001Good evening. It's Monday, May 18th, 2026. This is the Wabash City Schools Board of Education meeting. It's 6:00 p.m. Roll call. Uh Jason Farris absent. Having a quorum, I call the meeting to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat and cough] >> Wabash City Schools provides a relevant and rigorous education founded upon relationships to ensure each student is college and career ready for success in a global community. Welcome. Um for recognitions, we have recognitions tonight. Um [clears throat] our valedictorian is Victoria Kosalka. And our salutatorian is Andrea Schacht. Congratulations, girls. You want to tell us what your plans are next
002year? Um I'm going to Huntington University in the fall to study nursing. And then I will be going to Indiana Wesleyan University to study business and sports management. Nice. Okay. Well, congratulations. Congratulations. We have revisions um 400 S. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to comment on an agenda item? >> [snorts] >> On to the consent agenda, we have minutes from May 4th. Uh there's some claims, no donations tonight, and for financials, we have the revenue and expense update and the appropriations report. So moved. Second. Discussion. Thank you, girls. >> [laughter] >> Okay, we will start with our revenue and expense report for April. Oh, that's not the right one. >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> All right, our revenue um was about 60,000 more than what we had projected. Um this was mainly
003due to we had a very large Medicaid reimbursement. Um and our basic grant was a little bit higher and we had higher reimbursements for our cafeteria. Um accounts payable was a little bit less than what was projected. Um I will say in the projected column, we had a payment for Mr. Heiden that it's a shared salary with MSD. That was listed in our projection and it should not have been in there. So, realistically, we were our projection was about uh $30,000 less. So, it probably should have been about 235,000. Um so, we were still below what we had projected. Um There really wasn't a big reason for this. We just are staying below our projections in several of our funds. When you factor in the payment listed for Mr. Heiden um in the projection, we
004were projected to have a net loss of about 73,000. Um we actually ended with a net income of just over uh or just under 112,000. So, that was that was a good thing. >> Yeah. Um when we move on to our key fund balances, our Ed Fund is just under 1.4 million and is doing slightly better than where we were last year at this time. Um operations is at minus 203,342. We're doing a lot better than last year. Looks like it's going um each month we drop about 50 to 60,000. So, um looking at where we're going to be after May and then June when we do get our June tax draw, we should go um back into the black. I will say that I can't say for certain how much our tax draw is
005going to be because they have not put out the um circuit breaker report, which that tells us how much we are actually going to um >> [clears throat] >> lose in our tax draw. And right now, I just have a I'll say it's a guestimate that I did back in September of last year. So, hopefully um they get that circuit breaker report out soon, and I can kind of look and see what we're going to actually get and make some better projections. Um rainy day sits at 439,441. Reminder, we are using going to start using rainy day um for some things that normally come out of operations, so we'll see that starting to drop a little bit. Um when you look at the total of our key fund balances last year at the end of
006April, it was 1,079,806 dollars, and this year we are at 1,610,680. So, we continue to stay uh ahead of where we were at last year. Great. So, moving on to our appropriations report. So, our target for April um is 33.3%. When you look at our Ed Fund um revenue, we have um a couple areas of revenue where we've actually collected more than what we had um budgeted, [clears throat] so that's good. Our revenue right now is at 31.9%. So, a little bit below the 33.3, but again, um you know, when we when we had a drop in enrollment, we knew that we were going to be below. Um so, that's why it's important that our our spending stays below as well. When you look at the various funds, we have a few that are still
007just a little bit over that 33.3, um but nothing that, you know, is is worrisome at this point. Um when you look at the overall, our spending is at 30.8%. So, we are well below that 33.3% target. Um moving on to operations, um again, we have a few lines or a few areas of revenue where we've actually collected more. Um we're well below the 33.3, but again, we only get our tax draws twice a year. Um so, that'll jump up once we get that. Um when we look at our expenses, we have a few areas that are a little bit over. Some of these are because we have one-time payments, and we spent it, we made the payment, and so it looks like we're over, but as the year goes on, that will continue to
008drop. Um the nice thing, if you look overall, we're at 33.2%. So, we're actually below. Um I looked up to see um since January, this is the first month that both Ed and Ops that we are our our um expenses are below our target. So, so that's good. We've we've kind of caught up from that three-pay month that we started the year with. Any questions? Um the rainy day, are we Is that bus driver Uh we are uh insurance is paid out of that. Um and then we have some um we have put in there if we decide to purchase lawn mowers, we will uh use that. And then summer custodians, we paid summer custodians last year for rainy day, so I will be recommending to do that again. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >>
