Organization Gaining Support To Switch Indiana to Central Time Zone

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

A spokesperson with the Central Time Coalition from Carmel, Indiana presented the Knox Community School Board with a resolution. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the organization is gathering support from many school corporations to get the state on one time zone.

“And the reason for wanting Central Time is that they believe during the school year that it would be a safety issue,” explained Gappa. “The sun would come up later and rise at 7:15 a.m. every morning so you wouldn’t have kids standing out in the dark waiting for buses to come. It would be easier to schedule events when all of the schools and other community groups are on the same time zone.”

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Knox School Board Work Session Planned With Referendum Expert

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa told the Knox Community School Board this week that Dr. Mike Trego, an expert in school referendums from Indiana Wesleyan University, will be back in Knox on Tuesday, Nov. 13 for a work session with the board and members of the public to discuss the possible elementary school project.

“We’ll have people come in who are interested in being on an action committee to move forward with an elementary project,” said Gappa. “Dr. Trego, at an open board meeting on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. CT, will be the consultant giving out that information to the community members that show up.”

Knox Science Teachers Praised for Rafting Trip

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board was given information about a recent outing by the advanced science classes to the Tippecanoe River State Park. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said science teachers Laurie Simmons and Marge Wood take the students on this rafting trip every year.

“It’s kind of a fun trip but it’s also educational,” explained Gappa. “They studied the environment, the ecology of the river and they did testing of water samples as they moved down the river to different stations. Different rangers were there to give demonstrations and lectures on different parts of the river.”

Three students gave a presentation to the board and gave praise to the teachers and for the opportunity to participate in this trip.

Knox School Board Approves Logging Request Near Washington Twp. School

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved a request made by Washington Township Trustee Shelly Kemble. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the request was to make some changes on the property where the old school is located.

“At a previous meeting, the trustee from Washington Township was in to ask the board’s permission and approval to do some logging out at the woods at the east end of the property and to use some of that money to help pay for the demolition of the old school in Washington Township. At this last meeting, the board did approve that request of the Washington Township trustee,” Gappa explained.

Knox Community School Adopts Superintendent Evaluation Process

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board members formally adopted a superintendent evaluation process at their recent meeting. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said that the adoption needed to be done per state law.

“I attended a meeting last summer with three of our board members to talk about the Indiana Superintendent Evaluation Process,” said Gappa. “The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA), in conjunction with the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS), put together a process that’s very similar to the new RISE evaluation process that is used for teachers and principals in the schools. Our board, following that presentation, adopted the Indiana Superintendents evaluation process that was put together by the ISBA and the IAPSS.”

Knox Community Schools Update Mission Statement

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board recently worked with Mike Adamson from the Indiana School Boards Association to update the mission and vision statements. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the new mission statement is, “Whatever it takes, Knox students are worth it.”

“We also have a longer vision statement, a number of belief statements and some goals and objectives,” commented Gappa.

Those revised statements will be uploaded soon on the corporation’s website.

WKVI Corrects Harold Welter School Board Reports

Posted on Author WKVI

On Sept. 5 and 10 of this year, news stories were aired on WKVI and posted on wkvi.com concerning the Knox Community School Board race and candidate Harold Welter in particular. It has since been learned that certain parts of those stories were inaccurate. In the story from Sept. 5, entitled, “Harold Welter withdraws Knox School Board candidacy,” a description of FCC guidelines concerning equal time was given, along with how they relate to the local school board race and a description of the waiver of equal time opportunities which would allow Welter to continue his duties as a sports announcer through the election season.

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Knox School Board Discusses Work Session With Referendum Expert

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board recently held a work session with Dr. Mike Trego, a professor at Indiana-Wesleyan University and who is also an expert in school referendums.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa reviewed that work session during the school board meeting Monday night.

“We had Dr. Trego come in and give a report to the board and the board felt very positive about the information that Dr. Trego presented and they anticipate bringing him back to have a meeting with community members who are interested on being on an action committee, moving forward with an elementary project,” stated Gappa.

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Welter’s Back in the School Board Race, Sports on Hiatus

Posted on Author WKVI
Harold Welter

Since announcing his withdrawal from the Knox School Board race because of the unwillingness of other candidates to sign a waiver of equal-time rights so he could continue to broadcast ball games on WKVI, Harold Welter has been informed by Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski that she was unable to get his name removed from the ballot. WKVI then contacted the FCC and were informed that even though Welter had withdrawn, the equal-time provision would still apply to WKVI because his name will remain on the ballot.

Welter offered the other candidates not to serve if elected in order to get their cooperation, but that offer was also rejected. Therefore, he’s decided that for the first time in 48 years, he will not broadcast sports for the required 60 days before the election.

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Knox School Board to Meet With Consultant Regarding Palmer Wing

Posted on Author WKVI
Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board and the Facility Study Committee have been working on a solution to address the needs at the Palmer Wing at the Knox Elementary School. A recent public meeting was held in which Superintendent A.J. Gappa reported that it was an overwhelming consensus that a new Palmer Wing needs to be constructed.

