He reported that the proposed bill to require schools to begin the school year after Labor Day failed to pass. Klitzman urged school district residents to contact their legislators to voice their concerns/opinions.

Dr. Klitzman joined a group of superintendents who met with legislators on Feb. 16 for an informal discussion on how proposed bills will impact small schools.

In other business, the board received a report on rescheduling due to snow days. The changes are as follows:

• School will be in session on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21.
• Reports/Records day will be Monday, Feb. 28 (no students), instead of Friday, Feb. 25.
• The three remaining instructional days will be made up on June 1, 2 and 3, with Reports/Records day on Monday, June 6.
• Graduation will remain Friday, May 28, with seniors making up a day through a constructed technology assignment.

The state-required performance report has been published in the Pulaski County Journal and the Rochester Sentinel. Dr. Klitzman also reported that textbook reimbursement came in at 82 percent. The general fund will have to make up the difference. Additionally in his report, he said that signs will be posted at the highway entrances to Winamac announcing that 13 students have won the Lilly Scholarship since 1998. The signs were purchased through local donations.

Members of the high school student council reported on a recent leadership training they attended. The students learned about listening techniques, preventing bullying at all grade levels, and how to implement programs at all grade levels to prevent bullying. The program will begin the third trimester.

A public hearing was held because the high school was placed in the academic probation category by the state accountability system due to test scores two years ago. WCHS’s scores have improved, but the school has to implement an improvement plan and hold a public hearing to gather public input and comments. Principal Rick DeFries has reported on ways the high school has targeted the areas that need improvement.

Teacher Carol Jo Gumz was approved for retirement. She has been employed in education for 40 years, 33 at EPCS.

Elementary principal Jill Collins presented a donation, on behalf of the Star City Lions Club, for books for second grade students. The school board also accepted a donation from the Class of 1973 of $460 to the high school to purchase a scrolling announcement board.

Klitzman reported the school is ready for the next step in the pneumatic switchover project at the middle/high school. The chiller needs to be switched over before cooling season. The cost of this phase is $17,097. This is a capital improvement project and is funded through the capital projects fund. The project was approved as presented.

The school corporation’s condition of funds statement indicated that all corporation funds have positive balances. The general fund comparison statement showed that 52 percent of the yearly appropriation remains. Klitzman explained that state support (general fund) decreased in January due to a loss in enrollment, and the school is overall receiving less funding, which in turn means the school has less appropriation for the year.

DeFries reported the high school is continuing to work on improvement plans; teachers are helping students work on problem solving skills, how to apply the skills they have learned, and test-taking skills. Freshmen are specifically working on algebra, and sophomores on English. He also reported the high school is fully accredited by the North Central Association.

On March 4, middle school students will attend an inspirational/motivational convocation on “not giving up” presented by a military veteran who lost both legs in Iraq. It was also reported that sixth grade students recently collected over $1,200, mostly in pennies, for local charities.

Mrs. Collins reported that professional development on Feb. 28 will focus on technical support for the new email, motivation in the classroom, and inclusion. The RIF Read-in was Feb. 9 with many community members in attendance. The Family Literacy Night was a pajama party with over 250 people in attendance to hear bedtime stories from fifth graders.

Topics discussed during board comment included the student council report, RIF volunteers, the Class of 1973 and the Star City Lions Club donations, instructional days, speeding and school funding.

The next school board meeting will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 14.