Wawasee School Buildings to Undergo Renovations, New Marching Lot Planned

Wawasee School Buildings to Undergo Renovations, Receive New Marching Lot

By Alaister McFarren

At their meeting Tuesday, the Wawasee School Board heard from James Flecker, director of Personnel and Legal Services, about upcoming renovation projects for Wawasee School Corporation schools.

A 70-yard lot for the marching band to practice on will be installed to the north-west of the High School. The spot is currently grass-covered.

Other projects include refurbishing Wawasee High School and Middle School bathrooms for both students and faculty, upgrading paper towel dispensers at both locations and modernizing the social studies wing at the high school.  The social studies work will take place after the 2019-20 school year due to the time needed to complete the project.

In a student learning report from Joy Goshert, assistant superintendent of the school corporation, it was announced that all teaching positions had been filled.

According to Goshert, a corporation goal for the 2019-20 school year would be to integrate “Professional Learning Communities,” which she says are vital for increasing the quality of student learning. In these PLC’s, teachers will work together to ensure that students take ownership of their own education. Project-based learning will be a key point of focus.

Additionally, Director of Finances Jim Evans told the board that the Indiana General Assembly had approved a 2% reduction to teacher retirement funds, totaling around $212,000 for Wawasee. That money will be used in negotiations with the Wawasee Community Educators Association.

In other news:

• The board announced that ILEARN results would be made available to students and parents on Thursday. The results will be made available to the public in September
• The Wawasee bus fleet, comprised of 56 vehicles, passed inspection by the Indiana State Police with a score of 100%.
• Director of Facilities Don Ritter completed a 74-hour certification program from the Indiana Association of School Business Officials.
• The board hopes to see an uptick in enrollment this school year, going contrary to the trend of the past few years.
• William Dixon was recommended as a WHS temporary math teacher for the first trimester of the school year.
• Debra Fitzsimmons was recommended as a temporary Syracuse Elementary special education teacher.
• Kenneth Long was recommended as the new WHS welding instructor.