Whitko High School was approved for a curriculum change at Monday night’s Whitko School Board meeting. With the change, most 9th graders would take integrated chemistry and physics while others may take a chemistry class, physics class or possibly an honors biology class. Biology would be moved to 10th grade. The board approved using emergency funds to help pay for four new water heaters for Whitko Middle School. One of the water heaters at the school is leaking and maintenance director Dirk Felger suggested purchasing four smaller ones rather than a large one. The lowest quote for the project was $61,000 Superintendent Steve Clason gave legislative and grant updates to the board. “We got word the budget passed out of the senate,” said Clason. “We’ve been told it will be .5 percent more next year (for education). The biggest concern I have with so much of the legislation is that its taking away from local control. Whitko did receive funding with grant money for Project Lead the Way. Annalise Puentes, school psychologist for Whitko schools, gave a presentation about Kindergarten Roundup. It’s a program to both introduce new parents to the school as well as help gauge the ability levels of the students. During the kindergarten roundup for South Whitley Elementary, 43 students attended and five were shown to have potential developmental delays. At Pierceton Elementary, 34 kids attended with two being identified as having potential delays. Amy Bollinger with the corporation’s special services department informed the board that April is Autism Awareness Month. Whitko’s Student’s Against Destructive Decisions told the board that they will have a SADD Experience night at Paige’s Crossing from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday night. May 17, Whitko will host a SADD Carnival weather permitting. Whitko SADD members are also being featured in a public service announcement campaign titled “It Only Takes One” that will be featured in movie theatres throughout the state.
