Warsaw Recognizes Two School Board Members

Two members of the Warsaw school board who will not be returning in January were recognized Monday at the board meeting.

Brad Brail and Roy Szymanski, both of whom have served since Jan. 1, 1999, received plaques and praise from board president Craig Allebach.

To Brail, Allebach said, "We're going to miss you - miss your critical thinking."

And to Szymanski, he said, "We appreciate your voice and your leadership on behalf of the board for these four years."

Brail did not run for re-election in November; Szymanski was defeated in the election by Gene England, who will take office in January, along with Ron Yeiter, who is taking Brail's place.

The board also approved a bid of $448,363 by Kerlin Bus Sales for eight 66-passenger buses.

They approved purchase of a 15-passenger van for $24,098.25 from Rice Ford. The van will be used to transport staff and teachers, not students.

The board also:

• Heard from superintendent Dr. David McGuire that enrollment in all Warsaw schools is 6,441 students, up 96 from 6,345 last year at the same time.

• Appointed Timothy Minear to a four-year term on the Winona Lake Park Board.

• Recognized students and staff at Washington Elementary for collecting $250 to buy a water buffalo through the Heifer Project International for a family in a developing country.

• Recognized FFA students Hayley Wertenberger and Jared Haughee at Warsaw Community High School for All-American honors at the North American Livestock Exposition Judging contest in Louisville, Ky.

• Set January's meeting for 7 p.m. Jan. 13, the second Monday in the month, to comply with the state regulation of swearing in new board members by Jan. 15.

The February meeting will return to the third Monday of the month.

Warsaw School Board members are: Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Mark Minatel and Roy Szymanski. Superintendent is Dr. David McGuire.