This twice-yearly enrollment data is used for the calculation of state support for the school year. This collection impacts state tuition support and basic grant funding.

In other business, Zylstra revisited the idea of moving sixth grade from the middle school to the elementary school. The benefits and drawbacks were discussed by the school board and administration, and the overall consensus was it would be a positive move for students and the overall setup of the school.

The board also discussed the potential of allowing homeschooled students to play middle school sports at West Central. At the high school level, IHSAA rules require students to be enrolled on campus for at least one course. Middle school has no such restrictions. After investigating other districts’ practice, Zylstra will move forward with drafting some guidelines to allow this to occur.

Zylstra discussed the possibility of charging high school students a larger fee for Chromebooks, with students owning the Chromebooks upon graduation. More research will be done to examine other districts’ policies and practices in this regard.

The superintendent also report to the board that the school district is exploring the possibility of sending out direct mailings to highlight Kindergarten Roundup and the school district’s other strengths to those who live in the West Central school district.

 

Board action items

The school board reviewed the second reading of the proposed Naloxone policy, and then voted to approve it.

The board reviewed the first reading of amendments to the district’s DOT-CDL testing policy.

Students of the Month: Parker Podell was presented a certificate honoring him for being selected as February Student of the Month at the elementary school level. Blake Hughes was honored at the middle school level, and Camron at the high school level.

Field Trip requests were approved as follows:

  • FCCLA State Convention - Stephanie Thilges
  • Brookfield Zoo - 6th & 7th Grade Science - Sara Strus
  • Camp Tecumseh - 6th Grade - Kathy Minnick

Conference requests were approved for the following:

  • Focus on Inclusion Conference - Jennifer Byrne and Chelsea Reed
  • IATCCC - Rebecca Reed, Hillary Durie, Jon Pilarski, Sara Strus and Dave Reif
  • ISNA Winter Seminar & IDOE Training - Jessica Murray and Cathy Risner
  • IASBO Treasurer Training - Shannon Fritz

The board voted to cancel checks greater than two years old for the ECA Account and for the West Central School Account.

The board voted to approve the fund number changes as listed below to comply with the State Board of Accounts directive.

  • 2019 Fund Number & Name 2020 Fund Number & Name
  • 2900 - CAPE PACE Grant 2000 - PACE GRANT 2019
  • 2910 - WIND TURBINE MAINTENANCE 1702 - WIND TURBINE MAINTENANCE
  • 2930 - GO FOR SCH SAFETY GRANT 2005 - G2G SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT
  • 2940 - COUNTY/LIT SHARES 1700 - COUNTY/LIT SHARES
  • 2950 - LOCAL DRUG FREE COMMISSION 2006 - LOCAL DRUG FREE COMMISSION
  • 2970 - PSI IOTA XI/PACK 2007 - PSI IOTA ART GRANT
  • 2980 - COOP REIMBURSEMENT FUND 1300 - COOP REIMBURSEMENT FUND
  • 2990 - TECHNOLOGY MAINT. & REPAIR 1705 - STUDENT TECH DAMAGE FEE

 

Personnel

The school board accepted the resignations of instructional assistants Brittany McIlvain and Amy McBride.

The board approved the following for employment:

  • Sara Strus - Girls Middle School Track Coach
  • Dave Reif - Boys Middle School Track Coach
  • Jon Pilarski - Assistant Varsity Track Coach

Personal leave requests were approved for Sara Strus, Sheryl Fritz and B.J. Aldridge.

 

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlsonreported as follows:

February is Friendship Month at the elementary. We want to focus on what it means to be a good friend. Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Cotner are heading this. It kicked off last Friday with a convocation they created. A few fifth grade students participated and their work really showed with a great presentation. Each week has a theme and then on Friday there are corresponding dress-up days. In connection with this, there will be another convocation in March with a bullying theme done by a professional BMX bike rider.

Teachers have started looking closely at the reading curriculum for adoption. The top two or three companies will be asked to present to the staff for a final determination.

The second round of the NWEA pilot is complete. On February 20th, an on-site representative of a reading program pilot will work with teachers to answer questions and to explain more features. The pilot ends this month and we’ll be making a decision whether or not to purchase it next year.

Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchiereported on January activities:

The school has had success through wrestling and fine arts programs. The previous weekend four wrestlers qualified for regionals, and the fine arts program had several students who achieved gold level and qualified for state competition.

The school sent English teachers and assistant principal Angie Radtke to textbook caravans to update the school’s materials for English.

Ritchie recognized Sandy Lucas (juvenile probation officer), Kenley Newbauer (social emotional counselor), and Jennifer Johnson (the school’s Four County counselor) for helping the school work through some “very tough” situations this month. He added the school system is “blessed to have these people looking over our students with hard situations.”

The professional development opportunities are being centered around SLOs, textbook rental, NWEA, and some active shooter discussion and planning.

 

Work and Executive Sessions

A work session was held before the regular school board meeting to receive information to assist with future plans for West Central.

Discussion Items:

Technology

Kris Aschbrenner, director of technology, discussed some of the technology upgrades from the past year, including new teacher computer monitors and Chromebooks, as well as new Chromebooks for some students. He also presented on future district needs for the next few years. These include new wireless access points, new teacher computers, servers, Chromeboxes for various points around the campus, and an updated PA system.

Buildings and Grounds

David Allen, director of maintenance, discussed some of the work done in the past year on the bus barn and in other places around the campus. He showed pictures of projects planned for the summer, including the completion of the door project, concrete work by the bus barn, and LED lighting around campus. He also highlighted potential projects for the future, including upgrades to bathrooms, HVAC systems, and other cosmetic improvements around the campus that could be pursued.

The school board met in executive session following the regular school board meeting, in accordance with state open door laws, to discuss to discuss a job performance  evaluation of individual employees.

  
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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.