Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - While there are few if any members of the public who attend Wawasee School Board meetings, board member Marion Acton still wants to make it easier for the public to attend.
Tuesday, during discusssion of board reorganization, Acton recommended to the other board members that they should hold one meeting at each of the schools this year.
"I feel we need to be out there," he said.
Board president Brian Dawes said he had no problem with that but his reaction was that they would get no more public attendance at the schools than they do meeting at the administration building.
While he agreed the public still may not come, Acton said, "If we're there, we're at least putting forth the effort."
Dallas Winchester, board member, said he's been supportive of the school board meeting at the various schools for several years. Superintendent Dr. Mark Stock said they could start meeting at the schools with the February meeting at North Webster Elementary at 7 p.m. and the rest scheduled for following months.
As part of the reorganization, the school board elected Brian Dawes as president, Dallas Winchester as vice president, Marion Acton as secretary, Angie Higginbotham as recording secretary and Dave Cates as board attorney. The board stipend was established at $2,000 per year with the meetings being the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Jeff Wells was appointed as the board of finance president with Mary Lou Dixon as secretary. Acton was appointed to the vocational advisers' council; and Stock, director of finance Jim Evans, director of transportation Bob Lahrman and administrative assistant Joy Swartzentruber were appointed as the only board representatives to open sealed bids and receive quotes for school business.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved a $500 donation from the Harkless Foundation to Syracuse School; a $500 donation from Kosciusko Community Hospital, designated for athletic training; a $500 donation to Milford School Special Education Department from the Knights of Columbus; and a $1,000 donation from the Indianapolis Colts as part of a grant for Indiana High Schools' Outstanding Football Coaches for 2002.
• Approved the resignation of Brenda Sumwalt as the music teacher for Syracuse and North Webster elementaries and Milford Middle schools effective Jan. 11, and the maternity leave request for Milford Elementary music teacher Robyn Grider from March 17 to the end of the school year. Peggy Zimmerman will teach music at the schools until the end of the year.
• Tabled a resolution on 401(a) amendments to align with current tax laws.
Members of the Wawasee School Board are Dawes, Acton, Winchester, Wells and Dixon.
