He stated that many different people are doing many different portions of curriculum development at each building. He added this position could encompass curriculum development, grant administration and other duties as deemed necessary. Salary and education were discussed as well. 

In other business, Foster recommended amending the 2015-16 school year calendar to relieve end-of-school-year pressure resulting from school make-up days. The recommendation includes adding school days on Dec. 21 and 22, using those two days for final exams for the first semester; making April 22, 2016 a regular school day (the current calendar has it as a no-school or make-up day); and making May 20 the last student day, ending school before Memorial Day.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the calendar as amended. 

Foster recommended refinancing the 2006 pension bonds. He reported this refinance will save well over $100,000 and be applied to the school account, adding this is a "win-win" for taxpayers.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the refinancing. 

High School students Hannah Wilson and Anthony Ricchio were selected as the first and second alternates respectively for the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation School Board Scholarship.  Amber Thompson is this year’s recipient.

 With former operations manager Dave DeLorenzo leaving and with the ongoing building rennovation project, Foster explained to the board that extra help is needed for manual labor-type duties, including mowing and moving furniture. These would be temporary, full-time positions, possibly through September. After discussion, the board voted to hire two summer employees. 

After finding that some students are attempting to repair or replace parts on their school-assigned iPad, Foster recommended amending the Student iPad Agreement, adding that all repairs and replacements must be done by Eastern Pulaski Schools Technology Department.  After discussion on iPad usage, the board voted to amend the Student iPad Agreement. 

Foster recommended the purchase new staff iPads.  The new version will have more storage space.  There are funds budgeted in Capital Projects for this purchase. The board approved the recommendation.

After discussion, the board approved the social studies textbook adoption, as recommended by each building’s adoption committee. 

Foster recommended declaring old weight room equipment as surplus equipment and to dispose of it properly.  There is an online auction for some of the equipment.  After discussion, the board voted to accept the recommendation.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending May 31.  The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all corporation funds had positive balances, on track with previous years.

Personnel: 

The following individuals submitted their retirement requests:

  • Barbara Behnke – Mrs. Behnke has been a high school science teacher for 28 years.
  • Sarah Bonnell – Mrs. Bonnell has been an elementary school teacher for 32 years.
  • Marsha Good – Mrs. Good has been an elementary school instructional assistant for 13 years.
  • Judy Poor – Mrs. Poor has served as an instructional assistant and bus driver for 30 years.

Foster thanked each for their years of service, their dedication to education, and wished them well.  

Michelle Parks, Wyatt Schmicker and Danna Sommers submitted their resignations as instructional assistants at the elementary school. 

Meredith Fitch was recommended to fill one of the open high school English teaching positions. 

Rick Green was recommended for the position of Director of Operations, overseeing all custodial and maintenance operations. 

Cody Hook, middle school social studies teacher, was recommended for the open varsity wrestling coach position.

Administrator contracts for principals Jill Collins, Rick DeFries, Ryan Dickinson, and athletic director Bill Ball were recommended, with a one-year extension, but no increase in pay at this time.

After discussion, the board voted to approve all requests and recommendations regarding personnel, as submitted. 

Field trip requests were approved by the board as follows:

  • Kyle Johnson, varsity boys’ basketball coach, submitted an overnight field trip request to Spiece Fieldhouse in Ft. Wayne. The team has taken this trip in the past. 
  • Sponsors  Erica Richwine and Shannon Burgess submitted a field trip request for Sunshine Society to take their annual mother-daughter trip to Chicago in November. This trip has been taken for many years. 
  • Jenni Belcher, varsity softball coach, submitted an overnight field trip request for a softball camp and overnight field trip. This trip was taken last year. 
  • Scott Roudebush, varsity golf coach, submitted an overnight field trip request to take the varsity golf team to regional competition in Battle Ground. 

Reports:

Foster reported on the following: 

  • Bus Inspection will be June 29. 
  • Appreciation Breakfast: A very nice program with five retirees recognized.
  • Graduation: The program went well. The Class of 2015 was congratulated and wished well. 
  • The elementary school renovations are moving forward with bids going out next week.
  • With golf and softball winning their sectionals that makes seven sectional wins this school year, which is a record.  Four students went to state last week for track and field – Claire Collins, Kyle Collins (achieving a new record in the 1600 meter), Bill Williamson (achieving a new record in the pole vault), and Zen Zupin (achieving a new record in the 800 meter). All students were commended. 

During board comment the following were commended: all of the retiring staff, the staff helping to move the weight room equipment, Mrs. Dickinson for painting the mural on the weight room wall, the textbook adoption committee, and the graduating class of 2015.

 

Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

PCT invites photographers to capture spirit of county in photo contest

Participate, share perspective on county

Pulaski County Tribe (PCT) has announced the launch of the "Embrace the Pace Pulaski County" photography contest, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase life in Pulaski County through the lens of their cameras.

“With cash prizes and the opportunity to have your work displayed county-wide, this contest is an exciting way to celebrate the beauty and community of Pulaski County,” said Brandi Larkin, PCT president.

 

Indiana News

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

 

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.