The ISP website notes that the resource officers serve not only as a first line of defense in an active shooter incident, but also to provide additional security within the schools to combat drug usage, bullying, and other issues often requiring law enforcement intervention.

After discussion with Dr. Rowe, the West Central Board felt that having an independent officer would be best and encouraged the superintendent to bring back costs and other information to move forward.

In other business, Dr. Rowe discussed recent legislative proposals which seek to examine local units of government cash balances. West Central’s cash balances have provided the school with the means to complete facility improvements. More improvements are needed, particularly with iron filters at the elementary school, the purchase of another school bus this year and items that did not fit into the recent bond project.

The superintendent also reported:

• West Central will be offering summer school again this year. More information will be in the upcoming spring newsletter.
• The breaker for the wind turbine repair has been ordered and PowerGrid Partners will install.

Student of the Month certificates were presented to Emma Tanner representing the elementary school, and to Conner Bunger representing the middle/high school.

Personnel items

The school board approved the following resignations:

• Terri Ray at the end of the 2024-25 school year
• Sherri LeBeau at the end of the 2024-25 school year

Approval was given to the following employments, as presented:

• Kali Rodriguez – Middle School Volleyball coach 7th or 8th TBD
• Zach Dix – Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Brandon Williams -- Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach

A maternity leave was approved for Lauren Manuel - May 3 - June 14.

Action items

The school board approved the summer hours recommendation for employees, as presented.

Approval was voted for the 2025-26 pay schedule, as presented.

The board approved the recommendation of Tammy Brick to serve on the board of trustees for the Francesville-Salem Township Public Library, as presented.

Principal reports

Middle/high school principal Mike Carlson reported that the feedback received from the first synchronous e-learning day (virtually attending a class session at the same time as the instructor and classmates) was overwhelmingly positive. Teachers said it went well and they had higher student engagement and participation than the traditional days.

The school enjoyed FFA week. It wrapped up with the ever-popular Petting Zoo.

Sunshine sponsored the first Snowball dance for high school. It was a success with students enjoying their time.

The Life Skills class hosted its own Valentine’s Dance. They invited the classes from North Judson and Rensselaer to join them with some of West Central’s National Honor Society members. “It was great to see and they were having fun,” Carlson said.

Freshman Orientation was held, and families were given details about the new diploma requirements, as well as the transition to high school.

English and Biology have given the AP Mock Exams. It’s a step toward preparing for the end-of-course exams to earn the college credit.

Carlson expressed his thanks to BraunAbility in Winamac for its donation of gloves, jackets, safety glasses and more to the school’s welding program.

Early in the month several band students participated in the Solo & Ensemble contest. At the district level, they earned 18 gold, 10 silver, and one bronze award. Those moving on to the state competition earned 2 gold and 3 silver awards. At state, Gabe Scott’s gold was with distinction. He missed a perfect score by one point. Carlson noted the pep band has also “sounded amazing” at the basketball games.

Juniors took the SAT exam March 6.

Students are looking forward to spring and warmer weather.

Elementary school principal Toni Blaszczyk shared that the students in grades 2 and 3 started the IREAD-3 State Assessment. This assessment is an online untimed multiple choice test that consists of three segments. The first measures foundational reading skills, including phonics and vocabulary. The other two segments assess the students’ ability to read and comprehend nonfiction and literary text. It is mandatory for third grade students to pass this assessment. The passing score is 446. If they do not pass it, they will receive remediation and take it a second time when the summer testing window opens. Second grade students have to take the assessment this year. If they do pass it, they will not need to take it in third grade.

The ILEARN Checkpoints 3 will begin the week of March 17. The ILEARN Checkpoints are short assessments that test Indiana's grade 3-8 students in English/Language Arts and Math. It is used to identify students' strengths and areas for improvement and help teachers prepare students for the ILEARN Assessment which will begin April 14.

CoGat the High Ability Assessment and Wida (for ELL Learners) finished up at the end of February.

Kindergarten Round up is March 13.

Principal Blaszczyk will be looking at the school’s new data over the next few weeks and discuss it with teachers during the PLC meetings to plan for student interventions for student improvement.