The Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC) has a lot to celebrate.
According to administration leaders, for the past eight years Brownsburg has been the highest-performing school corporation in Indiana when it comes to the state assessment, ILEARN.
They’re not just excelling academically, however.
The athletic programs are successful as well. The Brownsburg High School (BHS) boys track team brought home the state championship and athletes on the wrestling team earned state titles, for example.
Fine arts programs are bringing home awards, such as the BHS marching band earning third place in the IHSAA state championship. Clubs are making a name for themselves too. The BHS business club, DECA, earned first place in the 2023 state competition.
They are also consistently growing in both population and opportunities.
In the spring of 2023, BCSC leaders launched a major renovation plan, as it is one of the fastest-growing school corporations in the state. BHS Senior Academy will be renovated and expanded. A new fieldhouse facility is currently underway and the high school pool is undergoing some much-needed renovations – all due to be complete by the fall of 2026.
With eight elementary schools (Crossroads Elementary opened in the fall of 2023), two middle schools, high school, an Early Childhood Center and, most recently, the addition of Area 31 programming at Harris Academy, there are certainly a lot of different needs across the board, and BCSC has found a superintendent that school officials believe can lead them to success.
Just this summer, BCSC named a new superintendent to oversee the nearly 10,500 students and nearly 2,000 staff members.
Dr. Kat Jessup will be taking the helm of the growing school community. She grew up in northwestern Indiana, and had her career plan mapped out long before she signed up for classes at Butler University.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and my goal was really to be a leader,” Jesus said. “I thought I would eventually be a principal. I don’t know if I ever dreamed of being a superintendent, so this is exciting.”
In fact, she knows what teachers, principals and administrators do every day. She’s been there.
“This is my 31st year at Brownsburg Community School Corporation,” she said. “I did my student teaching with Darlene Badgley at the original Lincoln Elementary. I taught at Brown Elementary and then moved to White Lick Elementary as assistant principal and then principal. I was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction since 2011.”
Jessup also served as interim co-superintendent with Assistant Superintendent Shane Hacker since January of 2024 when former Superintendent Jim Snapp stepped down.
She applied and interviewed for the job among numerous other candidates. When her new role as superintendent was announced earlier this summer, BCSC School Board President Jessica Heffernan said “the board interviewed many stellar candidates for the top job at BCSC. Through the process it became clear to all board members that Dr. Jessup, with her mix of dedicated services and vision for the future, is the right person to lead Brownsburg schools.”
Heffernan said it was clear; the school board, employees and community members expressed a desire to continue all the positive developments happening at BCSC.
“Dr. Jessup’s expertise in curriculum, and strong relationships with our outstanding teachers, staff and community, will keep Brownsburg schools on the right path,” Heffernan said.
Though every new year comes with some bumps and challenges with car lines, scheduling and adjustments, Jessup said they kicked off the 2024-2025 school year in stride.
She knew even back when she was named co-interim superintendent that there was much to be done.
“I needed to hit the ground running over the summer to prepare for administration returning, teachers returning and then students this fall,” she said. “I had been working on those things even before I knew I had the superintendent position. I met with every new teacher we hired and I hope what they took away from that was how important each person is to us.”
Jessup said aside from a few staffing changes, she doesn’t anticipate any major changes for day-to-day operations.
Dr. Thomas Balitewicz was named principal of Brownsburg High School, Dave Lang is the new athletic director, and Kim Lippe will serve as associate superintendent.
“There’s a tradition of excellence, and what brings me the most pride is what we do for our students academically,” Jessup said. “The only changes I foresee are due to changes in state regulations like diploma requirements. We’ll meet those needs of course. I think though academics is super important, the opportunities we offer outside of the classroom are also something we pride ourselves on.”
Those opportunities outside of the classroom are ample. With more than two dozen clubs alone, students can get involved in fine arts, athletics and business, and they can also join environmental, robotics and chess clubs.
Jessup is looking forward to all of it.
“I love the opportunity to give back to this community that has become my home, and being able to continue the work I’ve done over the last 30 years,” she said. “I’ve lived in Brownsburg longer than I have my hometown. I really like the opportunity to lead a group of people who are just as passionate as I am about education and community.”
Just like the rest of the Brownsburg community, she’s proud when she watches the choir sing the national anthem at a football game, when they celebrate the newest academic accomplishment, and when the athletic team brings home a victory.
She’s also proud of the relationships and history the Brownsburg team has established over the years.
Though leading the charge, Jessup is working with others who have mentored her over the years, worked on a development team with her, and have the same passion for Brownsburg students as she does.
“To walk into buildings and have known many of these people for 10, 20 or 30 years helps develop a lot of trust with new teachers,” she said. “They can ask someone who has been around for a while and they know me. That’s why being in this new role is so rewarding.”