009Just a minute. Let me get >> [clears throat] >> All those in favor of approving the consent agenda, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, June 9th here at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. There's minutes of communication. There's no old business tonight. New business. A vote to approve the purchase of lawn mowing equipment including a zero turn mower and a tractor mowing deck. So moved. Second. Discussion? So we were able to get three quotes from three different companies. GreenMark, which is in Warsaw, Reynolds Farm Equipment in Atlanta, and I had to look that up because I had no idea that there was a town Atlanta, Indiana is near Tipton. And then Trueland Equip- Equipment here in Wabash. Trueland came in with the lowest quote at $29,887.81
010after our trade-in. So it's my recommendation that we proceed with purchasing the equipment from Trueland. Any questions from the board? What kind of warranty and that kind of thing comes with that? Do they, you know, with the equipment? Yeah, it's on I don't know if it's on the quote. But I mean they would service Yeah, okay. That that was my my question. Okay. All those in favor of approving the purchase of lawn mowing equipment, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. B. Order to approve waving rental fees for the Wabash County CASA Back to School Bash on July 25th, 2026. So moved. Second. Discussion. CASA has hosted the Back to School Bash at OJ in previous years and I again recommend that we waive the rental fees for this event. All those in favor, say
011I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item C. Order to approve the cancellation of Brenda Ballinger's teaching contract. So moved. Second. Discussion. As a probationary teacher, Mrs. Fillipi has recommended canceling Mrs. Ballinger's contract. We are allowed to do this for other good and just cause, um, good and just reasons as well as for the best interest of the school. This position was partially funded by a grant for the last 2 years and that grant is coming to an end. Um, it's in the district's best interest not to absorb the cost and eliminate the position. Um, there is a legal process that must be followed to cancel a contract and we have followed that. Um, we wish Mrs. Ballinger good luck in the future. Okay. All those in favor, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item
012D. Board to accept the termination of Justin Turner as food service delivery truck driver effective May 8th, 2026. So moved. Second. Discussion. Uh, we'd like to thank Mr. Turner for his service and wish him good luck in the future. All those in favor, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item E. Board to approve the resignation of Britney Holloway as special education teacher at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion. We are very sad to see Mrs. Holloway leave. Um she and her husband have moved closer to home and so she is taking a position in another district and we wish her nothing but the best in the future. All those in favor of approving the resignation say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. F, board to approve the following
013employees for the 2026 summer food service program at their hourly, daily, sub rate, or stipend. Cassie Honeycutt for 12 hours, Brenda Griswold for 12 hours. So moved. Second. Discussion. Um so these ladies are going to take on some of the summer hours that Mr. Turner was scheduled to work. Um we thank them for their willingness to help feed our students in the summer. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. G, board to approve the following summer school changes. One, the resignation of Jenny Baker as Watch Me Grow summer teacher and two, approve Sarah Kirkpatrick to teach fourth grade Watch Me Grow. So moved. Second. Discussion. We had previously approved Mrs. Baker to teach the fourth grade summer school class. She is now unable to do that. Um so Mrs. Kirkpatrick
014is going to take over that position. We thank her for her willingness to step in um to this spot so late in the school year. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. H, board to approve adjusting Neveah Metler's last day of employment as LHC gym/PLTW teaching parent to April 24, 2026. So moved. Second. Discussion. Ms. Metler originally was planning to work until May 6, um but decided that April 24 would be her last day. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. I, board to approve the following certified staff transfers. One, Gabby Wagner from pre-K preschool teaching para to kindergarten teacher for the 26-27 school year. Two, Caitlin Cornett from first to second grade DLI teacher at O.J. Neighbors to special education teacher at O.J.
015Neighbors for the 26-27 school year. And three, Hannah Riggle from second grade teacher to first grade teacher for the 26-27 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion? Uh we are very excited to recommend the transfer of Ms. Wagner as a preschool teacher to our open kindergarten position. Uh Ms. Wagner completed her bachelor's degree last winter and is working on completing the testing requirements to obtain her teaching license. Ms. Mrs. Cornett requested to transfer into Mrs. Holloway's special ed position. Mrs. Cornett holds a special ed license and did work as a special ed teacher at the high school when we first hired her. Um and then due to predicted enrollment numbers in first and second grade, Mrs. Fillipi is recommending moving Mrs. Riggle to first grade for next year. Okay. All those in favor, say I. I.
