Editor, Times-Union: I would like to respond to questions and rumors regarding the Wawasee Community School Board's actions at the Nov. 9 school board meeting.
First of all, the majority of the board passed the renewal of the superintendent's contract for a period of two years and a one-year contract for the administrators. Contracts run from July 1 through June 31 the following year, which actually makes the contracts valid for 2-1/2 and 1-1/2 years in length. While researching typical contract lengths, I found that contracts range from 3 and 2, 2 and 1, as well as 260 days to 220 days. Our decision is an average of all contracts that were researched in the immediate area.
I have a great deal of respect for our administrators and feel positive on the direction they are taking us educationally. The board had no intentions of intimidating or sending a negative message to the administration on their past or present performance. Superintendent Dr. Stock made his recommendation and we respectively reviewed the issues and felt the length of the contracts were a concern.
Most positions in the job market do not have the luxury of lengthy contracts. I believe as long as you're honest and you do your best in your position, you have nothing to worry about.
The second issue is the letter of preliminary notice of non-renewal sent to the Milford principal. As school board members, we need to make sure that we have the best leadership at each school throughout the school district. Obviously, there has been some leadership issues and concerns from the public and employees that we need to review before making a final decision on this contractual renewal.
The board is a communication line between parents, taxpayers and administrators. I always have felt in order to be effective, you must be involved. I feel this board is involved and may not always give a 5-0 vote as expected. This is progress for future boards in my opinion.
I do think it is time for a review of past and future board practice to be established. Let's face it, when you have been told that past board practice says you do not review administrators yearly evaluations, it is hard to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our leadership.
I have received several letters, calls and comments both in favor and not in favor of the notice of non-renewal that was sent to the Milford principal. I respect the opinions and thoughts that you have expressed during this period. I will continue to keep an open mind during my decision-making process to best serve our school district.
Dallas Winchester President, Wawasee Community School Board
Toy Sale
Editor, Times-Union: I want to let the community know about the 10th annual toy sale that will take place this weekend at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
All this week, gently used toys will be collected at the Women's Building at the Fairgrounds. The toys are cleaned, priced and sold during the two-day sale. Sixty percent of the proceeds are returned to the person dropping off the toys. The remaining 40 percent is used to purchase new toys for underprivileged children in the community.
The sale will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
After the sale, the proceeds are used to purchase new toys that are distributed during the toy giveaway the following week. Last year, more than 6,000 great toys were collected for the sale.
Ami Pitt Warsaw
Dog
Editor, Times-Union: To the dog owner who owns the mobile home at Yellow Creek Lake: This past weekend my children came to me upset because they saw a dog inside a mobile home that no one is living in. I took it upon myself to go down and check out the situation. What I saw inside that trailer was one of the most appalling things I've ever seen. A dog inside living amongst all of the stuff the previous tenate left behind. It looked as if they just up and left everything; a tornado would have been an improvement. We tried to coax the dog out, but no luck. I called the animal control officer, who I find out has contacted the owner of the dog and he tells me that the dog has food, water and shelter and that the law states as long as these three things are available, there's nothing he can do. Lord have mercy on your soul. Animals have feelings, too. How would you like to live like that and have to run around your urine and feces and to live without electricity and companionship. You've broken hearts of children and adults as well. That poor dog. I'm praying for your soul. You know not what you do.
