In other business, Superintendent Dr. Cathy Rowe reported the school district was the recent recipient of a school safety grant that will help add additional cameras for blind spots, first responder swipes, bullying curriculum, and security and panic buttons at all office entrances.

Indiana Gov. Holcomb announced the statewide school safety grants last month. West Central was approved for a $32,000 grant.

Dr. Rowe also reported that construction continues in the middle/high school band/choir areas where workers are installing drywall and have started the process of putting the rooms back together again.

The superintendent also:

  • Commended the senior class for having the highest class attendance for August and the middle/high school for having the best school-wide attendance.
  • Reported the district is in the process of renewing its CD from a .002% interest rate to a 5.44% interest rate.
  • Reminded that Sept. 29 is the next early release day.
  • Announced there are currently three school board members who will attend the annual ISBA conference on Sept. 25.
  • Noted the school is hoping to roll out the next purchase of interactive TVs for the classrooms this fall.
  • Reported the district is pleased to note that as of today, it has 59 students whose parents selected West Central as their children’s school of choice.

 Student of the Month awards were presented by board member Jeff Lowry to Livie Green as the MS/HS honored student, and by board member Mandy Sharpe to Rhaylea Holliday as the WCES selection.

The West Central FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) presented information to the board and public about their trip to the FCCLA National Convention that took place this summer in Denver, CO.

 

Action items

The board voted to approve the following items, as presented:

  • The Sunday band program performances for Dec. 10 and May 19 (2024)
  • The non-certified staff handbook
  • The 2024-25 school calendar
  • The Return to Learning Plan
  • The West Central ECA SA-5
  • The McGriff Insurance renewal
  • The second reading and adoption of the board policies
  • The list of items to be declared as surplus for disposal

The school board also voted to approve the facilities usage request for the WC Youth Football League, waiving the building usage fee only, with all other charges applicable when needed or necessary.

 

Personnel items

 The school board approved the resignation of WCMHS custodian Sandy Prater, as presented.

Approval was given by the board to the following employments:

  • Marc Hall - Teacher Mentor
  • Amber Leman - Teacher Mentor
  • Lindsay Hopkins - Teacher Mentor
  • Terri Ray - Teacher Mentor
  • Haley Tapper - Teacher Mentor
  • Mary Chesser - Middle School special education teacher
  • Samantha Garlach - Elementary teacher/assistant
  • Joan Kiersma - Elementary teacher
  • Michelle Biggs - Maternity leave coverage for Samantha Heims
  • Julie Reed - transfer from Elementary and MS/HS assistant from Cafeteria
  • Linda Hunter - Cafeteria
  • Corey Howat - 6th grade boys basketball coach
  • Mike Holle - 8th grade boys basketball coach
  • Phil Leman - 5/6 girls basketball head coach
  • Lindsey Kletz - volunteer 5/6 girls basketball coach
  • Annie Scholz - Assistant Varsity girls basketball coach
  • Tyler DeMoss - Volunteer Varsity girls basketball assistant coach
  • Hilary Durie - Assistant co-ed track coach
  • .Andrew Pigg - MS Football assistant coach
  • Amber L. Leman - Volunteer 5/6 grade volleyball coach
  • Amanda Bigbie - 5/6 grade volleyball coach
  • Dakota Podell - Volunteer Assistant coach MS football
  • Stephen Sholey - Band Director
  • Lisa Mahafffey - Vocal Music Director
  • Becky Reed - Senior Sponsor-Head
  • Jennifer Johns - Senior Sponsor-Assistant
  • Tonya Wall - Junior Sponsor-Head
  • Shelby Powell - Junior Sponsor-Assistant
  • Casie Allen - Sophomore Sponsor
  • Greg Buschman - Department Chairperson Math
  • Hillary Durie - Department Chairperson ELA
  • Marc Hall - Department Chairperson History
  • Sara Strus - Department Chairperson Science
  • Brian Pilarski - Department Chairperson CTE
  • Stephen Sholey - Department Chairperson Fine Arts
  • Amber Leman - Department Chairperson Special Education
  • Stephanie Thilges - Yearbook, High School
  • Stephanie Thilges - Yearbook, Middle School
  • Hillary Durie - Middle School Play
  • Becky Reed - High School Play
  • Jennifer Johns - Student Council, High School
  • Sara Strus - Student Council, Middle School
  • Hillary Durie - National Honor Society
  • Hillary Durie - National Junior Honor Society
  • Stephanie Thilges - FCCLA
  • Shaw Haselby - FFA, MS/HS
  • Keenan Scutchfield - FBLA
  • Jennifer Mellon - FCA
  • Lisa Zeyen - Art Club
  • Marc Hall - Academic Super Bowl, HS coordinator
  • Hillary Durie - Academic Bowl, English
  • Jerlu Santillana - Academic Bowl, Math
  • Desiree Supremo - Academic Bowl, Science
  • Marc Hall - Academic Bowl, Social Studies
  • Kristi Laxton - CSS Coordinator
  • Diane Bahler - CSS Adjustment in Days
  • Johanna Sampson - CSS PT Paraprofessional

Leave requests were approved for the following:

  • Mariesa Blake - Before/After Break
  • Samantha Heims - Maternity Leave
  • Brian Pilarski - Leave past available days
  • Tammy Toosley - Before/After Break
  • Lisa Marlatt - Before/After Break
  • Jeff Messer - Before/After Break
  • Maribeth Benesh - Before/After Break

 

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlson shared with the board, “we’re off and going strong at the elementary.”

Benchmarking is finished in both math and reading.

The first early release day allowed staff to do required training, and to discuss several data points.

