Superintendent Dan Zylstra gave preliminary notice last month to social studies teacher Jonas White, science teacher Lacie Allison, and language arts teacher Kevin Wenzel that their teaching contracts would be cancelled at the end of the school year.

The teachers were advised they had the right to request a conference with the superintendent, and later the school board if they chose to, according to state code. None of the teachers exercised that right, and thus the superintendent’s preliminary decision was considered final.

In other business, the school board approved a motion to relocate the Central Office from downtown Francesville to the main school campus on U.S. 421. The central office will be located in the current middle school office and adjacent empty classrooms. The same PO Box 578 will be kept.

Zylstra reported West Central sent out 52,197 meals to the school community during the months of March, April, and May. The school campus was closed during those months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers and students completed the school year through “distance learning.”

“The cafeteria and instructional staff members worked very hard to serve the community and deserve our thanks,” Zylstra said.

Superintendent Zylstra also reported on the following:

• West Central students took great care of their electronic devices during distance learning. They were returned in stellar condition with very few instances of damage during their two-and-a-half months outside the building.
• The four-way stop has been installed at the U.S. 421 and SR 14W/CR 200S intersection adjacent to the school campus, a project in the making since last fall that will increase campus safety.
• Summer projects continue on campus, including the continued installation of LED lights, repainting of hallways, and the replacement doors as part of the School Safety Grant.
• Bus inspection will be June 12.
• The debt on the wind turbine is up for possible refinancing this year. That being the case, Zylstra told the board it is a good time to review the possibility of refinancing to lower rates and also examining the school corporation’s overall capital project needs for the medium-term future. The hope is a representative from the bond company can come to the July meeting to provide more specifics and options.

Appointments and Contracts

The school board appointed Casie Allen as the extra-curricular activities treasurer for West Central Schools for the 2020-21 school year, with Shannon Fritz serving as the assistant treasurer.

The board voted to approve the non-certified letters to employ for the 2020-21 school year as presented.

The board approved the 2020-21 bus driver contracts as presented.

The board voted to approve the administrator contracts as presented.

The board appointed Andy Durham and Karen Srull to the Francesville-Salem Township Public Library Board, as presented.

Additional action items

The school board voted to approve the Requests for Proposal as presented from the following vendors: Dairy to Prairie Farms; Produce to Piazza Produce; and GPO (Cafeteria Food, Supplies, and Commodities) to Gordon Foods/HPS.

The board voted to approve the changes to the 2020-21 Course Description Guidelines which include PE credit for sports and marching band participation, as presented.

Approval was given to the Elementary School Student Handbook changes, as presented.

Approval was given to the Middle/High School Student Handbook changes, as presented.

The board approved the updated 2020-21 textbook rental fees for the elementary school as presented.

The board voted to approve the mental health provider “Memorandum of Understanding” with Four County Counseling, as presented.

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlson reported:

The school year ended very well. The curbside pick-up and drop off of items and devices was a success. After a few additional contacts, there are just eight devices to be returned to get supplies.

The new doors are looking great.

Kindergarten will register on June 11 and 12. One parent only will come in and fill out registration information. The needed screening of the students will happen later in the summer  or when students return to school, depending on state guidelines.

The adjustments are being made for the sixth grade move to the elementary school. Teachers have been moving rooms and that’s nearly complete.

Custodians have been working hard getting rooms cleaned and ready and moving items for the teachers. With class numbers, Jessica Williams has agreed to return to fourth grade, and Devin Green is moving to second grade. The school is awaiting guidance from the state to formalize plans on how the beginning of school will look.

Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchie reported:

As the school is concluding its year at the middle/high school, several events will still happen. Look for an academy awards-style awards program for the underclassmen. Many guest speakers will help out with this, and it should be worth the watch.

School officials are working now on making rehearsal plans for graduation - a fun day for the seniors with a cookout and some other activities. West Central plans an outdoor graduation June 21, weather permitting, at the football field.

The school will begin to release the Top 12 banquet videos randomly next week as a lead-up to graduation.

The locker cleanout and book return went very well and all, but less than 10 students, showed up over the two days.