“We congratulate all the students, staff and parents in the West Central School Corporation for a job well done and challenge everyone to continue to improve,” Mellon said.
In other business, Mellon shared with the board the three-year funding outlook. The 2011 budget is being cut by $320,000. The current funding formula that is being considered by the legislators for the 2012 and 2013 budgets continue to decrease funding. The estimated loss of revenue during this three-year period is nearly $1.3 million.
Mellon said there is still hope that the final approved funding formula will be more favorable, but the corporation must prepare for the worst and hope for something better.
In order to do this, Mellon presented a possible reduction-in-force list to the board.
In continuing discussion on the wind energy project, Tony Kuykendall and Pete Beiriger from Performance Services gave a presentation to the board on the base proposal and interconnection options for a wind turbine on the West Central campus. They will soon meet with NIPSCO representatives.
Curt Pletcher from Umbaugh and Associates went over financing options. If the project proceeds, there will have to be a 1028 informational meeting for the public, a building corporation will have to be formed and bonds will have to be issued. It will take approximately two months to advertise and issue bonds.
Bill Lindburg is working on the insurance aspect of the wind turbine project. More information will be forthcoming on this in the near future.
Dean Lowry made a motion to proceed with the wind turbine project, contingent on the rates of the bonds, the insurance rate, the hookup options and NIPSCO’s rate structure. Dennis Gutwein seconded the motion. After much discussion, it was decided that any further actions will cost the corporation, and until all of the details are worked out the board does not wish to invest any more money into the project. The motion did not carry with Dean Lowry voting for the project, Dennis Gutwein, Gary Gudeman, Jeff Tanner and Kerry Miller voting in opposition.
The board approved the quote from Legacy Custom Buildings for the labor and Lowe’s for the supplies for replacing the high school gym ceiling as presented.
The board approved a motion to add Anatomy and Physiology to the course description book at the high school.
The board voted to keep the driver’s education fees the same for this year. Corporation students will pay $240 and out of corporation students will pay $410.
The 2011-12 school calendar was approved as presented.
The board approved retirements for teachers Susan Gift, Keith Schladenhauffen and Susan Overton, and speech pathologist Peggy Harris. Many thanks were extended to these individuals for their years of service to the school corporation.
The resignation of Kathy Lovely as a custodian was approved.
The board approved the medical leave request from Alicia Hickman from the Cooperative School Services as presented.
Conference requests were approved for Bryan Heimlich, Gina Hierlmeier, and Bryce Kappes to attend the IBCA Conference in Indianapolis. The athletic department will pay all expenses on this conference.
Under discussion items, elementary principal Tony Brose said the Family Literacy Night was a great success. Over 400 people were in attendance. The theme was “Reading Rocks”. A thank-you was extended to Vulcan Material for its part in the program. Thanks was also given to the Mobile Dentist who came to the schools recently and serviced 35 students.
High School principal Don Street informed the board of the Drug and Alcohol Survey that was voluntarily taken by students in grades 8 through 12. The survey is sponsored by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center. The survey was county-wide and the schools will receive the results.
Several students were recognized for their accomplishments in academic competition. Morgane Leon and Ty Conley from the Robotics Club placed third in the regional and will compete at the state level in Terre Haute on the ISU campus on April 16. A chemistry team of 16 students made a video about chemistry and finished fifth in the competition and received a $100 gift certificate from Vernier Products. Six students, three teams participated in the Bridge Bust competition. The teams of Alberto Garay and Lukas Whited, and Marine Brichard and Cody Sampson tied for first place and received a $50 scholarship. Erica Putt is recognized as a Regional Academic All-Star in the Indianapolis Star Academic All-Star competition. Several of Mrs. Minkert’s art students participated in the Prairie Arts Council and Saint Joseph’s College art exhibitions and many of the participants came away with awards.
