The superintendent explained that during October 2020 district negotiations, the Indiana Association of School Business Officials projected a 5%-10% reduction in education funding. During most of the spring budget session the proposed budget included a 1.25% increase coupled with a drop of 30 more students from current levels. CARES II & III allotments were not released until mid-April.

The school board met on April 13 to discuss the possibility of reducing positions to ensure West Central staff/student ratios were appropriate to historic levels and spending would not outpace revenue. In order to fully discuss the possibility of a reduction in force with the teachers’ association, it was brought up at an April 19 discussion meeting. The administration was making the best decisions with the information they knew at the time and communicated that information appropriately to those whom it would affect, Zylstra said.

One day later the state budget was revised with a 5% increase in education funding, making the financial necessity of a reduction in force less urgent. However, the projected student to staff ratio remains unchanged, Zylstra pointed out, adding it would be financially imprudent to employ more teachers than are needed for the number of students enrolled. Thus, the administration will work to maintain appropriate staffing levels through attrition if possible, and a reduction in force if necessary within the statutory timeline.

Middle school teacher Jennifer Byrne appeared before the school board to read her letter of resignation and to express concerns about a potential reduction in force. She also voiced concerns about the administration’s ability to communicate and have a constructive relationship with the teachers’ association. Haley Tapper and Marilyn Bernal expressed similar sentiments.

In other business, the superintendent’s report outlined the following items:

• Zylstra spoke about possible uses for CARES II & III funds, including potentially hiring a Title I director or an interventionist for the upcoming school year at the elementary school.
• He presented several options for a stipend for employees using CARES funds to account for the extra work involved during the pandemic and noted that any stipend would need to be agreed upon by the teachers’ association.
• Zylstra discussed a potential HB 1003 Waiver which might allow more professional development time with early releases for students.
• He also noted the projects which will occur this summer on the grounds, and discussed results of the survey sent out to the public regarding priority areas for improvement. The top area identified was the pool area.
•  Zylstra noted that the staff recognition breakfast would be at 8:30, a.m., May 26.
• Graduation will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 30, to finish up the year.

Personnel items

The board approved the following resignations as presented:

• Heather Straus - Band/Choir Teacher
• Ashley Bean - High School Mathematics Teacher
• Kakila Miller - Cafeteria
• Tiffani Bailey - Cafeteria
• Jennifer Byrne - MS Special Needs Teacher

The board voted to approve the following employments as presented:

• 1. Audrey Putt - Virtual Teacher grades 4-6 Maternity leave
• 2. Michael Harter - Driver’s Education
• 3. Richard Warren - Athletic Director
• 4. Tera Pych - Cafeteria
• 5. Becky Reed - Track & Field, HS Head Coach
• 6. Jonathan Pilarski - Track & Field, HS Assistant Coach
• 7. Hillary Durie - Track & Field, HS Assistant Coach
• 8. David Reif - Track & Field, MS Head Coach
• 9. Sara Strus - Track & Field, MS Assistant Coach

The board approved a conference request for Cathy Risner to attend the Indiana School Nutrition Association Summit Conference.

Additional items

Ryan Howatt spoke to the board about his concerns regarding recent developments with the boys basketball program and his desire to see the program grow under the best leadership possible.

The board voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding to increase the track stipends in the master contract.

The board approved a Sunday performance request for the band/choir concert.

The board voted to approve the renewal of the student accident insurance plan with Student Assurance Services as presented for the 2021-22 school year.

Approval was given to the non-certified staff wage increases which will go into effect for the 2021-22 school year as presented. This will increase existing non-certified wages by $0.50 and others by more, based on increased responsibilities.

The board approved the disposal of worthless surplus personal property that has no market value as per IC 5-22-22-8.

The board voted to approve the guaranteed savings contract with Precision Control Systems as described in IC 36-1-12.5-5(d)(3).

Approval was given to the contract with Precision Control Systems for work this summer on the high school, middle school, and elementary HVAC project, pending the statutorily required engineering review and Precision signature on a clean contract.

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlsonreported that it’s been busy at the elementary.

ILEARN testing was completed and broken down over 10 days.

End-of-year benchmarking is finished, and the school still managed to bring back some fun activities. A magician performed on May 6 for the students that mastered their math facts, and those who met their AR goals will participate in a Water Bash.

Awards will be given May 24, and Track and Field Day will be on the last day. The elementary school hosted the Spelling Bee between West Central and Eastern Pulaski for grades 3-5. West Central was well represented with winners in two grades.

The Elementary Choir performed for parents on May 19 with the students writing most of the script themselves, and it was a great show.

Summer School will be June 7-24.

Some professional development is planned for teachers to finish out the new reading curriculum.

The STEM lab is finally scheduled to be installed on June 15, and teachers will be trained when they return to school. This will replace the current computer special class.

Middle/high school principal Scott Ritchieannounced that Mr. Scutchfield’s class raised funds for a new mascot costume. It has been ordered and should arrive in a few weeks.

Scutchfield’s Office Management, Marketing, Accounting, and Intro to Business classes went on a field trip to learn the ins and outs of two major companies in North Judson, Kersting’s Harley Davidson and Bailey’s Discount Center.

Water activities are planned for the middle school on Monday afternoon (May 24). There will be a cookout for the whole school Tuesday.

Awards ceremonies on May18 for seniors went well, and there was a great crowd.

The girls softball team battled it out with North Newton for the conference championship.

Teacher appreciation week went well complete with pizza, trail mix, cake, caramel corn, appreciation letters, and massages.

Middle school track was second and third in the conference, boys and girls respectively.