Mrs. Newman said the class is to help students develop more number sense and teaches math a little differently. The class has hands-on activities and is project-based. This class will give students a fourth year of math in three years of middle school. The goals are for students to speak math in their daily lives, see different approaches to math, and to grow.

In other business, a summary of the Class of 2016 was presented by high school guidance counselor Kate Daily. She thanked guidance secretary Rhonda Malott for gathering the information and preparing the report. A majority of the class is pursuing higher education – 73%. The report also included where each student went after graduation (college, vocational school, workforce, military). Mrs. Daily highlighted the merits of the Dual Credit Courses, AP Classes, and Internships. Forty-six students took dual credit courses totaling 610 credits. There are three AP classes offered – biology, English Literature, and calculus.

High school principal Rick DeFries and Spanish teacher Meredith Allen presented a trip request to go to Spain. Mrs. Allen stated that the trip is a good opportunity for students to actually see the culture and visit historic landmarks. The trip would be offered to juniors and seniors taking Spanish 3 and 4, and the students would stay with host families. The cost was discussed along with fundraising. After discussion, the board voted to support the Spanish Trip.

Superintendent Dan Foster reported on the following:

• Enrollment is 1,262 – down about 13 students from last year, which causes about a loss of $68,000 in state funding.
• Health insurance will go up 5.5%.
• The renovation project is winding down. The elementary school coatrooms are yet to be finished. The high school gym is finished and being used. An open house to showcase the renovation at the elementary school will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27. The date for the open house for the middle school/high school will be set soon. Construction manager Steve Garlits was thanked for all his hard work.

Board president Joe Cunningham opened the public hearing on the 2017 Budget, 2017-19 Capital Projects Plan, and the 2017-28 Bus Replacement Plan. The public hearing is a statutory requirement as part of the budget process whereby patrons are allowed to offer comments or ask questions. Foster provided background information on the budget process. Following the opportunity for public comment, and there being none, the board voted to close the hearing.

The board voted to approve the winter sports coaches, as submitted, and special leave for Linda Fritz, elementary school cook, as presented.

The board voted to accept a donation from Gibraltar Design, Inc.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending Sept. 30. All funds have positive balances. The board approved all claims as submitted.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collinsreported that field trip season is in full swing – from the fire station for the second grade to the Potawatomi zoo for the first grade, including local field trips to the Tippecanoe River State Park.

Differentiation strategies at the elementary school were highlighted, specifically Title One and High Ability grants.

High school principal Rick DeFriesreported that motivational speaker Travis Roy, sponsored by BraunAbility, visited for a student convocation on how to overcome adversity. BraunAbility was thanked for sponsoring the event.

On Oct. 19, DeFries will go to the School Safety Academy. On Oct. 13-14, Ms. Butler, Foster, and DeFries will travel to Columbus, Ohio for the NREA (National Rural Education Association) Conference to present about the Warrior Academy.

The golf team will attend the regional in Lafayette, the football team will host sectional next Friday, and WCHS will host the volleyball sectional.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinsonreported that fall athletics are winding down or are finished. Seventh and eighth grade volleyball and football showed a lot of progress. Cross country went undefeated and won conference. The first sixth grade boys basketball practice began that evening (Oct. 10).

The National Junior Honor Society, sponsored by Cody Hook, is doing a lot of projects, including a breast cancer fundraiser this month.

Teacher and coach Tim Roth was a torchbearer as part of Indiana’s Bicentennial celebration. Roth provided the students with some history of Indiana as well.

Board Comment: BraunAbility was thanked for sponsoring Travis Roy, and Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Daily, Mrs. Malott, and Mrs. Allen were all commended. Gibraltar Design was thanked for its donation.