A construction referendum could be featured in the May Primary Election and the board is in the process of deciding if that’s the route they want to take. Gappa said that the board will be holding a special work session on Sept. 17 in place of their regular meeting to discuss the referendum process with a consultant.

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Boldry Suspended With Pay, Substitutes Fill Stead

Posted on Author WKVI
Todd Boldry

The Knox Community School Board formally acted on Todd Boldry’s teaching position at the Knox Middle School. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said that substitute teachers are currently filling the position.

“The school board did approve the suspension of middle school math teacher, Todd Boldry,” stated Gappa. “The suspension is effective beginning Aug. 24. That suspension is with pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.”

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Harold Welter Withdraws Knox School Board Candidacy

Posted on Author WKVI
Harold Welter

The longest-serving member of the Knox Community School Board has withdrawn his candidacy for re-election.

Harold Welter, who is the President of the School Board, explained his decision to withdraw.

“The reason is that Federal Communications Commission guidelines would require that WKVI Radio give equal air time to the other seven candidates from Center Township to match the time I am on the air broadcasting sports,” Welter explained. “In past elections, other candidates have been willing to waive their equal-time rights so that I could continue to broadcast ball games. In this election, however, some candidates don’t feel comfortable with allowing that to happen, and therefore have declined to give WKVI a waiver.”

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Several School Board Races To Appear On Nov. 6 Ballot

Posted on Author WKVI

Several school board races have surfaced since the Friday filing deadline in the Starke County Clerk’s Office.

For Knox Community Schools, voters will select three members from a ballot of eight candidates for Center Township Seats 2, 3, and 4. Those candidates include incumbent members William Kirk Bennett, Gerald (Jerry) Fletcher and Harold A. Welter, and candidates Dawn M. Bailey, Jeffrey B. Fosler, Wendy McIntire, Larry D. Sennert and Valarie Williams. Incumbent Nathan Marcum and challenger Kurt A. Kemble have filed for the California-Washington Township seat.

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Knox School Board Spotlights Porter-Starke Counseling

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board members spotlighted the high school’s Porter-Starke Counseling Program at their meeting this week. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said High School Assistant Principal Michael Bendicsen is on the Porter-Starke Board and he helped initiate this program for students in need.

“Mr. Bendicsen did report that he knew of at least ten students that had taken advantage of and had been helped by this program. A number of other students might have been helped but they can go other directions besides Porter-Starke as he reported. He wanted to also point out that the services are available not just the high school but in the other buildings. So far, the high school is the only one that has been able to take advantage of the services that are being offered,” said Gappa.

Knox School Board Discusses Budget Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board held a public hearing on the budget Monday night. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said there were no comments on the budget and the board will now move to the next step.

“The board voted to have an adoption meeting at the next board meeting which will be Sept. 5,” said Gappa.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the budget is about $500,000 less than the board advertised last year in the general fund, and it’s a little over $900,000 less for the total budget.

All funds total $23,254,000.

Knox School Board To Move Forward With Palmer Wing Plans

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave a report to the school board this week about a work session held on Aug. 8 concerning the Palmer Wing at the Elementary School.

“There were approximately 15 to 16 outside community members and it was pretty much unanimous (of that group) that the best future for the elementary school would be to build a new wing to replace the old Palmer Wing,” Gappa said.

Gappa says the board will now move forward with plans for the construction of the new Palmer Wing.

“The board will probably want to talk to community members and get some input from some people who are supportive to form committees to work toward that end,” Gappa said.

Knox Schools Budget Cut, Says Gappa

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board approved the advertisement of the 2013 budget. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says the budget has decreased.

“Our budget advertisement this year is a little bit less than less year; it’s about $500,000 less than we advertised last year in the general fund, and it’s a little over $900,000 less than we advertised last year for the total budget,” Gappa explained.

Gappa reports the total of the school’s proposed budget for 2013.

“All funds would be $23,254,000, and our general fund advertised budget for this year would be $14,966,000, which almost $500,000 last than we advertised last year,” said Gappa. “Once we have a public hearing on Aug. 20, the plan will be to adopt the budget at the Sept. 5 board meeting.”

Knox Community School Board To Meet With Architecture Firm

Posted on Author WKVI
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board discussed the Facility Study Committee’s progress with the Palmer Wing. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the committee is still gathering information on whether to build a new wing or to rehabilitate the deteriorated structure.

“Our board has a committee that will meet this week with a representative from the Barton, Coe and Villema architecture firm in Fort Wayne,” said Gappa. “We will proceed with talk about the possibility of a renovation or replacing the Palmer Wing at the elementary school.”

After the Committee meets with the architect, Gappa says the Board will plan meetings with the public.

“We plan to have some more public meetings and invite the members of the public in and get input on which direction to go,” said Gappa.