State law provides that discussion of job performances or employee evaluations may be conducted during board executive sessions, closed to the public. Any action must be taken, however, at a public meeting.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, numerous patrons and staff offered their input regarding teacher and coach Kyle Johnson, all speaking in his support.

In a related matter, Superintendent Dan Foster submitted the first reading on School Board Policy Sections 208, 313, and 405 – Reporting of Arrests by Employees. The school has not had such a policy and has developed one from policies used at other schools. The second reading and potential approval will be at the November meeting.

In other business, a summary of the Class of 2017 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 – 62% went to two- and four-year schools, with 32% going into the workforce. 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. Sixty students took dual credit courses totaling 564 credits. There are three AP classes offered – AP biology, AP English, and AP calculus.

Board president Joe Cunningham opened the public hearing on the 2018 Budget, 2018-20 Capital Projects Plan, and the 2018-29 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, the public hearing was closed.

This month's "Spotlight on WCHS" featured the recent College Fair which was a bi-county event involving students from Rensselaer, Kankakee Valley, West Central and Eastern Pulaski. The fair is a good opportunity for students to meet with potential colleges. There were 32 colleges at the event, most from Indiana. About 450-500 students attended. Mrs. Daily and Mrs. Malott were commended for coordinating the event.

Foster reported on the following:

• Shared that the corporation’s application to the Department of Workforce Development for the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate program was recently approved.
• Shared the enrollment history beginning with the 2012-13 school year. Current enrollment is 1,287 – up 25 students from last year. There is a 35 percent increase in cash transfers.
• Health insurance will go up only 2 percent for 2018.
• A thank you card was shared from Joann Hero and her family for flowers sent from the corporation for the passing of her brother.

Personnel:

Marcus Kay was recommended for the open varsity baseball position. He was previously at Caston and is presently helping with Winamac football. The board voted to approve the recommendation.

Overnight/Out-of-State Field Trips:

• High school student council sponsor Karen Butler submitted a field trip request for members to attend the IASC State Convention in Indianapolis. The convention is valuable in that it allows students to attend meetings and bring back information to the rest of the council.
• Sunshine sponsor Taylor White submitted an out-of-state field trip request for the annual Mother/Daughter Field Trip to Chicago.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the trips.

The board voted to accept a donation of $250 from Gibraltar Design, Inc., for any area of need to help students or teachers.

The elementary, middle and high schools submitted their 2017-20 School Improvement Plans as required by the state department of education. After discussion, the board voted to approve each plan as submitted.

Foster submitted a request to compensate Joan Murray at a substitute rate of $100 per day for taking a teaching role for the second time this year. Foster stated that she is going above and beyond what a substitute teacher does. After discussion on developing a policy, the board voted to approve the request.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on the following:

There is a new twist to the “caught being good” program - “making the school and world a better place one ticket at a time” is being implemented. A convocation for students was scheduled for Oct. 13. The Winamac and Kewanna fire departments were thanked for their programs for Fire Prevention Week. The Harvest Hustle family run is Oct. 14. The annual open house is Oct. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. The Veterans’ Day Program will be Nov. 10.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported on the following:

Fall sports are winding down and sixth grade basketball started Oct. 9. The football teams did well and cross country finished as conference champions. National Junior Honor Society students are selling bracelets for breast cancer awareness and they are sponsoring their first dance of the year this month. The Warrior Up Club is painting and distributing kindness rocks. There was a Science Olympiad callout meeting recnetly. Eighth grade students visited Winamac Coil Spring for Manufacturing Day.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported on the following:

Oct. 6 was Manufacturing Day and 32 students visited Plymouth Tube. Speaker Marti MacGibbon shared her inspirational story with students about drug addiction. Boys’ cross country finished fourth at sectional and will advance to regional competition. Blake Bailey will advance to regional in girls cross country. The soccer team had a good season. Oct. 13 is the last football game; senior night for all fall sports.

Board Comment: The annual Donuts with Dad had another successful year. Mrs. Malott and Mrs. Daily were commended for their work on the college fair and the Class of 2017 follow-up report. Marcus Kay was welcomed. Gibraltar Design was thanked for their donation. And local businesses were thanked for allowing our students to visit their facilities.