In other business at the school board's Sept. 6 meeting, Superintendent Don Street reported on the following:
The Indiana Department of Education announced that the 2018 ISTEP scores are being revised and the results will be delayed.
The school is planning an auction in the near future.
An update was provided on the school projects.
The utility usage was reviewed.
The board discussed other school safety issues. Through the school safety grant, updated school and bus radios will be installed this month.
Personnel Items:
The board voted to approve the following resignations as presented:
- Kendra Miller – Instructional Assistant
- Will Sensibaugh – Custodian
- Alyssa McIlvain – Middle School Cheerleading Coach
Approval was given to the following employment items as presented:
- Matt Miller – Teacher
- Cody Wireman – Technology Department
- Mercedez Pack – Instructional Assistant
- Tammy Perry – Instructional Assistant
- McKenzie Boehning – Instructional Assistant
- Paxton Keefover - Custodian
- Jennifer Beason – Cooperative School Services – Occupational Therapist
- Kristin Eads – Cooperative School Service
- Haley Feuquay – Middle School Cheerleading Sponsor
- Stephanie Thilges – Volunteer Girls Golf Coach
The board approved personal leaves of absence for Tammy Toosley and Leanna Nielsen.
The board voted to approve the following conference requests:
- Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics – Amber Leman and Ashley Bean
- Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference – Alicia Cotner
- IAG High Ability Conference – Hillary Durie and Lindley Laposi
Approval was given for the following field trip requests:
- High School Band - Fall Festival Sunday Concert - Heather Straus
- Sixth and seventh grades to Museum of Science & Industry – Sara Strus
- FFA to Indiana FFA Leadership Center – Shaw Haselby
- FFA to FFA National Convention – Shaw Haselby
- Advanced Manufacturing to International Manufacturing Technology Show – David Reif
Other items:
Megan Oliver, Dakota Jackson, and James Faler gave a presentation to the school board on the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Conference. The students along with sponsor Stephanie Thilges attended the conference in July. The board expressed its appreciation for the outstanding presentation given by the students and all their hard work getting ready for the conference.
The board voted its approval on the second reading of the Board Policy Manual addition for the use of Metal Detectors. The handheld metal detectors are designed for individual searches based on reasonable suspicion.
School board president Todd Miller opened the hearing for the 2019 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan. Superintendent Don Street went over line items in the budget. Miller asked for questions or comments; hearing none, the 2019 budget hearing was closed.
A new state law (HB 1009) requires that the West Central School Corporation establish an Education Fund and an Operations Fund, and to establish the initial funding for both funds. The board approved motions for resolutions to accomplish the requirements.
The board reviewed the insurance renewal for the 2018-19 school year. The board approved the property and liability insurance renewal and cyber insurance with McGriff Insurance as presented.
The board reviewed the July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 Extra-Curricular Account Balances.
Principal Reports:
Elementary school principal Dan Zylstrareported things are starting to settle in after four weeks of school. There are a few odds and ends left to finish up with the renovations, but for the most part he said the school is "looking crisp and clean."
Picture day is Sept. 11, and progress reports go home on Sept. 12.
The elementary school will have vision screenings for third and fifth graders on Sept. 17, and for the first graders on Sept. 27. West Central would like to thank the Lions Club and Dr. Moyer for helping the students with vision screenings.
Mrs. Adams has arranged for the Lafayette Strings to visit again on Sept. 17, 20 and 21 so all students in grades 2-5 will have the opportunity to play a violin.
The school will have its practice eLearning day on Sept. 26. Staff have used Thursday mornings to prepare for the planned eLearning day and subsequent eLearning events which may occur due to weather.
Middle/high school principal Pat Culpinformed the board that Mrs. Kennedy recently met with all senior students to discuss the Governor's Work Ethic certificate. Specific details of the certificate were explained to all senior students. Every senior was eligible to register for the opportunity to earn the certificate.
Also, seniors were able to ask questions about the Graduation Pathway options, and details for the record keeping of all materials were discussed.
He reported the Trojan Opportunity Academy (TOA) is off to "a great start." Mrs. Stout continues to make improvements in the program, including working collaboratively with students on classroom goals and deadlines. The Trojan Opportunity Academy is beginning its third year at West Central. The TOA provides students with schedule flexibility, opportunities to recover credits, or a way to improve grade point average (G.P.A.) to maintain Academic and/or Technical Honor Diploma designation.
With the help of the Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge’s office and Dr. Natalie Federer, both school systems in Pulaski County are working on the development of a Truancy Program. Administrative leaders from West Central have attended several meeting with other county agencies, Department of Child Services, probation and the prosecutor to discuss options. While truancy is not a rampant issue at West Central, proactive steps are being taken to ensure it does not become a problem.
Homecoming week is Sept. 10-14, culminating in the football game against North Newton. Students are designing various activities, including dress-up days, a pep session, and dance to celebrate the week.