016I. Those opposed? Motion passes. J, board to approve the following classified staff transfers. One, Bethany Sizelove from kindergarten para professional to art/PLTW teaching para professional effective for the 26-27 school year. Two, Sherilyn Renzberger from the music teaching para to the music gym teaching para effective for the 26-27 school year. And three, Don Saunders as a preschool para professional to the LHC administrative assistant effective for the 26-27 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion? So at the last board meeting, we approved reorganizing the special special teaching assignments, and so now Mrs. Wilson has gotten them assigned. Mrs. Sizelove will move from a paraprofessional to the art and PLTW teaching para position. If you've been at LH, the artwork that's done when you walk into the lobby, that's her work. So, we're excited to have her step into
017that position. Mrs. Renzberger, um who has been our music teaching para, is now going to also take on the PE portion. And so, she still needs to get one half-time position to do character building. Um and then finally, Mrs. Wilson is recommending that Mrs. Saunders take over as the LHC administrative assistant. She has served as an administrative assistant at the high school for several years. It's my recommendation that she start at $13 an hour, which is the starting rate plus the additional 40 cents that they get after 1 year. Program. Okay. All those in favor, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Okay, board approved the following summer custodians from June 1st, 2026 to July 31st, 2026 at 28 hours per week. Karin Kugler, Callison Kugler, Natalie Nelo, Andrea Stout, and Luke Blossom. So moved.
018Second. Discussion? So, we again are going to hire summer custodians. Karin and Callison are both returning, and so since they're returning, their pay rate will be 1430 per hour. Um the other three, this is their first year doing this. They are paid 1360 per hour. Our summer custodians will work 28 hours a week, so they'll do four 7-hour days Monday through Thursday. That will start on June 1st, and it will go through July 30th. They will not work the week of 4th of July. Okay. Um and like I said earlier, last year we used rainy day funds to pay for our summer custodians, and my recommendation is to do that again. Okay. All those in favor, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. L, we're to approve Bailey Hayden as the girls varsity soccer coach
019beginning in the 2026-27 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion? Uh we're excited to recommend Mrs. Hayden as our new girls varsity soccer coach. She is a Wabash graduate, and I believe she played soccer for us. Um so we just want to welcome her back to Wabash say. All those in favor, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. M, we're to approve changing the WMHS physical education teaching paraprofessional position to a certified position beginning in the 2026-27 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion? So our current PE teaching para, Mrs. Handing, moved to um is moving to a special ed position for next year. Um with that change, the um high school administration requested to have this position changed to a certified teaching position. Um I will say that with the addition of the second year of
020PE camp and the addition of the biomedical PE camp program, having another um certified teacher is going to help with scheduling. After running some of the numbers, financially we are able to make this change. Um the administration will determine the specific subject that we need. It may not necessarily be a PE position. Um it's going to be driven more based on what they need for their scheduling purposes. Um, and so once we know what that will be, we'll get this posted. Any questions from the board? So, it's not going to be a PE position? It It may not be. >> So, we're just basically So, what are we going to do in PE if it's not? Uh, go ahead. So, there's a changing physical education requirements under the new diploma where students are only required
021to have one semester of physical education. And when you combine that with a lot of our kids getting their PE credit by playing a sport which you're you're able to do, there's less stress on the on the physical education department. So, we don't really need it to stay at school basically everything in PE. All right. Actually, everything. Do they not have health education anymore? They do have to have a semester of health and Mrs. Clement teaches that for us. Okay. Thank you. Sure. All those in favor, say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Excuse [clears throat] me. And the board to approve Lucas Helman as the WMHS special education teacher beginning in the 26-27 school year at a salary of 44,500. So moved. Second. Discussion? So, Mr. Helman has applied for our middle school
022high school sped position. He was a special education teacher for us for 3 and 1/2 years and I believe he is very excited to return to us. Good. All those in favor, say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Oh, board to approve Kyle Kelschheimer as WHS Middle High School Athletic Director beginning in the 26-27 school year with a salary of 71,000 on a 205-day contract. So moved. Second. Discussion? We are excited to recommend Mr. Kyle Kelshimer for our athletic director position. He is a Wabash grad who was actively involved in athletics. He's taught and coached for us I think seven years and we just want to congratulate Mr. Kelshimer as he takes on this new role. All those in favor of approving the hire say I. I. Those opposed. Motion passes. Congratulations. >> [laughter]
023>> I'll talk to you later. P, board to approve Trent Daughtry as WMHS science teacher beginning in the 2026-27 school year with a salary of 42,000 on a 185 day contract. So moved. Second. Discussion. Mr. Daughtry will be our new science teacher at the middle school high school. He will teach mainly seventh grade science. He will need to get an emergency permit and then complete either a transitions teaching program or Mr. Blossom knows a route that he can go through get an MBA get certification that way and then take the science test. Mr. Daughtry is also a Wabash graduate and has served on the boys basketball coaching staff for several years so we are pleased to welcome him to the classroom. All those in favor of approving the hire say I. I. Those opposed? Motion
024passes. Welcome. Item Q, board to approve hiring Lilly White as a third grade teacher at OJ Neighbors beginning the 2026-27 school year. So moved. Second. Discussion. Miss White student taught at OJ this year with Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Morgan. She did a great job and we are pleased to be able to offer her a full-time position for next year. All those in favor say I. I. I wondered where she did her undergrad. >> That's where I was looking at. I believe Andrews. That's Yeah, that's what I Andrews. Andrews. Okay. She's a really good company. We don't have her salary. Do we have to approve her salary? It's in the recommendation. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Our board to approve Justin Denny as a varsity boys tennis coach.
