The Knox Community School Board approved a small increase in cafeteria prices for the 2011-2012 school year:
“This year the State is requiring schools to increase by at least a dime,” said Superintendent, A.J. Gappa. “We’re going to hold our breakfast the same but we’re going to increase our lunch price at the Elementary, Middle and High Schools by $.20. Next year, our breakfasts will still be $1.10 for each student at all of the buildings, but lunch at the Elementary School will be $1.70 and lunch at the Middle School and High School will be $1.95.”
Maria Hasnerl, Chastity Reed and Riley Hart were only three members of the choir who appeared at the School Board meeting to receive certificates
Elementary Principal, Glenn Barnes, brought in members of the fifth grade choir to be recognized during last week’s Knox Community School Board meeting.
“He brought in some of the the fifth grade choir to receive certificates and the Board got to see a video that Miss Guzman and the choir students put together where they sang three of the songs that they have been practicing,” said Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “Keep in mind that the fifth grade choir is not a requirement and it’s not all the fifth graders. It’s a volunteer group that came in early in the morning one day a week for the last semester on their own time to practice and pick out songs. They did a nice job singing on the video they presented to the Board.”
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board members approved a lease agreement with Apple, Inc. to provide a one-to-one computer program for students in grades six through twelve.
“The computers are not going to take the place of teachers as some people fear,” explained Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “They’re just a modern tool that teacher have to use so students can improve their learning throughout Middle School and High School. Under this program, the student will get a computer that will be his computer for the next four years. The plan is that the student can take it home because that just extends their learning day. After four years, we will reevaluate the lease.”
The Knox Community School Board members appointed a new Middle School Principal Monday night.
“The Board appointed Dave Miller, the current Middle School Assistant Principal, as Principal,” said Superintendent, A.J. Gappa. “His term will begin on July 1st of this current year. Dave has been with the Corporation for a little over 20 years, I believe, and he’s been in the current post of Assistant Principal at the Middle School for the last 17 years. The Board thought he’s been loyal to the District and they wanted to give him his chance at the Principal-ship. In the past, Mr. Miller has served under two or three different principals and at one point, he didn’t feel that he wanted to accept the Principal-ship because he was happy where he was. But, at this point I think he feels it was time for him and the Board agreed.”
During the Spotlight on Success portion of the Knox Community School Board meeting Monday night, the Board honored 4th grade teacher, Sherry Wakal.
Martin’s Supermarkets, along with television station CW 25 and radio station Sunny 101.5 out of South Bend run a yearly program on Teacher of the Month,” explained Superintendent A.J. Gappa. One of our 4th grade teachers, Sherry Wakal, was the February Teacher of the Month and she was presented a certificate. She is planning to attend a luncheon on May 19th at the Martin’s in Granger, where they announce the Teacher of the Year. It was quite an honor.”
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board member discussed entering into a lease agreement with Apple computers at their recent meeting.
“That program would involve having an Apple Macbook computer for each of the students enrolled from grades six through twelve,” said Superintendent, A.J. Gappa. “We’re looking at a four year lease program that Apple promotes through different school corporations throughout the State of Indiana and also throughout the country. Apple representative, Joseph Lee, was here to help answer questions that the Board members had about the program. Many questions have been answered, but there are some other items that the Board wants to look at before they make a commitment because it is such a large commitment. We anticipate getting some of those questions answered before the next Board meeting.”
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved a change order in the Knox High School renovation project. Brian Bohlender from Barton Coe Vilamaa went through the funds for the project. Work is being done in the pool area, water piping is being replaced throughout the school and new lockers are being installed. At their meeting Monday night, the Board approved the installation of a pool deck liner and the deck liner pad at a cost of approximately $36,048.
Mrs. Barnes and 5th grade presenters: Mrs. Barnes, Victoria Bulick, Colin Kulpa, Libby McEntee, Payton McIntyre, Mariah McKee, Allison Minix, and Cassie Waletzko
The Knox Community School Board got a lesson in technology at their recent school Board meeting and the teachers were 5th grade students.
“We just showed the Board what we’ve been doing this year in technology,” said Laura Barnes, Computer Applications Teacher at the Knox Elementary School. “We’ve started all of the grade levels on various new technologies IPads, some web tools such as Glogster and My Big Campus so we showed the Board some of those things. Glogster is a web tool which is basically a cross between a blog and a virtual poster. The kids can use them for presentations with projects, they can use them as a creative journal – there are a lot of educational tools for it.”
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved an amended 2011-2012 school calendar during its Monday night meeting. The Board had asked Superintendent A.J. Gappa to work with all entities involved to push back the start of the school year. The preliminary calendar had students starting on August 10th and the Board felt that start date was too early. The amended calendar has the students beginning the next school year on August 16th with the last student day on May 24th. Spring break would be March 26th-30th with commencement on June 1st.
Kameron Keehn, Olivia Tallarita and Abigail Belcher
The Knox Community School Board spotlighted the winners of the Middle School Science Fair Monday night.
