Other parents added their children are afraid to use restrooms or attend some school activities for fear of bullies. Discussion was held on where bullying is happening, whom it is happening to, and programs being offered to prevent/stop bullying. Board present Mike Tetzloff thanked everyone for their comments and said  their concerns will be looked into with a report at the next meeting.

Later, Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman said he has met with the staff at all three schools to discuss the bullying issue and to review the programs the school has in place to prevent bullying. "We want to look for programs that work, and not waste our time with those that aren't helping," he said. For many years the school has had several policies and programs in place regarding bullying.

"Bullying happens whenever you have students who feel they are above the rules, and where common courtesy to others is not their forte'," he continued. "We have now asked our faculty and staff to be more vigilant and visible wherever students can mingle - in stairways, hallways, restrooms and so on."

He added that school officials have encouraged students who have been victimized to come to teachers and administrators in a timely manner to report the abuse.

Klitzman said the bullying has mostly been in the form of "picking on" and "name-calling" their targets. He disagrees that any particular incident or snowballing situation has brought the issue into the current limelight at Winamac. "This issue is constant and it is everywhere, every school and every community. The degrees may vary, but it is all around."

He added that the problem transcends the school walls and is particularly viral on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs and cell phone texts. It often stems from jealousies among students, but he said the worst involves ugly items posted following boyfriend/girlfriend break-ups. "Students become brave and bold on this media," he said.

Klitzman said he has spoken about the problem with local law enforcement officials who report that beyond the schools the bullying often occurs in the town park and local fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. He said some of these businesses have banned certain students from their properties.

Klitzman acknowledged that one of the reasons the issue is gaining public attention is that the victims are stepping forward and receiving more support from the schools and community. "There is more recognition of the issue," he said.

Finally, he reported that school-community programs on respect, and especially the ramifications of doing wrong are being developed with the first to be offered next month. "Students need to understand how these behaviors can come back to haunt them later in life," Klitzman noted. "Scholarship providers, colleges and employers are now regularly screening social media as part of their scrutiny in application processes."

School board approves repairs to elementary’s HVAC system

In other business the school board approved a recommendation repair he elementary school’s HVAC system. Quotes were received from TRANE and McGrath. The current system is TRANE equipment and discussion concluded it is good sense to stay with the same equipment, but McGrath’s work performance has been superior to that of TRANE. The quotes offered between McGrath and Trane are either negligible, or in favor of McGrath, depending on the final cost. It was approved to have McGrath do the project with TRANE Equipment.. 

Shamrocks for Tornado Victims: Eastern Pulaski Elementary School provided students and staff the opportunity to donate to the American Red Cross Tornado relief fund by purchasing a green shamrock to be placed on the school windows. Students were encouraged to make a donation in any amount. " We want to show our students that every penny counts!" explained Principal Jill Collins. EPES raised and will send $1,457 to the American Red Cross on behalf of the school community. Photo provided

The 2012-13 and 2013-14 School Year Calendars were approved as submitted. The calendar committee members Jeff Beach, Becky Despot, Pam Agnew, John Kwiatkowski, and Dr. Klitzman, surveyed staff and reviewed their comments to build the calendars.

The 2012-13 calendar has the first day for students on Aug. 15, Fall Break is Oct. 12-15, Thanksgiving Break is Nov. 22-23, Christmas Break begins on Dec. 20 and continues through Jan. 2, Spring Break is March 25-29, and the last day for students is May 31.

The 2013-14 School Year Calendar has the first day for students on Aug. 14, Fall Break is Oct. 11-14, Thanksgiving Break is Nov. 21-22, Christmas Break begins Dec. 23 and continues through Jan. 3, Spring Break is March 24-28, and the last day for students is May 30.

More donations for the grand piano purchase were accepted: Brian/MacKenzie Ledley (in honor of Emily Russell) $300; Rex/Nancy Allman $1,000; Larry/Sherry Beach $250; Bill/Peach Roth $500; Tom/Tammy Halleck $250; Mike/Jennifer Tetzloff $250; Pat/Judy Sanders $1,000; Mike/Beth McClure $250; and Martin/Mary Finley $10,000.  The total exceeds the $40,000 target.  The school board expressed its gratitude for the generous donations.

The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all corporation funds had positive balances.  The General Fund Comparison Statement indicated that 45.4% of the yearly appropriation remained; there will be three payrolls in March.  All claims were approved as presented.

Sharon Honeycutt submitted her resignation to begin a new career path as an author.  She has one book published and would like to continue that path.  Her resignation was approved as submitted.

