CANOPS, School City of Mishawaka & Boys & Girls Clubs Chosen to Lead Indiana’s Statewide Transportation Innovation Pilot

CANOPS, SCM, and BGCNIC were selected by the Indiana DOE to lead a 3-year pilot reimagining school transportation statewide.

SOUTH BEND, IN, UNITED STATES, October 31, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CANOPS, School City of Mishawaka, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor Selected to Lead Statewide Innovation Pilot on Transportation

The Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS), School City of Mishawaka (SCM), and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor (BGCNIC) have been jointly selected by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as one of three statewide teams to lead a groundbreaking, three-year pilot program aimed at reimagining how Indiana schools manage transportation systems to better serve students and communities.

The initiative, established under House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1515, was designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and efficiency in how schools deliver essential support services to students. The local partnership between CANOPS, SCM, and BGCNIC was recognized for its community-driven approach to building a flexible, reliable transportation network that strengthens student access — to and from school — and to a range of work-based learning and extracurricular opportunities.

“We’re honored and grateful to join School City of Mishawaka and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor,” said Jeremy Lugbill, Chief Executive Officer of the Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS). “This pilot represents what’s possible when schools and community partners work together to remove barriers, expand access, and create impactful opportunities for students and families.”

Under this pilot, the three organizations will leverage existing school fleets alongside South Bend’s public transportation system (Transpo) to create an integrated transportation model that maximizes efficiency, improves scheduling flexibility, and expands student access to school, work-based learning, and extracurricular opportunities.

"Transportation can be a major factor in determining student success and we are proud to partner with Transpo, BGCNIC, and CANOPS to examine innovative ways to provide better transportation services to students in our area,” said Dr. Theodore Stevens, Superintendent of the School City of Mishawaka (SCM).

The Indiana Department of Education’s official notification commended CANOPS for demonstrating “a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community-centered planning,” noting that participants will help “reimagine how Indiana supports students through improved transportation systems.”

“The participation of CANOPS, SCM, and BGCNIC underscores our collective role as statewide leaders in educational innovation and collaboration — continuing our shared mission to connect learning, career development, and community partnerships in meaningful, sustainable ways,” said Duane Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor (BGCNIC).

Participating schools in the HEA 1515 pilot will establish independent local boards to oversee implementation, collect data aligned with state metrics, and share best practices with other districts statewide. The program will officially begin during the 2026–2027 school year and continue through 2028–2029.

The participation of CANOPS, SCM, and BGCNIC underscores their collective role as statewide leaders in educational innovation and collaboration — continuing their shared mission to connect learning, career development, and community partnerships in meaningful, sustainable ways.


About Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS)
The Career Academy Network of Public Schools transforms lives through passionate, innovative, and impactful learning experiences. Serving students across South Bend, Career Academy schools emphasize project-based learning, strong community partnerships, and a relentless focus on preparing every child for success in college, career, and life.

About School City of Mishawaka (SCM)
School City of Mishawaka serves approximately 5,000 students in preschool, kindergarten through high school, and its Young Adults Program across nine schools. Located in northcentral Indiana in the heart of Mishawaka, SCM is dedicated to its goals, community partnerships, and its ongoing commitment to Creating a Culture of Excellence.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor (BGCNIC)
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor (BGCNIC) has served youth across six counties for over 50 years, providing safe and enriching afterschool programs. With 38 Club sites reaching more than 5,100 kids and teens in 16 school districts, BGCNIC aims to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Vincent Liew
Career Academy Network of Public Schools
+1 574-299-9800
email us here

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