The school board conducted its annual reorganization session. Deke DeMarco was re-elected president, and Beth Ruff was voted in as vice president. Tim Rausch was elected secretary.

 Angie Anspach was re-appointed as school corporation treasurer, and Stefanie Grandstaff was appointed as deputy treasurer.

The board approved a motion to set bonds for various positions as follows: $50,000 corporation treasurer, $25,000 deputy treasurer, $25,000 food service director, $25,000 for the athletic director, $25,000 high school extra-curricular treasurer, $5,000 middle school extra-curricular treasurer, $10,000 elementary school extra-curricular treasurer, $5,000 for three administrators, and $10,000 the corporation secretary.

Tim Murray was appointed as the school board attorney on an as-needed basis.

The board voted to set the 2020 school board meeting dates for the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. 

The board voted to continue board member compensation with the previous established rate of $2,000, as presented.

As per statute, conflict-of-interest forms were prepared for those individuals who are affiliated with entities with which the school does business – Joe Cunningham and Lori Cunningham. The board voted to accept the forms, as presented.

The board approved a motion to retroactively transfer $1 million from the operations account to the rainy day account in the 2019 budget year. The board also voted to approve the transfer of $1 million from the operations account to the rainy day account in the 2020 budget year.

The board voted to table the additional appropriations to debt service until the Jan. 29, finance meeting

The board approved administrator assistance financial and transition consultation services for up to 25 days as needed.

 

Other Business

Spotlight on Excellence— Elementary school teacher Meagon Losh presented a slide show of photos showing Title One students reading to a service/therapy dog during a new program called “Reading with Rita.” Losh shared that students have shown incredible improvements since the program began, and noted how reading the same book repeatedly to Rita is more enjoyable for the students than reading repeatedly to a teacher. Retired teacher Peach Roth explained that Rita was her late husband’s service dog and instead of Rita retiring, she was able to become registered as a therapy dog at Therapy Dogs International. Mrs. Roth said she loves bringing Rita to school to share with the students and teachers. Principal Jill Collins said that Reading with Rita takes place every other Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and she thanked Mrs. Roth and Rita for volunteering their time.

Superintendent Chezem gave a financial report for the period ending Dec. 31, 2019. The board voted to approve claims through Jan. 13, 2020, as presented.

Chezem also reported on the following: 

  • Effective June 30, Logansport will no longer provide administrative or support services for EPCS special education. They will continue to provide classroom services for students with severe and profound disabilities in K-5 and severe and profound, moderate cognitive disabilities in grades 6-12. Last year, following the dissolution of the former Logansport Area Joint Special Service Cooperative, a new Shared Services Special Education program was formed with EPCS and two other school corporations. Michelle Gillen was hired as the director/coordinator. EPCS will work with Mrs. Gillen and the other two corporations to put together a plan to move forward.
  • There is proposed legislation to hold harmless the 2019 and possibly the 2020 ILEARN so that teacher evaluations and school letter grades would not be negatively impacted.

The school board voted to follow the recommendation of the bus committee and purchase two white mini buses through Midwest Transit, trade in one yellow bus, and auction off two white mini buses that would be replaced. 

Approval was given by the board to accept a donation from Melissa Newman to pay off negative lunch accounts.

A donation of a kiln from Lindsey Kozubik for the elementary art room was accepted by the board.

Scoring tables that have remained unused for years were presented to the board as surplus items. The board voted to declare the items as surplus.

An out-of-state field trip for Science Olympiad to Loyola University in Chicago was approved by the school board.

 

Personnel

Recommendations for employment were approved for Michelle Craft as a custodian, Lori Brumm as sixth-grade girls basketball coach, and Victoria Morrison as an elementary instructional assistant.

Leave requests were approved for Ryan Harrison, Jean Ewasiuk, and Tammy Halleck.

 

Principal Reports

 Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on the following:

  • The elementary will host its annual Terry Hall Body Smart Safety talks on the morning of Jan. 15. The parent session will be at 6 p.m., Jan. 14. Mrs. Collins said the school is grateful for Hall’s efforts to help empower the students to protect their bodies.
  • The school will host a family literacy at 6 p.m., Jan 23. Mrs. Collins thanked the many teachers who volunteer to make this event possible.
  • The school will hold its annual Leukemia and Lymphoma “Pennies for Patients” event the week of Feb. 3. The principal said, “we are always grateful for the enthusiasm of our students to make a difference.”
  • On Feb. 7, the fourth grade will attend the Lafayette Symphony and tour Elliot Hall of Music at Purdue. Special thanks was extended to music teacher Emily Valencia for arranging this learning experience.
  • The principal reported the elementary students have accumulated nearly 5,000 points on Accelerated Reader. To celebrate the school will hold a “Family Game Time,” allowing students and teachers to play board games for 30 minutes. 
  • The school instructional staff are currently in the process of their middle-of-the year assessments. Mrs. Collins thanked the teachers, instructional assistants, Coach Schultz, and Mrs.Garrity for all of their help. 

 Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported on the following: 

  • First semester came to a close on Dec. 20, and report cards were sent out Jan. 7.
  • The middle school’s main goals will continue to be Achieve 3000, PBIS, and SEL.
  • NWEA testing is finishing up and students are getting prepared for ILEARN.
  • Girls basketball and wrestling are both starting up.
  • The body safety presentation and the pep session are coming up.
  • The principal said the middle school is looking forward to a great second semester.

High school principal Jeremy Tucker reported on the following: 

  • The body safety presentation is this week; many students report things that have happened.
  • The corporation pep session and the Snowcoming dance are Jan. 17.
  • Eighth grade orientation will be Jan. 27.
  • The Hall of Fame night will be Jan. 24.
  • MLK celebrations will take place Jan. 20.
  • Stop the Bleed training from Mrs. Hoover is coming up.
  • The principal said the high school is looking forward to a great second semester.

School Board comment: The board welcomed Mrs. Chezem and thanked Peach and Rita for their gift of time and talent. The board thanked Melissa Newman for her generous donation.

  
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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 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

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.