The board also approved a resolution allowing the authority to lower appropriations where necessary to more accurately reflect expenditures.

Superintendent Don Street:

  • Provided information on the IDOE requirements for data reporting.
  • Reported that NIPSCO provided a rebate for the LED parking lot lighting project.
  • Updated the school board on the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeal Board and the upcoming determination of the fiscal and qualitative indicators to be used for evaluating the financial condition of each school corporation.
  • Reported a recent school safety audit was conducted for the districts. The information will be used to improve safety at the school.

The school board voted to approve the High Ability Grant, and also the Title II Grant.

The board approved an auction of surplus school equipment. The auction will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at the bus barn area.

Adam Weesner from Barton-Coe-Vilma updated the board on the recent "secure entrance and utilization of space project." Overall the project went very well with the scope of work that was done. The construction company is completing the final details of the project.

Student-of-the-Month certificates were presented to Jenna Marlatt at the elementary school level, Jocelyn Gonzalez at the middle school, and Jaden Cords at the high school.

West Central teachers Jennifer Byrne and Sarah Sensibaugh thanked the board for the recent classroom speakers at the elementary and highlighted some very positive events at the school.

 

Personnel items:

The board approved the resignation of Dee Messer - Cafeteria.

Approval was given to the leave of absence request from Vivian Mitchell for medical reasons.

The board approved the retirement of Bill Rowe.

The following field trip requests were approved:

  • Indiana Student Council Convention – Casie Allen & Jennifer Johns
  • FFA SOAR Conference – Shaw Haselby

Conference requests were approved for:

  • School Nurse Conference – Kristen Mellon
  • AdvanceED – Marci Kennedy
  • Inshape PE/Health Conference – Brian Pilarski & Matt Miller

 

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstrareported West Central Elementary had a successful eLearning day. Participation rates were high, and the students and teachers are ready for a true cancelation day when/if the time comes. Staff also had the opportunity to partake in professional development on social-emotional learning and spend time as grade-level teams reviewing state standards while students were learning virtually. Thursday PD time will continue to be used for these purposes.

The first quarter will end Oct. 11. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, Oct. 15 and Tuesday, Oct. 16. Fall Break will be Oct. 18-22.

Perfect Attendance Lunches will be enjoyed by students Oct. 25-26.

The Book Fair is the week of Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, and Family Literacy Night will be Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Unit Leaders and staff members have been examining last year’s ISTEP data and are formulating an appropriate school improvement plan to address areas for improvement.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culpinformed the board the end of the first nine-weeks is Thursday, Oct. 11 with subsequent Parent/Teacher conferences scheduled for Monday, Oct. 15 and Tuesday, Oct. 16. Parent/Teacher conferences start at 3:30 p.m. each afternoon. Conferences on Monday conclude at 7 p.m., and conferences on Tuesday end at 6 p.m.

During the recent eLearning day, staff worked on developing a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all students in grades 6-12. They also worked with Dina Emser on Positive Discipline. The session was a follow-up and extension from the two-day summer session in June.

Sophomores and juniors will take the new PSAT to measure readiness for college, access scholarships, and practice for the SAT. The PSAT is also an integral aspect for the new Graduation Pathways diploma for students.

Marci Kennedy will be hosting a Financial Aid night on Tuesday, Oct. 16 for all seniors and parents. Important information regarding scholarships and the FASFA will be shared.

Kristen Mellon, school nurse, is helping organize a program entitled Stay Sharp. Please visit the Facebook website called Stay Sharp for more information.

Speaker Andy Bowman and others will speak to middle/high school students this month.

  
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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.