Leesburg Elementary School

WARSAW, IN - Leesburg Elementary third graders recently had a special visit from Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, who shared insights about his role and responsibilities in leading the City of Warsaw.

During the visit, Mayor Grose explained the three branches of government and discussed how his position as mayor connects to each. He spoke about the city’s essential departments, including police, fire, parks, and street maintenance, and how they work together to keep the community safe and thriving.

Mayor Grose emphasized that the mayor’s primary responsibility is to serve the people of Warsaw. He also highlighted the role of the City Council in providing oversight and approving the city’s budget, sharing how teamwork and accountability play a vital part in local leadership.

Mayor Grose shared, “I want to thank Leesburg's staff for inviting me to their school. Sharing with our youth how our democratic government works at the local level is so important.” Abby Humbarger, Leesburg third grade teacher, added, “We are so grateful to Mayor Grose for bringing our government unit to life! His passion for the job and our students was evident in every word he spoke.”

Students were also introduced to key city leaders who help keep operations running smoothly. Fire Chief Joel Shilling shared an overview of the fire department’s processes and how the city responds to community needs, while Staci Young, Assistant to the Mayor, described her work coordinating projects, managing communications, and maintaining the city’s website.

Together, the presenters helped students understand that more than 200 people serve the City of Warsaw across a variety of departments, all working to make Warsaw a great place to live, work, and play.

Leesburg Elementary extends a sincere thank-you to Mayor Grose, Fire Chief Shilling and Staci Young for taking time to visit and help students learn more about how local government serves the community.