The library trustees reported last month that in April 2015, the cost per checkout at the Medaryville library exceeded the limit set by the Trustees in 2012. As a result of exceeding the expenditure cap, and continued low patron usage, the trustees decided to end traditional library services at the branch. This includes the day-to-day operation and circulation of physical materials, such as books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and audiobooks.

West Central Superintendent Don Street said he will write a letter to the library board expressing how the Medaryville Public Library's continued efforts are needed for the children in the Medaryville community. 

In other business, Street shared a letter written to the community about the concerns with last year's ISTEP test. 

The superintendent also reported that State Sen. Ed Charbonneau and State Rep. Doug Gutwein will be visiting West Central to observe a few programs, discuss the concerns with the ISTEP test, and discuss the problems with the state funding formula.  West Central's funding decreased by over $500,000 as a result of the state funding formula change. 

Under personnel items:

• The board voted to accept the resignation of high school teacher Raymond Lenz
• The board accepted the termination of employment for high school cafeteria employee Carmen Garlach.
•  Leave requests were approved for Arlene Metzger and Cathy Risner.
• Employment was approved for Sara Spencer as middle school instructional assistant, Roxanne Robertson as educational diagnostician for Cooperative School Services, and  Reba Shepherd as job coach for Cooperative School Services.

To balance school accounts, the board voted to approve the following resolution, as presented:

Be it resolved that the members of the Board of School Trustees hereby approve of the necessary transfers so that all accounts have a zero or positive balance for the year of 2015. Be it further resolved that funds are hereby encumbered from the 2015 accounts for use in 2016.

Regarding bus bids, the board voted to accept the bid from Kerlin for one 2016 Thomas, 72 passenger school bus for $83,463 and Midwest Transit Equipment Company for a Starcraft mini-bus with a wheelchair lift for $55,147. Kerlin will allow $8,250 for a trade-in allowance for bus No. 13 and Midwest Transit Equipment Company will allow $3,000 for mini-bus No. 5.

Jim Stradling from Indian Trails Career and Technical addressed the board and discussed career and technical funding and courses that are, and will be offered.  

The board voted to approve applying to the Indiana Department of Education to utilize E-Learning days. Built-in make-up days will be used before E-Learning days. Saturdays will be used, if needed, as E-Learning days.

The board voted to continue the service alarm contract with ESCO Communication.

"Student-of-the-Month" certificates were presented by the school board to Autumn Sampson from the elementary school level, Kelsey Gutwein at the middle school level, and Perla Salazar at the high school level.

Principal reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that West Central Elementary is continuing to investigate the possibility of starting a preschool for the 2016-17 school year. Community members are encouraged to fill out the survey online if they haven’t yet.

Zylstra also reported:

• The elementary school took part Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in the Community Foundation of Pulaski County’s “Giving Days,” gathering money to support the foundation that has given much to West Central over the years.
• Title I’s Donuts with Dad event will be Dec. 4 before school. The theme is “Kids Soar with Dad.” 
• On Tuesday, Dec. 15 all students in grades K-5 will present their Christmas Program titled “Holly Jolly” at 6 p.m., in the high school gym.
• The Thursday morning staff development time during the last month has involved faculty working on the AdvancED Accreditation standards. The school will have a site visit for its reaccreditation in the spring of 2017, but this work is also a requirement for the new state-mandated school improvement plan format. 

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp informed the board that on Nov. 17, West Central MS/HS hosted a second round of Parent/Teacher conferences. The staff at the middle school and high school appreciate the positive conversations had, both in person, as well as conducted via e-mails and phone calls.

Culp also reported:  

• The middle school is preparing for a second round of Acuity testing, while the High School is preparing for Math and English End of Course Assessments (ECA) testing.
• Winter sports, including boys and girls basketball, wrestling, and cheerleading are in full swing. He encouraged the public to attend an event to support the student-athletes, as they excel in athletic competition.  

Executive Session

Before the public school board meeting, the board met in executive session to discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employee(s), apart from the budget process.”