West Central School Board discusses increased internet usage

The school board voted to accept the bid from Midwest Transit Equipment Company for one 2015 IC/Collins, 72 passenger school bus for $83,236 and $52,647 for a Starcraft mini-bus with a wheelchair lift. Midwest will allow $6,000 for a trade-in allowance for bus 15 and $4,000 for mini-bus 4.

The Internet usage was reviewed with Superintendent Don Street. As anticipated with the1:1program, the Internet usage has increased. The need to increase bandwidth was discussed and adjustments to do so have been made. Preliminary survey results of Internet availability at home were reviewed. Approximately 82% of the students have Internet at home.

Street also reported that the new security doors are installed and working properly in the buildings.

Wind production for November has increased from the previous months. NIPSCO updated equipment at the Salem substation and performed tests with the wind turbine.

Street share a letter to local state legislators concerning the need to increase funding for career and technical education without changing the formula. If the funding formula is changed, as discussed at the state level, West Central would receive significantly less funds.

The Teacher Performance Award formula for West Central was presented to the board.

Under action items:

The board approved a resolution to conduct the necessary transfers so that all accounts have a zero or positive balance for the year of 2014. The board also resolved that funds be encumbered from the 2014 accounts for use in 2015.
American Fidelity, the corporation’s 125 plan administrator, has a plan which allows a $500 carry over to next year’s plan if participants have not spent out their medical expenses. The board voted to approve this plan.
Becky Reed and Hillary Durie asked the school board for permission to have a Sunday performance for the high school play during the 2015-16 school year. The board approved the request.
The board voted to approve the first reading of the fixed assets account policy, as presented, setting the limit at $5,000 for recording purposes.
A conference request was approved for Brian Pilarski and Mike Lattimore to attend the National Sports Clinic in Chicago with expenses to be paid by the athletic department.
A field trip request was approved for the 6th Camp Tecumseh in Brookston for September 2015.
The board voted to raise the substitute teacher pay to $65 per day beginning Jan. 1.

Under personnel items:

The board accepted the resignations of teacher Ryan Myers and varsity volleyball coach Brandi Kappes.
A maternity leave request was approved for Elizabeth Swalby.
The board voted to employ Kelly Jackson as a special education instructional assistant on a claim basis, and Sarah Pfeifer at Cooperative School Services.

"Student of the Month" certificates were presented to Arin Tarr at the middle school level, and Angel Carrillo at the elementary level (but who was unable to attend the meeting).

A recognition plaque was presented to retiring school board member Kerry Miller honoring him for his 16 years of service to the West Central School Corporation.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that December will be a short and busy month. On Dec. 5 Title I will host its annual Donuts with Dad event. The Christmas program will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16. It will include grades 1, 3 and 5.

For the Thursday morning PD (professional development) sessions organizers have had the unit leaders meet with grade-level teams to review information from the Department of Education. All elementary teachers also took a practice test on the new “Indiana Academic Standards” so they could experience the same test that their students will experience. The staff has also spent time reviewing technology use and evaluating effectiveness of current educational programs in use.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that on Nov. 11, West Central hosted the Veteran’s Day program in the gymnasium. Guest speaker Larry Brady provided an inspirational message to middle school and high school students. Veterans were invited to stay after the program and served lunch by student council members. A special thank you is extended to the veterans and their families for their service to our country.

Thanks to the hard work of Mrs. Gainor, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Pelsy, and the middle school staff, the middle school Student Achievement Plan for the DOE has been submitted for review. With the assistance of Mrs. Pelsy, the middle school has reviewed data from last year’s ISTEP scores and this year’s Acuity tests. The data reviewed proved very insightful for the staff. The goal is to continue to improve student learning and improve the middle school letter grade. Currently the middle school is still considered a Focus School by the DOE, and the staff continues to work to make strides to enhance student learning.

The middle school is also preparing for the second round of the Acuity testing for all students. The Acuity is a grade-level test used to determine student strengths and areas of improvement. The Acuity test has changed to mirror the changes to the upcoming ISTEP test in the spring. Also, the high school is preparing for the End of Course Assessment (ECA) in December. Students will be tested in the areas of Algebra I and English/Language Arts.

On Monday, Dec. 15, West Central will host a Winter Concert. Performances from the high school, middle school, and Jazz band as well as performances by the high school choir will highlight the evening. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

The end of the semester will be on Friday, Dec. 19. Culp said students and staff are working hard to end the term strong.

Prior to the regular board meeting, the school board met in executive session “to discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees,” in accordance with state law.