PIERCETON - At-risk students at Whitko Middle School will soon have a program to help them avoid suspensions, expulsions and future school problems.

The "School Within a School," or SWS, will focus on middle school students in grades six, seven and eight, JoElla Smyth, WMS principal, told the Whitko school board Monday. Students referred to the program will be those with attendance or disciplinary problems, those needing academic intervention or referrals by teachers or parents.

"We hope it's going to make a difference in the lives of kids," Smyth said.

Each student in SWS will have an individualized program, Smyth said, and their progress will be monitored closely, including daily reports to parents.

The program will be limited to eight to 10 students with one teacher and an aide, Smyth said. The emphasis will be on academics and behavior intervention, and on teaching the students how to develop self-help skills.

Parents will be an integral part of the program, she said. "If you're going to commit to a program like this, you have to involve the parents. You can't put (the students) out there on a limb."

Students will be recommended for the program by a committee of teachers, administrators and the students' parents, and will be expected to be in SWS for at least 4-1/2 weeks. The program will be self-contained and the students will not pass classes or eat lunch with the rest of the school.

Smyth said the program is unique to the state and to the area, "but we believe it's what the Whitko Middle School students need and we believe it's going to make a difference in our community."

The program is funded by grants and was approved by the board.

The board also heard a report by Gary Watkins, of Barton, Coe, Vilamaa, on the proposed renovations to schools in the district and approved Watkins to advertise for bids for the renovation work.

According to Watkins, the proposed renovations will include:

• Pierceton Elementary - Replace the fire alarm system, exit lighting, deteriorated carpet, asbestos tile in the corridors, canopy and steps on the north side, window wall around the Commons, and public address and phone system.

• South Whitley Elementary - Replace the small boiler, fire alarm system and exhaust and ventilation in restrooms, and remove the fuel oil system.

• Whitko Middle School - Replace the roof and exterior doors on the south and east sides.

• Whitko High School - Replace the windows in the D wing, duct work on the air handlers in the gym and the fire alarm system, remove fuel oil tanks, upgrade exterior lighting and the water softener system, and install an emergency gas shut-off system in the science area.

Watkins said bids should be received by Nov. 18, and he will have a decision on the contractors by the Nov. 22 board meeting.

In other business:

• The board approved Whitko Middle School to build a koi pond in the school as a learning tool. The pond is financed by a grant from the Indiana Department of Education.

• Whitko High School's FFA team took first place at the national livestock competition, and its band took first division at Northrup High School Oct. 2.

Also, WHS students whose work was selected to be exhibited in the World School Children's Art exhibit in the Republic of China were: Laura Keirn, Madeline Crist, Andrea Smith, Samantha Miller, Josh Hoffman, Emily Carter, Amber Sielesnew, Jeremy Hayes and Vreneli Brenneman.

• Pierceton Elementary reported receiving a $10,000 donation from Pierceton PTO, $500 from Knights of Columbus and 37 classroom flags and one large flag from Pierceton Legion Auxiliary.

The Whitko School board meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month in the administration building. [[In-content Ad]]