In a related matter, board president Jeff Lowry noted the West Central School Building Corporation was previously formed to assist the school corporation in the financing of certain projects. After discussion of the Building Corporation, the board adopted a resolution reapproving the Building Corporation.

Also, Lowry reported the West Central School Building Corporation has approved and submitted to the school corporation a proposed form of lease agreement. The proposed form of lease was examined by all of the members of the board. After discussion of the proposed form of lease, the resolution was approved.

In other business, the teacher master contract for July 1, 2017- June 20, 2019 was reviewed. The board then voted to approve the terms of the teacher master contract, as presented.

Marcia Kennedy and Dan Zylstra presented a certificate of accreditation to the school board for meeting the criteria for educational quality established by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Kennedy and Zylstra served as co-chairs of the AdvancED District Accreditation Team at WCSC. Kennedy represented WCSC during a recent recognition program in Indianapolis.

Superintendent Don Street reviewed the current school enrollment of 775 students. Fifty-six of those students live outside the school district.

He also reported on the following:

  • The 2016-17 school letter grades from the IDOE as well as the ISTEP scores were shared with the school board.
  • West Central High School students have an opportunity to earn a Governor's Work Ethic Certificate.
  • Based upon a recent student Internet survey, 85% of West Central students have Internet at home.
  • Discussion on conducting E-Learning days in the future for incumbent weather will take place.
  • An educational article about the importance of Head Start was shared with the school board.
  • The utility production was shared with the board, which includes the wind turbine production.

"Student of the Month" certificates were presented to Ryder Leman at the elementary school, Coltin Tarr at the middle school and Kaelie Eberhart at the high school.

 

Personnel:

The board accepted the resignation of instructional assistant Cylee Marlatt, as presented.

The board approved the following employment items as presented:

  • Peyton Meyers – Instructional Assistant
  • John Wasinski – Distance Learning Instructor
  • Travis Rodriguez – 6th and 7th Boys Basketball
  • Alison Carnahan – 6th Girls Basketball
  • Kerry Nielsen – 8th Boys Basketball

Field trip requests were approved for:

  • FFA Leadership Center – Trafalgar – Oct. 6-8
  • IASC State Convention – Indianapolis - Nov. 4-5

Conference requests were approved for:

  • Writing Remix – Hillary Durie – Nov. 1-2
  • Indiana School Counselors Association Fall Conference – Marcia Kennedy – Nov. 2-3
  • School Nurse Conference – Arlene Metzger – Nov. 7-8
  • Indiana School Nutrition Association – Amy Anliker, Lori Fort, Tina Hoeferlin, Jeri Hendrickson, Cathy Risner, Brittany Mendiola and Jessica Murray – Nov. 8-11
  • Midwest Clinic, International Band & Orchestra Conference – Heather Straus – Dec. 20-23

 

Additional Business:

Superintendent Street discussed the 2% premium increase for the MASE Health Insurance renewals.

The board voted to accept the VSP-Vision insurance renewal plan as presented. Jeff Tanner seconded the motion and the vision insurance plan was approved.

Dan Zylstra presented the elementary school improvement plan. Pat Culp presented improvement plans for the middle school and high school. The board approved the 2017-18 school improvement plans as presented.

The board voted to adopt the 2018 school corporation budget, capital projects plan, and the bus replacement plan as presented. Also, the board approved a resolution authorizing the authority to lower appropriations where necessary to more accurately reflect expenditures.

 

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that the Lions Club did vision testing for all students in grades K, 3, 5, and 8. Ten volunteers checked 175 students in three hours. Dr. Moyer will conduct vision exams on Oct. 6 for all first grade students.

Also:

  • The elementary school will have its first Math Incentive Prize day.
  • Parent Teacher conferences are Oct. 16-17. The school will also have the Lafayette Strings program visit that day, allowing students to try playing a violin for the day.
  • Perfect attendance lunches will be Oct. 18-19.
  • The Book Fair will be Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, with Family Literacy Night on Nov. 2. The theme this year is “All Aboard The Reading Train.”

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp informed the board that the West Central middle/high school will present the play Summer of KAOS. Performances will be on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m., and a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. He offered a "huge thanks" to all of the students, parents, Mrs. Becky Reed and Ms. Hillary Durie for all the time practicing, preparing, and performing this production.

Also:

  • The annual Reality Fair is Friday, Oct. 27. All eighth grade students will work cooperatively with local business leaders in an interactive financial literacy simulation. Culp reported Mrs. Gainor does an "excellent job" working with Amanda Medbourn of the Pulaski County Extension Office to provide this educational opportunity to the students.
  • The PSAT will be administered at West Central on Wednesday, Oct. 11. All 10th grade students and 11th grade honors students will take the PSAT.
  • Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 16-17.
  • A "huge West Central thanks" was offered to Jeff and Pat Barngrover for donating medical equipment items that will benefit students and Health Occupation/CNA students at West Central. West Central received two wheelchairs, two walkers, one cane, and commode.
  • On the Oct. 12 Thursday morning meeting, all middle school and high school staff will participate in the P-PIG awards. Certified and non-certified staff will be honored in the following categories, Purpose, Passion, Integrity, and/or Grit. A light breakfast will be provided by Mrs. Murray and the kitchen staff while the staff celebrates a successful first nine weeks.
  
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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

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.

 

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

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.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

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.