Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE — Wawasee School Board approved a wide slate of financial, operational and instructional items during its regular meeting Tuesday, including a bond refunding expected to generate long-term savings, a $1.50 hourly pay increase for paraprofessionals and multiple consulting and program agreements.
The meeting followed an executive session and included extensive discussion during reports, followed by formal board action on grouped and individual agenda items.
Among the most significant approvals was a resolution to refund the district’s 2018 general obligation bonds. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Brandon Penrod said the move would allow the district to refinance roughly $13 million in remaining bond debt at lower interest rates.
“This is essentially like refinancing a home mortgage,” Penrod said. “We’re not shortening the term, but we are reducing our annual payments.”
Penrod told the board the refunding is projected to produce more than $1.5 million in gross savings over the life of the bonds, easing future debt service pressure on the district’s tax levy.
The board also approved an $11,000 engagement with Policy Analytics to conduct a parcel-level property tax base and revenue analysis. The study will examine how circuit breaker caps and changing property values affect district revenue.
Several compensation-related items were also approved. The board authorized 2025-26 classified staff compensation schedules and a recommended $1.50 hourly pay increase for all paraprofessionals, both full-time and part-time. If approved, the district’s paraprofessional starting wage will rise to $16 per hour.
“This is an important step in supporting retention and stable staffing,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelly Wilfong said.
Additional approved items included first semester extracurricular account filings, payroll and claims, and a memorandum of understanding with Ivy Tech Community College for dual-credit courses.
The board also approved a marketing operations consulting proposal focused on evaluating the district’s digital communications infrastructure, including website systems, calendars, streaming platforms and email communications.
Wilfong said the assessment-based work would provide recommendations without committing the district to unnecessary expenditures.
Also approved were expanded grants administration services through Mazi Education, a Skyepack Career Plus Pathways memorandum of understanding, and a licensed training provider agreement with the American Red Cross allowing the district to offer certified training courses.
Other Items
During patron comments, residents raised a range of concerns, including employee compensation practices, student safety and transparency surrounding the district's superintendent search. Several speakers urged the board to slow the hiring process and ensure meaningful community input, while others questioned how concerns raised publicly and through private communication are addressed by board members.
Board leaders responded that no superintendent decision has been made and stressed that efforts are being made to gather public feedback on potential hires.
Earlier in the meeting, Wilfong presented a learning report outlining anticipated changes to Indiana’s school accountability system, which will reintroduce A-F letter grades beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
“They’re trying to broaden how schools receive those grades,” Wilfong said, noting new measures related to attendance, career and technical education and coursework rigor.
Wilfong also reviewed the district’s employee assistance program utilization report, noting a 13.59% usage rate in 2025, with counseling related to stress and anxiety identified as the most common need.
Board President Andy Cripe presided over the meeting, which also included recognition of student and school achievements, donations supporting school programs and approval of overnight athletic travel for potential postseason tournaments.
