Warsaw School Board Approves Grants, Refinancing Of Pension Debt
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The Warsaw School Board approved the three grants and one other at its regular meeting Monday night.
The $15,000 Medtronic Foundation Board Grant for Washington is for a biomedical module, according to Chief Academics Officer David Hoffert.
This grant is in support of the second year of the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum with a focus on the biomedical aspects of STEM, directly in alignment with the community being the “Orthopedic Capital of the World.”
This grant was made possible by a recommendation from a Medtronic employee-led committee in Warsaw, according to board information.
Target is providing a $700 grant for Washington to send fifth-graders to Purdue-Calumet Challenger Center.
Target is on track to reach $1 billion in giving for education by the end of 2015 and part of the endeavor is to sponsor field trips to schools, according to board information.
The Challenger Learning Center uses STEM education to engage students. The Center’s space simulation programs, planetarium experiences, laser shows, hands-on space science and technology skill-building exercises “engage learners of all ages in activities that encourage teamwork while honing problem solving, communication and critical thinking proficiencies,” according to the information.
The third grant for Washington is a $3,000 Keys Grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
This grant will be used for a collaborative research project with third- and first-grade students using LEGO WeDo kits.
Hoffert said all three Washington grants were applied for by the school and not the district.
Deb Blatz, director of special services, presented the fourth grant.
The Warsaw Boomerang Backpack program has received a grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation REMC Operation Round Up fund for $5,311.02. The program’s mission is to nourish low-income elementary students on the weekends by providing backpacks full of food and to inspire high school students to experience community service through project-based learning.
Currently, the program serves 150 students at Lincoln and Leesburg Elementary Schools with the hopes of expanding into other schools, Blatz indicated.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved refinancing the pension debt through the Indiana Bond Bank. Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott said it pays off in 2019, and while the rates may vary, they are in the 4-percent range.
On June 18, 2003, the school corporation issued bonds designated as the “Warsaw Community Schools Taxable General Obligation Pension Bonds of 2003” in the original aggregate principal amount of $5,870,000 in order to provide funds to pay for the costs of existing unfunded contractual liabilities for retirement or severance payments, according to board information.
The Board of School Trustees approved the bond issue Oct. 21, 2002. The bonds were sold via the Indiana Bond Bank and bundled with like bond issues by other districts.
The Indiana Bond Bank recently approached schools statewide about a refunding opportunity that will provide savings due to current lower interest rates. WCS expects the savings to exceed $300,000 over the remaining payment schedule that extends into 2019.
• Approved the awarding of bids for roof inspection, summer asphalt and repaving and district-wide lawn care. Total cost of all the bids is approximately $130,000 and will come out of the capital projects fund.
• Approved advertising for bids for a new walk-out freezer unit at Washington at an estimated cost of $53,000, and for phase two of the transportation building addition.
• Approved the 2013 summer school offerings as presented at the work session March 19.
• Heard enrollment decreased by 16 students from February to March. However, a year ago Warsaw’s enrollment was 7,003 students, and it’s currently 7,085 students.
“(We’re) still in pretty good shape,” Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz said.
• Heard the WCS Strategic Plan Core Planning Team is scheduled to meet May 22-23 in the Educational Services Center. The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide an update on the work of the seven results statements approved for action this year by the board.
• Heard 18 individuals have submitted letters of retirement in order to qualify for the retirement incentive approved by the board Feb. 25. The deadline to apply for the program is Friday.
• Heard spring break is April 1-5. Due to Monday’s cancellation of school, the last student day is now May 30.
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The Warsaw School Board approved the three grants and one other at its regular meeting Monday night.
The $15,000 Medtronic Foundation Board Grant for Washington is for a biomedical module, according to Chief Academics Officer David Hoffert.
This grant is in support of the second year of the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum with a focus on the biomedical aspects of STEM, directly in alignment with the community being the “Orthopedic Capital of the World.”
This grant was made possible by a recommendation from a Medtronic employee-led committee in Warsaw, according to board information.
Target is providing a $700 grant for Washington to send fifth-graders to Purdue-Calumet Challenger Center.
Target is on track to reach $1 billion in giving for education by the end of 2015 and part of the endeavor is to sponsor field trips to schools, according to board information.
The Challenger Learning Center uses STEM education to engage students. The Center’s space simulation programs, planetarium experiences, laser shows, hands-on space science and technology skill-building exercises “engage learners of all ages in activities that encourage teamwork while honing problem solving, communication and critical thinking proficiencies,” according to the information.
The third grant for Washington is a $3,000 Keys Grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
This grant will be used for a collaborative research project with third- and first-grade students using LEGO WeDo kits.
Hoffert said all three Washington grants were applied for by the school and not the district.
Deb Blatz, director of special services, presented the fourth grant.
The Warsaw Boomerang Backpack program has received a grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation REMC Operation Round Up fund for $5,311.02. The program’s mission is to nourish low-income elementary students on the weekends by providing backpacks full of food and to inspire high school students to experience community service through project-based learning.
Currently, the program serves 150 students at Lincoln and Leesburg Elementary Schools with the hopes of expanding into other schools, Blatz indicated.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved refinancing the pension debt through the Indiana Bond Bank. Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott said it pays off in 2019, and while the rates may vary, they are in the 4-percent range.
On June 18, 2003, the school corporation issued bonds designated as the “Warsaw Community Schools Taxable General Obligation Pension Bonds of 2003” in the original aggregate principal amount of $5,870,000 in order to provide funds to pay for the costs of existing unfunded contractual liabilities for retirement or severance payments, according to board information.
The Board of School Trustees approved the bond issue Oct. 21, 2002. The bonds were sold via the Indiana Bond Bank and bundled with like bond issues by other districts.
The Indiana Bond Bank recently approached schools statewide about a refunding opportunity that will provide savings due to current lower interest rates. WCS expects the savings to exceed $300,000 over the remaining payment schedule that extends into 2019.
• Approved the awarding of bids for roof inspection, summer asphalt and repaving and district-wide lawn care. Total cost of all the bids is approximately $130,000 and will come out of the capital projects fund.
• Approved advertising for bids for a new walk-out freezer unit at Washington at an estimated cost of $53,000, and for phase two of the transportation building addition.
• Approved the 2013 summer school offerings as presented at the work session March 19.
• Heard enrollment decreased by 16 students from February to March. However, a year ago Warsaw’s enrollment was 7,003 students, and it’s currently 7,085 students.
“(We’re) still in pretty good shape,” Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz said.
• Heard the WCS Strategic Plan Core Planning Team is scheduled to meet May 22-23 in the Educational Services Center. The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide an update on the work of the seven results statements approved for action this year by the board.
• Heard 18 individuals have submitted letters of retirement in order to qualify for the retirement incentive approved by the board Feb. 25. The deadline to apply for the program is Friday.
• Heard spring break is April 1-5. Due to Monday’s cancellation of school, the last student day is now May 30.
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