The board discussed school bus safety and urged the public to pay attention to all bus drivers and obey school bus “stop arms” for student safety.

Dr. Rowe reported that Friday, Aug. 23 is the school corporation’s first early release day of the school year to allow for professional development.

She also announced the annual ISBA (Indiana School Board Association) conference is coming up in September

The board heard presentation from its architect firm Moake Park Group of Ft. Wayne, and also from its construction firm Tecton Construction Management of Lafayette.

 

Personnel items

The school board approved the resignations, as presented, of Kenley Newbauer - Social Emotional Learning Specialist, and Mariesa Blake, Special Education Teacher.

Approval was given for the following employments:

  1. Mike Carlson - West Central Middle/High School Principal
  2. Toni Blaszczyk - West Central Elementary School Principal
  3. Leanna Nielsen - STEM/6th grade - current teacher
  4. Allison McCormick - Elementary teacher
  5. Krystal Gerlach - SEL for WCM/HS
  6. William Brunker - Music/Choir Teacher
  7. Natalie Wenzel - Special Education Teacher
  8. Michelle Biggs - Student Teaching Supervisor/Substitute
  9. Hannah Stevens - Cafeteria Staff
  10. April Steffel - Cafeteria Staff
  11. Allison McCormick - JV Volleyball coach
  12. Janelle Owens - 8th grade Volleyball coach
  13. Stephen Sholey - Boys Head Golf coach
  14. Sharon Miller - 7th grade volleyball coach
  15. Daniel (Buzz) Beiswanger - Volunteer assistant football coach
  16. Nate Neeley - Assistant Football coach
  17. Becky Reed - Head Co-Ed Varsity Track Coach
  18. Greg Buschman - Assistant Varsity Track Coach
  19. Hillary Durie - Assistant Varsity Track Coach
  20. Quentin Harper - Volunteer Assistant HS Track Coach
  21. Phil Leman - 5⁄6 Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  22. Quentin Harper - Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach
  23. Brittany Baker - 5⁄6 Volleyball Volunteer Assistant Coach
  24. Theresa Shea - Powell-CSS Special Education Coordinator and Diagnostician
  25. Taylor Hook - CSS Transfer from SLP-A to Special Education Coordinator
  26. Addison Goerl - CSS Preschool Speech Pathologist Assistant

 

Action items

The school board voted to approve a motion to advertise the school corporation’s 2025 Budget, 2025 Capital Projects Plan and the 2025 Bus Replacement Plan, as presented.

The board approved a list of disposal items as surplus.

Approval was given to the Medaryville Nursery School Lease Agreement.

The board voted to approve the Substitute Teacher Handbook Revisions as presented.

The board approved the overnight camp for the football high school varsity team.

The board voted to approve payroll and claims for the corporation.

 

Principal reports

Middle/high school principal Mike Carlson reported school is “off and running.”

Registration was July 30-31, and the school has several new students joining the student body. Staff has been hired and positions are filled.

The principal observed “it’s been a busy summer and we’ve found great people.” Four teachers participated in a week-long training program in July for AP-TIP. Nine staff members traveled to University of Indianapolis in June for ICC training at the Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning. Carlson said both programs are going to better prepare students for college and earn credits while still in high school.

Sports are practicing and marching band has been in this week.

 

Budget Work Session

Prior to its regular meeting, the school board met in a work session to review information pertaining to the 2025 budget.

 

  
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Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County America 250 committee to meet April 28

The Pulaski County America 250 Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday (April 28) at the new Pulaski County Historical Society Museum, 110 N. Monticello St., Winamac.

All who are interested in helping to develop county plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary beginning this summer through 2026 is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to attend the meeting.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

  

Indiana News

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 4.3 percent in February

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.2 percent in January, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (March 31). The rate was 3.8 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,535 employed persons in a labor force of 6,831 in February. In January those numbers were 6,507 of 6,793. A year ago the numbers were 6,381 of 6.645.

 

Update: Avian Influenza continues to affect wild birds across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties.

HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl. Thirteen affected birds have been reported in Pulaski County, with significantly high cases found in neighboring Starke and Jasper counties.

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.