Elementary school teacher Jenise Barnhouse was approved for retirement.  Ms. Barnhouse has been in education for a total of 33 years — 31 at Eastern Pulaski Schools.  She has taught Kindergarten, first grade and third grade. She was wished well and her career was highlighted — she has taught 1,127 students; 26 duplicate students; and she has taught either one or both parents to 10 students.

Bus driver Judy Poor was approved for a non-paid special leave to travel out-of-state.

Dr. Klitzman’s contract was extended for one year.

Teacher Steve Slaven and the middle school Science Olympiad team were approved to compete at the state finals, March 23 and 24 at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Girls basketball coach Jeff Wagner was approved to once again take the girls basketball team to D-1 Camp at Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne, July 12-15.

School Board Policy Section 600 — Purchase of Equipment and Supplies was approved as submitted. The policy was modified to accommodate the Indiana State Board of Accounts’ request to make a stronger policy on the use of the school credit card. 
 
Reports:

Dr. Klitzman reported on the following items:

• Attendance as of last week is as follows: ES — 97.1%; MS — 97.3%; HS — 96.2%.  All buildings encourage attendance on a regular basis.
• RISE Evaluation: Teachers will be put into four categories: Highly Effective, Effective, Improvement Necessary, and Ineffective, with four different domains: Planning, Instruction, Leadership, and Professionalism. The RISE evaluation is being supported by the Department of Education and is a state-run project.
• Legislative Update: the short session of the Indiana General Assembly ended March 10. Information is being circulated on what survived. School Finance, dealing with how the Capital Projects Fund can be spent, failed. Funding was increased for Full Day Kindergarten — from $1,400 to $2,400. Student enrollment/attendance is a major part of state funding and now there will be two student count dates beginning next school year, one in September (for funding in January) and one in February (funding adjusted).
• The ISBA Regional Meeting will be Tuesday, April 3, in Plymouth.
• On March 6, Dr. Klitzman provided the welcome at the Super Bowl Academic Competition to the 8 schools attending.

Shelby Lanie, AP biology student, along with high school AP biology teacher Barb Behnke, reported on their trip to the Science and Humanities Symposium, March 8-10. Three students presented their research, including Shelby. Her project was called “Ovine Corn Preferences with Respect to Genetically Modified and Non- Genetically Modified Varieties: Competitive and Non-Competitive Settings.”

Members of the Safe Routes to School Committee were in attendance to present the focus of the program. Safe Routes to School is based on the federal program designed to make walking and bicycling to school safe and routine.

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported that the school’s Open House and Science Fair will be  March 20, from 5 to 6 p.m. The “Shamrock Shuffle,” part of the elementary school fitness program, will be March 17. Third grade students will be taking the IREAD Assessment — a mandatory test before they can move on to fourth grade. A parent friendly binder, compiled by Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Despot, will be given to all incoming Kindergarten parents to help them better understand the reading program.

Middle school principal Stan Good reported the middle school Science Olympiad Team will advance to state finals on March 24; Mr. Slaven was commended for sponsoring the team. At the last professional development session, RISE (teacher evaluations) was discussed, with Dr. Klitzman presenting the material.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that high school teacher Jeremy Wagner received a Lilly Fellowship Grant and will tour Europe for five weeks this summer studying physics. Eight AP biology students attended the Science/Humanities Symposium, along with teacher Mrs. Behnke — three students presented their research. Teacher Duane Johansen will spend time at Indiana University this summer researching literature from other countries. The boys’ basketball sectional was well run by athletic director Bill Ball and many volunteers. The Spring Musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” will be held March 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., and March 18 at 1and 6 p.m., in the Socialtorium. On March 9, DeFries talked to the entire high school student body about the dangers of social media sites, bullying, respecting others, and the Golden Rule — “Treating others as you would like to be treated.”

The school board meeting was opened by the elementary school Express Choir who sang the National Anthem. The following Kindergarten students read books to board members: Lilly Bennett, Piper Link, Olivia Link, Ava Haselby, Max Keller, Noah Garner, and Morgan Benninghoff.

During the school board comment period, Ms. Barnhouse and Mrs. Honeycutt were commended for their years of service and wished well. The Kindergarten readers, Express Choir, piano donors, calendar committee, Jeremy Wagner (Lilly Fellowship Grant), Safe Routes Presenters, Steve Slaven (Science Olympiad), Bill Ball and Rick DeFries (boys’ basketball sectional) were all commended. Handicapped parking was discussed. Board member Chris Schramm announced that he will not run for the board in December, when his term is up. He commended the school for all the accomplishments.

The next school board meeting will be Monday, April 9, in the Distance Learning Lab.