Regarding the 2023 budget, Dr. Rowe reported the school district has received its 1782 Notice from the state (outlining changes made in the submitted budget). The school has 10 days to respond.

With a recent increase in the assessed value, tax rates fell in both the debt service fund and the operations fund. Rate and levy information was shared with the public and board.

The advertised budget for all funds was approved by the state’s department of local government finance. It was also noted that West Central’s levy is under the maximum levy for another year.

Dr. Rowe also reported:

• Dec. 16 is the end of the first semester, with teachers returning on Jan. 2 and students on Jan. 3.
• Several school board members recently attended the ISBA regional meeting on Nov. 15 in Plymouth.
• The high school student council presented a “very nice” Veterans Day program on Nov. 11 with an “exemplary performance” by the middle school choir. The choir also recently sang at a girls basketball game.
• The Pulaski County Safe School Commission met on Nov. 9.
• Information was shared about the pursuit of a comprehensive counseling grant.

Personnel

The board accepted the resignation of industrial technology/physical education teacher David Reif, effective Dec. 16.

Approval was given to the employment of the following:

• Joy Schlatter - EL Coordinator 2022-23 school year
• Haley Tapper and Kayla Butterfield - Elementary Student Council
• Jeremy Glasford - GJV Basketball Coach
• Rachel Neeley - CSS Data Secretary
• Sarah Claton - CSS Assistant Director
• Tyler DeMoss - Industrial Technology

Leave requests were approved for the following, as presented:

• Holly Benesh - Personal Leave 1⁄2 pm – Dec. 16.
• Katie Bullington - Maternity Leave – Jan. 28, start

Action items

The board voted to approve the resolution to transfer funds from the education fund to the operations fund, as presented. Approval was also for a resolution to transfer funds from the Debt Service fund to the Textbook Rental fund, as presented.

The board approved a resolution to balance accounts, as presented.

The school board approved the sale of West Central School Corporation property at 117 E. Montgomery Street, Francesville as it is no longer needed.

Approval was given to a motion to approve the items to be declared surplus, as presented.

The board voted to approve the revisions to the West Central School Corporation Wellness Policy, as presented.

The board approved the Teacher Grant Distribution, as presented.

Approval was given to the Facilities Usage form, as presented.

Principal reports

Elementary school principal Mike Carlson shared November seemed to go by quickly at the elementary.

The ever-popular Gym Swim began this month. Kids were looking forward to swimming.

The school has started the mid-year benchmarking in both reading and math. That should finish next week. A definite progress-monitoring schedule has been implemented in the lower grades to more closely monitor student progress. The results are showing students are grasping the foundational reading skills. This data is being used to adjust interventions on a steady schedule. Two new programs are on pilot, so the December scores will show any impact these programs are having in the upper grades.

Carroll White REMC and Purdue Extension were visited the school this week building circuits with fourth grade. This is always a great experience.

Donuts with Dudes is Dec. 2. This will be the first since 2019. Over 360 students and adults are expected. Thank you to PTC for organizing the event and Family Express for donating all the donuts.

Middle/high school principal Angie Radtke shared that in November, the eighth graders participated in Reality Store.

Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Newbauer took 25 students on a field trip to tour Purdue Northwest.

Mrs. Supremo and her physics class accompanied Mr. Wegner and his students from Winamac on a trip to Purdue to visit Nuclear Reactor Number One, which is the first and only nuclear reactor operating in Indiana.

Juniors took the ASVAB and did really well. Of the 40 who tested, 32 met or exceeded the minimum score.

Emily Hackler from the Jasper County Airport visited and spoke with the freshmen and sophomores about a possible aviation CTE pathway.

Mr. Pilarski won a grant through the American Dairy Association of Indiana. Thanks to his hard work, the weight room will be equipped with a cooler that will house chocolate milk to help replenish the calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and electrolytes that are lost during a strenuous workout.

The teachers had a Google Meet Day Dec. 1 to practice in case the school gets to the point of needing to do synchronous learning due to inclement weather.

All winter sports are well under way. The school has had some exciting and close games, and the public is encouraged to try to catch a game or two.

Executive session

The school board met in executive session before the regular meeting to discuss job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation or benefits of employees during a budget process.