The West Central School Board last week took the first steps to lay off teachers if necessary. Superintendent Don Street says the corporation has lost nearly $500,000 due to changes in the way the state funds schools. He stressed the corporation is not in financial trouble but says it’s important to reduce expenses accordingly due to a decline in enrollment and financial support. Continue reading
West Central School Board Approves Head Start Addition
Plans are in the works to add a Head Start classroom at West Central Elementary. The school board is finalizing a two-year contract to offer pre-kindergarten on the west side of Pulaski County, with a fall startup anticipated. Continue reading
Testing Prompts West Central to Consider Scheduling Change
The West Central School Board is considering a change to the middle and high school schedule in order to better accommodate standardized and college preparatory testing. They’re currently on a block four schedule. That means students take four classes each day and meet for longer periods. As a result, some students are still in the midst of instruction on subjects covered on ISTEP and other end of course assessments in math, biology and language arts when the tests roll around. Continue reading
West Central School Board Ponders Pre-K Addition
Officials with the West Central School Corporation are looking into the feasibility of adding a pre-kindergarten program next fall. Superintendent Don Street says they will be gauging parent interest during the upcoming Kindergarten Round Up on Thursday, March 31st. The enrollment form asks parents whether their child is enrolled in either Head Start or the Medaryville preschool. Continue reading
West Central Librarian Announces Retirement
A longtime faculty member at West Central High School is retiring at the end of the year. Julie Hart has served as the high school librarian for nearly two decades. Continue reading
West Central Cafeterias Earn High Marks
The West Central School Corporation cafeterias are making the grade. Both the elementary and middle/high school food service facilities received perfect inspections from the Pulaski County Health Department recently, with no violations cited. Continue reading
State Approves West Central E-Learning Waiver
The West Central School Corporation can schedule e-learning days if necessary to make up for any missed instructional time this year. Superintendent Don Street says the state approved the corporation’s waiver application. Continue reading
West Central School Board Approves Driver’s Ed Offering
West Central High School will once again offer driver’s education classes in the summer. Continue reading
West Central School Board Reorganizes
The West Central School Board has a new president. David Allen was elected to that role when the board met Tuesday night. He replaces Jim Bergens, who remains on the board but is no longer an officer. Allen previously served as vice-president.
That job now belongs to Jeff Lowry. Todd Miller was selected as the board secretary. Continue reading
West Central School Board Approves E-Learning Application
The West Central School Corporation can seek permission from the state to schedule e-learning days to make up for any missed instructional time this year after action Thursday by the school board. They authorized Superintendent Don Street to submit the waiver application to the Indiana Department of Education. Continue reading
West Central School Board Approves Teacher Contract
Teachers in the West Central School Corporation will see an increase in their base pay under terms of a contract approved last week by the school board. Superintendent Don Street says they will each get a $1,000 raise. Continue reading
West Central School Board Adopts 2016 Budget
The West Central School Board adopted the 2016 budget when they met Thursday evening. Superintendent Don Street says it’s a total of $9.3 million. That includes $400,000 into the rainy day fund and a general fund budget of $6.4 million. West Central’s debt service budget is $797,000, and just over $1 million is allocated for capital projects. The corporation’s transportation budget is $574,000 and bus replacement is about $158,000. Continue reading
West Central SB Moving Forward with More Technology Usage
In order to cut down on paper costs the West Central School Board utilized chrome books during their last meeting. The school has just recently started using technology more often. Last year was the first year the school went one to one, meaning they provided chrome books to students fourth grade through twelfth grade and elementary school students in first,second and third grade. According to
West Central School Board Finds Innovative Option For Old Van
During the West Central School Board meeting Thursday evening the school board utilized chrome books in an effort to cut down on paper costs. One of the items on the agenda under new business was the opening of bids on an old van that is no longer in use at the school.
West Central School Corporation Looks to Lose More Funding in 2016
The West Central School Corporation will see another significant state funding cut to the General Fund budget in the 2016-2017 school year.
Superintendent Don Street gave the school board the hard figures during their meeting last week.
“Based on the state legislature, it is projected that West Central will be down about $300,000 for the 2016-2017 school year in the General Fund,” explained Street. “All of that is based upon our enrollment.”
West Central School Board Approves Increase in Meal Prices
After looking at the price of meals at the West Central School Corporation, the school board decided to increase the price of breakfast and lunch prices for the 2015-2016 school year.
Superintendent Don Street says the breakfast prices went up slightly, while a little more was added to lunch prices.
West Central School Board Reviews E-Learning Survey Results
Students at the West Central School Corporation participated in their first e-learning day of instruction on Saturday, March 14. The school board reviewed returned surveys last week following the experience.
Superintendent Don Street said that the responses were favorable for this type of method in making up missed days of instruction.
“Out of the parents that responded to the survey, 87.4 percent found that the e-learning day was effective,” explained Street. “From the students that responded to the survey, 65.6 percent found e-learning to be effective. Forty-nine of our staff members responded with 85.7 percent stating that our students made the expectations for the day.”
West Central School Board Discusses Strategic Plan
West Central Students to Participate in First E-Learning Day this Saturday
West Central students have missed six days of school due to bad traveling conditions this winter. The school board has approved three of those days to be made up with e-learning days.
Superintendent Don Street said they’re getting ready for the first e-learning day on Saturday, March 14.
“Our staff has been busy preparing and getting ready for some of the items that are necessary in helping our students be successful with e-learning days,” said Street.
West Central School Receives Grant for Industry Classes
The West Central School Board heard a report from Principal Patrick Culp and others who recently went to Indianapolis to accept a $82,355 Region 1 Works Council for a Career and Technical Education innovative-curriculum grant.
The grant will fund a Pulaski County Repair and Maintenance Technology program at West Central High School. Superintendent Don Street says a program for machine maintenance will assist students in giving them the skills they need to be productive in local industry.
