The board discussed school bus safety and urged the public to pay attention to all bus drivers and obey school bus “stop arms” for student safety.

Dr. Rowe reported that Friday, Aug. 23 is the school corporation’s first early release day of the school year to allow for professional development.

She also announced the annual ISBA (Indiana School Board Association) conference is coming up in September

The board heard presentation from its architect firm Moake Park Group of Ft. Wayne, and also from its construction firm Tecton Construction Management of Lafayette.

 

Personnel items

The school board approved the resignations, as presented, of Kenley Newbauer - Social Emotional Learning Specialist, and Mariesa Blake, Special Education Teacher.

Approval was given for the following employments:

  1. Mike Carlson - West Central Middle/High School Principal
  2. Toni Blaszczyk - West Central Elementary School Principal
  3. Leanna Nielsen - STEM/6th grade - current teacher
  4. Allison McCormick - Elementary teacher
  5. Krystal Gerlach - SEL for WCM/HS
  6. William Brunker - Music/Choir Teacher
  7. Natalie Wenzel - Special Education Teacher
  8. Michelle Biggs - Student Teaching Supervisor/Substitute
  9. Hannah Stevens - Cafeteria Staff
  10. April Steffel - Cafeteria Staff
  11. Allison McCormick - JV Volleyball coach
  12. Janelle Owens - 8th grade Volleyball coach
  13. Stephen Sholey - Boys Head Golf coach
  14. Sharon Miller - 7th grade volleyball coach
  15. Daniel (Buzz) Beiswanger - Volunteer assistant football coach
  16. Nate Neeley - Assistant Football coach
  17. Becky Reed - Head Co-Ed Varsity Track Coach
  18. Greg Buschman - Assistant Varsity Track Coach
  19. Hillary Durie - Assistant Varsity Track Coach
  20. Quentin Harper - Volunteer Assistant HS Track Coach
  21. Phil Leman - 5⁄6 Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  22. Quentin Harper - Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach
  23. Brittany Baker - 5⁄6 Volleyball Volunteer Assistant Coach
  24. Theresa Shea - Powell-CSS Special Education Coordinator and Diagnostician
  25. Taylor Hook - CSS Transfer from SLP-A to Special Education Coordinator
  26. Addison Goerl - CSS Preschool Speech Pathologist Assistant

 

Action items

The school board voted to approve a motion to advertise the school corporation’s 2025 Budget, 2025 Capital Projects Plan and the 2025 Bus Replacement Plan, as presented.

The board approved a list of disposal items as surplus.

Approval was given to the Medaryville Nursery School Lease Agreement.

The board voted to approve the Substitute Teacher Handbook Revisions as presented.

The board approved the overnight camp for the football high school varsity team.

The board voted to approve payroll and claims for the corporation.

 

Principal reports

Middle/high school principal Mike Carlson reported school is “off and running.”

Registration was July 30-31, and the school has several new students joining the student body. Staff has been hired and positions are filled.

The principal observed “it’s been a busy summer and we’ve found great people.” Four teachers participated in a week-long training program in July for AP-TIP. Nine staff members traveled to University of Indianapolis in June for ICC training at the Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning. Carlson said both programs are going to better prepare students for college and earn credits while still in high school.

Sports are practicing and marching band has been in this week.

 

Budget Work Session

Prior to its regular meeting, the school board met in a work session to review information pertaining to the 2025 budget.

 

  
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Local News Briefs

One-mile stretch of SR 39 closed for structure replacement

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction has closed SR 39 between CR 300 N and CR 200 N as of Monday, June 16.

SR 39 will be closed for approximately five weeks for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow SR 14, U.S. 421 and SR 10.

Pulaski County GOP caucus June 21 to fill county council vacancy

The Pulaski County Republican Party has issued a notice that it will hold a caucus at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, June 21, to fill a vacancy on the county council. The caucus will be held at the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac.

Party chairman Kenneth Boswell reports Dist. 3 councilman Jerry Locke has resigned effective June 30. A former county commissioner, Locke joined the council in July 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was then elected to a four-year term in November that year. His successor will fill the remainder of that term through 2026.

Circus comes to town June 17

Save on pre-sale tickets

WINAMAC - The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Winamac Tuesday, June 17, at the Winamac Town Park for two shows, the first starting at 5:30 p.m., and the second beginning at 7 p.m. Each show lasts about an hour and a half.

The event is sponsored by the Winamac Kiwanis Club.

Pulaski County Farmers Market open for 2025 season

Pulaski County Farmers Market is open for the summer season with a weekly location in Winamac.

The Market features fresh produce, plus, local meats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, baked goods, sweet treats, cut flowers and coffee. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays June through September, on Main Street in front of the courthouse in Winamac.

Francesville ‘Family Fun in Park’ June 28

FRANCESVILLE – The Uptown Project, in partnership with West Central Youth League, will sponsor its “Family Fun in the Park,” from 6 p.m. to sunset, Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to join in for a fun evening of fellowship at the Francesville Town Park.

  

Indiana News

4C Health purchases Curtis Building from PMH

PERU - 4C Health is marking its 50th year in business with an exciting development for Pulaski County operations with the purchase of the Curtis Building from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

The building is located north of Winamac, just off U.S. 35, at 2418 Curtis Drive.

Yakym surprises 'Hoosier Heroes' with Congressional records

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) –Congressman Rudy Yakym honored two local first responders Tuesday recognizing their “exceptional service and commitment to their communities.”

Pulaski County Deputy Christopher Parish and Culver Community Police Chief Ryleigh Carr received entries into the Congressional Record.

Young, colleagues address shortage of mental health providers in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Sen. Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in April

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in April, down from 3.1 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday, (May 22). The rate was 3.1 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,777 employed persons in a labor force of 6,943 in April. In March those numbers were 6,753 of 6,967. A year ago the numbers were 6,388 of 6.591.

  

Post News

County residents invited to Broadband Community Conversation July 8

 Pulaski County stakeholders are leading an effort to develop a comprehensive Broadband plan for the county.

This plan will identify existing conditions, needs and gaps in high-speed internet (broadband) service within the county; set a long-term vision for broadband service; and provide actionable steps and implementation guidelines for broadband service.

Local nurses form Honor Guard to pay tribute to fallen colleagues

WINAMAC - In 2023, a group of retired and active nurses, with the help of Pulaski Memorial Hospital, created a Nursing Honor Guard to assist families in honoring the compassion and dedication of nurses who have passed away - and celebrating their lives and service.

The Nursing Honor Guard is modeled after traditional military honor guards and pays tribute to the deeply personal and meaningful calling of the nursing profession.

CFoPC awards$17,000 to community organizations

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  announced Thursday (June 5) $17,000 has been awarded in grants to four local nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation works to strengthen the community through funding, convening and fostering collaboration among nonprofits to amplify their impact.

Winamac Community HS presents 2025 senior awards

WINAMAC - Winamac Community High School has announced its 2025 Senior Awards winners, honoring graduates for various academic and athletic awards, and scholarships.

The awards were presented at the annual Senior Awards program Friday evening (May 30).

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises held June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School were held Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas were presented to 81 seniors.