On Friday, Aug. 4, the district will hold a new teacher orientation. Aug. 7-8 are teacher work days. Meet the Teacher will be Monday, Aug. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. The first student early release will be Aug. 26. On Aug. 31, West Central will host an Immunization Clinic.

In her report to the board, Dr. Rowe said the natural gas line leading into the building at the high school will need repairs, and there should be someone on site Aug. 4 to repair the line.

The superintendent reported maintenance and custodial staff have worked very hard this summer to get the building and grounds ready for school. New paving of the entire parking lot has taken place, as well as all exterior doors being renumbered so they are sequential. The block building has been painted and is awaiting a metal roof along with a new garage door under the bleachers.

She also gave a construction update for the band and choir area, informing the public that the flooring material has been removed from both the band and choir rooms, with more renovations starting after Labor Day.

 

Personnel items

The board approved the following resignations and retirements as presented:

  • Elyse Williams - WCES Instructional Assistant/PE Teacher
  • Kayla Butterfield - WCES Elementary Teacher
  • Katie Ferrer - WCES Elementary Teacher
  • Whitney Bartlett - CSS Coordinator

Approval was given to the following employments as presented:

  • Kieley Garcia - WCES Elementary PE for portion of day; IA remainder
  • Dianna Maxwell - WCES Part Time Interventionist
  • Cheryl Ailes - Custodian
  • Danielle Christensen – WCMS/HS Life Skills
  • Kevin Wenzel - WCES Elementary teacher part time
  • Jenelle Owens - 7th grade Volleyball Coach
  • Brian Pilarski - Head Softball Coach
  • Becky Reed - Head Co-Ed Varsity Track Coach
  • David Allen - Head Baseball Coach
  • Ben Gudas - Middle School Football Head Coach
  • Jason Wall - Volunteer Volleyball Coach
  • Scott Owens - Boys Assistant Varsity Coach
  • Ryan Howat - Boys JV Basketball Coach
  • Ashlund Smolek - 8th Grade Volleyball Coach
  • Daniel Buzz Bieswanger - Volunteer MS Football Coach
  • Christina Rossman - CSS Educational Diagnostician
  • Patti Kem - CSS Part Time Coordinator

 

Action items

The school board voted to provide permission to advertise the 2024 Budget, 2024 Capital Projects Plan, and the 2024 Bus Replacement Plan. The budgets will be posted on the school corporation website http://www.wcsc.k12.in.us/.

The board approved Julie Davidson to the Jasper County Public Library Board as presented.

The board approved Karen Srull to the library board of Francesville-Salem Township Public Library as presented.

Approval was given to the sale of the old corporation office in downtown Francesville as presented, and it was further recommended that the board require the buyer to pay all closing costs associated with the sale.

A motion was passed to approve the consultation agreement with Administrator Assistance for up to eight hours, as presented.

The school board voted to approve the first reading and review of the policies presented.

 

Principal reports

 

Elementary school principal Mike Carlson shared that Summer School “went great and it was capped off with a great trip to The Shedd Aquarium.” Also, the school hallways were painted shortly after that, and now are all fresh and new.

Registration went well. It was very busy at times, and the school is welcoming several new students to the building. Enrollment is up. There are currently 45 kindergarten students.

Staffing is becoming an increasing challenge each year. The school was in very good shape at the beginning of the summer, and then more changes happened. It’s falling in place now.

ILEARN scores had some very bright spots. Plans and monitoring are in place to keep building on this success. Once students settle in, benchmarking will begin.

First day of Lifewise is Aug. 14. Carlson said he “still firmly believe this is a great program and partnership for our students, school, and community.”

The staff is looking forward to seeing everyone at Meet the Teacher and having a great school year.

Middle/high school principal Angie Radtke was excited to report that as of 9:57 this morning (Aug. 3), the middle and high schools are fully staffed!

Mrs. Thilges and three of her FCCLA students, Kayla Schlatter, Skye Withman, and Chelsea Schultz, traveled to Denver, CO in July where they competed in the FCCLA National Leadership Conference. They all earned a silver medal for their projects.

Buzz Beiswanger participated in the IFCA High School All Star Football Classic on Friday July 14, which Coach Hall also had the honor of coaching.

