For the new school year, students had the opportunity to sign up for the free program which operates as a “special” on a released time basis off-site. At West Central, the newly-built LifeWise Academy is located just south of the school campus. Students are driven via shuttle bus.
The non-denominational, Bible-based classes with an emphasis on character education are legal, adhering to both federal and state laws, and are offered in school districts nationwide. LifeWise is staffed with teachers who have experience working with and teaching children. Volunteers chaperone students to and from the elementary building and help in the classroom. Everyone involved with LifeWise will undergo a thorough background screening.
In other business at the school board meeting, middle/high school principal Angie Radtke reported that athletic director Richard Warren has teamed up with Bethel University in Mishawaka which has agreed to co-host clinics in boys and girls basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball.
Radtke said this will expose West Central athletes to college coaches and provide professional development opportunities for the school’s current coaching staff. All clinics will take place on the West Central campus. The plan is to also offer this opportunity to students from surrounding school corporations, which will, hopefully, become a fundraiser for the WCHS athletic department.
Superintendent Dan Zylstra discussed with the school board recent changes to COVID protocol in the state. He reported West Central has been blessed with very few positive cases among staff and students and has not needed to quarantine large numbers of students. The district wants to stay the course with its current COVID-19 practices.
Zylstra also reported that he and some consultants recently reviewed the pool area, the band and choir rooms, and other grounds overall. They will continue to get estimates about potential improvements for the future.
The calendar committee met for the district, and Zylstra inquired about the possibility of moving graduation Sunday. After some discussion, it was determined to continue with current practice.
Zylstra also discussed the HVAC system with the board, as delays in the rooftop unit’s arrival have stalled the progress of the project and resulted in sub-optimal temperature control on campus.
The school board held a public hearing for the 2022 budget, capital projects plan, and bus replacement plan. Zylstra went over items in the budget. Board president Jeff Lowry asked for questions or comments. Hearing none, the 2022 budget hearing was closed.
Personnel
The board accepted the resignation of instructional assistant Jerry Norman.
Approval was given to the employment of the following, as presented:
- Sandy Prater - Custodian
- Jennifer Bryant - Elementary Teacher
- Jerry Norman - 1⁄2 time Bus Driver
- Bianca Radtke - Science Lab Monitor/Instructional Assistant
- Brooklyn Radtke - Elementary STEM Instructor
- Dylan Ingram - Instructional Assistant
Leave requests were approved as follows:
- Haley Tapper - personal leave
- Lisa Marlatt - personal leave
- Harold Rogers - personal leave
- Becky Reed - writing conference/personal leave
Action items
The school board voted to approve the additional fall play performance for Sunday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m.
The board approved the 2021-22 insurance rates as presented.
Approval was given to the 2021-22 Teacher Appreciation Grant Plan.
The board voted to approve the 2021-22 Cooperative School Services Employee Contracts.
The board approved the PERF resolution allowing certain food services staff into the Public Employee Retirement Plan.
Principal reports
Elementary school principal Mike Carlson reported that the school year is “progressing very well” and the elementary is happy to have a few new students.
Benchmarking in reading and math is complete except for just a few students, and the data will be used for classroom and success planning.
Thursday professional development will return on Sept. 16, with the first topic being the new Social Studies curriculum.
Study tables will begin after progress reports.
Middle/high school principal Angie Radtke noted that the math and English teachers finished up the NWEA assessments this week.
Radtke and Carlson are working on professional development plans for the E-learning day on Sept. 20. They plan to have some teacher-led breakout sessions in the afternoon. These sessions will allow teachers to choose professional development topics that will be beneficial to them and their classroom needs. The sessions will also allow others to share the great things they are doing in their classrooms that will benefit others.
On Aug. 28, the cross country team hosted the annual 421 Run with nine participating teams. The West Central middle school girls, middle school boys, and high school boys all took first place.
Radtke said the new speakers at the football field “sound amazing,” and the student support at athletic events has been “so awesome to see,” with many students taking advantage of free admission.
