West Central School Board Discusses Insurance Costs

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board discussed insurance costs at their meeting last week.

“I just brought up the fact that the State has mandated that we do a self study as far as the amount of funds that our Corporation puts towards the employee’s premium,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon. “That has to be compared to what a state employee is receiving from the State towards their premium. As the mandate states, or the law, you can not pay more than 112% of what the State pays its employee. If you do, then you’re either encouraged to join the State Health Plan or to join a consortium or to make other changes within your corporation locally.”

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Wind Turbine Project Delayed at West Central Schools

Posted on Author WKVI

The wind turbine project has been delayed at the West Central School Corporation.

“The components that are coming from Germany are here, but the tower itself is being manufactured in Tennessee. That component is being delayed as far as the manufacturing date. I think they had some issues at their factory so we’ve been pushed back to the week of January 9th,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon.

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West Central School Board Votes to Eliminate Middle School’s Position

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board has decided to proceed with eliminating the Middle School Principal position.

Superintendent Charles Mellon told us that he has notified Principal, Kay Beasey, of the decision. She has the opportunity to meet with the Superintendent and the Board to discuss the situation. The restructuring of the Middle School/High School has not yet been finalized but Superintendent Mellon said they are working on that process.

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West Central Schools Moving Forward with Wind Turbine Project

Posted on Author WKVI

The wind turbine project at the West Central School Corporation is moving along schedule.

“Sometime soon here in November, we will start having equipment coming in as far as the tower itself being erected,” said Superintendent Charles Mellon. “The cement base has been poured and it’s going through the curing process. Once the curing process ends in December, they will begin getting the wiring set up and doing all their testing. They still say that we would be functioning by the first week in January. I hope we stay on that schedule.”

Technology Committee Gives Report to West Central School Board

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board got an update from the Technology Committee at their recent meeting. The Board has wrapped up many of the Capital Projects it had planned for the year and now they can focus on technology. Superintendent Charles Mellon said that policies on social networking are being explored which includes cell phone use, Facebook usage and email. Other avenues are being researched as well.

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West Central School Board Looking to Upgrade Technology Infrastructure

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board is looking to do some technology upgrades throughout the Corporation.

Superintendent Charles Mellon said a Committee has been formed to study the needs of technology at the Corporation. The Board and the committee are focusing on piloting a one-to-one computer initiative, similar to the program at Knox Community Schools, where the students have their own computer and the curriculum is on that computer that the student is responsible for. Mr. Mellon said that they may phase-in the program by grade level, if it is approved.

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Parents Vote to Continue with Music Programs at West Central

Posted on Author WKVI

The results of the West Central Elementary School parent surveys regarding music programs are in.

Elementary School Principal, Tony Brose, told the School Board that the surveys show that the parents are in favor keeping the music programs. A Kindergarten through fifth grade Christmas program will be held on December 20th, the third grade students will hold a March concert with recorders and the second graders will do a vocal concert in March. The fourth and fifth grade students will perform a recorder program in the spring.

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West Central Wind Turbine Project Breaks Ground

Posted on Author WKVI
Rep. Doug Gutwein, R-Francesville, Performance Services President Tim Thoman, West Central School Superintendent Charles Mellon and Pulaski County Commissioner Mike Tiede

West Central School Corporation representatives and student leaders, as well as parents and members of the press, were present to celebrate the start of construction on the school’s utility-grade wind turbine project. A ceremonial breaking of the ground was planned for Friday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m., but because of rain, the ceremony was held inside the auxiliary gymnasium and Superintendent Charles Mellon wisely decided against digging a hole in the gym floor to commemorate the occasion.

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Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Wind Energy Project at West Central Schools

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Corporation will hold a groundbreaking event for the Wind Power Project on Friday, September 30th at 9:30 a.m. ET.

This is Indiana’s first community wind project to be part of the NIPSCO Feed-in-Tariff program. The turbine will be located on the school campus in the agricultural field behind the football stadium.

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West Central School Board Concerned about Enrollment Numbers

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board discussed enrollment at their meeting last week.

The Average Daily Membership (ADM) taken at the beginning of this year was 824 students compared to 865 last year. This translates to a $250,100 loss in state support as tuition money follows the student. The actual ADM count will be in September when all students are encouraged to be in class that day so the School Corporation can receive all the money it can for every student that is enrolled.

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West Central Moves Forward with Wind Turbine Project

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board is moving along with the wind turbine project. According to Superintendent Charles Mellon, the next big hurdle will be cleared next week.

“We will be selling the bonds on July 6th,” said Mellon. “With that, we anticipate getting the funding for the project on July 20th. We anticipate some type of groundbreaking in the first part of August as equipment will begin to be delivered and the project completion can be as early as November. We signed the contract a week or so ago and we’re looking for some paperwork from the NIPSCO company and then we will be ready to proceed.”

Funding Cut for Instructional Assistants at West Central

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board members discussed instructional assistants at their meeting Thursday.

The instructional assistants in the corporation were notified of the reduction in Prime Time Funding in the amount of $46,000 and that will result in the reduction of three to five instructional assistants in the Corporation. Every staff member was asked if they would consider retirement or resigning and to notify the administration. All reported that they would like to keep their job. The next step will be relayed to the Board by administrators at a future meeting.

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West Central Moves Ahead With Wind Turbine Project

Posted on Author WKVI

The West Central School Board has voted to move forward with a form of contract with Performance Services for the wind turbine project.  The Board also gave authority to Umbaugh and Associates to proceed with issuing the requests for proposals for the bonds for the wind turbine project from underwriter institutions and local banks.  That should be done by July 10th and the equipment should be ordered.

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West Central School Board Recognizes Staff Members for Years of Service

Posted on Author WKVI
Lisa Marlatt, Board member Gary Gudeman, and Cathy Risner

The West Central School Board recognized staff members for their many years of service to the School Corporation.

Lisa Marlatt and Cathy Risner were recognized for 15 years; Mike Harter, Pam Ledford and Monica Franscoviak for 20 years; Diana Culp for 25 years; Darla Tanner for 30 years; Susan Gift and Carol Tanner for 35 years; and Jennifer Garten for 40 years. Susan Gift, Keith Schladenhauffen, Susan Overton and Peggy Harris opted to retire after this school year and were also recognized.

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