IREAD and ILEARN scores were compared to surrounding schools and the state averages. Trends from the last few years were highlighted in ILEARN, and the school-wide NWEA and iReady scores.

The required dyslexia screening begins next week in grades 1-2, and kindergarten at the end of the month.

Field trips are being planned and begin this month. The Book Fair and Grandparent’s Day will be the last week of September.

Middle/High school principal Angie Radtke reported the school year “is off to a great start.”

Mrs. Johns and Mr. Amsler took 60 high school students to the Pulaski County Highway Department to a resource and opportunity fair sponsored by WorkOne where they were able to meet with colleges and employers. The students learned valuable information, were provided lunch, and many won prizes. The day before the event, WorkOne presenters met with the sophomores, juniors, and seniors during English class to go over resume writing and interviewing skills.

4C Health, the counseling program the school partners with, sponsored a convocation for the high school focusing on finding healthy ways of escaping and dealing with pain instead of through social media, vaping, and other negative choices.

Mrs. Newbauer has been making her way into classrooms during Success time to cover positive character lessons with the middle schoolers.

This year the school is participating in a county-wide attendance program called, Project Attend. So far West Central has seen an 83% decrease in the amount of attendance letters sent home to middle schoolers and 44% decrease in the amount of letters sent home to high school students.

Construction crews have started dry-walling and painting the band and choir rooms. Things are moving along.

The football team is off to another great season with a record of 3-0. West Central has outscored its opponents 124-30 in those three games. The middle school football team just had a huge win of 34-0 over Tri-County. Both the high school and middle school cross country boys teams were the 421 Run Champions, and the JV and varsity volleyball teams beat Winamac earlier in the week.

 

Public hearing on collective bargaining

The West Central School Board met Aug. 3, for a public hearing regarding collective bargaining.

The West Central Classroom Teachers Association, through Leanna Nielsen, and Dr. Rowe spoke on the importance of continued state funding, and both sides “celebrated the good working relationship” that currently exists between both parties.

  
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Local News Briefs

One-mile stretch of SR 39 closed for structure replacement

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction has closed SR 39 between CR 300 N and CR 200 N as of Monday, June 16.

SR 39 will be closed for approximately five weeks for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow SR 14, U.S. 421 and SR 10.

Pulaski County GOP caucus June 21 to fill county council vacancy

The Pulaski County Republican Party has issued a notice that it will hold a caucus at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, June 21, to fill a vacancy on the county council. The caucus will be held at the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac.

Party chairman Kenneth Boswell reports Dist. 3 councilman Jerry Locke has resigned effective June 30. A former county commissioner, Locke joined the council in July 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was then elected to a four-year term in November that year. His successor will fill the remainder of that term through 2026.

Circus comes to town June 17

Save on pre-sale tickets

WINAMAC - The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Winamac Tuesday, June 17, at the Winamac Town Park for two shows, the first starting at 5:30 p.m., and the second beginning at 7 p.m. Each show lasts about an hour and a half.

The event is sponsored by the Winamac Kiwanis Club.

Pulaski County Farmers Market open for 2025 season

Pulaski County Farmers Market is open for the summer season with a weekly location in Winamac.

The Market features fresh produce, plus, local meats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, baked goods, sweet treats, cut flowers and coffee. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays June through September, on Main Street in front of the courthouse in Winamac.

Francesville ‘Family Fun in Park’ June 28

FRANCESVILLE – The Uptown Project, in partnership with West Central Youth League, will sponsor its “Family Fun in the Park,” from 6 p.m. to sunset, Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to join in for a fun evening of fellowship at the Francesville Town Park.

  

Indiana News

4C Health purchases Curtis Building from PMH

PERU - 4C Health is marking its 50th year in business with an exciting development for Pulaski County operations with the purchase of the Curtis Building from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

The building is located north of Winamac, just off U.S. 35, at 2418 Curtis Drive.

Yakym surprises 'Hoosier Heroes' with Congressional records

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) –Congressman Rudy Yakym honored two local first responders Tuesday recognizing their “exceptional service and commitment to their communities.”

Pulaski County Deputy Christopher Parish and Culver Community Police Chief Ryleigh Carr received entries into the Congressional Record.

Young, colleagues address shortage of mental health providers in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Sen. Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in April

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in April, down from 3.1 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday, (May 22). The rate was 3.1 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,777 employed persons in a labor force of 6,943 in April. In March those numbers were 6,753 of 6,967. A year ago the numbers were 6,388 of 6.591.

  

Post News

County residents invited to Broadband Community Conversation July 8

 Pulaski County stakeholders are leading an effort to develop a comprehensive Broadband plan for the county.

This plan will identify existing conditions, needs and gaps in high-speed internet (broadband) service within the county; set a long-term vision for broadband service; and provide actionable steps and implementation guidelines for broadband service.

Local nurses form Honor Guard to pay tribute to fallen colleagues

WINAMAC - In 2023, a group of retired and active nurses, with the help of Pulaski Memorial Hospital, created a Nursing Honor Guard to assist families in honoring the compassion and dedication of nurses who have passed away - and celebrating their lives and service.

The Nursing Honor Guard is modeled after traditional military honor guards and pays tribute to the deeply personal and meaningful calling of the nursing profession.

CFoPC awards$17,000 to community organizations

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  announced Thursday (June 5) $17,000 has been awarded in grants to four local nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation works to strengthen the community through funding, convening and fostering collaboration among nonprofits to amplify their impact.

Winamac Community HS presents 2025 senior awards

WINAMAC - Winamac Community High School has announced its 2025 Senior Awards winners, honoring graduates for various academic and athletic awards, and scholarships.

The awards were presented at the annual Senior Awards program Friday evening (May 30).

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises held June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School were held Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas were presented to 81 seniors.