The superintendent added, “we have yet to have a confirmed COVID-19 case in any staff or students, and have worked with the health department to quarantine close contacts of students who had positive cases in their households.”
Also in his report to the board, Zylstra reported the relocation of the school corporation’s central office and staff to the school campus has proven to be a positive move, allowing for quicker communication between all levels of staff.
In other business, Ryan Fetters of Baker Tilly bond consultants and Ed Dumas, school corporation attorney, presented information to the school board on the finer details of the turbine bond refinancing and its ramifications for West Central. The board then voted to adopt resolutions A-E in regard to the refinancing of the turbine debt, as follows:
A. Resolution to Approve Refunding
B. Resolution Approving Form of Fourth Amendment to Lease
C. Resolution Approving First Amendment to Master Continuing Disclosure Undertaking and First Supplement to Master Continuing Disclosure Undertaking
D. Resolution Reapproving Building Corporation
E. Resolution Approving Amended and Restated Post-issuance Compliance Procedures
The board voted to approve the 2020-21 insurance rates as presented.
Approval was given to a motion to adopt the Resolution to Adjust Fund Balances to Reflect Bank Reconciled Balances.
Personnel
The board approved the resignation of instructional assistant Mercedes Pack.
Approval was given to the employment of the following, as presented:
- Ben Gudas - Administrative Assistant
- Tiffany Holle - Instructional Assistant
- Scott Ritchie - Co-Interim Athletic Director
- Angie Radtke - Co-Interim Athletic Director
- Tyler Napier - Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach
- Ben Gudas - Head JV Coach for Boys Basketball
- Tyler Napier - Middle School Assistant Football Coach
- Heather Hensler - Cooperative School Services Bookkeeper/Secretary
Leave requests, for planned absences, were approved for Ashley Bean and Leanna Nielsen.
Principal Reports
Elementary school principal Mike Carlsonreported:
“It’s great to have everyone back together again at the elementary.” The school has 335 students, with 56 virtual students. Carlson added “It’s been going fairly smoothly with the changes that were made. Sixth grade is adjusting to being back with us in the elementary.
There’s been good interest in athletics.
Math benchmarking has been completed, and the school is currently taking NWEA for reading.
Music is looking to do virtual performances this year with a different grade level each month. October is the target start month.
Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchiereported:
“It has been a great month at West Central. We are working hard on a new accountability program and we met with the teachers and it seemed to be well received.
Side notes: 89 percent of last year’s senior class took a dual credit or CTE class. Also 80 percent graduated with a Core 40, and 30 percent graduated with technical or academic honors.
The school has purchased new jerseys for the junior high football team and is working to update the softball field with a new sound system.
The school board met in executive session following the regular meeting “to discuss performance evaluation of individual employees,” in accordance with Indiana Open Door laws.
