Zylstra reported the funds will be used for new doors and locks at the elementary school, as well as more security cameras.

Since being signed in to law in 2013, the Indiana Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program has served as a critical resource to ensure Hoosier schools are safe and secure. The program has delivered more than $72 million in matching grants to Indiana school districts across the state to address potential safety threats and help them prepare. The budget passed during the 2019 General Assembly session allocated $19 million to the SSSG program for school grants and administrative costs - marking the largest ever single-year investment in safety initiatives at Hoosier schools.

In other business, the safety of the intersection of U.S. 421 and S.R. 14 across from the school was discussed. Many accidents have occurred there over the years, including several fatalities. Representatives of West Central are working with the sheriff and local state legislators to make the intersection safer. It is notable that  previous accidents resulted with the addition of turn lanes, which are illegally used and have had the effect of making the intersection even less safe.

Zylstra discussed the wind turbine and its performance the last few months, noting the turbine was down often in July and had more days spinning in August due to some repairs. He has contacted other maintenance companies to compare price and service levels.

The superintendent reported the school district continues to make upgrades in its website and student information system, with more on the way.

Zylstra reported building and grounds improvements lately included a new diesel fuel pump, fresh mulch and pea gravel in the playground areas, and new limestone in the football fan area. A weather station was also installed on the premises, free of charge, thanks to a grant from the WHIN Foundation.

All West Central schools will have a planned eLearning day on Sept. 25 to prepare students and teachers for future eLearning days caused by inclement weather.

I-Learn scores were discussed with the school board, and Zylstra noted West Central’s scores dipped lower, as did the entire state’s.

The school board conducted a 2020 budget hearing for the capital projects plan and bus replacement plan. Superintendent Zylstra went over items in the budget. Board president Todd Miller asked for questions or comments; hearing none, the 2020 budget hearing was closed.

 

Personnel

The board approved the following resignations:

  • Marlana Saltsman – Instructional Assistant
  • Mandy Bishop - 6th & 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach

The board voted to employ the following:

  • Tori Stockberger - Cooperative School Services Related Service Counselor
  • Kelsey Gooch - Functional Instructional Assistant
  • Amy McBride - Instructional Assistant
  • Samantha Stasieik - Instructional Assistant
  • Alison Carnahan - 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  • Jeremy Glasford - Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
  • Charles Mellon - 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  • Annie Scholz - 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
  • Mandy Bishop - Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

Maternity leaves of absence were approved for Kristin Girton and Jenna Pelsy.

A conference request from Mike Carlson to attend the Indiana School Safely Academy was approved.

Field trip requests were approved from Heather Straus for a Sunday performance by the choir at the Francesville Fall Festival, and from Shaw Haselby to visit the FFA Leadership Center.

 

Action items

The board reviewed the insurance proposal for the 2019-20 school year. After discussion, the board voted to approve the proposed change recommended by McGriff Insurance for the district for property and liability insurance as presented.

The board voted to suspend Board Policy Manual Section IX for the Sept. 5 school board meeting. This policy requires two consecutive majority votes of board members for an item to become board policy. The Sept. 5 action was taken at the recommendation of the Indiana School Boards Association in order to comply with the required Teacher Appreciation Grant timeline laid out by the Indiana legislature.

The board voted to approve the updated Teacher Appreciation Grant Policy as presented.

The board voted to update the kindergarten enrollment policy to permit the enrollment of students who turn age 5 on or before Sept. 1 of the year enrolling.

The board approved the changes to the Criminal History Policy to reflect the changes in state law and require extended criminal history checks and a more thorough vetting process for volunteer coaches.

The board voted to approve the Homeless Student Policy as presented to comply with changes to the McKinney-Vento Act.

The board voted to approve the Transfer Student Policy, as presented, to comply with changes laid out by the Indiana legislature which requires the school to accept transfer students if their parent is a teacher in the school corporation.

The board approved the Resolution for Pension Relief Funds as presented.

 

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlsoninformed the board the benchmark assessments are finished for both reading and math. These are being looked at to plan immediate and long range instruction.

The ILEARN scores are back, and as a building staff looked at these compared to the last four years as grade level comparisons and cohort comparisons. Based on these it’s agreed the school needs to make changes to meet the needs of the students and to adjust to the expectations of the new test.

Thursday morning PD went very smoothly for the first run. Only one minor adjustment was reported that should improve with experience.

The PTC fundraiser is going on through Sept. 13. These funds are used in part to support classroom supplies and field trips. The school is excited that the new playground equipment was installed. Kids couldn’t wait to try it out. Carlson thanked all the staff, PTC, and community organizations that have been involved with this over the past several months.

Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchietold the board it has been a very hectic first month at the high school and middle school. The school will start its first round of NWEA testing Sept. 9 which will give staff some baseline reading, English and math data to begin working on remediation. Administrators started pre-conferences with the teachers to discuss the evaluation rubric and the evaluation progress.

The school recently sent three first-year teachers to Winamac Middle School to shadow teachers in their discipline.

The first first Thursday morning PD went off smoothly as staff discussed claims, evidence, reasoning as an instructional writing tool.

Football is also 2-0 which Richie said is "very exciting."

  
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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.