The new special education program is being developed following the dissolution of the former Logansport Area Joint Special Services Cooperative.

Interim EPCS Superintendent Dr. Gib Crimmins reported Gillen has ties to the local area.

The school board also dealt with several other personnel items at its regular monthly meeting Aug. 12, as the new school year got underway.

 

Personnel items

Retirements/Resignations:

  • Kindergarten teacher Emily Woodward submitted her resignation to take employment elsewhere. Mrs. Woodward was thanked for her service.

Employment:

  • Ron Bedwell and Brandon Wall were recommended for the open middle school football coaching positions.
  • Pam Chumley was recommended as the bus driver for the new special education route to Caston School Corporation.
  • Alison Stanton was recommended for the Co-Student Council sponsor.
  • Gretchen Gearhart and Heather Kasten were recommended as Junior Class sponsors.
  • Kate Daily was recommended to replace Pam Burger on the High School Leadership Team.
  • Michelle Gillen was recommended for the Shared Services Special Education director/coordinator.
  • Rebecca Abbey and Alison Sehstedt were recommended for the open bus driver positions.
  • Alexis Swartzell was recommended to fill the open position in fourth grade for first semester.
  • Caylee Casko was recommended for the open high school study hall position.

Leave Requests:

  • Fourth grade teacher Danielle Dommer submitted her request for medical leave for the first semester.

The board approved the personnel items as presented.

The test coordinator and speech language pathologist items were tabled for a later meeting.

 

Dr. Crimmins reported on the following:

  • Registration went very well and the buildings are in excellent shape, thanks to maintenance and custodial staff.
  • The public hearing on negotiations will be at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 22.
  • Good Oil was thanked for providing lunch for the entire staff for the opening day meeting.
  • The scoreboard is complete and looks good. The air conditioning in the press box is also installed and working.

Dr. Crimmins gave a financial report for the period ending July 31. All school corporation funds had positive balances. After discussion, the board approved all claims as presented

Board member Joe Cunningham requested to be excused from serving on the negotiation team. Members Rob Zeider, Deke DeMarco, and Beth Ruff volunteered to serve on the negotiation team..

The board voted to reschedule the October board meeting for Oct. 21 (third Monday, instead of the second).

School Board comment: Don Good and Good Oil were thanked again for providing lunch for all staff at Opening Day Meeting. All teachers and staff were thanked for their participation during Opening Day Meeting. Maintenance and Grounds were thanked for a job well done. Dr. Crimmins was thanked for his motivating speech during Opening Day Meeting. The entire staff was thanked for their efforts in preparing for the start of the 2019-20 school year.

Public Comment: Rudy Anderson questioned the progress on finding a speech language pathologist. He thanked the board for working to find a teacher for his son.

  
Pulaski Health Care Center
Pulaski Health Care Center - Parkview
FNB Monterery
Habitat
Ace Hardware
WKVI Side

Local News Briefs

Indiana Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

I-65 to have overnight lane closures near State Road 14

 JASPER COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between SR 10 and SR 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12.

I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work will be ongoing through mid-October.

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

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 activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

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

Gov. Braun signs HB1144

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6) – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed HB1144 which will make some adjustments in the state’s court systems.

Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made late last month to the proposed bill approved by both the state house and senate April 24 in the Indiana General Assembly.

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles out break in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

  

Post News

PCELN works to build infrastructure for quality childcare in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Early Learning Network (PCELN) is working to ensure families in Pulaski County have access to affordable, quality childcare.

The network notes that many different groups in the county community must come together to address this critical need. Access to high-quality early childhood education means that children are more likely to build a foundation for success in school and life.

West Central School Board honored by Indiana School Boards Association

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Corporation School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2024 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student success and professional learning.

Only 124 school boards in the State of Indiana earned awards through the EGA program this year.

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.