At the board’s regular meeting March 4, Superintendent Dan Zylstra noted that funding for public schools has not kept pace with inflation. West Central no longer receives the small schools grant and has a significantly diminished level of funding for the complexity index.
Zylstra added in December 2010 West Central received $6,990 per student when all state funding was accounted for. In 2020, the school received $6,991 per student. Funding has been almost flat despite 10 years of inflation. Additionally, every dollar West Central receives and spends is subject to public scrutiny and accountability. The legislature is considering bills that would support the diversion of public funds to non-public entities lacking in accountability.
The superintendent presented to the board the resolution opposing this action by the legislature. There was discussion amongst board members about the positives and negatives of state policy as proposed and the effect such policies would have on West Central. Members of the West Central Classroom Teachers’ Association were also present and voiced their concerns about legislative actions and expressed willingness to work with the West Central School Board to raise awareness of these concerns to the greater public.
Board member Todd Miller voted against the resolution.
Eight area school boards met recently at North White schools to discuss the proposed legislation to adjust school funding. Similar resolutions have been adopted by school boards across the Hoosier state.
In other business, Zylstra shared plans for the 2021-22 school year, assuming COVID-19 protocols will be mostly removed. West Central will not plan to offer a virtual option for elementary students, and will offer virtual options for grades 7-12 as was done prior to the pandemic.
The superintendent told the board that enrollment levels for 2021-22 will likely be lower, so West Central will be looking to reduce staff through attrition or other means if necessary.
Summer projects were shared, including replacing carpeting in the elementary school, remodeling the health occupation room to accommodate one more hospital bed, paint in several key areas, and the camera project as part of the school safety grant. Potential band/music room improvements were also floated, and the update on the progress of the softball press box was given.
Zylstra reported the central office staff is finishing the audit for the 2018-20 fiscal years.
An agreement was presented by Zylstra to allow students at West Central to leave campus for religious instruction during the day. In addition to adopting this handbook language, this action also served as the first reading for addition to the board policy manual. At its February meeting, the board a presentation from a group of community members on Lifewise Academy, a potential pullout program for religious instruction at West Central. In the program, students would leave the school campus to receive religious instruction at a designated location and then return. The school would accommodate the schedule. No academic credit would be given, although Zylstra reports state code allows for the possibility at the high school level.
Zylstra presented the second reading of the updated Title IX Policy based on new guidance from the Indiana School Boards Association. The board voted to approve the new policy language.
The superintendent shared further information on the schools’ mechanical systems in light of recent consulting work. He asked the board for permission to advertise a “Request for Proposal” in order to get firm pricing for upcoming necessary improvements for heating, air conditioning, and mechanicals. The board voted to allow the Zylstra to advertise for the request as described.
The school board voted to approve the 2021-22 school board meeting dates.
The board voted to cancel checks greater than two years old for the ECA account.
Personnel
The board approved the following resignations as presented:
- Mackenna VanderTuin
- Courtney Mestrovich
Approval was given to the employment of the following as presented:
- Scott Owens – assistant baseball coach
- Corey Howat – assistant baseball coach
- Candace Anliker – fourth-grade maternity leave
- Jennepher Marrs - kindergarten teacher
- David Allen - head baseball coach
- Shelby Powell - assistant varsity softball coach
Leave requests were approved for the following as presented:
- Marci Kennedy - personal
- Angie Radtke - personal
- Jessica Williams - maternity leave
A conference request was approved for B.J. Aldridge to attend a coaching clinic.
Principal reports
Elementary school principal Mike Carlsonreported that the IN Mac Design Studio grant the school was awarded last year has been put on hold because of COVID. They have continued to work with the principal, and he was able to receive the grant. The equipment will be installed (hopefully) at the end of May or beginning of June.
The elementary students enjoyed joining in with FFA week again and the petting zoo was a big hit. Thank you to the FFA for including them.
The student council sponsored a food drive the last week of February, with 1,586 items collected and distributed locally.
Fulton County REMC representatives visited the school and taught lessons on circuits with fourth grade. REMC is greatly appreciated for doing this and are valued as outside partners.
IREAD testing is scheduled this month.
Another Book Fair is scheduled for April.
Middle/High school assistant principal Angie Radtkestated February was a short but busy month. The West Central wrestling program had an outstanding run in the tournament. Braden Nuest and Drake Fritz made it to state where they put up a good fight against some tough opponents. Two pep sessions were held to celebrate and honor them.
The high school celebrated National FFA Week with students who dressed up, drove their tractors, and put on a petting zoo for the elementary school.
Miss Strus is planning another incentive trip for the middle schoolers. Students who don’t have any Fs, no Monday Night Schools, ISS, OSS, or lunch detentions may attend. As of right now, 80 out of 102 students are eligible to attend. The kids look forward to these incentives and work very hard to be able to attend.
The open athletic director position has been posted and the applications are starting to roll in.
Late-start Thursdays are being held with professional development again.
Mrs. Radtke has been in contact with Barb Eckert, the activities director from Parkview Haven in Francesville. Mr. Haselby and the FFA are going to be building some wooden car frames for a future outdoor drive-in night at Parkview Haven, and the art students will be painting them for a community service project.
