In the academic contests, principal Don Street reported the WCHS math team finished second overall at the 41st annual conference contest at Pioneer High School, May 4.

Students Alan Kaeb, Algebra 1, and Evan Kaeb, geometry, received first place medals. The geometry team of Evan Kaeb (1), Marine Brichard (2), Trevor Putt (8), David Putt, and Courtney Troxel finished first. The Algebra 1 team of Alan Kaeb (1), Mickayla Wenzel (6), Thomas Putt (8), Grace Whited (11), and Alyssa Bushman (18) took second place.

The calculus team led by Erica Putt and Jonathan Pelsey's 10th place tied for fourth, two points from third. The pre-calculus team with Marissa Bailey (13) and Laura Dewlen (14) took fifth. The Algebra 2 team rounded out the scoring with a seventh place finish.

Street reported the West Central math department is “extremely proud of the effort put forth by all the members of the math team on these very difficult one-and-a-half tests to achieve these excellent results.”

West Central students also participated in the annual conference writing contest where the results were announced April 28 in Monticello. Overall, WCHS finished second in the Junior Division (grades 9-10) in short story, second in Senior Division (grades 11-12) in exposition, and third in the Senior Division in poetry.

The award winners in Junior Division were David Putt first in exposition, Cali Fairchild third in short story and fifth in exposition and Courtney Troxel sixth in short story. Other participants included Luke Myers in short story, and Thomas Proud in exposition. Jennifer Tendick, Karina Semrau and Andrea DePoy all competed in poetry. 

In the Senior Division, award winners were Joe King second in exposition and fourth in short story, Alyssa Parish ninth in exposition and 10th in short story, Jennifer VanOort fourth in exposition, Lukas Whites fourth in poetry, Makenzie Holland ninth in poetry and Veronica Leman eighth in the challenge category. Also participating was Sarah Hammonds in poetry.

West Central anticipates $1.3 million revenue loss over three years

In other business, Mellon told the board the state legislative session ended without much change in the funding estimate. West Central’s 2011 budget is being cut $320,000. The funding formula that was approved by the state legislators for the 2012 and 2013 budgets continues to decrease funding. The estimated loss of revenue during this three-year period is nearly $1.3 million. This forces the corporation to spend down the cash balance, spend from the rainy day fund and reduce spending that results in reduction of staff. The board briefly reviewed some of the new bills that directly relate to education.

Also in other business, the board reviewed the process that cash transfer students need to go through each year. Families outside the corporation who desire their children attend West Central must have the application turned in by July 1.

Elementary school principal Tony Brose reported to the board the elementary school recently received another PACE grant, and he thanked the PACE board of directors for its continued support of the school’s literacy instruction.

The elementary school also acknowledged the help of the Pulaski County Health Dept. for recently conducting a vaccination clinic to prepare fifth grade students for middle school. 

Brose reported the Pulaski County Spelling Bee will be at 4 p.m., Thursday (May 12) at Eastern Pulaski Elementary School. Fifteen students, five each from the third, fourth and fifth grades, will participate.

Middle school principal Kay Beasey reported that the middle school had a “fantastic turnout” for the fourth term parent/teacher conferences. She noted the ISTEP+ tests had some challenges with the eighth-grade online tests, but they were now finished. The end-of-year special education case conferences are in the process of being finished. The Ecology Club is taking a field trip to Wheatfield to visit the NIPSCO plant next week.

Street announced the National Honor Society induction would be May 16 at 6 p.m., just prior to the Senior Awards Program at 7 p.m. Commencement will be Sunday, May 29. The Jasper County Drug Free Council will give a presentation to all seniors on Wednesday, May 11 starting at 10:15 a.m. in the band room.

The board accepted the resignation of Brian Pilarski as the co-sponsor for Student Council.

The board approved the request from the sixth grade to go on their camping trip to Camp Tecumseh at Brookston in September.   

Approval was given to the policy manual revision concerning the eligibility of students to participate in commencement as presented.

The board approved the science textbook adoption for grades K-12 as presented.

The board approved the sale of a Miller Bobcat portable welder by using the silent bid method. Bid forms are available at the high school or central office. The welder may be seen in the vocation welding area at the high school.