Knox Middle School will be getting a new “maker space,” thanks to a $25,000 grant from the 1st Source Foundation. 1st Source representatives formally presented a check to Principal Jake Skelly during Tuesday’s school board meeting.
Knox teachers will get a pay raise and a sick day buyout, under the master teacher contract ratified by the school board Tuesday. “Each of our teachers in Knox Community Schools will receive a base increase on their salary of $1,168,” Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart explains.
The Knox Community School Corporation has joined several area school districts in renewing its agreement with Go Solutions Group.
The Knox School Board has streamlined the approval process for field trips. Under a policy update approved last week, only out-of-state and overnight field trips will have to go to the board for approval. The rest can be approved by the superintendent.
The Knox Community School Corporation stands to bring in an extra $23,000 a year, after the school board agreed to place some of the corporation’s cash reserves in a certificate of deposit. Last week, board members authorized school officials to move up to $2 million into a one-year CD at 1st Source Bank.
The Knox Community School Corporation’s 2019 budget was officially adopted by the school board Tuesday. The total budget adds up to more than $20.1 million.
Energy savings upgrades at Knox Community Schools have led to over $58,000 in NIPSCO rebates. Kirby Dipert with Lockheed Martin Energy, which administers NIPSCO’s energy efficiency programs, presented a check during Tuesday’s school board meeting.
Enrollment is down at Knox Community Schools. An official count of 1,793.37 students was recorded during last month’s count day.
The Knox School Board is expected to adopt the school corporation’s 2019 budget tonight. It calls for a total budget of more than $20.1 million.
The Knox Community School Corporation is looking to maximize its cash reserves. Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart told the school board Tuesday that the school corporation has a total of about $7 million in its various funds. That money is currently earning an interest rate of about 1.75 percent.
Knox school officials are preparing for the upcoming change in the school funding structure. Starting January 1, each school corporation’s General Fund will be replaced by an Education Fund, while the Capital Projects, Transportation, and Bus Replacement Funds will be combined into an Operations Fund.
Another way to help students who have fallen behind is being put in place at Knox Middle and High schools.
The Knox School Board got a financial update on the school corporation’s facility improvements last week. “We have about $60,000 left in our $5 million bond project that is not encumbered as of yet,” Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart explained. “We still have projects left to do.”
Knox High School’s Graphic Arts Department is getting a major equipment upgrade, thanks to a recent donation. Compliance Signs gave the school two Roland wide body printers, valued at $12,500 each. On top of that, CutCardStock of Valparaiso has donated $450 worth of paper. The donations were officially accepted by the school board last week.
Starke County’s educators and first responders recently tested how they’d react to an active shooter situation. Knox Elementary School Principal Michelle Tarnow reviewed this month’s tabletop exercise with the school board last week.
The Knox School Board has finalized its latest round of policy updates. On Tuesday, board members approved a list of 18 policy revisions recommended by policy consultant NEOLA.
Hand-held metal detectors may soon be coming to Knox Schools. The school board voted Tuesday to accept the state’s offer to provide metal detectors free of charge to Indiana schools.
The Knox Community School Corporation is moving ahead with exploring possible facility improvements. On Tuesday, the school board voted to hire architectural firm Schmidt Associates to develop plans for future construction. The firm recently completed a facilities study for the corporation, and board members felt it made sense to stick with the same company.
The Knox Community School Corporation is still looking for ways to add a school resource officer, even after the Starke County Sheriff’s Department was unable to secure funding. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart said he and other school officials are now exploring whether the City of Knox could step in. Continue reading
The Knox School Board will continue discussing a potential school resource officer position tonight.
