Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met Tuesday to honor retiring staff, hear academic and athletic updates and face public reaction over the future of the district’s radio and television program.
The evening opened with a moment of silence in memory of Syracuse Elementary teacher Margie Slusser, who died after 21 years of service.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer praised her dedication, calling her a teacher who led “with kindness, patience, and a deep love for learning.”
Nine retirements were formally recognized, including longtime educators Cheryl Miller and Peggy Cook, and culinary arts teacher Dan Bauer.
Retirees were presented with gifts and greeted with applause and handshakes. Troyer thanked them for decades of service, saying, “You deserve your retirement coming up, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for our district.”
Other good news included the recognition of Cindy Brady as Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber’s Educator of the Year.
The board also celebrated the Wawasee High School’s graduating class, with 184 students graduating.
Much of the public comment portion of the meeting centered on decisions to end staffing for WRWT-LP 93.7 FM, the school’s student-run radio station. Instructor Jeremy Van Lue, who built the program over the past decade, urged the board to reconsider turning over the station’s FFC license.
“This radio station is a voice for the school and community,” Van Lue said. “It has provided students with hands-on experience and kept the community informed.”
Other speakers repeated his concerns, calling the station one of Wawasee’s most unique programs.
Several also questioned staffing decisions and pay differences between CDL-certified and non-certified bus drivers.
Troyer addressed the concerns in his superintendent report, outlining how declining enrollment has led to difficult financial decisions.
“Declining student enrollment ... continues to be our most significant long-term challenge,” he said.
The district is projecting a $1 million revenue loss for the 2025-26 school year due to shrinking class sizes. Troyer said recent staff reductions were achieved through retirements and restructuring, avoiding layoffs.
Troyer said the radio-TV program would transition to a nearby CTE cooperative, allowing students continued access without the district bearing the full cost.
He left open the possibility of keeping the radio station operational if community partners step up to help fund it.
“This is not a cut for students — rather, it's a realignment through our CTE co-op that preserves students' access to programming,” he said.
In other business:
• The board welcomed Jessica Barkby as the new assistant principal at Wawasee Middle School, approved administrative contracts for 2025-26, and two student trips, one to Cedar Point and another to a culinary competition in Atlanta.
• Athletic Director Brent Doty highlighted a strong year of athletic and community engagement. He shared examples of service projects and state-level athletic achievements, including swimmer Julie Miller’s national record in the 50-meter freestyle.
• Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelly Wilfong reported double-digit improvements in standardized testing across multiple grade levels and subjects, with IREAD scores just 4% shy of the state's 95% benchmark and zero retentions.
“We’re seeing the results of several years of hard work,” she said.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 8 at Wawasee Professional Learning Center, 801 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.
