Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Preliminary enrollment information indicates Whitko schools have an increase in students this school year.
Superintendent Dr. William Worl told the school board Thursday at a special meeting that the estimated enrollment for all Whitko schools is 2,051. Last year's enrollment was 2,005-1/2.
He said the increase is "significant" because, in the last four years, Whitko schools has seen a decrease in the number of students. The growth has the biggest impact on South Whitley Elementary and Whitko High School this year.
"These are preliminary numbers but are positive numbers for us," he said. The official count day for Whitko is Sept. 13.
Dave Tranter, school board member, said the school corporation has seen declining numbers in the last 10 years, so the new numbers indicating a growth is positive for the entire community.
Hopefully, Worl said, the increase means Whitko's enrollment has bottomed out and now they'll see an upturn.
In other business, the Whitko School Board:
• Adopted the 2003 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan.
• Approved paying the last invoice, totaling $38,524.40, to C.L. Schust Co. Inc. for roofing work on the Whitko High School gymnasium.
• Accepted the resignation of Tanya Gill, winter sports sponsor at South Whitley Elementary School.
• Accepted the employment of Glenna Wanger, school nurse at Pierceton Elementary and Whitko Middle School.
All members of the Whitko School Board were present and include Hal Trump, E. Marie Trump, Dave Tranter, Michael Braddock and Pete Mitchell. The next school board meeting is Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the administration building, Pierceton. A reception is planned at 7 p.m. for new teachers.
