Architects will be interviewed by the Warsaw Community School Corp. Board of School Trustees Wednesday and Thursday.

The public meetings will be held at 6 p.m. both nights in the central administration building. Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth said the architects are being interviewed for possible building projects as they relate to the corporation, particularly the elementary schools.

Architects being interviewed Wednesday include Moake Park at 7 p.m. and Scearce Rudisel/Schmidt Associates at 8 p.m. A discussion of the interview and selection process will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, MSKTD will be interviewed at 6 p.m.; Odle McGuire & Shook at 7 p.m.; and Kovert Hawkins at 8 p.m.

The timeline for approval of the 2007 budget was provided to the board by Warsaw Schools Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott.

At the Aug. 21 regular school board meeting, Scott will ask for permission to advertise the 2007 budget. The first publication will be Aug. 25, with the second publication Sept. 1. The public hearing on the 2007 budget will be Sept. 5, with adoption at the regular board meeting Sept. 18.

All school corporations in Indiana must approve 2007 budgets by Sept. 20.

In other business:

• Marc Garrett, CCI construction manager, gave an update on the Warsaw Community High School project.

The concrete work for the project is finished, except for a small portion near the new main entry. Phend & Brown has a small portion of asphalt work to complete. The contractor for the softball fields dug outs had to be replaced, but the work should be completed by July 28. The Performing Arts Center is close to complete, with siding to be finished by Friday and roofing finished by July 28. There is a display case to be completed near the choral and multi-purpose rooms. Although there is other minor work to be completed, Garrett said the final cleaning is completed in the building. Furnishings could be put into place if desired. The contractors will be out of the building by July 28. Garrett said they want the building owners to take possession of the building by Aug. 8.

Garrett also presented four change orders for board approval, totaling a deduction of $2,000. The board approved all four.

• Jefferson Elementary School Principal Dennis Duncan presented the board with the Title I Grant application, which they approved. The grant totals $709,000.

Duncan said there is a significant change in WCS' free- and reduced-price lunch program this year. Madison Elementary School will replace Jefferson as a grant recipient. Leesburg and Lincoln will receive grant money again this year as they did last year.

"That's just changes in the community," said Duncan.

Lincoln will receive the highest share of the money, followed by Leesburg and then Madison. Lincoln has the highest population of students who receive subsidized lunches. Duncan said Lincoln also is having issues with progress under No Child Left Behind.

• Wendy Wildman Long, director of English as a Second Language Services, reported she heard from the state in mid-June that Warsaw Schools will see its Migrant Grant increased by about $60,000. The additional funds will be used for after-school literacy and homework clubs at each elementary school, Lakeview Middle School and the high school, targeting at-risk students. Transportation will be provided.

• Haworth announced the school board election filing period begins July 26 and ends Aug. 25 at noon. Districts 1, 2, 5 and 7 will be on the ballot for the Fall 2006 election.

• Assistant Superintendent Sandra Hess announced the Warsaw Education Foundation will host a reception to welcome Haworth and his family to the community. The reception will be held Aug. 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Warsaw Community High School in the cafeteria.

Hess also announced the administrative retreat this year will be held at Pokagon State Park July 31 all day and Aug. 1 for a half day. The retreat is paid for from the Title II grant, and costs include $7,100 for the speaker; $1,320 for the room; and $2,758 for the meeting room rental and food.

New teacher orientation will be Aug. 9-11. Seventeen new teachers will meet for a half day each of those days and will receive $37.50 per day, Hess said. The money is budgeted for out of the Title II grant funds.

She also presented the district profile and pamphlet. She will present it to the board again for approval in August.

