The new demands that come from living in a technology-based world keep the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation in check. A wireless survey is part of the Christmas break building maintenance plan, along with normal protocol of cleaning, waxing floors, and touching up paint on lockers. Continue reading
Teacher Performance Grants Awarded to Several Local Schools
Educators at several local schools will receive a share of the $30 million in Teacher Performance Grants awarded by the state to more than 1,300 schools. Funds were given to schools with students earning ISTEP+ or end of course assessment passing scores of 72.5 percent or above or with a growth in graduation rates of 5 percent ore more from the previous year. Teachers who are rated effective or highly effective under Indiana’s teacher evaluation system for the 2013-2014 academic year will be paid based on student performance. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Partners with Purdue
The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation has been selected by Purdue University to take part I a new program. The Center for Instructional Excellence is designed to better prepare prospective college students in high school for the next level of education. Continue reading
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Bus Purchase, Teacher Retirements
Superintendent Dan Foster said the money will come out of the bus replacement fund that was approved for this year’s budget.
The corporation will be trading in two buses and accepted the lowest bid from Midwest Transi.
Schools Look to Make Up One More Day
Freezing rain and snow prompted local school officials to cancel school and plan for yet another makeup day.
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dan Foster said the school board already has set make up days for previous canceled days of school.
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Meet Wednesday Morning
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will meet in a morning session on Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The board members will consider two retirement requests and a recommendation to purchase school buses. The three school principals will discuss activities pertinent to their buildings and Superintendent Dan Foster will have items of information for the board.
The board is expected to tour the elementary school after lunch. As time permits, a work session will be held at the conclusion of the regular meeting or after lunch.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Purchase of iPads and Cases
Superintendent Dan Foster explained that the seventh grade students were the first to get iPads and then it expanded to the eighth grade and the ninth grade. Now, all high school students will have iPads. The IT director told the board that as soon as he programs each individual iPad, they will be ready for use by the students, which could be yet this month.
Eastern Pulaski Schools Won’t Receive Capital Projects Levy
The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation will not be receiving a levy for their capital projects plan this year, according to Superintendent Dan Foster. He told WKVI that the Department of Local Government Finance has informed them that they need to decrease their capital projects funding, dropping their levy for that fund.
Schools Waitng for Waiver Approval to Enact Make up Days
The state offered an opportunity for schools to submit a waiver to excuse two days of instruction due to the severe weather last week. Schools were forced to close as a state emergency declaration was enacted preventing travel on roadways on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 6 and Jan. 7.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Stipend Payment for Teachers
Teachers at the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation received a nice surprise recently, as the school board this week approved a stipend payment thanks to an unexpected increase in student enrollment. Superintendent Dan Foster said the influx was a nice surprise, especially since the corporation has seen very few raises over the last few years.
Foster said this increase in students brought with it an increase in funds, and they decided to give it back to the teachers.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Acquisition of Bus Bids
“The Service Center now has a way to do it that’s been approved by the State Board of Accounts,” explained Foster. “Basically, it’s an online way to receive your bus bids. You’re going to receive bids from the same two or three companies that would have normally would have submitted to you anyway. It’s just going to save our folks in the office a little bit of time.”
This takes the place of the old format of listing specifications and sending it to a newspaper and receiving bids within a certain amount of time.
Once bids have been received, the board will approve a recommended bid.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Approves Sound System Replacement
The Eastern Pulaski School Board approved a motion to replace the sound system in the middle school gym.
Superintendent Dan Foster stressed that the system has been very useful for the facility but it’s outdated.
“Dave DeLorenzo and the maintenance staff have had a lot of trouble with the sound system and it’s just an old system that needs some updating. We’re going to have that replaced,” explained Foster.
The system will be replaced in the next few months.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Extends Administrator Contracts
Superintendent Dan Foster said the change in leadership at the corporation had delayed this process, but the board forged ahead with approving all contracts.
“We did go ahead and extend all of the principal’s contracts and the Athletic Director’s contract for an extra year,” explained Foster. “Their contracts are effective June 30, 2015 now instead of just this next summer.”
Winamac Seniors Present Policy Proposal to School Board
The Eastern Pulaski School Board heard a presentation from a group of seniors who developed a “bring your own device” policy as a class project for the board to consider for second semester.
Superintendent Dan Foster explained that this policy would allow students to bring in their own iPad, laptop, smart phone or technology device for use during the second semester. The seniors felt that they weren’t being treated fairly.
Eastern Pulaski School Board Engage in Budget Discussions
Superintendent Dan Foster explained that the school corporation isn’t on the same budget schedule as the majority of school systems in the state.
ISTEP+ Results at Knox, West Central and Eastern Pulaski Schools
The ISTEP+ results have been looked at by officials at all schools in our area and Knox Community School Superintendent said there were some positive points and areas that need to be worked on.
“There were some good points and some points that need to be looked at,” explained Gappa. “In the elementary school, the average in both Language Arts and Math were in the upper nineties – the high point being the fifth grade Math with over 90 percent. The middle school had a little bit lower results and those will be checked out and we’ll report to the board at the next meeting.”
ADM Counts Vary at Local Schools
“In this particular year, the elementary was up one student compared to last year. The middle school was down 14 and the high school was down 18,” reported Gappa. “Last year the middle school was up three. It varies from year to year in the class sizes. With the money following the students and open enrollment, it has changed things a little bit more.”
ACLU Lawsuit Dismissed Against Eastern Pulaski Schools
Eastern Pulaski School Board to Meet Tonight
In this first meeting for newly-hired Superintendent Dan Foster, he will give tentative enrollment figures, discuss the ISBA Regional Meeting and other items to come before the school board. The building principals will also give reports.
The Eastern Pulaski School Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. ET in the distance learning lab on the school’s campus.
ACLU Sues E. Pulaski Schools For Female Student Unable to Play Football
