West Central board elects officers, discusses Pence education agenda

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Published: Saturday, 10 January 2015 16:41

FRANCESVILLE – Jim Bergens was re-elected president of the West Central School Board at its meeting Thursday night (Jan. 8). David Allen was elected vice president, and Jeff Lowry secretary.

Before the election, the oath of office was administered by Pam Ledford to school board members Jim Bergens, Todd Miller, and Jeff Lowry. The board members filled out annual conflict of interest forms as required by law.

Superintendent Don Street reviewed the 2014 budget figures so the board could see the end of the year figures in regard to the requisitions. The board approved submitted requisitions.

Street reviewed the wind turbine production for December, which has been earning credits for future use. The turbine maintenance agreement is being negotiated with all five (5) school districts with wind turbines working together for a lower fee.

Gov. Pence’s education agenda was presented and reviewed. The overall funding for small schools and the Career and Technical Funding formula are concerns for the West Central board. The current CTE funding is based upon enrollment and the proposed formula is based upon completion of a career pathway. Rep. Doug Gutwein and Street have corresponded over the funding issues, as well as other proposed bills this session.

Feb. 16 and April 20 will be two snow make-up days. E-Learning days are being discussed and planned with the possibility of designating Saturdays as E-Learning days.

The board approved the employinment of Ryan Radtke as the industrial arts teacher, as presented.

Approval was given to the personal leave request from Karen Wettstein as presented.

Approval was given to the conference requests from Anna DeRoo and Daniel Coffey to attend the IMEA Conference in Fort Wayne as presented.

The board approved the non-standard waiver request for the licensing of Shaw Haselby. This will be an addition to his Workplace Specialist license.

Approval was voted for the policy manual revision regarding fixed assets. Individual items with an original value of more than $5,000 will be added to the fixed assets and shall be updated annually.

The board voted to approve the fees for driver’s education for the 2015 summer session as presented. In corporation students will be charged $200 while out-of-corporation students will be charged $300. In addition a $25 fee will be paid to Driving Brilliance for the online course.

Street presented the reduction of 2014 appropriations that more accurately reflect expenditures from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2014. The board approved a motion to reduce the 2014 appropriations.

The board voted to transfer $205,575 to the Rainy Day Fund as a reimbursement from the football field lighting project from the Capital Projects Fund and $75,000 from the Capital Projects Fund.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that the middle school and high school music department performed a Winter Concert Dec. 15. Band members in grades 6-8 performed Christmas-themed songs. The high school band also performed, and the high school choir sang several songs. Also, the newly formed Jazz band performed. Culp reported the evening was very enjoyable with great work by the students. Special congratulations were extended to director Daniel Coffey on his hard work.

A special thank you was extended to the janitorial staff for all the hard work over the break. Painting, cleaning, repairing, and other necessary jobs were completed in preparation for the start of second semester.

During the course of the school year, teachers have worked hard to review and prepare for the new adopted College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards. During Thursday morning professional development time, teachers have worked in departments to align the curriculum to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all students. Teachers are working diligently in preparing for the new standards and the new standardized tests. On Jan. 5, teachers worked in departments reviewing the new CCR standards and new testing blueprints.

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that on Jan. 5 teachers came to school for a staff development day. K-12 teachers spent time working on curriculum and identifying key standards in preparation for upcoming state tests. The staff enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Jessica Murray and continued to work in their classrooms the remainder of the day. Jan. 13 the elementary will have its Perfect Attendance Lunch for students who were not tardy or absent during the second quarter. Students and their teacher will get to dine at a special table in the cafeteria.

The elementary postponed its Accelerated Reader Kickoff until Jan. 16. The theme this year is titled “MOOOve into Reading.” Students who meet the year-end goal will earn a trip to the theatre to see a movie in the spring. Students in grades 3-5 will take the latest round of Acuity as practice for upcoming state tests early this January. Some will also take the state-wide technology readiness test to see if the state’s computers can handle the new test when the entire state is logged on simultaneously. Unit Leaders will be heading to Lafayette on Jan. 22 to look at options for the Social Studies textbook adoption. Progress reports for the third quarter will be sent home on Jan. 30.

A work session for board members will be at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19.

The school corporation’s board of finance committee met following the regular board meeting. Gary Gudeman was elected as president of the board of finance and David Allen as secretary. Treasurer Pamela Ledford was designated as the investing officer.

The board voted to designate Lake City Bank, Medaryville Branch, and Alliance Bank, Francesville Branch as depositories for the year.

The board approved a motion to declare the listing of outstanding and unpaid checks from West Central School Corporation and Cooperative School Services, as presented, be cancelled.