• The school board approved personnel recommendations, including: the resignations of Paulette Couse, kindergarten teacher, Harrison Elementary; Jack Musgrave, English teacher, WCHS; Jon Cook, science teacher, WCHS; Thad Smith, assistant varsity men's soccer, WCHS; the hiring of Renee Cordes, kindergarten teacher, Harrison; Emily Duncan, second grade, Leesburg; Krystle Allen, third grade, Leesburg; Kristi Lucht, sixth grade, Lincoln; Krista Zartman, English teacher and speech coach, WCHS, and ESL teacher at the Alternative Learning Center; and the transfer of Richard Rooker to WCHS as an English teacher; Frank Courtois as assistant varsity men's soccer coach at WCHS.

• The board approved the revision of the WCS Handbook for Professional Growth and the resolution to approve the 2006-07 goals and targets.

• The board recognized Debbie and Terry Kreft for donating a stander that will be used with students with physical disabled students; and recognized the Warsaw Community Foundation for Public Education Inc. for sponsoring the Academic Excellence Reception June 27 to honor top high school students in each class.

Warsaw School Board members are President Ron Yeiter, Vice President Dan Robinson, Secretary Gene England, Deb Wiggins, Cathy Folk, Chuck Sauders and Tammy Dalton. Dalton was absent Monday.

Ceremony Starts 90th Fair

BY TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer

A short parade from the "old" office building just south of the main entrance through the Midway and to the Memorial Wall on the east side of the fair grounds officially started the 90th annual Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair.

State Sen. Bob Meeks, State Rep. Bill Ruppel, County Commissioner Avis Gunter, County Councilman John Kinsey, Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Warsaw councilmen Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith along with Congressman Mark Souder's representative, Allison McSherry, joined fair board members and other guests in the march.

Fair board member Dan Hampton welcomed the crowd to the celebration.

Fair Board President Randy Shepherd introduced fair board members and their spouses.

Retiring fair board member Jerry Secrist was presented with a plaque of appreciation from board member Don Wiesehan.

The fair queen and her court, as well as the 4-H king and queen and princess were introduced.

Susan Derr performed the national anthem and a reworked version of "Good Old Summertime."

National guardsmen carried the colors.

The fair schedule for today and tomorrow is:

Today

Kiddies Day & 4-H Leaders Appreciation Day

Community Antique Tractor & Machinery Show; Kiddies Day Special: Rides $1 each until closing

Bike Giveaway, 2 p.m., Activity Tent

Warsaw Community Public Library Story Time, 2:30 p.m., Activity Tent

Toy Giveaway, 3 p.m., Activity Tent

Ronald McDonald Show, 4:30 p.m., Activity Tent

Sanctioned Kiddies Tractor Pull registration, 5 p.m., Old Office Area

Miss & Mister Toddler Kosciusko, 5:30 p.m., Activity Tent

Sanctioned Kiddies Tractor Pull, 6 p.m., Old Office Area

Sponsored by Kosciusko County Farm Bureau Inc .

Goat Fun Show & Exploring Goat Show, 6:30 p.m., Goat Tent

Miss & Mister Pre-School Kosciusko, 7 p.m., Activity Tent

Dairy Judging Contest, 7:30 p.m., Show Arena

Dairy Showmanship Contest following Dairy Judging, Show Arena

Wednesday - Community Day

Community Antique Tractor & Machinery Show

Dairy Calf Feeder Steer Show, 8 a.m., Show Arena

Crossbred Feeder Calf Show following Feeder Steer Judging, Show Arena

Horse & Pony Show - Western Pleasure, 9 a.m., Horse Arena

Rides Open 1 p.m. Midway: POP Wristband until 11 p.m. - $15

Sheep Show, 1 p.m., Show Arena

Pick Up General Project Premiums, 1 - 3 p.m., 4-H Office

Magician Rick Fisher, 5 p.m., Activity Tent

Little Miss & Mister Kosciusko, 5:30 p.m., Activity Tent

Horse & Pony Show - Versatility, 6 p.m., Horse Arena

Demolition Derby - Paid Admission, 7 p.m., Grandstand

Rabbit Illustrated Talk, 7 p.m., Rabbit Barn

Junior Talent Contest, 8 p.m., Activity Tent [[In-content Ad]]