Knox School Board Approves New Computer Plan

Knox-School-Board-2014Knox School Superintendent A.J. Gappa discussed with school board members recently a plan to provide students and teachers with new personal computers for the school’s completed four-year one-to-one computer program. The warranties are expiring on the current computers. He reported the cost for the next four years may be less than the last four years.

He said students who have had personal use of computers leave high school with technical knowledge that translates into many areas of life and they are better prepared for a college education.

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Knox Community School Board Approves School Calendar

CalendarThe 2015-2016 Knox Community School Corporation balanced calendar was approved by the School Board this week.

Classes will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The last student day will be June 1. Commencement is scheduled for June 10.

The new calendar includes a number of extended vacation periods. The first occurs in October, fall break, from the 19th to the 23rd. A three-day Thanksgiving break is scheduled November 25-27.

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SCCF Lilly Endowment Scholarship Application Available Online

 
 

Applications for the Starke County Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Scholarship are due next week. The application is available online at www.ncif.org and must be turned in by Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2015.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program offers a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to one local high school senior who will start college in the fall of 2015. The recipient must intend to be a full-time student and pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university. Prospective applicants must currently live in Starke County and be high school seniors graduating by the end of June 2015 with a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school. Continue reading

Longtime Knox School Board Attorney Retires

Knox-School-Board-2014The Knox School Board’s attorney for the past decade, William Satterlee, of Valparaiso, Monday night attended his last meeting in that role.  In an emotion filled statement, Satterlee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of working with the Knox School Board. Each of the board members and the administrators responded with complimentary remarks about the  legal work done for them. Continue reading

Enjoy the Sounds of the Season at Knox Music Programs

 
 

Annual Christmas music programs are scheduled at the Knox Elementary School starting with 3rd grade students today. The 2nd grade, tomorrow;  1st grade, Wednesday, Dec. 10th; and kindergarten students, Thursday, Dec. 11th. All programs begin at 6 p.m. in the Knox Elementary School gymnasium. A “Book Fair” for students and parents follows each concert.

The Middle and High School Holiday Band Concert begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10th in the Weinberg Gymnasium.

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Bourff Hired as Superintendent at Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Dr. Allen Bourff
Dr. Allen Bourff

A school administrator who got his start in Starke County will take over as head of one of the state’s wealthiest school districts in January. The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted Tuesday to hire Dr. Allen Bourff as superintendent. He will take over that position Jan. 1. Bourff will be paid $175,000 annually through June of 2016, with automatic annual pay raises if the board deems his performance effective or highly effective. Continue reading

Hamilton Southeastern Courts Former Knox Superintendent

Dr. Allen Bourff
Dr. Allen Bourff

A former Knox Community School Corporation administrator is being wooed by a suburban Indianapolis school district. “The Indianapolis Star” reports Hamilton Southeastern Schools officials will recommend Dr. Allen Bourff for the superintendent job there when they meet on Dec. 2. Bourff’s career started at Knox High School as an English teacher in 1978. Continue reading

Knox School Renovation Plans Move Forward

Knox-School-Board-2014The Knox Middle School Building Corporation Committee, at a public hearing last night, reviewed, approved, and sent to the School Board, a number of resolutions to move along the construction and renovation of a portion of the elementary building. No citizens attended the hearing.

Later at the School Board meeting, a public hearing was held on details of the project. Again, no member of the public appeared to comment. Continue reading

Starke County Schools Considering Balanced Calendar

CalendarThe Knox and Oregon-Davis School Boards could vote tonight to adopt a balanced school calendar for the 2015-2016 school year, and the North Judson-San Pierre School Board will consider one when they meet tomorrow. A balanced calendar still features the state-mandated 180 classroom days. The school year starts earlier in August and includes longer breaks in the fall and spring. They can be used for either remediation for students who are struggling or enrichment for higher-achieving pupils. Continue reading

Balanced Calendar to be Implemented Next Year at Knox Schools

CalendarThe Knox School Board expects to implement the balanced calendar schedule in the 2015-2016 school year.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa says additional coordination with other schools, especially in areas of welding and building trades classes, will be necessary, but worth the effort.

“Well, we think there’s value in the balanced calendar because the shorter times you have between school sessions you have less loss of learning and that’s the benefit for kids,” said Gappa.

Vocational Program’s Fate Hinges on Balanced Calendar Adoption

  
 

At least one of the popular trade programs offered through the North Central Vocational Educational Cooperative could be in jeopardy as participating corporations weigh the pros and cons of a balanced school calendar. Kyle Elliott is instructor for the building trades program based at Culver Community High School. He says students from Knox and North Judson-San Pierre are also enrolled in the program. If the three schools are on different schedules, Elliott says it will put kids and parents in a really tough situation. Continue reading