West Central Board approves administrator contracts

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Board approved the 2016-17 administrator contracts for the school system at its monthly meeting Thursday (July 7). The contracts provide no salary increases at this time.

Approval was also given to the Cooperative School Services contracts, as presented.

The board also voted to accept the Head Start Program collaboration and lease agreement. Head Start will provide a program at West Central Elementary for two school years.

Approval was given to the Trojan Opportunity Academy program narrative. The program will be evaluated by the Indiana Department of Education later in the school year.

In other business, the board approved a resolution to have the school lunch fund transferred from the schools' extra-curricular account to the corporation account.

Another resolution was approved to provided that the West Central School Corporation trustees will continue as the employer for the Special Education Cooperative.

A third resolution was approved to provide that the members of the school board and the school superintendent are granted approval to participate in professional growth opportunities during the 2016-17 school year. This will consist of conferences and workshops sponsored by the ISBA and IAPSS as well as worthy organizations.

The board voted to accept the following resignations, as presented:

  • Mark Hamilton – Science Teacher
  • Lydia Mounce – Middle School Secretary
  • Lauren Ackerman – Instructional Assistant
  • Susan Jungels – Lunch Clerk
  • Dawn Poole – Cooperative School Services
  • Amber McAdow – Cooperative School Services

The board approved retirements of bus driver Carol Tanner and full-time custodian Denise Conley. They were thanked for their years of service to the school corporation.

The board accepted a list of employment for the 2016-17 school year as follows:

  • Laura Stout – (Recalled from reduction of force list) Alternative Education Instructor
  • Valerie McKay – High School Office Assistant
  • Casie Allen – Middle School Office Assistant
  • Kelsey Erb – Life Skills Instructional Assistant
  • Jim Hadley – Volunteer Position Teaching Advanced Manufacturing
  • Ross Davis – Assistant Football Coach
  • Mike Holle – Assistant Football Coach
  • Kenny Nielsen – Varsity/Middle Wrestling Coach
  • Jason Wall – Assistant Wrestling Coach
  • Nathan Williams – Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
  • Becca Erb – Middle School Track Coach
  • Kelly Dickensheets – Varsity Volleyball Coach
  • Kevin Wenzel – Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
  • Tyson Mellon – J.V. Girls Basketball Coach
  • Marlana Lewark – J.V. Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
  • Kelsey Erb – Varsity/J.V. Cheerleading Coach
  • Elyse Williams – Middle School Cheerleading Coach

The board approved the  requested contract adjustment for extra-curricular treasurer Monica Miller Franscoviak.

Approval was given for the following conference requests.

  • School Safety Academy Advanced Training - Aug. 29-30, for Pat Culp (IDOE pays expenses)
  • AdvancED Fall Conference – Sept. 12-13, for Pat Culp, Dan Zylstra, Lorie Zellers and Marci Kennedy(Small & Rural Schools Grant will pay for the expenses)

Under discussion items, Superintendent Don Street reviewed the summer projects being completed on campus. The maintenance staff is working hard in the preparation for the start of the school year. 

Student registration for the 2016-17 school year will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  Aug. 1; and from 12 noon to 7 p.m., Aug. 2. Registration is online and may be done at home. The link to the online registration may be found on the school website. 

An article about food service director Jessica Murray was shared.  Mrs. Murray presented in June at the Indiana School Nutrition Association and the Indiana Department of Education Conference. She is serving as a mentor for other food service directors.

The projected state tuition support for the general fund is expected to be lower than last year. 

The wind turbine production has been higher than predicted.