In other business, teacher Rob Evans prepared a summary of the "Active Shooter” training that took place in Monterey Saturday, Feb 23. This was an exercise for all Pulaski County area emergency response personnel which simmulated a shooting incident at the former Monterey Elementary School.
Ten West Central students participated in the activity, along with Mrs. Reed, who also transported the students. Evans attended the event as an observer in preparation for a similar drill at West Central.
Also in other business, the board members agreed to allow a caseworker from Four County Counseling to use the elementary school to meet with residents who are in need of counseling services. This will allow residents to have a safe, comfortable and geographically close location to receive services which will allow more West Central students to get the services that they need.
Under discussion items, Superintendent Charles Mellon reviewed the minutes of the Professional Relations meeting that was held Feb. 28. He also led discussion on the replacement of the school corporation's utility tractor. Quotes were gathered from four dealers in the area. In addition, the five-year history of vocational class enrollment was reviewed and commented on by middle/high school principal Don Street. Lastly, an update on the field lighting project was presented.
During his report, Principal Street announced that the middle school play, The Real Housewives of Cricket County, will be performed on Friday (March 8). The middle school ISTEP testing began this past week. The Spring Sports Pancake Breakfast will be held Saturday morning (March 9). The third term will end Tuesday (March 12) and the fourth term will begin Wednesday. Report cards will be distributed on Friday, March 15. The annual Sports Spectacular will be held on Friday, March 15. The middle school and high school teachers have been studying higher level questioning, adding rigor to school work and dealing with student failure.
Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that the school had a Department of Education Site Visit Feb. 20 from Ben Carter, a school improvement support specialist. Carter verified the steps West Central is taking with its school improvement plan and commended the school’s positive climate. In February, students took the third and final Predictive Acuity test. They showed gains in math compared with the last test. The Winter Music Program was held Feb, 28. Grades 2 and 3 performed the music program “Gotta Be Jazz” to a full gym under the direction of Miss Laura Hilger. Our Thursday morning PD sessions were used to make more progress in curriculum mapping, develop staff skills using Google Docs, and go over the last round of Acuity data. Students in grades 3-5 are currently in the process of taking the ISTEP+ Applied Skills test.
The school board extended its gratitude to Glenn Tanner and Ron Schultz for the "excellent" job in clearing the parking lot, sidewalks and entrances following the snowfall Tuesday. The clearing process began at 1 a.m., Wednesday morning.
The board voted to accept the following retirements, as presented, effective at the end of the current school year. Many thanks were extended to these individuals for their years of service to the school
corporation.
- Betty Sprunger - Teacher
- Cheryl Podell – Teacher
- Jenni Garten – Teacher
- Linda Ferguson – Teacher
- Donna Baer – Special Ed. Coordinator – Cooperative School Services
The board approved the resignation from Stacey Grisel as a custodian effective at the end of the school year.
The board approved extending the maternity leave request from Joy Schlatter as presented.
The board voted to approve the revision to the building rental contact as presented. The rental fee will now include the employer’s share of FICA.
The board voted to approve the amended M.A.S.E. Insurance Agreement.
The board appointed Roberta Geyer to the Francesville/Salem Township Public Library board. Mrs. Geyer will replace Mrs. Doll who chose to relinquish this position.
The board honored the following "students of the month" with certificates: Leslie Bernal at the elementary, Michael Bathke at the middle school level, and Mercy Birch at the high school level.
