Board president Jim Bergens asked for questions or comments at the hearing, but none were voiced and the 2016 budget hearing was closed.
In other business, the board reviewed the renewal with Regions Insurance for the 2015-16 school year. The board then voted to approve the property and liability insurance renewal with Regions Insurance, as presented.
Street reviewed the Northern Indiana Educational Service Center consolidated purchasing power. The estimated savings is $31,000 as a result of cooperative bulk purchasing.
Street also reported on the following:
- The wind turbine performance report was reviewed.
- Cyber insurance and cyber security were discussed. Additional information will be gathered and discussed in the future.
- The school improvement plans are due by March 1, 2016 as a result of the Spring 2015 ISTEP scores not being returned until December or later.
- The Indiana Department of Education will require all schools to use the new AdvancED/NCA school improvement program. West Central School Corporation is an Accredited AdvancED/NCA District.
The board voted to approve the following resignations as presented:
- Heather Beach – Language Arts
- Ryan Radtke – Industrial Technology
- Derek DeRoo – Instructional Assistant
- Marc Hall – Boys Varsity Track Coach
- Don Anderson – Cooperative School Services
- Sherrie LeBeau – Cooperative School Services
Approval was given to the following employment items as presented:
- Tyler DeMoss – Industrial Techonology/Asst. Varsity Baseball
- Lisa Baker – Language Arts
- Jenna Wojdula – Band/Choir
- Kristin Cullen – High School Custodian
- Lori Fort – Elementary Cafeteria
- David Schultheiss – JV Boys Basketball
- Mike McKay – Varsity Baseball
- Natalie Wenzel – Asst. Volleyball Coach
A leave of absence was approved for Anna DeRoo for maternity leave.
Conference requests were approved for the following:
- Courtney Cervenka – IRCA Autism Conference
- Pat Culp – Safety Academy Advanced Training
- Dan Zylstra – AdvancED District Accreditation Visit
- Jessica Murray, Cathy Risner and Brittany Mendiola – Gordon Food Service Food Show
A field trip request was approved for the FFA to attend the FFA National Convention.
The board voted to accept the Indian Trails Career & Technical Agreement as presented.
The board voted to accept the vision insurance renewal plan as presented.
Four-County Counseling Center provides, at no cost, a case worker to work with school age clients at West Central. The board voted to accept the clinical service memorandum of understanding Four-County agreement, as presented.
Student-of-the-Month certificates were presented to Mason Istre at the elementary school and Kendra Grigsby at the high school. Board member Gary Gudeman read the teacher recommendation to the board as Manny Hoover was not able to attend the meeting honoring him for being selected as Student-of-the-Month at the middle school.
Principal reports:
Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported the elementary has had "a great start to the school year and all classes are in full swing."
Students will have their fall pictures taken Sept. 9, and Dr. Kim Moyer will be in school on Sept. 10 to do kindergarten vision screenings. Zylstra noted she deserves special thanks in advance for her service to the school corporation. Students in grades 3-5 will take their first round of Acuity testing starting Sept. 14.
The Community Foundation of Pulaski County’s “Friends of Philanthropy Club” will take place again this year from Sept. 28-30. More details about how students can participate will be sent home soon. The Fall Book Fair will be held from Oct. 5-9, with a preview day on Oct. 2.
Middle/high school principal Pat Culp shared that on Aug. 24, West Central School Corp. was honored to hear the story of Rachel Joy Scott during the Rachel’s Challenge program. Rachel Scott was the first student killed at Columbine High School. Students also participated in a separate training session to generate ideas and plans for continuing the message of compassion and kindness delivered in Rachel’s Challenge.
On Sept. 14 and 15, the sixth-grade students and teachers will again attend a camping trip at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston. Students will be challenged with team building activities, educational opportunities, and fun during the two-day trip. Culp thanked the sixth-grade teachers, Kathy Minnick, Jennifer Istre, Emma Kiser, and Chelsea Reed for their preparation and hard work organizing the trip.
At the middle school, students and teachers are adjusting to the new schedule. Students are on an eight-period day as opposed to the Block 4. Teachers see all their students every day, and more time is built in for students to receive remediation and enrichment.
Students and staff have been exposed to ¨The West Central Way”, focusing on five principles of Servanthood, Thankfulness, Unity, Humility and Passion. Students and staff were introduced to the principles during start of the year meetings. The West Central Way is visible to all students and staff.
