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Increasing parental involvement in schools and in their children's academics was not on the agenda for Monday's Warsaw School Board meeting, but was a topic of discussion anyway.
Lakeview teacher Sherrill Plummer raised the issue during the public comments portion of the meeting. She said, "The board needs to reach out more to children. This is every bit as important as how much money we're saving, and I think we have to be a community with a heart.
"I know it's very intangible, but I believe we need to get something going on about outreach to families of children at risk," she said.
Some schools have few parent volunteers, Plummer said, because both parents work. She suggested creating a position of volunteer coordinator for the schools and/or a task force to discuss how to help students who aren't getting help at home.
Dr. Sandra Hess, assistant superintendent, said this was an issue discussed at the town meetings and will be presented at the May 16 school board meeting.
The board also:
• Saw a demonstration of puppets, some almost life-size, made by Jerry Johnson, husband of a Leesburg Elementary employee, for the Leesburg Drama Club. The club will use the puppets in the presentation of the play, "Three Billy Goats Gruff" May 19.
• Heard from Hess about programs at Warsaw Community High School that partner with various businesses in the area. The partnerships teach the students the relevance of the education program and the importance of "respect, responsibility, initiative and perseverance."
• Reviewed options for equipment to record board meetings. The board decided to pursue the least expensive option, using the portable system that is used for graduation and other events. The cost would be $1,200 for the recording unit. The other two options were at costs of $8,350 and $7,894.
• Heard that enrollment at all schools is 6,601 students, up 170 students from the same time last year.
• Was told that the school status and option committee has held two meetings, with Terry Sims and Vallerie Rowland as co-chairmen. The meetings are open to the public, but do not take public input. The next meetings are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. April 26, May 10 and May 24 at the administration building.
School board members are: Tammy Dalton, Gene England, Cathy Folk, Dan Robinson Charles Sauders, Deb Wiggins and Ron Yeiter. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the administration building on the third Monday of each month.
