There will be no tax increase with this project in the Debt Service Fund. A bond will be paid off as this new project begins.

Superintendent Don Street reported on the following:

  • The maintenance and custodial staff are making a great deal of progress with the summer projects. The new doors are installed in the north end of the high school and the carpet project in the buildings is almost complete.
  • The administration is continuing to search for qualified staff to fill the current vacancies. The board reviewed current staff needs.
  • The positive wind turbine production was reviewed.
  • The updated West Central brochures were shared and will be mailed.
  • Street shared information from Dr. Larry DeBoer, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University. With the Indiana Law having farm land decrease in assessed valuation, school corporations with the largest revenue losses are those with a high share of farmland in net assessed value. If farmland is a large share of a school's net assessed value, this shifts taxes to non-farm taxpayers.
  • The board reviewed the Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Eligibility for Non-Full Time Student Enrolled procedure.
  • A tentative review of the Spring 2017 ISTEP scores were shared.
  • Congratulations are extended to the West Central Board on being recognized as an Outstanding School Board by the Indiana School Boards Association.
  • The annual Indiana State Police bus inspection was successful. The board extended its appreciation to Jeff Barngrover for his dedication to the West Central School Corporation as the mechanic on the school buses for several years.

 

Personnel Items

The board voted to terminate employment of high school secretary Vickey Thompson.

The board accepted the resignations of elementary school music teacher Anna DeRoo, chemistry teacher Bobby Quimpo, art teacher Natalie Dickinson and student council sponsor Lisa Baker.

The board agreed to the employment of Vicky Alva as high school secretary and Lisa Baker as Sunshine Society sponsor.

Conference requests are approved for Marcia Kennedy to attend the AdvancED Fall Conference, and for Patrick Culp to attend the School Safety Conference.

 

Board Action Items

The board voted to approve Shaw Haselby to apply for a non-standard teaching waiver to teach Introduction to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and Supervised Agricultural Experiences.

The board voted to approve the disposal of worthless surplus personal property that has no market value as per IC 5-22-22-8.

The board voted to approve the renewal of the Secondary School Agreement with Crossing National for the 2017-18 school year.

Approval was given for the Cooperative School Employee Contracts for the 2017-18 school year as presented.

 

Discussion/Report Items

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that Architectural Drafting and Design instructor, Tyler DeMoss will be using Vertex programming for the classroom. West Central is the only high school in the United States that is using the software. Ivy Tech and several other educational institutions are using the software. Vertex Systems is a leading Finnish CAD and PDM software company providing state of the art solutions for design. (See separate article in PulaskiPost)

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra has coordinated the electronic use of the photocopier as a fax machine. This will reduce the use of a telephone line.

 

Local News Briefs

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours May 7 in Medaryville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County May 7, in Medaryville.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in May to assist constituents with casework questions.

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

 

Indiana News

Indiana State Parks offer free admission May 4 for ‘Welcome Weekend’

INDIANAPOLIS - Celebrate the start of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties Sunday, May 4, the second day of “Welcome Weekend” and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.

Find an Indiana State Parks property and what’s new there at on.IN.gov/stateparks. If you’ve never visited, on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome offers helpful tips. 

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

 

Post News

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker