West Central Board votes approval of $3.8 million secure entrance, utilization of space project

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Board voted to approve the $3.8 million "secure entrance and utilization of space" project at its January meeting.

The purpose of the project is to provide safer entrances into the buildings and to utilize the current building space into a more improved educational environment. The board noted that as existing obligations mature, the anticipated net impact on the Debt Service Fund tax rate will be $0.

Before the board voted its approval of the project a public hearing was held on the project. Attorney Ed Dumas explained the purpose of the project, and Superintendent Don Street reviewed the plans. Board president Todd Miller asked for public questions or comments on the project; hearing none, the hearing on the project was closed.

The board also approved a resolution determining the need of the project. In part, the resolution noted that the projects cannot be funded from sufficient funds available to the school corporation, and that the board will proceed to take such steps as may be necessary to secure the projects and leasing of such school facilities.

The board also passed a reimbursement resolution, noting the school corporation reasonably expects to reimburse certain costs of the projects with proceeds of obligations to be incurred on behalf of the school corporation in an amount not to exceed $3.8 million.

Pooja Shrestha from H.J. Umbaugh & Associates, Certified Public Accountants, provided detailed information about the bond. She stated that the 10-year bond will be for $3.8 million. However, as existing obligations mature, the anticipated net impact on the Debt Service Fund tax rate will be $0. The estimated interest rate is 2.419%.

Lastly, the board voted to advertise for bids on the proposed "Secure Entrance and Utilization of Space" project.

 

Re-organizational Meeting:

The board held its annual organizational meeting. Todd Miller was elected president of the school board. Mandy Sharpe was elected vice-president and Jonathan Gutwein was elected secretary.

Board members filled out annual conflict of interest forms as required by law.

The board approved the reappointment of the following individuals for 2018:

  • Pamela Ledford – Corporation Treasurer
  • Bonnie Koebcke – Corporation Assistant Treasurer
  • Monica Franscoviak – Extra-Curricular Treasurer
  • Edward Dumas – School Corporation Attorney

Street presented the reduction of 2017 appropriations that more accurately reflect expenditures from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2017. The board voted to reduce the 2017 General Fund appropriations by $433,000.

The board voted to transfer $200,000 to the Rainy Day Fund from the Capital Projects Fund and $10,000 from the Bus Replacement Fund.

The board also voted to transfer $10,000 to the Textbook Fund from the Debt Service Fund for reimbursement of unreimbursed textbook expenses.

 

Personnel:

The board accepted the retirement of Pamela Ledford as corporation treasurer.

The board accepted the resignation of Tyler DeMoss as industrial technology instructor.

The board approved the termination of employment of instructional assistant Stacy Anliker.

Approval was given to the requests for leave of absence from Amber Leman and Lorie Zellers.

The board approved employment for Bethany Perry and Sierra Burtis as instructional assistants, and for E. Anne Ketchen as long-term substitute teacher.

Conference requests were approved for Joanne Stevens to attend the BPA state convention, and for Marcia Kennedy to attend AdvancED.

A field trip request was approved for BPA in Indianapolis, March 11-13.

 

Other Business:

The final reading of employee use of social media, electronic monitoring, notice of procurement of professional services, and reporting of arrests by employees was held. The board then voted to approve the final reading of the policy manual revisions as presented.

Students of the Month were presented with certificates as follows: Katie Scholz at the elementary school level, Brooklynn Mellon and Olivia Mellon at the middle school level and Brianna Messer at the high school level.

Superintendent Street reported on the following:

  • The teachers participated in a Community Action Poverty Simulation during the teacher in-service. The simulation used 18 community volunteers and the teachers made decisions as families do in a low income situation.
  • The district is partnering with Eastern Pulaski Schools in applying for a Lilly Grant that will focus on career pathways, and social and emotional health for students.
  • The State Board of Education is changing the School Letter Grade system. There are several education related bills being introduced in the legislature.
  • The Pulaski County Soil and Water Conservation District is interested in installing a rain garden at West Central.
  • The Elementary Cafeteria received a perfect inspection by the Health Department.
  • The wind turbine has produced a positive amount of electricity this past month.

 

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Dan Zylstra informed the board that the West Central Elementary school students enjoyed their Perfect Attendance Lunches on Jan. 10 and 11, receiving ice cream and eating lunch with their classroom teacher.

The elementary school will celebrate its 100th day of school on Jan. 18.

 The Lafayette Strings program, which was originally scheduled in October, has been rescheduled for Jan. 24 and 26. All students in grades 2-5 will have an opportunity to play a violin as part of this experience.

West Central’s math trainer will again work with staff on Friday, Jan. 26 as they continue to improve their delivery of math instruction. Other professional development time will be used to prepare for ISTEP testing.

Middle/high school principal Pat Culp reported that on Thursday, Jan. 18 all eighth-grade students and parents are invited to Freshmen Orientation. The purpose of the orientation is to begin discussions and preparations for high school, including course options, credit and diploma requirements, vocational class options, and scholarship opportunities.

During the professional learning time on Thursday morning, math teachers from the middle school and high school continue to discuss best practices to help student learning. Teachers have reviewed assessments, reviewed data, and discussed ISTEP/ECA tests.

The English/Language Arts teachers continue to focus on strategies to help students in writing and reading comprehension. The primary focus continues to be on non-fiction texts. Collaboration among teachers regarding best classroom reading strategies across the different content areas was the focus during the first semester. During the course of the second semester, different academic departments will be leading sessions on strategies used within the classroom to foster academic progress.

 

Board of Finance Committee

The Board of Finance Committee of the West Central School Corporation met Jan. 11, after the regular board meeting.

Mandy Sharpe was elected president of the Board of Finance. Jeff Tanner was elected Secretary of the Board of Finance. The board designated treasurer Pam Ledford as the investing officer.

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

The board voted to declare the listing of outstanding and unpaid checks from West Central School Corporation.