All fall sports have started official practices. West will host the Midwest Conference Football Jamboree Aug. 11.

Monday night, Aug. 7 is Meet the Teacher Night.

  
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Local News Briefs

One-mile stretch of SR 39 closed for structure replacement

PULASKI COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction has closed SR 39 between CR 300 N and CR 200 N as of Monday, June 16.

SR 39 will be closed for approximately five weeks for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow SR 14, U.S. 421 and SR 10.

Pulaski County GOP caucus June 21 to fill county council vacancy

The Pulaski County Republican Party has issued a notice that it will hold a caucus at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, June 21, to fill a vacancy on the county council. The caucus will be held at the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac.

Party chairman Kenneth Boswell reports Dist. 3 councilman Jerry Locke has resigned effective June 30. A former county commissioner, Locke joined the council in July 2022 to fill a vacancy. He was then elected to a four-year term in November that year. His successor will fill the remainder of that term through 2026.

Circus comes to town June 17

Save on pre-sale tickets

WINAMAC - The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Winamac Tuesday, June 17, at the Winamac Town Park for two shows, the first starting at 5:30 p.m., and the second beginning at 7 p.m. Each show lasts about an hour and a half.

The event is sponsored by the Winamac Kiwanis Club.

Pulaski County Farmers Market open for 2025 season

Pulaski County Farmers Market is open for the summer season with a weekly location in Winamac.

The Market features fresh produce, plus, local meats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, baked goods, sweet treats, cut flowers and coffee. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays June through September, on Main Street in front of the courthouse in Winamac.

Francesville ‘Family Fun in Park’ June 28

FRANCESVILLE – The Uptown Project, in partnership with West Central Youth League, will sponsor its “Family Fun in the Park,” from 6 p.m. to sunset, Saturday, June 28.

The public is welcome to join in for a fun evening of fellowship at the Francesville Town Park.

  

Indiana News

4C Health purchases Curtis Building from PMH

PERU - 4C Health is marking its 50th year in business with an exciting development for Pulaski County operations with the purchase of the Curtis Building from Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

The building is located north of Winamac, just off U.S. 35, at 2418 Curtis Drive.

Yakym surprises 'Hoosier Heroes' with Congressional records

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) –Congressman Rudy Yakym honored two local first responders Tuesday recognizing their “exceptional service and commitment to their communities.”

Pulaski County Deputy Christopher Parish and Culver Community Police Chief Ryleigh Carr received entries into the Congressional Record.

Young, colleagues address shortage of mental health providers in schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 27) – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Sen. Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

Pulaski County unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in April

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent in April, down from 3.1 percent in March, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday, (May 22). The rate was 3.1 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,777 employed persons in a labor force of 6,943 in April. In March those numbers were 6,753 of 6,967. A year ago the numbers were 6,388 of 6.591.

  

Post News

County residents invited to Broadband Community Conversation July 8

 Pulaski County stakeholders are leading an effort to develop a comprehensive Broadband plan for the county.

This plan will identify existing conditions, needs and gaps in high-speed internet (broadband) service within the county; set a long-term vision for broadband service; and provide actionable steps and implementation guidelines for broadband service.

Local nurses form Honor Guard to pay tribute to fallen colleagues

WINAMAC - In 2023, a group of retired and active nurses, with the help of Pulaski Memorial Hospital, created a Nursing Honor Guard to assist families in honoring the compassion and dedication of nurses who have passed away - and celebrating their lives and service.

The Nursing Honor Guard is modeled after traditional military honor guards and pays tribute to the deeply personal and meaningful calling of the nursing profession.

CFoPC awards$17,000 to community organizations

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC)  announced Thursday (June 5) $17,000 has been awarded in grants to four local nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation works to strengthen the community through funding, convening and fostering collaboration among nonprofits to amplify their impact.

Winamac Community HS presents 2025 senior awards

WINAMAC - Winamac Community High School has announced its 2025 Senior Awards winners, honoring graduates for various academic and athletic awards, and scholarships.

The awards were presented at the annual Senior Awards program Friday evening (May 30).

Winamac Community HS 2025 commencement exercises held June 1

Senior photos featured

WINAMAC - Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 at Winamac Community High School were held Sunday June 1, at the high school gymnasium.

Diplomas were presented to 81 seniors.