Wawasee May Support Building Projects on One-Cent Tax Drop
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Kathy [email protected]
President Rebecca Linnemeier opened during the regular meeting a public hearing on the project, which is the construction of a new elementary school and renovations at the high school and Wawasee Middle and Milford schools.
After a short presentation by architect Kari Vilamaa of Barton, Coe, Vilamaa, an explanation of the financial implications was given by City Securities representative Jim Elizondo. He explained how the additional debt would increase up to a state-imposed cap of not more than $27 million, but that property values could also increase, creating more revenue while keeping the tax rate stable.
“We anticipate a tax rate drop by one cent,” he said.
Superintendent Tom Edington commented how happy he was with the corporation’s planning that could result in a level tax rate. “I’m happy that amount of money can be raised with a lower tax rate,” he concluded.
There was no public comment, so the board resumed the regular meeting during which they honored their attorney, David Cate, who is leaving the position to start his term as a county superior court judge.
There were cupcakes, gifts and words of appreciation for Cates, who served the corporation for 24 years – from 1991 through 2014. He will be replaced by James Flecker, attorney at Green Cates & Grossnickle LLP, Syracuse, where he specializes in business and corporate law, wills, trusts and school law. Flecker graduated from Clinton Central High School, received his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his jurisprudence degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. He assumed his duties with Wawasee Tuesday.
Also during the meeting, the board congratulated the Wawasee High School FFA horticulture judging team which won a national competition. Certificates were presented to team members Katie Acton, Leeann Estrada, Sarah Harden and Molly and Shelby Swartz. Team member Sophia Nyce was absent.
In other business, the board:
• Accepted a donation from Women of Today of three iPad minis to be used in school libraries.
• Accepted a $100 donation from The Papers to be used for drug awareness.
• Appointed Teresa Frey as North Webster library board representative and Nancy Nelson as Syracuse library representative.
• Heard a report from teacher Amy Evans on how she used Lilly Endowment grant money on an ECO-adventure. The skills she acquired on various outdoor challenges will be incorporated into her classes at Milford school.
• Heard that 53 students showed up to donate blood as part of a bloodmobile drive. The goal of 40 units was met, awarding WHS a $350 scholarship.
• Heard plans for school improvement and student achievement from principals Susan Mishler, WMS; Eric Speicher, Syracuse; and Cindy Kaiser, Milford.
• Accepted resignations from Nathan Evans, Milford kindergarten paraprofessional; Stephani Johnson, North Webster kindergarten paraprofessional; Tiffany Miller, Syracuse highly qualified Title I paraprofessional; Melissa Nabinger, Syracuse Title I paraprofessional; Sue Ganshorn, WMS aquatics paraprofessional; Carolyn Rozow and Jennifer Irwin, bus drivers; and Sara England, school psychologist.
• Hired Rachel Horsmon, temporary Milford special education teacher; Laurie Fredericks, NWE temporary kindergarten teacher; Catherine Coy, NWE cafeteria worker; Roxanne Gonzales, Syracuse highly qualified Title I paraprofessional; Elena Hoover, Syracuse kindergarten paraprofessional; and Ashlee Ort, WMS aquatics paraprofessional.
• Transferred Stephanie Brown from Milford Title I to kindergarten paraprofessional; Amy Ewing from three-day kindergarten to five-day kindergarten paraprofessional at NWE; and Alyssa Beer from Syracuse remediation to Title I paraprofessional.
• Granted permission to hire a consultant from Educational Service Corp. to evaluate retirement benefits.
• Approved new driver/passenger permission forms for activities off-campus.
The next school board meeting is Jan. 13.[[In-content Ad]]
President Rebecca Linnemeier opened during the regular meeting a public hearing on the project, which is the construction of a new elementary school and renovations at the high school and Wawasee Middle and Milford schools.
After a short presentation by architect Kari Vilamaa of Barton, Coe, Vilamaa, an explanation of the financial implications was given by City Securities representative Jim Elizondo. He explained how the additional debt would increase up to a state-imposed cap of not more than $27 million, but that property values could also increase, creating more revenue while keeping the tax rate stable.
“We anticipate a tax rate drop by one cent,” he said.
Superintendent Tom Edington commented how happy he was with the corporation’s planning that could result in a level tax rate. “I’m happy that amount of money can be raised with a lower tax rate,” he concluded.
There was no public comment, so the board resumed the regular meeting during which they honored their attorney, David Cate, who is leaving the position to start his term as a county superior court judge.
There were cupcakes, gifts and words of appreciation for Cates, who served the corporation for 24 years – from 1991 through 2014. He will be replaced by James Flecker, attorney at Green Cates & Grossnickle LLP, Syracuse, where he specializes in business and corporate law, wills, trusts and school law. Flecker graduated from Clinton Central High School, received his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his jurisprudence degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. He assumed his duties with Wawasee Tuesday.
Also during the meeting, the board congratulated the Wawasee High School FFA horticulture judging team which won a national competition. Certificates were presented to team members Katie Acton, Leeann Estrada, Sarah Harden and Molly and Shelby Swartz. Team member Sophia Nyce was absent.
In other business, the board:
• Accepted a donation from Women of Today of three iPad minis to be used in school libraries.
• Accepted a $100 donation from The Papers to be used for drug awareness.
• Appointed Teresa Frey as North Webster library board representative and Nancy Nelson as Syracuse library representative.
• Heard a report from teacher Amy Evans on how she used Lilly Endowment grant money on an ECO-adventure. The skills she acquired on various outdoor challenges will be incorporated into her classes at Milford school.
• Heard that 53 students showed up to donate blood as part of a bloodmobile drive. The goal of 40 units was met, awarding WHS a $350 scholarship.
• Heard plans for school improvement and student achievement from principals Susan Mishler, WMS; Eric Speicher, Syracuse; and Cindy Kaiser, Milford.
• Accepted resignations from Nathan Evans, Milford kindergarten paraprofessional; Stephani Johnson, North Webster kindergarten paraprofessional; Tiffany Miller, Syracuse highly qualified Title I paraprofessional; Melissa Nabinger, Syracuse Title I paraprofessional; Sue Ganshorn, WMS aquatics paraprofessional; Carolyn Rozow and Jennifer Irwin, bus drivers; and Sara England, school psychologist.
• Hired Rachel Horsmon, temporary Milford special education teacher; Laurie Fredericks, NWE temporary kindergarten teacher; Catherine Coy, NWE cafeteria worker; Roxanne Gonzales, Syracuse highly qualified Title I paraprofessional; Elena Hoover, Syracuse kindergarten paraprofessional; and Ashlee Ort, WMS aquatics paraprofessional.
• Transferred Stephanie Brown from Milford Title I to kindergarten paraprofessional; Amy Ewing from three-day kindergarten to five-day kindergarten paraprofessional at NWE; and Alyssa Beer from Syracuse remediation to Title I paraprofessional.
• Granted permission to hire a consultant from Educational Service Corp. to evaluate retirement benefits.
• Approved new driver/passenger permission forms for activities off-campus.
The next school board meeting is Jan. 13.[[In-content Ad]]
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