17 students participated in the March 15th event and the students could enter projects in an Experiment category, Research category or Demonstration category. The first, second and third place winners won money that was donated by the Middle School PTO.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board discussed the 2011-2012 school calendar Monday night. The calendar shows that the first day of school for Knox students would be Wednesday, August 10th with the end of the first semester as December 21st. June 1st, 2012 would be commencement. The first and second semesters would equal 90 days apiece. Superintendent, A.J. Gappa, told the Board that the schedule works with the Jesse Cooperative and the vocational programs as well.
House Bill 575 is one of the bills being heard in this year’s legislative session and it pertains to collective bargaining for teachers. In this bill, teachers would be prohibited from bargaining over anything but salaries and a few basic benefits. Bargaining would last 60 days before going to arbitration. The arbitrator would have the final word. Knox Community School Board President, Harold Welter, was asked to talk about collective bargaining at the Knox Community School Corporation.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved the bid from Hamstra Builders in Wheatfield to work on the softball building project. The bid was approved with a 5-1 vote with Board member Nathan Marcum opposed to the project. $271,900 will be transferred from the Rainy Day Fund to be used for this project.
The softball building project will include the construction of a public restroom and dressing room facility for the softball players. Water and sewer lines will be run and will be extended for a possible baseball building project and the infrastructure will allow for other projects in the future.
Knox Community School Board President, Harold Welter, is in today to talk about education and the changes in the proposed Education Reform package.
He was asked about vouchers.
“You’re competing for dollars,” said Welter. “Dick Wagner pointed that out in an earlier interview that we’re competing for dollars and a lot of parents are saying, ‘Hey, we want to have the choice.’ Again, I don’t have a problem with that. It’s a competitive world out there and we are going to compete. We’re going to make sure that Knox Community Schools are the best they can be and that is going to draw students to us, not just because we’re Knox, but because we have programs that are going to be very, very beneficial to the students.”
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved alternate bids as part of the High School renovation project. The Knox Community School Corporation was recently approved for a Qualified School Construction bond through the state which is backed by federal funds. The Board is using that money to renovate the High School; specifically the lighting, ceiling and HVAC unit in the pool area and water piping throughout the building.
The Board has some leftover funds after the Board refused roofing bids that came in over budget. This leaves money available for projects listed in alternative bids within the scope of the renovation project.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board discussed the softball building project at its meeting this week.
Dana Wannemacher from the Fort Wayne architecture firm, Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, told the Board that eight bids were received and the lowest bidder was Hamstra Builders in Wheatfield for $272,000. He presented the Board with sketches of a softball concession building with adequate lighting, storage area, a player’s dressing room and a restroom for the players and the public. Water and sewer lines will be run to accommodate this project and lines will be extended for a possible baseball building project. If the Board approves the bid, the project would begin as soon as possible and it would take approximately 140 days to complete. The construction would not interfere with regular season games played at the field.
The Board is expected to discuss this project further at its meeting Monday, March 7th.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board approved the purchase of one new school bus at its meeting Monday night.
Transportation Director, Mark Jensen, asked the Board to approve the purchase of two new buses and trade in a bus. Superintendent, A.J. Gappa, encouraged the Board to purchase one new bus and no trade-in. The bus that would have been traded could be used a spare. The Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation. A 2011 International CE will be purchased with a camera system, storage compartments and additional warranty for $85,498. The Board could purchase another bus later in the year if they so choose.
Libby Flora, Erica Pick, Taylor Kemble, Logan Short, Grant Warren, Hayley Windbigler and Keisten Childers talk to the Board about community projects
At their recent meeting, the Knox Community School Board members commended the students who took part in the Kiwanis Food Basket project and distribution during the Christmas holiday. The students helped 130 families. Food donations were taken from the public and from the students in the corporation.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board received bids on January 11th to purchase buses. The Board received two bids – one from International and one from Thomas. The Board members took the bids under consideration and will approve a bid at their next meeting.
Knox Middle School teacher, Amie Flora, was approved to be the school’s representative on the Starke County Library Board.
Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa
The Knox Community School Board discussed technology at its meeting Monday night.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Peggy Shidaker, explained to the Board that the current generation of students is all about technology. Schools are turning into a digital learning environment. Students use electronic devices and computers on a daily basis and it is becoming apparent that all students need to have their own computer to use throughout their school career. In the future, it appears that students will be tested on technology knowledge in addition to English and Math on standardized testing.
The Board is looking toward the goal of furnishing each student grades 6-12 with their own computer to use at all times. A team will be assembled to attend a meeting in March with Apple technicians to gain more information on the process and cost of equipping the Middle and High Schools with 1,100 computers for student use. The Board realizes that this is the future of education.
Director of Technology, Jim Landrum, told the Board that the school has the infrastructure capable of supporting this transition. The High School is completely wireless and the Middle School will be wireless before the start of the new school year.
