern Community Schools Region 4 - Gary Braasch, Rensselaer Central School Corporation. Region 5 - Robert Cochrane, Tipton Community School Corporation Region 6 - Thomas Simpson, Yorktown Community Schools Region 7 - Derek Morgan, Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation Region 8 - Gloria Williams, M.S.D. of Warren Township Region 9 - Jane Wilhelmus, Warrick County School Corporation Region 10 - April Hauber, Clarksville Community School Corporation ### Adam VanOsdol ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist avanosdol@isba-ind.org
September 15, 2025 – Heather Reichenbach, president of the Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees, has been honored with the Outstanding Board Service Award for 2025 by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA).
A former teacher and lifelong advocate for education, she has served on the Warsaw school board since January 2015 and is now in her ninth consecutive year as board president. Throughout her tenure, she has been recognized for fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and open communication, while guiding the district through evolving 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.
She has championed initiatives such as expanding professional development and tuition support for educators, launching and sustaining the district’s dual language immersion program, establishing an employee health clinic, and ensuring competitive salaries. Among her proudest accomplishments are 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. Her advice to future board members is to “be more curious” – to ask questions with an open mind, always assuming good intentions.
Looking forward, her hope is the Warsaw Community Schools continues to be a place where every student and staff member feels a sense of belonging at school, where all can grow and thrive in a supportive learning environment.
The Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award is conferred annually by the ISBA to one school board member out of the 1,686 school board members in Indiana who exemplifies effective school board governance. Chosen by fellow school board members, the winner is recognized during the ISBA-IAPSS Annual Fall Conference at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
In addition to the statewide award, the following school board members were recognized as Regional Outstanding Board Service Award winners for each of ISBA’s 10 geographical regions:
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Adam VanOsdol
ISBA Communications Specialist/Content Strategist
avanosdol@isba-ind.org