Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊFor the second month in a row, Bruce Cavell asked the Wawasee School Board for their opinions on the current busing system.
Last month, after he voiced his concerns, he was told to meet with Superintendent Mark Stock.
Tuesday, Cavell said he still has several questions regarding the busing of North Webster students past the Wawasee Middle School to the high school and then back. He wanted the school board's opinions on his concerns.
"I was here to ask the board for their help and get their views on it," Cavell said. He said Stock told him the school isn't doing anything illegal with the way they bus the students, but, Cavell said, that doesn't necessarily make it right. "We could make better use of our kids' time."
He said his attorney also told him there was a liability question for the school by busing the students as they do now.
Cavell also said he was concerned that the middle school is understaffed in the morning when students arrive and that in inclement weather, students are only allowed into a small hallway. He said they should be let into the school so they can do their studies rather than stand out in the cold.
Board president Jeff Wells said he appreciated Cavell's input but from his understanding from the memos he received from the administration, the issues Cavell raised have already been addressed.
Stock said the Wawasee busing system is a complex situation and no matter how the corporation does it, someone will not like it. He also said he doesn't see the busing system changing. As for more staff in the morning, Stock said, there are limitations, including finances.
Brian Dawes said his job as a board member is to support the administration unless he has pertinent information that contradicts theirs. He also said he doesn't feel like it's his job to determine the busing route.
"If they really think that's the best way ... I've got to support them," Dawes said.
In other business, Wawasee High School Principal Alan Frank gave a presentation to the board about requiring 40 credits for students to graduate, beginning with those graduating in spring 2004. The 40-credit requirement would include the present world civilization course and a required computer applications course.
"The state's talking about going to 40 credits. That spirited some talk within our departments," Frank said. He said some schools already require as many as 46 to 48 credits for students to graduate.
Frank said he would also like to offer more students the chance of job shadowing in the community. He said in the future he may ask the school board to approve going to a trimester school year so more students have the advantage of job shadowing and taking computer classes.
Dawes said he was "really supportive" of the school offering computer classes as they are going to be essential in the future.
The board gave the first reading on board policy 9.30, which will require 40 credits for graduation.
The school board also:
• Recognized Conner Beer and Angela Beer, Milford School students, as being winners of the Back to the Days of Kosciuszko Essay Contest. Fourth-grade students from the entire county were asked to participate, but participation was not mandatory. Conner Beer is the child of Keith and Beth Beer. Angela Beer is the child of John and Rhonda Beer.
• Approved a request to advertise for school bus bids. The corporation will take bids for the purchase of four standard 66-passenger schoolbuses and one 66-passenger bus equipped for transporting handicapped students.
• Approved a resolution to hold a common wage hearing for the North Webster Elementary building project. The school board will appoint two members to the committee, the governor will appoint one member, the State Federation of Labor will appoint one and the county commissioners will appoint the fifth member.
• Stock announced the corporation's 1999-00 student enrollment is 3,576, down by 34 students from last year.
He said the administration is looking at how to make cuts in the budget now. "We are down," Stock said. "I just wanted to make that point. It is a budget issue."
• A presentation on the old North Webster school will be Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in the school's cafeteria.
