In other business, Superintendent Dr. Cathy Rowe gave an update on the band and choir improvements in the high school area. She added that representatives from Moake Park architect firm will visit the school this month to do a walkthrough to review school facilities, as the district considers another improvement project. The plan is that this list will be reviewed at a board work session in December. Additionally, information regarding the pool will also be shared.
The superintendent also reported the following:
- The ISBA Regional Meeting will be Nov. 9.
- The school corporation will use the remaining ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to purchase more interactive televisions in the upcoming months.
- The district is currently reviewing student information systems and should be making a decision in the near future.
Student of the Month awards were presented by the school board to middle/high school honoree Katie Scholz and to Abel Lindahl, as the elementary school selection.
Personnel items
The school board approved the following resignations and retirements, as presented:
- Courtney Wilcox - CSS
- Ryan Howat - JV Boys Basketball
The board voted to approve the following employments, as presented:
- Aliza Daniels - WCES Custodian
- Stephen Sholey - Boys Varsity Golf Coach
- Joelyn Flotow - Assistant Coach, Softball
- Shelby Powell - Volunteer Assistant, Softball
- Ralph Sharpe - Volunteer Assistant, Softball
- Janelle Johnson - Volunteer Assistant, Softball
- Ben Gudas - Boys JV Basketball Coach
- Jordan Danford - 7th grade girls basketball coach
- McKenna Boerner - CSS Job Coach
A leave request was approved for Kellis Gutwein - Oct. 24.
Action items
The school board voted to approve the recommended changes to the support staff handbook, including language regarding retirement contributions and leave requests.
The board approved the addition of Delta Dental to individual, independent pay plan benefits. This is an alternative plan that will be offered to staff whereby the plan is employee pay only and there is no corporation contribution.
Approval was given to the bus rental request by First Christian Church for Oct. 18, as presented.
The board approved the Frontline Applicant Tracking platform, as presented.
The school board voted to approve the second reading and adopt the school board policies as presented.
Approval was granted to the Medaryville Fire Department facilities rental request, as presented.
The board voted to approve the resolution authorizing the authority to lower appropriations, as presented.
The board approved the resolution to transfer amounts from the education fund to the operations fund, as presented.
A resolution to transfer funds to the Rainy Day fund was approved as presented.
The school board voted to approve the WCMHS student handbook revision, as presented.
Principal reports
Elementary school principal Mike Carlson shared that the school was busy during October. First grade visiting Parkview Haven has resumed. Mrs. Heims’ class went to read with the residents. The principal said, “we’re happy to be able to do this again.”
Third grade traveled to Conner Prairie for a full day of learning.
Carlson said the staff is always happy to see families at Parent Teacher Conferences. The building-wide turnout had 96.5% participation with 81% of that being in-person, and the remaining were contacted in a different format to accommodate schedules.
Both Medaryville’s and Francesville’s fire departments visited the school for Fire Prevention Month. First Grade was excited to learn from the firefighters and to have a ride on the fire truck.
Carlson thanked the PTC for providing dinner during conferences, and the carmel apple treats when returning from break. They also sponsored the annual pumpkin decorating contest, which had record numbers. The students have great imaginations and skills decorating. Fall Break was a welcome little pause as students and staff gear up for the rest of the semester.
Middle/high school principal Angie Radtke reported the school has wrapped up the first grading period and is already three weeks into the new one.
Parent teacher conferences were held Oct. 16. Twenty-four percent of the students had a parent show up for conferences.
Mrs. Reed, Miss Durie, and the theater department put on a “wonderful” performance of, North Woods Nonsense.
One-hundred percent of Mrs. Thilges’ students passed their SERVSafe Food Handler Certification Exam.
Connor Marlatt is the WKVI Athlete of the Week and was recognized for being the second rated passer in all of Indiana. His interview aired on WKVI’s Coaches Corner Nov. 4.
The school participated in Red Ribbon Week last week. Students received mini lessons that were prepared for the teachers by Mrs. Newbauer about artificial and natural highs, and its effects on their brains. Any student who participated in these went into a drawing each day at lunch for prizes. At the end of the week, Dawn Quimby shared her story about her struggle with drugs and alcohol.
Mrs. Newbauer and Mandy Nielsen from Purdue Extension have been meeting with the 8th graders going over the Reality Store event on Nov. 3.
