“Thanks also belong to the Pulaski County Health Department which has been a great resource and help as we’ve made our plans to reopen in collaboration with Eastern Pulaski Schools,” Zylstra continued, in reference to precautions put in place by the two county school systems in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Classes at West Central opened Aug. 12.
The superintendent reported that because many parents opted to drive their children based on a school survey, the school buses will have fewer students which will allow for spacing more effectively.
Zylstra said the school has sufficient PPE (personal protective equipment) and supplies to begin the year for staff and students, and is awaiting the final order of masks from the state.
“With the continued low case count of COVID-19 in Pulaski County and appropriate protocols, we are hopeful we can begin the year as normal as possible,” the superintendent said.
To open its monthly meeting, the board held a public hearing on its master contract with teachers. Industrial technology teacher Dave Reif spoke on behalf of West Central teachers and educators across the state, highlighting how Indiana has lagged behind neighboring states in education funding, teacher pay, and retirement contributions. After adjusting for inflation, beginning teachers in the state are making significantly less than in years past.
School board president Jeff Lowry thanked Reif and the teachers for sharing this information and for their work on behalf of West Central’s students.
Zylstra shared figures highlighting the degree to which inflation has eaten into the purchasing power of per-pupil funding across the state. With no further public comment, the hearing was closed.
In other business, the board voted to move forward with the refinancing of the 2011 Turbine Bonds to capture savings from low interest rates. Zylstra had reported in earlier meetings that the corporation could save over $50,000 by refinancing those bonds, which would allow the school to use the savings for other capital projects.
The board voted to approve to advertise the 2021 Budget, Capital Projects Plan, and Bus Replacement Plan.
The school board voted to approve the updated Indian Trails Career and Technical Education Agreement as presented.
Approval was voted for the 2020-21 Cooperative School Service Employee Contracts.
Personnel items
The board approved the following resignations, as presented:
- Kristin Burton - Cooperative School Services Secretary
- Charles Roberts - Athletic Director
- Alison Carnahan - Instructional Assistant
- Diane Salyers - Custodian
- Jessica Kaeb - Cafeteria
- Tina Hoeferlin - Cafeteria
- Pamela Antrim - Cafeteria
The board approved the employment of the following persons, as presented:
- Jeremy Glasford - Varsity Boys/Girls Cross Country
- Adam Huber - Middle School Boys/Girls Cross Country
- John Murray - Assistant Football Coach
- Zephaniah Conley - Assistant Football Coach
- Corey Howat - Assistant Football Coach
- Kelsey Erb - JV/Varsity Cheer Coach
- Mike Harter - Driver Education
- Shellie Patton - Cafeteria
- Michelle Clapp - Custodian
- 10.Melissa Peterson - Cafeteria
A transfer request was approved for Breanna Smith from full-time secretary to part-time secretary Cooperative School Services
Leave requests were approved for Jennifer Marrs and Dominique Bruner.
Principal reports
Elementary school principal Mike Carlsonreported:
The elementary school was able to hold Kindergarten Round-Up by appointment last week. A few other students finished enrollment this week. The school has 47 enrolled, with eight of them being virtual. Registration for the other students was this week. He reported having online registration was a big help and worked well for most families. After removing the students the school knows are not returning, WCES has approximately 346 students. He further explained the school was informed that 20 students will not be returning, but 21 new students have been enrolled.
There are 56 students in K-6 doing virtual learning. The school will pull two classroom teachers, and one teacher will do a hybrid approach to meet these students’ needs.
Teachers have been working hard training with the new reading series, iReady for some teachers, and next week is NWEA training.
Safety changes are in place with disinfecting, breakfast and lunch changes, classroom spacing, and more to start the year safely in light of COVID-19.
Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchiereported:
“It has been a very active month. We will find out how our actions pay off next week.”
The schools are working hard to develop their first virtual curriculum program. It is a hybrid of CTE classes and virtual classes taken on Plato.
The schools will begin athletic seasons with the suggested number of fans, barring any directives that could change that.
Students will be asked to wear masks while in the hallways at all times. Students will be allowed to mask down during class as long as there is ample amount of space to distance themselves.
Currently, the high school has 191 in-person students and 22 virtual. The middle school has 94 in-person students and six virtual.
