Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Wawasee School Board heard complaints from a parent concerned about their child's safety at Tuesday's regular board meeting.
Steve Moore, Syracuse, approached the board, asking for an explanation of the grounds for an expulsion from school. According to Moore, his child has been harassed and threatened outside of school and he fears for his student's safety at school, where there is contact with the harassing student.
Mark Stock, superintendent, answered Moore's questions, saying that before a student can be expelled for something that happened off school grounds, it must have a clear connection and impact on school activities. He also said that expulsion is "tough" because it often is legally mandated if a student is on probation.
Little more was said about the situation after board member Brian Dawes asked Moore not to discuss the details at the meeting. "Let's protect the privacy at this time of the people involved," Dawes said.
In other business:
• Preliminary plans for the school's new press box were presented Tuesday. The current press box, which was built at the same time as the school in 1968, is "dry rot," board President Dallas Winchester said, and needs to be replaced.
"It's bad. It's a safety issue it's so bad," Winchester said. Preliminary plans estimate the cost at $121,000. The school will bid out the project.
• Wawasee High School received an award from the Department of Workplace Development last month. Phil Metcalf said they received the award for their Non-traditional Employment for Women Workshop.
At this event, female students are introduced to 30 women who work in "non-traditional" professions, and then get hands-on training in things like welding and brick laying.
• Future Farmers of America students were recognized for organizing and hosting the FFA District Leadership Conference. Student Sarah Banghart said the experience "taught us a lot of responsibility." More than 120 students from 14 schools attended the event.
• A new representative was appointed to the Milford Public Library Board. Rex M. Miller, who is the Camp Mack director, will fill the role.
• A $500 donation from Indiana Swap Shop, a new business that will be located behind Bell Marine, was accepted.
The donation will be used to help low-income students with emergency needs, such as glasses, dental work or other situations.
• A new student management software system was discussed. The system, Harmony Software, will replace the Chancery SMS the school currently uses and is said to be better accessible for parents and also will better serve the school's needs.
• The board announced the April meeting will be April 18. This is a change from the regular schedule.
Board members are Dallas Winchester, Mary Lou Dixon, Marion Acton, George Gilbert and Brian Dawes.
