Wawasee School Board member Don Bokhart inquires about the switch of lunch room point of sale system, Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer explains the benefit of LINQ’s free or reduced lunch portal. Pictured (L to R) are Troyer, Andy Cripe, Mike Wilson and Don Bokhart. Photo by Marissa Sweatland, InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE - Wawasee School Board heard from interim Director of Finance Dr. Brandon Penrod Tuesday on a proposed $75 million project concerning rebuilding or extensive remodeling to Milford School and a new performing arts center.
Penrod stressed during his presentation the debt service will not be affected. Wawasee School Corporation’s total tax rate was $0.5399 per $100 of assessed valuation in 2022 and 2023, and that is where it will stay. Wawasee School Corporation has one of the lowest tax rate in Indiana, and secures $10 million in bonds, he said.
There will be a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 1. No location has been set yet.
The board also passed an addendum to Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer’s contract, most notably the terms of employment and pay. In the contract, Troyer agrees to be employed by Wawasee as superintendent for a period beginning July 1, 2023, and concluding on June 30, 2026. Unless either part notifies the other party by Jan. 1, 2024, the contract and addendum shall be automatically extended to June 30, 2027. Thereafter, the contract and addendum will be automatically extended an additional year unless the superintendent or school corporation notifies the other part to the contrary by Jan. 1 of each calendar year.
Additionally, an annual salary of $142,000 through June 30, 2024, was approved. Each year, if the superintendent receives a rating of effective or highly effective on the board’s evaluation, the salary will automatically increase effective July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter by an amount of 2.5%.
The board also heard from Christi Ziebarth, a Wawasee art teacher, who is, along with Jon Everingham, proposing a student-led art gallery. Ziebarth mentioned “the gap between education and experience” and “the greatest recognition is having your art displayed out into the world.”
Her art students have already completed a few professional art commissions, including a mosaic piece for the Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake. Her students are collaborating with the Parkview Hospital Warsaw to create a few pieces of art to be displayed in its new wing. The gallery is slotted to be held in an unused board room in the Wawasee School Corporate Office, however, Ziebarth imagines her students’ art will quickly outgrow the space. The gallery will also serve as a opportunity where students can sell their artwork.
In good news, Troyer announced the Knights of Columbus had made two donations. The Knights of Columbus donated $1,000 to the marching band and $1,500 to the cheerleading team.
Additionally, the board approved an overnight trip for the cross country teams to Pokagon State Park. The trip will take place from July 24 to 26. While there, the teams will partake in team building and bonding exercises, while also using some of the park’s trails and terrains to train for their upcoming season.
Minor adjustments have been made to handbooks for the elementary, middle and high school, administrative, certified and transportation.
In the elementary handbook, the disciplinary matrix was updated. The middle school handbook saw an update to the academic calendar and minor verbiage.
The high school handbook made updates to the new starting times. The administrative handbook updated holidays, vacation and maternity leave. The certified staff handbook added verbage regarding flex days. The transportation handbook was updated to ban blankets on school buses.
In other matters:
• The board approved the 2023-24 school meal prices. Elementary breakfast will cost $1.50 and lunch $2.85. Middle school breakfast will cost $1.75 and lunch $2.90. High school breakfast will cost $1.75 and lunch $2.95. Adult breakfast will cost $2.60 and lunch $4.80. The board approved the implementation of LINQ point of sale system. This system will allow an easier application process for free or reduced lunch through LINQ’s portal.
Troyer updated the board about the Veterans Memorial Wall. A fund has been set up with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to assist in fundraising. Troyer reminded the board that the project is estimated to cost $250,000, and assures no dime will come from taxpayers.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelly Wilfong updated the board about the learning report. She expects the proposed waiver days will be passed by the Board of Education during its meeting tomorrow. The proposed waiver days are Sept. 18, Nov. 6 and March 8. During these waiver days, students are not required to come to school or will be assigned any e-learning material. These waiver days will be used to help teachers build skills and find resources to increase student achievement.
In attempt to increase student achievement, Wawasee School Corporation had partnered with HANDS in Autism, from Jan. 31 through May 30, to create collaborative programming to help students with autism. During the 2022 climate audit, Wawasee targeted student behavior as a need to address. In addition, a need to support students with disabilities better was indicated.
The board approved the employment of Mackenzie Gunter, special education paraprofessional; Michelle Hoover, paraprofessional; Rodney Kuhn, custodian; Brianna Mundo, paraprofessional; Nicholas Robinson, custodian; Kim Hensel, elementary teacher; and Jonathan Weimer, computer tech.
The next regular Wawasee School Board meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8 in the Warrior Room of Wawasee High School, 1 Warrior Path Building 1, Syracuse.
