The school board was informed the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has developed detailed guidance on curricular material reimbursement. Schools will be reimbursed at a rate of $151.88/student this school year.
In other business the school board decided that Chromebook insurance will be an optional charge for parents. Elementary cost will be $15 and middle/high school cost is $25.
The board also approved meal prices for the 2023-24 school year. All meal prices K-12 will remain the same as last year. The elementary breakfast will continue at $1.25 and lunch at $2.25. The middle/high school breakfast will be $1.50 and lunch remains at $2.50. Adult breakfast will be $2.10 and lunch $4.20.
Reports on financial items, multi-year contracts a summary of education expenditures and ECA reports for all three schools were all approved by the school board.
Personnel Items
The board approved the following recommended for employment:
- Emily Ludwig, HS English
- Charles Rebeck, HS Industrial Arts
- Morgan Ruff, EPES Teacher
- Mary S Takach Seligman, WCMS Instructional Assistant
- Jennifer Winters, EPES Instructional Assistant
- Patricia Nolan, WCMS Instructional Assistant
- Heather Burns, EPES Express Choir
The board accepted the resignations of the following:
- Brittany Miller WCMS Instructional Assistant
- Kaitlyn Lindbergh EPES Teacher
The board voted permission to hire a part-time OT (occupational therapist) through Shared Services (Caston, Pioneer and EPES). The school’s current OT wants fewer hours, and therefore it was proposed to hire a second part-time OT. Each OT will have a maximum of 24 hours/week for the three districts.
The board also agreed to increase field trip and athletic trip rates (excluding in-town trips) to $17/hour.
Action and Discussion Items
The school board accepted the following donations:
- Larry Rausch - $150 to preschool program
- Ladies of Charity from Good Samaritan - $5,693.94 for replacing three outdated AEDs
- Winamac Music boosters - $23,247.97 for acoustical shell to enhance performance acoustics for band and choir performances
- Bethel Bible VBS - $300 for sharing closets
- Welding Workforce Grant - $25,000 toward five welding machines
The board approved the second reading of the Classified Handbook which is available at the Central Office upon request.
Approval was also given to the second reading of the Corporation Student Handbooks.
The board voted to approve the renewal of the Special Education Shared Services agreement.
Reports on the 2023-24 curriculum for the elementary, middle and high schools were approved.
Approval was given to the agreement to amend the bargaining unit, removing CEP Shared Services positions of the school psychologist and special education coordinator from bargaining unit.
The board voted to institute an Emergency Hire Authorization.
The budget calendar 2024, which includes a special board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, was reviewed and approved.
Renewal was approved for MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with 4C.
An overnight field trip for the volleyball team was approved for July 17-18.
The school board meeting ended with the superintendent’s report and board comment.
