The board also accepted a quote from DoubleRadius to upgrade the school corporation's networking. An evaluation had been completed of E-Rate proposals for a Category 2 Networking Upgrade. The purchase of new access points will replace the aging access points the school system has in the classrooms. This will also include all access points in the corporation. Also included in the quote are seven network switches which will replace the older switches in the corporation's networking closets. They are used to interconnect classroom computers and access points to the internet.

In other business, Ethan Shannon gave a presentation of the FFA’s desire to obtain an outdoor greenhouse. He gave examples of how and why he believes this would be beneficial to the FFA, several agriculture and culinary classes, and the cafeteria. The board thanked him for his presentation and will take the request under consideration.

Life Skills teacher Chelsea Reed informed the board of the daily happenings in the Life Skills classroom. She gave several examples of the progress that the students have made during the school year. Miss Reed told the board that she and the students appreciate and know that the classroom works as well as it does because of the assistance of her instructional assistants and peer tutors.

Preventative Maintenance Contract: David Allen is gathering additional information for a recommendation in May.

The board voted to approve the 2017-18 school board meeting dates.

Superintendent Don Street reviewed the 2016 Annual Performance Report. The data and information was supplied by the Indiana Department of Education.

The Indiana Department of Education has approved West Central for the 2016-17 Early Intervention grant. Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra explained the purpose of the state-funded grant is to provide literacy support and intervention to students in first and second grades.

The PACE (Pulaski Alliance for Community Education) grant was approved for West Central Elementary School. The purpose of the grant is to support and promote reading literacy at the elementary school.

West Central School Corporation is a member of AdvancED/NCA. AdvancED is dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide through accreditation, research and professional services. AdvancED is the world's largest education community, engaging 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 65 countries worldwide and educating 15 million students. West Central School Corporation has collected data through surveys from students, parents, teachers, support-staff, and community members and has completed a self-assessment. A group of five (5) outside educators will visit, and they will commend our school on what we are doing well and provide us with areas we need to improve on based upon their standards.

Street discussed a few of the state legislature bills, such as SB 309 with the wind turbine.

The utility use and production of the wind turbine was reviewed. The wind production has been very good.

Property insurance quotes will be gathered this summer.

Personnel:

The board accepted the resignation of middle school cheer sponsor Elyse Williams.

A leave of absence was approved for Jessica Williams for maternity leave.

Employment was approved for E. Anne Ketchen and Lynne Wuethrich to fill in for maternity leaves. Corey Erb was employed as middle school assistant track coach, and Jeremy Hauptli was hired as volunteer softball coach.

The board approved the following conference requests, as presented:

• Literacy Retreat – Kevin Wenzel, Natalie Wenzel, Lisa Baker
• The Literacy Retreat Workshop – Lindley Laposi, Hillary Durie

Approval was given for the following field trip, as presented:

• BPA National Convention – Orlando, FL- Joanne Stevens

"Student of the Month" certificates were presented Colton Gutwein at the middle school level, Kyle Smith and Alisha Kessinger at the high school level. Trace McIlvain was unable to attend.

Principal reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that the annual kindergarten roundup to welcome next year’s future Trojans was held.

The Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair was held.

The students who met their March Accelerated Reader goal will get their ice cream treat to reward their reading.

ISTEP+ Cheer dress up week, sponsored by the Student Council is this week.

Progress reports will go home on Tuesday, April 18.

ISTEP+ Part 2 will begin the week of April 17. This is the computer-based portion of the test.

A Teddy Roosevelt impersonator will give a presentation at the elementary school on Thursday, April 20.

Muffins with Mom will occur on April 28.

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County will host its “Friends of Philanthropy Club” on May 2-4.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp congratulated the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Business Professionals of America (BPA) members for accomplishments at recent state competitions. The FCCLA received four bronze medals and three gold medals at State Conference in Muncie. Caitlynn Brigman, Renee Conner, and Corri Shepherd are national qualifiers and will compete at National FCCLA Conference in Nashville, TN in July.

The BPA also competed very well at the State Conference.

• Cassie Wuethrich - Statesman Torch Award, second in Financial Math and Analysis, third in Payroll Accounting
• Bryan Bathke - Statesman Torch Award, second in Accounting Mathematics Concepts, second in Advanced Accounting, 16th in Personal Financial Responsibility
• Shyla Wenzel - 25th in Fundamental Spreadsheets
• Winston Leman - 11th in Fundamental Accounting and 16th in Banking and Finance

Cassie and Bryan are eligible for National Competition in Orlando, FL in May.

Indian Trails Career and Technical Banquet will honor CTE teachers for their hard work, time, and effort. West Central is proud to host programs in Health Occupations, Welding, Mechanical Drafting, Architectural Drafting, Introduction to Construction, Graphic Imaging and Design, ICE, Internship, Accounting, Introduction to Business, Anatomy, Child Development, and Advanced Child Development. Starting this year, West Central introduced a CNA class. Upon completion of the CNA program, West Central students have the opportunity to obtain a CNA license prior to graduation. Also, West Central has begun Introduction to Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing courses. Culp gave special thanks to the CTE instructors, Mr. Amsler, Mr. DeMoss, Mr. Haselby, Mr. Hill, Mrs. Johns, Mrs. Stevens, and Mrs. Thilges.

On Wednesday, May 24, the Wall Gang riders honoring our country's Veterans will visit West Central again at approximately 10:15 a.m. The veterans will change the school's MIA/POW flag and meet anyone from the community wanting to thank the veterans riding. This year, middle school students made 100 “Thank You” cards to be distributed during the ride.

Lonnie Bedwell will visit West Central Middle/High School on Wednesday, April 19. Bedwell will speak with middle school students at 10 a.m., high school students at 12:30 p.m. His mission is to motivate and inspire others to embrace life with confidence and courage. He is from Duggar, IN. and his web-site is http://lonniebedwell.com .