Eleven Teachers Retire At Wawasee
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Eleven teachers and one administrator who are retiring have a combined 418 years of overall experience in the profession, with a combined 389 years at Wawasee.[[In-content Ad]]The retirees are: Alan R. Frank, assistant principal, with 28 years total (14 at WHS); Laurel J. Graham, 30.5 years (25.5 at WCSC); Julie Ann Gunden, 31.5 years, all at WCSC; Betty R. Lambert, 39.5 years (38.5 at WCSC); Jerri Mahnensmith, 35.5 years (30.5 at WCSC); Karilyn S. Metcalf, 38 years, all at WCSC; Philip L. Metcalf, 38 years, all at WCSC; Nancy L. Nelson, 41 years, all at WCSC; Cynthia L. Peterson, 39 years, all at WCSC; Beth A. Skaggs, 37 years. all at WSCS; and Rand J. Warren, 38 years (34 at WCSC).
Each retiree received a plaque and a lifetime pass for all events at the school, along with the appreciation of Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington and the entire board.
The WHS Academic Super Bowl Social Studies Team was honored for taking fourth place in state competition. Certificates were awarded to Andrew Anker, Krista Borman, Brandon Cox, and Cassady Palmer.
WHS class of 2009 Valedictorian Krista Hoover and 2009 Salutatorian Ethan Coverstone also were awarded certificates for their achievements. These students were recognized at the last board meeting, but were not available at that time to receive their certificates.
A program new to Wawasee, "Gender Based Classes," was presented to the board by teachers Shelly Kunkle and Andrea Komorowski. The concept involves teaching sixth- to eighth-grade classes where boys and girls are taught separately. This is the first year it has been tried at the corporation. An in-service training session had been provided for teachers specifically in math and language, but interest in the program was shown by many other staff members.
"Basically, there are different strategies for teaching boys and for teaching girls," said Kunkle. "We feel we're meeting individual needs, which is easier to do in a single gender class room."
Both Kunkle and Komorowski went on to give specific examples of students who benefited from a non-coed environment. Further examples regarding peer group pressure, the different ways males and females of that age learn, and how overall attendance, test scores, and discipline were affected also were presented.
Since the program is new to the school system, the consensus of the board was that it is probably too soon to chart results. Proper data can be gathered in 2 to 3 years. Given the enthusiasm of the teachers, the board wants the program to continue.
In personnel matters, the board approved the following individuals for employment with the corporation: Dennis Howland, assistant principal of WHS; Janay Hackleman, WHS physical education teacher; Tammy Helfers, special needs teacher at WHS; and Randy Warren as part-time agriculture teacher at WHS.
Mariah Roberts will transfer from part-time agriculture teacher to full time agriculture teacher at WHS for the 2009-2010 school year. Sharon Barefoot will transfer from a school-year custodian to a year-round custodian
The extra duty coaching contracts of Tom Wogomon, football; Kem Zolman, girls basketball; and Phil Mishler, boys basketball for both the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years were renewed.
Steve Perek's job title will change from dean of students to assistant principal. This is based on additional administrative responsibilities as well as additional contract days that he will assume for the upcoming year.
Edington presented several items to the board his report. Among them, he stated that the current state budget proposal allows for a 2 percent increase for education for the next two years. This would affect Title I programs and special education. This is only a proposal, though, and state Democrats have yet to offer their version.
In regard to any stimulus money, Edington said, "It sounds good, but it's categorical. In other words, you can use it for certain items. And we are using it for special ed and Title I, and preschool special education. That will not be used in the general fund. Three years from now, we could have a drop off in funding."
Edington also reported this year saw a rise in students seeing the school nursing staff, and library usage also increased.
In financial matters, the report for the month ending May 31is as follows:
Beginning balance:
$30,150,516.27
Receipts:
$7,132,765.45
Disbursements:
$2,727,610.38
End Balance:
$34,555,671.34
The board also accepted a donation of $500 for the WHS Choral Department from Kohl's Department Stores.
This donation is on behalf of the Kohl's Cares for Kids programs nationwide.
In other business:
n The 2009 Warrior Open golf outing will be July 6.
n The board issued a resolution in celebration of the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Public Library Centennial.
n The board granted approval to begin finding a vendor to do extended criminal background checks on new employees of the corporation. As of July 1, a new state law now requires a national background check.
Board members are George Gilbert, Mike Wilson, Rebecca Linnemeier, Mary Louise Dixon and Dallas Winchester.
