West Central considers adding a pre-school program

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that currently, the school is gauging interest levels. Preschool surveys are available on the elementary school website, in the Communicator, and in the elementary school’s Trojan News. They should be returned to the elementary school office.

In other business, the board approved the FY 16 Secured Safety Grant. The total grant amount is $28,842.20 for 1,285.10 square feet of Clear-Armor laminates for the entrance doors and windows. It will enhance the security of the entrance doors and windows by reducing the probability of someone breaking the glass and entering the school.

Under personnel items:

The board approved the following resignations, as presented:

Brandy Aschbrenner – Instructional Aide
Jennifer Owens – Girls Varsity Softball

Approval was given to the following for employment, as presented:

E.Anne Ketchen – Long term substitute for Elementary Music maternity leave
Marlana Lewark – JV/Varsity Girls Basketball assistant coach
Mark Hamilton – High School Varsity Track coach
Lisa Baker – Volunteer High School Track coach
Jodi Schlatter – Title 1 Program administrator

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

Kellis Gutwein – Personal Leave – Elementary Teacher
Lisa Baker – Personal Leave – High School Teacher
Becky Reed – Personal Leave – High School Teacher
Jennifer Istre – Personal Leave – Middle School Teacher

Conference requests were approved for the following, as presented:

IAG (High Ability) Conference – December 14-15, 2015 – Janet Kruger, Sarah Sensibaugh, Hillary Durie, Kathy Minnick, Emma Kiser – paid by High Ability Grant
Future of Education Technology Conference – January 12-16, 2016 – Joanne Stevens, Marci Kennedy – all expenses are to be paid by Indian Trails

Field trip requests were approved for the following, as presented:

FCA – Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, December 20, 2015

Other action items:

The board voted to approve the 2015-16 Cooperative School Services Contracts, as presented.

The recommended changes to the course description books were reviewed. The board then voted to approve the high school course description book changes for the 2016-17 school year, as presented.

Approval was given to the 2015-16 high ability grant application as presented.

The board voted to designate Shannon Fritz as the corporation representative in the presentation or defense in Small Claims Court on claims arising out of the business of the corporation, not exceeding $1,500.

"Student of the Month" certificates were presented to Addison Berkshire at the elementary school level, Samantha Garlach at the middle school level and Elijah Huddleston at the high school level.

Superintendent Don Street reported on the following:

West Central School Corporation scored a 100% by the Indiana Department of Education with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Audit.
The 2015 Career/Technical Funding 30 A was shared with the board.
The Pulaski County Public Library Medaryville Branch is closing. A letter from the PCCPL Board was sent to many community members.
The Indiana Department of Education is conducting its School Nutrition Audit.
Students took an Internet Survey. The survey results stated that 83.4% of West Central students have Internet at home. Consideration will be given on continuing E-learning days on Saturdays. Snow make-up days would be used before E-learning.
Enrollment projections for the next two school years were presented.
Several promotional projects are being planned to share the outstanding programs available at WCSC, such as the 30 dual credits available through universities and numerous career and technical courses such health occupations/sciences, welding, agriculture, business, advanced manufacturing, and family and consumer science.
Several school projects are underway. Maintenance with the outside light poles was completed.
Julie Hart reupholstered the elementary chairs. It was reported she did an "outstanding job," and the board extended its sincere thanks.

Principal reports:

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp informed the board that Richard Boehning, a 1955 graduate of Francesville High School, has graciously donated funds in honor of his late wife Phyllis Albrecht Boehning, also a 1955 graduate of Francesville High School, for the purchase of a Personal Finance curriculum.

The eighth-grade students participated in the Reality Store recently. Students, with the help of community partners, were able to learn ¨real world¨ costs of housing, taxes, clothing, rent, etc.

The FFA participated in the National FFA convention in Louisville recently. FFA President Regan Culp shared some highlights from the convention:

¨Amplify your impact - a saying FFA officers often heard as we attended the 88th National FFA Convention. My teammates and I attended several sessions along with leadership trainings to listen to keynote speakers who told us how they have touched others and witnessed change. We heard retiring addresses from the national FFA officers where we were told to shine our greatness, live life to the fullest, listen to our hearts, and follow our dreams. They shared their personal experiences and experiences they had heard about from others which gave us a glimpse into other chapters experiences. My officers and I met other FFA members from across the nation! Including a chapter from Puerto Rico! We bonded and sparked new ideas that would benefit our chapter in many ways. We are going to use these new ideas to expand our chapter. Our chapter will become better as we amplify our experiences to get our members more involved. National Convention was a great opportunity and we can't wait to go back next year!¨

The student council hosted a dance marathon to raise awareness for Riley Hospital. On Nov. 7 and 8, the student council participated in the State Student Council Convention in Indianapolis. The student council was honored to host the Veteran´s Day program. Don Nezda spoke to students in grades 5-12.

Upcoming: West Central MS/HS will host Parent/Teacher conferences on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The tentative results of the Spring 2015 ISTEP results were shared. All parents are encouraged to request a rescore due to the questionable validity of the test.

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra said students were busy in October sending Christmas cards to U.S. troops. The Medaryville American Legion purchased Christmas Cards from the Life Skills Class, elementary students signed them, and the ladies from the Medaryville American Legion sent them out to troops in time for Christmas. The school thanks everyone involved for their efforts.

The PTC finished its Fall Catalogue Fundraiser in October. The top selling students will get to hit Mr. Zylstra in the face with a whip cream pie. Those orders will be available for pickup on Nov. 24. For those who still want to donate to the PTC, they may write checks directly to the organization and drop them off at the school, or they can purchase a bag of delicious Trojan Blend gourmet coffee at the Central Office or at the Elementary School. Bags are $8.

Students with perfect attendance in October were honored with a Perfect Attendance Lunch.

The fifth-grade students traveled to Fort Wayne Nov. 12 to attend the JA BizTown program where they displayed their business acumen and presentation skills.

On Nov. 20, local author Amie Clemons will read a book she has written to each grade level of students.