Jasper Schools Shift Leaders to Strengthen Student Support Services

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools announced on Jan. 2, 2026, that Audra Jahn will serve as principal of Jasper Elementary School and that Ryan Erny will transition to Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, effective with the start of the spring semester. The district described the changes as part of its work to support students and staff and directed residents to its Facebook page for further details.

At the building level, a new principal can shape daily routines, staff assignments, and family engagement practices. For parents and caregivers in Dubois County, Jahn’s appointment will mean a new point of leadership for classroom operations, student safety protocols, and parent-school communication during the remainder of the academic year. For teachers and staff, the transition may bring shifts in instructional priorities and administrative procedures as the school aligns with district goals for the semester.

Erny’s move into the assistant superintendent role focuses on student support services, a portfolio that generally includes counseling, special education, school nursing coordination, and behavioral health programs. In that capacity, he will likely oversee districtwide strategies to address student mental health, learning differences, and access to health-related services provided through schools. Those responsibilities are central to public health in the community because school-based supports are often the first and most consistent place children receive mental health care, nursing services, and referrals to county health resources.

The timing of these changes comes against a backdrop of continuing challenges in education and public health, including increasing student mental health needs and ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to services for students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged families. District leadership transitions can influence how quickly families receive support, how staff workloads are managed, and how services are coordinated with local providers.

Community members seeking more information or clarification about how the reassignments will affect services, enrollment routines, or staff contacts are encouraged to follow the district’s Facebook page for updates and to contact school offices directly. Clear communication during the transition will be essential to maintain continuity of instruction, preserve trust between families and schools, and ensure that students who rely on school-based supports continue to receive them without interruption.