West Central School Board adds four honors math classes to courses weighted for GPA calculations; approves fall drivers education class

The board was given a recommendation to add Honors Algebra I, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus to the courses to be weighted for GPA calculation. The honors mathematics courses are new courses to the curriculum and are comparable to other honors courses that are weighted.

In other business, the board approved a fall driver education class with Mike Harter as the instructor. Driver education is a self-funded program through student tuition and will be offered after school. The program will be coordinated by Harter during the fall. Students will drive after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., as arranged.

The fees will be the same as this past summer. A $25 fee will be paid for the online required class and is paid online. A $200 fee will be paid to West Central for driving. Out- of-corporation students will be charged $300.

Also in other business, school board president Jeff Lowry opened the hearing for the 2017 budget, capital projects plan, transportation plan and bus replacement plan. Superintendent Don Street went over line items in the budget. Lowry asked for questions or comments; hearing none, the 2017 budget hearing were closed.

The board reviewed the property insurance renewal with Regions Insurance for the 2016-17 school year. The board voted to approve the property and liability insurance renewal with Regions Insurance, as presented.

Student Corri Shepherd gave a presentation to the school board on the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Conference. Students Corri Shepherd and Renee Conner, along with sponsor Stephanie Thilges, attended the conference in July. Corri and Renee earned a silver medal in a presentation competition on muffins. The school board congratulated the two students on placing and representing West Central.

During his report, Superintendent Street:

Reported on the timing and process concerning the possibility of a future redesign of the building entryways and reconfiguring of space in the buildings.
West Central middle/high school had very good reports on its annual water lead and cooper testing. Results were significantly below the maximum levels.
The evaluation plan for the staff was submitted to the Indiana Department of Education.
Discussion took place concerning recent internet connection issues on campus.
Indiana Small and Rural Schools are communicating with state legislators concerning the need to provide additional funding for small and rural schools. West Central, like many small and rural schools, has been negatively impacted by the change in the state funding formula.
West Central is developing plans to have a time capsule to celebrate the 50th year of the West Central School Corporation.

Personnel items:

The board approved the following resignations, as presented:

Connie Dunn – Title 1 Instructional Assistant
Janet Kruger – 8th Grade Volleyball Coach

Approval was voted for the following employment items, as presented:

Ashley Burge – High School Instructional Assistant
Thea Rodriguez – Assistant Night Maintenance High School
Jeremy Glasford – MS Cross Country
Josh Cooper – JV Boys Basketball
Melvin Wireman – 8th Grade Boys Basketball
Ross Davis – 7th Grade Boys Basketball
Natalie Wenzel – 6th Grade Girls Basketball
Brian Pilarski – 8th Grade Volleyball
Paige Anliker – transfer from Cafeteria Cashier to Title 1 Instructional Assistant
Diana Bahler – Cooperative School – School Psychologist

The board approved the following leave of absence requests:

Lindsay Hopkins – Maternity Leave
Laurel Linback – Personal Leave - Elementary

The board approved the following conference requests:

Monica Gainor and Lauren Gudeman to attend the Indiana School Counselors Conference – Paid for by the Small Rural School Grant
Ashley Reinhold, Amber Leman, Melvin Wireman and Jordan Stevens to attend ICTM (Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics) - Paid for by the Small Rural School Grant

Approval was given to the following field trip requests:

West Central High School Choir – Sunday performance – Sept. 18.
Student Council – IASC @ Indiana Convention Center – Nov. 5-6.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstrareported that the school year is off to a "great start." The elementary specials classes, PE, music, art, computer, and library, are in the afternoon this year. The midday recess occurs before lunch.

The elementary school thanks Dr. Jan Moyer for returning this school year to check first graders' vision on Sept. 9. Fall student pictures are Tuesday, Oct. 4. Progress Reports will go home on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The Title I Department will host Title I Parent Meetings at 3:10 p.m., Sept. 26; and 6:30 p.m., Sept. 29.

Professional development time has been and will be spent on familiarizing staff with the new software for the school’s math program and working on student learning objectives for the upcoming year.

The West Central Elementary Parent Teacher Council (PTC), which helps pay for special events, field trips, and special classroom supplies, is trying something different for its fundraiser this year. Instead of typical fundraising activities, where 40-60% of the overall donations go to an outside fundraising group, the PTC will offer a straight-up “No Hassle” fundraiser. Class and individual incentives will be offered. Donations from the community will also be accepted. If the fundraising goal is met, then there will be no more PTC fundraisers for the remainder of the 2016-17 school year. The “No Hassle” fundraiser will run through Sept. 16.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culpinformed the board that the annual West Central Trojan Scholarship golf outing was a success. A special thanks was extended to all the teams and sponsors who participated. On behalf of the West Central athletic department, the contributions to support student scholarships is greatly appreciated.

Culp reported the 2016-17 school year is off to an "excellent start." Students and staff are quickly adjusting to the seven-period day. Also, West Central is excited about several new programs being offered including the CNA certificate course and the middle school incentive program.

The CNA class taught by Mrs. Jennifer Johns, is off to an excellent start. Upon completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to earn a CNA certificate. School officials acknowledged Mrs. Johns' hard work, planning, organization, and collaboration for the program. Also, the school's local business partner, Parkview Haven, was thanked for allowing the students the opportunity to obtain “real world” training.

At the middle school, teachers Kathy Minnick and Mary Chesser, along with other middle school teachers, have spearheaded an incentive program for students in grades 6-8. Students with good grades, perfect attendance and no tardies, are recognized in several different ways including extra gym time, tech time, and end of year field trips. Mrs. Minnick and Mrs. Chesser have worked diligently on the implementation of the program.

Upcoming events include Red Cross Blood Drive at West Central and Jasper-Pulaski Regional College Fair at Kankakee Valley High School on Wednesday, Sept. 14. On Sunday, Sept. 18, the High School Choir will perform at the Fall Festival. On Saturday, Oct. 1, the FFA will sponsor a Farmer’s Breakfast in the WCHS cafeteria.