A public hearing was then opened on the 2019 proposed budgets. With no discussion or questions, the hearing was closed.

In other business, the board approved two purchases:

Generator or Battery Back Up System for Server Room – Foster provided quotes on each and presented the options. After discussion, the board approved the quote from H & G for $45,811 for a 50KW generator with ATS to feed the data room power for emergency power during utility outages.

Lighting Project at Southwest Drive Area – Foster provided quotes to finish the lighting project for the Southwest Drive. After discussion, the board approved the quote from Fissel Electric Service for $45,726. The project will entail replacing the three existing poles with three 13-foot poles with single heads as well as two additional single head poles and three twin head poles.

Spotlight on WCHS – Student Shout Out Program: The program helps to create a positive atmosphere in the high school and takes place the last Friday of each month. The attitude “How can I help you?” has been adopted by the staff. The Student-of-the- Month program has also been incorporated into the Student Shout Out Program. There are eight departments in the high school and a student will be picked from each department for recognition. Also a part of the program is a “spin the wheel” portion where students can spin to win prizes - everything from money to gift certificates.

 

Personnel:

Employment:

  • Eric Myers – high school instructional assistant is replacing Andy Stepp who moved to the middle school. Myers is a Winamac graduate, former member of the U. S. Air Force and is currently enrolled in a science education program.
  • William Sensibaugh – custodial/maintenance – formerly a part-time custodian at West Central.
  • Jamie Wenzler – WCMS Leadership Council taking the place of Marilyn Newman.
  • Heath Gearhart – sixth grade boys basketball (Gearhart has been a coach in the baseball program as well as a lower level coach in another school corporation).
  • Annette Marlow – Food Service
  • Vonda Williams – Food Service

After discussion, the board approved the recommendations as submitted.

 

Foster reported on the following:

  • There is a lot of positivity so far this year.
  • Law enforcement, as well as administration and staff, were thanked for patrolling the parking lots.
  • As of Sept. 17, the school system's ADM is 1,237. The drop is due to developmental kindergarten no longer being offered.
  • The state school board fall conference was in Indianapolis Sept. 10-11. Many good sessions were offered and attended.
  • The school corporation is never done with school safety. Staff are always trying to improve the plan.
  • Foster is currently finalizing the committee for strategic planning. There will be four sessions this year. The plan is on target to be approved in December.
  • The first session of “Donuts with Dan” will be Sept. 21 at the elementary school at 7:15 a.m. These sessions will take place at each building throughout the year to help build communication.

Foster also gave a financial report for the period ending Aug. 31. All funds had positive balances.

 

Overnight or Out of State Field Trips:

  • National FFA Convention – FFA sponsor Tammy Halleck submitted an overnight field trip request to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 24-26. This trip has been taken in the past.
  • Student Council Leadership Retreat – High school Student Council sponsor Karen Butler submitted an overnight field trip request to attend the Student Council Leadership Retreat in Indianapolis. This trip has been taken in the past.

The board voted to approve the trips as submitted.

 

Donations:

  • Gibraltar Design submitted a $250 donation for “any area of need.”
  • Because Eastern Pulaski Schools participated in the Ford Drive 4 UR School donation program, Dobson Ford submitted a $1,900 donation to the high school.
  • Roberta Warren donated a small chest freezer to the athletic department for use in the concession stand.
  • The Warpath Wrestling Club donated a television to the wrestling team to use in their wrestling room to watch videos.

After discussion, the board voted to accept the donations as submitted, using the donation from Gibraltar Design for Helping Hands.

 

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on the beginning of year events. All teachers were commended for their hard work during assessment time. Jeremy Elts from the state department of education will visit the elementary to discuss STEM and how to make it more useful at the elementary level. Sept. 20 is the annual open house. Many field trips will be taken over the next few weeks.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that the middle school is off to a good start. He welcomed Mrs. Anliker and Mr. Stepp. Enrollment is 297 at this time. A computer and health class was added to the curriculum this year. The goals for the year were shared. The theme for  the year is Emoji the Possibilities. Mrs. Wenzler was welcomed to the Leadership Council.

High school principal Rick DeFries thanked the board for approving the two field trips. He recently attended a school safety conference. Making and keeping the school safe is always a priority. Homecoming week was last week - a positive experience for the students. He said the school is in a "much more positive place" right now. The PAC Committee is Karrie Sutton, Joan Murray, Tina Pesaresi, and Karen or Dave Budd.

 

During Board Comment everyone was thanked for their positivity this school year. Mrs. Gearhart, Mr. Zupin, and Mr. Wegner were thanked for their presentation. Those making donations were commended.

  
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Local News Briefs

Indiana Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

I-65 to have overnight lane closures near State Road 14

 JASPER COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between SR 10 and SR 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12.

I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work will be ongoing through mid-October.

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.

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.”

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. 

  

Indiana News

61 Pulaski County students earn Ivy Tech degrees, certificates

KOKOMO (May 9) - Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area, which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Loganspor and Peru, celebrated the Class of 2025 with three commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9.

The events, divided by schools, honored 1,128 students who are expected to have completed work on 1,432 degrees and certificates by the end of the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 terms.

Gov. Braun signs HB1144

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6) – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed HB1144 which will make some adjustments in the state’s court systems.

Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made late last month to the proposed bill approved by both the state house and senate April 24 in the Indiana General Assembly.

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 outbreak in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

  

Post News

PCELN works to build infrastructure for quality childcare in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Early Learning Network (PCELN) is working to ensure families in Pulaski County have access to affordable, quality childcare.

The network notes that many different groups in the county community must come together to address this critical need. Access to high-quality early childhood education means that children are more likely to build a foundation for success in school and life.

West Central School Board honored by Indiana School Boards Association

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Corporation School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2024 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student success and professional learning.

Only 124 school boards in the State of Indiana earned awards through the EGA program this year.

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.

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.