When this project began the plan was for all seventh grade students to have an iPad this year and for the current sixth grade to get one next year when they enter seventh grade. The following year we would do the same for the sixth grade and at the same time add more handheld devices at the high school level through subjects that would be most conducive to this technology to aid in student learning. To help offset this expenditure funds will be used that have been set aside to replace computers in labs and throughout the middle/high school.

Penny War: The Winamac Community High School Student Council recently sponsored a "Penny War" to benefit Peyton Manning's Children's Hospital at St. Vincent's Hospital. The students also collected pennies in honor of their own high school teacher Mary Plummer's grandson, Aiden Spoor (above left) who is a Hero Ambassador for the hospital.	He was diagnosed last year with leukemia and is still taking treatments. On Monday, Aiden, along with Maddie Robertson a representative from the hospital appeared at a small convocation at the school to share their stories. WCHS raised over $2,400 over a five-day period. Student body president Ralph Thomas presented a check for the amount to Aiden and Robertson.

In other business, Dr. Klitzman reported that since the school budget was completed last January, legislators passed a statute allowing schools, over a three-year time period, to gradually neutralize the cost of the teachers' pension bond levy through one of the other funds – not including the General Fund. This came about because the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) started interpreting the current law in a new light and decided last year that only Capital Projects Funds can be used to offset pension bonds. Many schools were using Transportation Funds and other funds to do the offset. So the legislature agreed to do a three-year phase-in into other funds. To accommodate this phase-in a resolution was presented and approved.

Dr. Klitzman announced that this is the time of year when the school reviews its bus fleed to decide which ones to trade in on new buses. This is also a part of the Transportation Budget process in that the corporation is required to have a 12-year Bus Replacement Plan. The bus purchase committee (Mrs. Fritz, Mr. Tetzloff, Mr. DeLorenzo, and Dr. Klitzman) met to review the status of the bus fleet and recommended to purchase/trade-in two buses and to purchase one 14-passenger utility bus. The committee proposed to not trade in an existing utility bus and to convert it to transport equipment for academic teams, music groups, athletics, etc., by taking out all the seats (except the driver’s seat) and installing a protective wall between the body of the bus and driver. The proposal was approved as presented.

A donation of $1,000 from NIPSCO to help upgrade the school system's Weatherbug System was approved as presented. This past summer a storm damaged the current unit thus causing it to stop transmitting data. The insurance carrier paid to replace what the school had. However, the system is at least 12 years old and lacking some of the upgrades that are available, so the donation from NIPSCO and Fulton County REMC (donated last month) will be used to upgrade the system.

REPORTS:

A statistical summary of the Class of 2012 was presented by high school counselor Kate Daily, who thanked Rhonda Malott for gathering the information. Fifty-two percent of the class is attending a 4-year, up from 41 percent last year. The report also included where each student went after graduation (college, vocational school, workforce, military).

Mrs. Daily highlighted the merits of the dual credit courses, co-op, AP, and mentorship programs. Twenty-eight students took dual credit courses from the graduating class, earning 265 credit hours at $25 per credit hour — much cheaper than college credit hours. The students attending the Century Career Center were highlighted. Local industry is seeking students with skilled trades such as welding. This summer some WCHS students were interviewed and employed by local industry in the area of welding.

Elementary school principal Jill Collins eported that 97 percent of parents/guardians participated in Parent/Teacher Conferences on Sept. 24. Upcoming educational field trips were announced. Third grade will host a Grandparents Program Oct. 11. The PTA was thanked for all of its support. Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated the last week in October. There were over 700 RSVP for Donuts with Dad on Oct. 5.

HIgh school principal Rick DeFries reported that Sept. 21, was Armed Services Night at the football game. Service men and women were honored and jerseys were auctioned to raise over $4,400 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Many parents were contacted by teachers for Parent/Teacher Conferences at various times other than on Sept. 24, with good results. There were 38 units collected from the blood drive on Oct. 3. The WKVI Spotlight on Excellence on Sept. 28, highlighted Senior Shelby Lanie for her involvement in extra curricular activities and tutoring of other students.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that acuity testing is finishing up and will help to measure how students will do on the ISTEP test. The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) was thanked for volunteering its time. Twenty-three students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on Sept. 25. Dr. Gordon and Mr. King are the sponsors. The band and choir Fall Concert is Oct. 8, 

• Enrollment Figures — the enrollment on the official count date was 1,190 (Kindergarten students are counted as half). Enrollment has decreased this year compared to last year by 34 students, but up by 8 from two years ago. State funding is directly linked to enrollment and the decrease in enrollment will give the school corporation approximately $200,000 in funding for 2013.
• ISBA State Conference in Indianapolis — the conference had some good sessions and speakers. Of particular interest were sessions on Reading, Technology, the A-F school accreditation system, and the state economy. The governor and state superintendent candidates spoke as well.
• Health Insurance (MASE) – the increase in health insurance premiums beginning January 2013, will be 10% — last year was 6.5%. The Trust is offering programs to help participants stay healthy – a blood screening was held in September and flu shots will be offered in October at no cost to employees.
• The Holiday Season is quickly approaching – Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Interviews for a new Head Baseball coach will begin soon.
• The November board meeting (12^th) will begin with a budget work session at 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.

The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all accounts had positive balances. The General Fund Comparison Statement indicated that 86.69% of the yearly appropriation remained. All claims were approved as presented. 

Sunshine Society was approved to take its annual field trip to Chicago on Nov. 18. Student Council was approved attend the State Convention Nov. 3 and 4, in Indianapolis.

During Board comment the following were commended: the principals for their reports; NIPSCO for its donation; the PTA; Mrs. Burger and Mrs. Absher for their time as Sunshine sponsors, and Mrs. Burgess and Mrs. Richwine as the new sponsors; Shelby Lanie; the PAC Committee; the NJHS inductees; and Mrs. Daily.

During Public Comment Mrs. Shari Wagner voiced her concern on athlete playing time and lettering.

The next regular school board meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in the Distance Learning Lab.