Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw School Board will form a committee to study the status of the school facilities, the board agreed Monday.
Board president Ron Yeiter proposed the committee concept at the February meeting, and was asked by the board to revise his proposal - that the committee be composed of former board members.
Monday, the board debated the composition and size of the committee and agreed that it should include 22 members: one person from each township in the school district, appointed by the trustees (five); one representative of each school's PTO (10); three teachers, appointed by the teachers' association; two administrators; and two former board members - Jim Keeton and Gordon Vanator.
The committee will choose its own chairman and will report to the board.
The board also agreed to reinstate the four elementary track meets and the city track meet.
Last month, a parent objected to the recent decision by elementary principals to cut the number of track meets from four to three, and to cancel the city meet.
Monday, Jeff Neumann, principal of Madison elementary, said the principals met March 12 after consulting with Warsaw Community High School Athletic Director Dave Fulkerson and assistant AD Dave Anson. The plan was revised to offer four dual track meets and a city-wide track meet May 16 and May 18.
He also said some WCHS track athletes will help at the citywide meet.
The board also:
• Welcomed new board member Tamara Dalton, who was sworn in by attorney Max Reed. Dalton will represent District 4, previously represented by Larry Chamberlain, who moved from the district.
• Appointed Wendy Kovach, who teaches and is the librarian at Churubusco Middle/High School, as the board's representative on the Warsaw Community Public Library board of trustees.
• Heard assistant superintendent Dr. Sandra Hess' report on the grade nine and 10 ISTEP results. According to Hess, 78 percent of ninth-graders massed math and 73 percent passed language arts. In grade 10, 71 percent passed math and 68 percent passed language arts.
• Heard that enrollment in all Warsaw schools is at 6,606 students, up 42 from the same time last year.
• Directed McGuire to investigate quotes for a portable recording and microphone system for recording board meetings. McGuire said the cost of such a system is approximately $8,000. The board asked him to come back next month with quotes and with information on where the money will come from and whether or not if will affect other programs or equipment.
• Appointed Dalton, Yeiter and McGuire to develop a survey for employees of the school corporation. Board member Cathy Folk questioned the need for such a survey, and Yeiter said that since the town hall meetings seek input from the public, the survey will seek the same input on the school corporation from the employees, such as teachers and administrators.
• Was reminded that the first town hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Lakeview auditorium; the second is set for March 30, same time and place. EdCom Expo will be Saturday at WCHS.
Board members are: Tamara Dalton, Gene England, Cathy Folk, Dan Robinson, Chuck Sauders, Deb Wiggins and Ron Yeiter. The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the administration building.