Eleven teachers and one administrator who are retiring have a combined 418 years of overall experience in the profession, with a combined 389 years at Wawasee.[[In-content Ad]]The retirees are: Alan R. Frank, assistant principal, with 28 years total (14 at WHS); Laurel J. Graham, 30.5 years (25.5 at WCSC); Julie Ann Gunden, 31.5 years, all at WCSC; Betty R. Lambert, 39.5 years (38.5 at WCSC); Jerri Mahnensmith, 35.5 years (30.5 at WCSC); Karilyn S. Metcalf, 38 years, all at WCSC; Philip L. Metcalf, 38 years, all at WCSC; Nancy L. Nelson, 41 years, all at WCSC; Cynthia L. Peterson, 39 years, all at WCSC; Beth A. Skaggs, 37 years. all at WSCS; and Rand J. Warren, 38 years (34 at WCSC).
Each retiree received a plaque and a lifetime pass for all events at the school, along with the appreciation of Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington and the entire board.
The WHS Academic Super Bowl Social Studies Team was honored for taking fourth place in state competition. Certificates were awarded to Andrew Anker, Krista Borman, Brandon Cox, and Cassady Palmer.
WHS class of 2009 Valedictorian Krista Hoover and 2009 Salutatorian Ethan Coverstone also were awarded certificates for their achievements. These students were recognized at the last board meeting, but were not available at that time to receive their certificates.
A program new to Wawasee, "Gender Based Classes," was presented to the board by teachers Shelly Kunkle and Andrea Komorowski. The concept involves teaching sixth- to eighth-grade classes where boys and girls are taught separately. This is the first year it has been tried at the corporation. An in-service training session had been provided for teachers specifically in math and language, but interest in the program was shown by many other staff members.
"Basically, there are different strategies for teaching boys and for teaching girls," said Kunkle. "We feel we're meeting individual needs, which is easier to do in a single gender class room."
Both Kunkle and Komorowski went on to give specific examples of students who benefited from a non-coed environment. Further examples regarding peer group pressure, the different ways males and females of that age learn, and how overall attendance, test scores, and discipline were affected also were presented.
Since the program is new to the school system, the consensus of the board was that it is probably too soon to chart results. Proper data can be gathered in 2 to 3 years. Given the enthusiasm of the teachers, the board wants the program to continue.
In personnel matters, the board approved the following individuals for employment with the corporation: Dennis Howland, assistant principal of WHS; Janay Hackleman, WHS physical education teacher; Tammy Helfers, special needs teacher at WHS; and Randy Warren as part-time agriculture teacher at WHS.
Mariah Roberts will transfer from part-time agriculture teacher to full time agriculture teacher at WHS for the 2009-2010 school year. Sharon Barefoot will transfer from a school-year custodian to a year-round custodian
The extra duty coaching contracts of Tom Wogomon, football; Kem Zolman, girls basketball; and Phil Mishler, boys basketball for both the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years were renewed.
Steve Perek's job title will change from dean of students to assistant principal. This is based on additional administrative responsibilities as well as additional contract days that he will assume for the upcoming year.
Edington presented several items to the board his report. Among them, he stated that the current state budget proposal allows for a 2 percent increase for education for the next two years. This would affect Title I programs and special education. This is only a proposal, though, and state Democrats have yet to offer their version.
In regard to any stimulus money, Edington said, "It sounds good, but it's categorical. In other words, you can use it for certain items. And we are using it for special ed and Title I, and preschool special education. That will not be used in the general fund. Three years from now, we could have a drop off in funding."
Edington also reported this year saw a rise in students seeing the school nursing staff, and library usage also increased.
In financial matters, the report for the month ending May 31is as follows:
Beginning balance:
$30,150,516.27
Receipts:
$7,132,765.45
Disbursements:
$2,727,610.38
End Balance:
$34,555,671.34
The board also accepted a donation of $500 for the WHS Choral Department from Kohl's Department Stores.
This donation is on behalf of the Kohl's Cares for Kids programs nationwide.
In other business:
n The 2009 Warrior Open golf outing will be July 6.
n The board issued a resolution in celebration of the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Public Library Centennial.
n The board granted approval to begin finding a vendor to do extended criminal background checks on new employees of the corporation. As of July 1, a new state law now requires a national background check.
Board members are George Gilbert, Mike Wilson, Rebecca Linnemeier, Mary Louise Dixon and Dallas Winchester.
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