West Central Board discusses school entrances construction project

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Board discussed the "school entrances and utilization of space" project at its Oct. 5 meeting.

The project would consist of redesigning safer building entrances in which guests would enter the office before entering the hallways. This would require redesigning the entrances and offices for the buildings. Some rooms and spaces would also be redesigned for current educational needs during this time. Dumas, legal counsel, reviewed the process and procedures for the current project.

In a related matter, board president Jeff Lowry noted the West Central School Building Corporation was previously formed to assist the school corporation in the financing of certain projects. After discussion of the Building Corporation, the board adopted a resolution reapproving the Building Corporation.

Also, Lowry reported the West Central School Building Corporation has approved and submitted to the school corporation a proposed form of lease agreement. The proposed form of lease was examined by all of the members of the board. After discussion of the proposed form of lease, the resolution was approved.

In other business, the teacher master contract for July 1, 2017- June 20, 2019 was reviewed. The board then voted to approve the terms of the teacher master contract, as presented.

Marcia Kennedy and Dan Zylstra presented a certificate of accreditation to the school board for meeting the criteria for educational quality established by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Kennedy and Zylstra served as co-chairs of the AdvancED District Accreditation Team at WCSC. Kennedy represented WCSC during a recent recognition program in Indianapolis.

Superintendent Don Street reviewed the current school enrollment of 775 students. Fifty-six of those students live outside the school district.

He also reported on the following:

  • The 2016-17 school letter grades from the IDOE as well as the ISTEP scores were shared with the school board.
  • West Central High School students have an opportunity to earn a Governor's Work Ethic Certificate.
  • Based upon a recent student Internet survey, 85% of West Central students have Internet at home.
  • Discussion on conducting E-Learning days in the future for incumbent weather will take place.
  • An educational article about the importance of Head Start was shared with the school board.
  • The utility production was shared with the board, which includes the wind turbine production.

"Student of the Month" certificates were presented to Ryder Leman at the elementary school, Coltin Tarr at the middle school and Kaelie Eberhart at the high school.

 

Personnel:

The board accepted the resignation of instructional assistant Cylee Marlatt, as presented.

The board approved the following employment items as presented:

  • Peyton Meyers – Instructional Assistant
  • John Wasinski – Distance Learning Instructor
  • Travis Rodriguez – 6th and 7th Boys Basketball
  • Alison Carnahan – 6th Girls Basketball
  • Kerry Nielsen – 8th Boys Basketball

Field trip requests were approved for:

  • FFA Leadership Center – Trafalgar – Oct. 6-8
  • IASC State Convention – Indianapolis - Nov. 4-5

Conference requests were approved for:

  • Writing Remix – Hillary Durie – Nov. 1-2
  • Indiana School Counselors Association Fall Conference – Marcia Kennedy – Nov. 2-3
  • School Nurse Conference – Arlene Metzger – Nov. 7-8
  • Indiana School Nutrition Association – Amy Anliker, Lori Fort, Tina Hoeferlin, Jeri Hendrickson, Cathy Risner, Brittany Mendiola and Jessica Murray – Nov. 8-11
  • Midwest Clinic, International Band & Orchestra Conference – Heather Straus – Dec. 20-23

 

Additional Business:

Superintendent Street discussed the 2% premium increase for the MASE Health Insurance renewals.

The board voted to accept the VSP-Vision insurance renewal plan as presented. Jeff Tanner seconded the motion and the vision insurance plan was approved.

Dan Zylstra presented the elementary school improvement plan. Pat Culp presented improvement plans for the middle school and high school. The board approved the 2017-18 school improvement plans as presented.

The board voted to adopt the 2018 school corporation budget, capital projects plan, and the bus replacement plan as presented. Also, the board approved a resolution authorizing the authority to lower appropriations where necessary to more accurately reflect expenditures.

 

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra reported that the Lions Club did vision testing for all students in grades K, 3, 5, and 8. Ten volunteers checked 175 students in three hours. Dr. Moyer will conduct vision exams on Oct. 6 for all first grade students.

Also:

  • The elementary school will have its first Math Incentive Prize day.
  • Parent Teacher conferences are Oct. 16-17. The school will also have the Lafayette Strings program visit that day, allowing students to try playing a violin for the day.
  • Perfect attendance lunches will be Oct. 18-19.
  • The Book Fair will be Oct. 30 through Nov. 3, with Family Literacy Night on Nov. 2. The theme this year is “All Aboard The Reading Train.”

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp informed the board that the West Central middle/high school will present the play Summer of KAOS. Performances will be on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m., and a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. He offered a "huge thanks" to all of the students, parents, Mrs. Becky Reed and Ms. Hillary Durie for all the time practicing, preparing, and performing this production.

Also:

  • The annual Reality Fair is Friday, Oct. 27. All eighth grade students will work cooperatively with local business leaders in an interactive financial literacy simulation. Culp reported Mrs. Gainor does an "excellent job" working with Amanda Medbourn of the Pulaski County Extension Office to provide this educational opportunity to the students.
  • The PSAT will be administered at West Central on Wednesday, Oct. 11. All 10th grade students and 11th grade honors students will take the PSAT.
  • Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 16-17.
  • A "huge West Central thanks" was offered to Jeff and Pat Barngrover for donating medical equipment items that will benefit students and Health Occupation/CNA students at West Central. West Central received two wheelchairs, two walkers, one cane, and commode.
  • On the Oct. 12 Thursday morning meeting, all middle school and high school staff will participate in the P-PIG awards. Certified and non-certified staff will be honored in the following categories, Purpose, Passion, Integrity, and/or Grit. A light breakfast will be provided by Mrs. Murray and the kitchen staff while the staff celebrates a successful first nine weeks.