PIERCETON – Life Scout John Langmaid was presented with a certificate of appreciation for completing an Eagle Scout project at Whitko High School school board meeting Monday.
Langmaid designed, organized support for, and completed a sidewalk between the media center and the industrial wing of the high school this summer.
Langmaid, a member of South Whitley Troop 85, recognized people and organizations who supported the project, beginning with maintenance supervisor Dirk Felger, naming troop members and businesses who offered materials.
The board also recognized Jonathan Johnson as September student of the month. Principal Dave Parker said there is a nominating committee at the school which votes based on something a high school student has done recently.
Superintendent Steve Clason said Johnson is the inaugural student for the recognition which will continue throughout the year.
Clason said there are 50 fewer students enrolled in Whitko schools than last year, giving a figure of 1,669.
“It’s just going to happen,” he said of the decrease, “when you have 150 graduating seniors and 120 coming in for kindergarten. People in the area don’t have the housing or resources to have many kids.”
Pierceton Elementary School Principal Eric Speicher said the school will host an abduction prevention program that will feature skills practice with an adult. The public is invited to the presentation given by Steve Zorn.
A set of 25 laptop computers is now available at the school which is wheeled from class to class, Speicher said. Students use the technology as a tool in their education.
South Whitley Elementary School principal Bruce Hansen said the backpack meals program has 30 students enrolled. Sponsored by South Whitley United Methodist Church, the backpacks are taken to the student’s home full of food on Friday and returned Monday.
Hansen said he was concerned about confidentiality, however, as the kids yell “We got food, we got food!” as they get on the buses or into a parent’s car.
Grandparents’ day is scheduled for September 26 with 350 people planning to attend their grandchild’s classroom.
Hansen introduced kindergarten teacher Jamie Pegan who is completing an administrative degree through Ball State University. She is Hansen’s administrative intern and is working on several projects.
Whitko High School principal Dave Parker said graduation has been set for May 23.
Parker said homecoming week was a great success, culminating in Friday night’s football game.
“More than 80 percent of the students wore red, white and blue to school on Friday,” Parker said, “showing great school spirit.”
He said the football team led onto the field by team manager Jared Hartman was an awesome sight, an evening that included the float parade, homecoming court and ended in the students kneeling in a circle encompassing the Wildcats as they listened to coach Wayne Swender’s post-game address.
Freshmen will be able to take the PSAT this year and ECA testing has begun at the high school.
Felger gave his annual asbestos report as required by the state, noting that PES is the only school with some asbestos content in certain floor tiles and mastic. The tiles are monitored and removed if they become loose. All the other buildings are asbestos-free.
The board adopted the 2013 capital projects and bus replacement plans along with board policy revisions.
Also approved were several resolutions. The first was a pension bond tax neutrality resolution and a document to refinance, thereby reducing, the pension bond.
In personnel matters the following retirements, resignations and terminations were approved: Lori Betten as WHS registered nurse; Rachelle Powell as WHS part-time custodian; Ashley Hoopingarner as Whitko Middle School sixth grade volleyball coach; Andrew Ferrell as WMS sixth grade basketball coach; Samantha Keel as WMS eighth grade volleyball coach; Donny Adkins as WMS assistant football coach and Kay Gilson as WHS musical choreographer.
The following people were employed: Angie Wall as WMS head cashier; Teresa Loe as WHS part-time custodian; Marvin Shoptssee as WMS part-time custodian; Matt Sitts as WHS marching band assistant; Kaden Krull as WMS sixth grade basketball coach; Matthew Johnson as WMS seventh grade basketball coach; Jeff Walpole as WMS eighth grade basketball coach; Mercedes Plummer as WMS sixth grade volleyball coach; Jamie Stidham as WMS seventh grade volleyball coach; Vanessa Hart transfer from WMS seventh grade to eighth grade volleyball coach; Matt Adams as WMS assistant football coach; Frank Bumgardner as WMS assistant volleyball coach; Patricia Leppek as PES instructional assistant; Susie Trixler as WHS musical choreographer and Dawn Hinthorn as WHS rehearsal pianist.
Whitko school board members are Deb Collier, Roger Boggs, Terry Eberly, Cindy Kreger and Jorell Tucker.
