New state legislation requires all Indiana schools to have enough AEDs (automated external defibrillator) to cover the buildings and athletic facilities so that a person can have access to one within three minutes. The CFPC grant will support the EPCS’s planned new AED project.

The second gran will support the the high school’s new welding program. Twenty-two WCHS students are enrolled in first-year welding courses under the direction of Keaton James, Ivy Tech adjunct instructor.

James outlined the program to the school board during the Spotlight on Excellence segment of the board meeting.

In other business, the board reviewed the monthly financial report, approving $1.98 million in monthly claims, and studying the fund reports, transfers, and summary of education expenditures.

Superintendent Dara Chezem reported the athletic field expansion project is on target for completion before November. The project includes a new softball field near the baseball field, an update to the practice football field, and expanded parking at the baseball field.

Chezem also announced the elementary and middle schools have received national recognition by being designated as PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Distinguished Schools.

 

Personnel Items

The school board approved the following recommendations regarding staff positions:

  • Morgan Ruff - Girls Basketball 9th Grade V Assistant
  • Bernie White - 8th Grade Boys Basketball
  • Stephanie Keller - 7th Grade Volleyball
  • Kelly Hines - 6th Grade Boys Basketball
  • Aaron Hines - 6th Grade Boys Basketball (Volunteer)
  • Aaron Campbell - MS Baseball (Volunteer)
  • Jimmy Terry - MS Baseball (Volunteer)
  • Travis Wolford - HS Wrestling (Volunteer)
  • Carol Dowling - WCMS Yearbook
  • Sabrina Zellers - 7th Grade Volleyball
  • Travis Wolford - MS Wrestling
  • Justin Ruff - Girls Basketball 9th Grade/Varsity Assistant

The board also approved an extended leave for elementary school instructional assistant Sarah Mitchell.

 

Action Items

The school board accepted a donation of 180 backpacks and supplies from WNDU-TV from the station’s recent school supplies drive.

The board approved the second reading of Neoloa Policy updates. In Indiana, Neola is an independent provider of policy service, focusing efforts on the needs and requirements of school corporations clients. A copy of the policy is available at the central office upon request.

The board also approved:

  • School Improvement Plans
  • Teacher Evaluation Plan
  • Teacher Appreciation Grant
  • Permission to Advertise 2024 Budget

Special Education Support Services contract agreements were approved for:

  • Pulaski Memorial Hospital - physical therapist and physical therapist assistant
  • Stepping Stones Group - speech language pathologist (virtual)
  • Soliant - speech language pathologist assistant

The meeting ended with principals’ reports, the superintendent’s report and board comment.

 

Public Hearing

The EPCS board held a public hearing, before the regular meeting, in regard to collective bargaining in preparation for teacher contract negotiations in the coming year.

 

Executive session

The EPCS board met in executive session on Monday, Sept. 11 to discuss job performance evaluation of individual employees.

  
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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.