In other business, the board voted to extend the terms of the current master contract for teachers through the 2013-14 school year, as presented. Mellon said this is the fourth year of a five-year agreement with the teachers, so the school corporation is locked into language and salary on the contract.

Under discussion items, school safety director Chuck Evans addressed three topics with the school board.

First, he reported that school corporations throughout the state may apply for a Secure School Safety Grant. West Central is pursuing this grant to help pay for equipment that would secure the front door entrances in each of the three buildings.  The estimated cost of the project is between $17,000 and $20,000, of which the grant would pay for half.

Secondly, Evans said a procedure for reporting and investigating bullying in the school is in place.  Brochures are available online or at each school that explain the process.

Thirdly, Evans, who is also the school's athletic director, announced the school administration is recommending to the school board to move to a new athletic conference to the north. The new conference schools include Caston, Culver, Knox, LaVille, North Judson, Pioneer, Triton, West Central and Winamac. 

The coaches, athletes and parents of athletes were given the opportunity to complete a survey indicating their desire to stay in the Midwest Conference or move to the new conference.  All groups surveyed chose to move to the new conference.  The next step in the process is for West Central to apply for membership in the new conference and be accepted. If West Central is not accepted, the school will remain in the Midwest Conference.

Mellon presented some important dates to the board. The M.A.S.E. Insurance Trust will meet on Sept. 26 to establish renewal rates for 2014.  ISTEP results are to be available on Monday, Sept. 9. The ADM (average daily membership) count will be taken on Friday, Sept. 13. School funding is based on this student count.

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that registration is complete, and the school year is off to a great start. On Aug. 29 the PTC sponsored an anti-bullying presentation by Richard Paul, an award-winning presenter and ventriloquist. Nurse Metzger arranged for Dr. Moyer to come in and do vision screenings for kindergarteners Sept. 5. The elementary school will have Title I Parent Meetings on Sept. 11 at 3:15 p.m., and at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. The book fair will begin on Sept. 25. Students finished their benchmark testing on Aug. 23, and they will take their first round of Acuity testing beginning on Sept. 23. Zylstra also reported the Thursday morning professional development sessions have been used to brief teachers on the use of IPADs and Chromebooks in the classroom, utilize the new data software, and collaborate regarding student behaviors.

Middle/high school principal Don Street reported that the 6th Grade camping trip is Monday, Sept. 9 and Tuesday, Sept. 10.  The teachers are prepared. The MS/HS parent-teacher conferences for the first term are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 3:30 to 6 p.m.  The third annual Health Fair will be in the hallways during P-T conferences.  Picture day is Wednesday, Sept. 11 for MS and HS.

Under action items, the board accepted the resignations of language arts teacher Megan Jungels and instructional assistant Becky Huber.

The board voted to employ Meredith Fitch  as language arts teacher,  Brandy Aschbrenner  as instructional assistant, and Camie Kipta for the Cooperative School Services program.

The board voted to approve the following conference requests, as presented:

• Megan Kaluf, Courtney Cervenka, Mary Chesser, Mark Hamilton, Hillary Durie, Kris Aschbrenner – PATINS Conference in Indianapolis.
• Kris Aschbrenner, Rob Evans – HECC Conference in Indianapolis.
• Jessica Murray – Gordon Foodservice Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• Don Street – IASP Conference in Indianapolis.

The board went over insurance quotes for the 2013-14 school year. The board voted to award the property and liability insurance renewal to Hanover Insurance contingent upon pending adjustments being made to the Workman’s Compensation Hartford quote. The motion included directing the Superintendent and the insurance committee, upon final review, to move forward in accepting a final quote. 

The board voted to approve the 2013-14 Title I grant, as presented.

The board presented "Student of the Month" certificates to Kailee Bishop at the elementary school level, Cole Salyers at the middle school, and Hayley Smith at the high school.