025So moved. Second. Discussion? Mr. Denny will take over the boys tennis program next year and we're thankful for his willingness to coach our student athletes. >> [laughter] >> All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item S, board to consider continuing payment of medical, dental, vision insurance premiums for Dr. Sibley until she acquires insurance or December 31st, 2026, whichever comes first. Okay, do we have to open this or is it just discussion? Vote. Could we discuss and vote? But shall we Let's I'll accept a motion. So moved. Second. Okay, let's discuss. Um we I think I sent an email out to all individually and discussed this part of you know. Absolutely. You know, you've done a fantastic job and you didn't take raises for how many years? Too many. Too many. And
026insurance I don't know what you call it, a separation agreement or what, but certainly it's very, very it's just the right thing to do and we so appreciate everything you've done. You deserve this, girl. Mhm, I agree. I don't have any questions. Okay. Then let's vote. All those in favor. say >> slacker. [clears throat] She'll get a job by the time >> [laughter] >> A new lawnmower? >> [laughter] >> We We said winter and summer. Yeah, we Or no, summer and spring. Keep sweetening the pot. >> [laughter] >> Just be clear, this is reimbursement for premiums that you're paying, right? This isn't continuing our own our health insurance plan or my normal plan. It is continuing on the health insurance plan administrators. The district pays the premiums, and so it's continuing to do that. Got
027you. Okay. Okay. All those in favor of continuing the payments, say I. I. Those opposed? Motion passes. That was a long one. Items from superintendent. Uh it's hard to believe, I think we have seven student days remaining. Um the last student day is May 28th, and the last staff day is May 29th, but we still have a ton of things going on. Um tonight is the senior certificate ceremony for our students who attend Heartland. That starts at 7:00, so as soon as this is over, we're rushing down to that. Um our boys and girls track team, as well as girls tennis, um starts sectional action this week. Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. is the Symphony in Color Awards presentation. That's at the Honeywell. Uh this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. is a middle school high school choir
028concert. Um Saturday is the Chris Rude Memorial Baseball Tournament, with first round action starting at 10:30 a.m. We don't have school on Monday, May 25th. That is Memorial Day, so I hope all of our families and our staff enjoy the three-day weekend. When we come back on Tuesday, the 26th, we have fourth grade graduation at OJ and then on Wednesday we have our [clears throat] big idea event that is from 4:00 to 5:30. Also on Wednesday is the spring pop-up marketplace entrepreneurship showcase from 6:00 to 7:30. I believe that's at the high school. What is that? The uh sorry, the business classes entrepreneur classes there. They have things that you can buy that they they make for their business. Oh. It's neat. Um and then finally our high school graduation is Friday, June 5th. Okay.
029Thank you. Items from administrators? Well, congratulations to to these gentlemen. Um we really believe in growing our own in the Love Joy ISD schools. We've done it for a long time. So we're happy to to promote Kyland to a position that he's always wanted. Um and of course we're bringing in a batch back in Trenton and that feels good. Okay, thank you. Other items from visitors? Um I'm super excited. I mean the the most important people in my life are my teachers, my coaches. Um and now I get to help coaches build those relationships with kids. So I'm super excited about that. Uh also P-CAP, our kids will be down at the farmers market this weekend. We're going to be selling some of their stuff through their project. Uh so if you want to go
030down there and see our P-CAP kids. >> Did you say farmers market? >> Farmers market from 8:00 to noon. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh thank you all for the opportunity. I really appreciate it and very excited to be back in the school and community that I love and I'm there every day anyway, so I might as well be there all day. So >> [laughter] >> thank you. I appreciate it. Um this is just a real random cuz I know you guys got to get going. Who Do you have a supervisor for him? Somebody You know what I mean? How does that work now? >> Yes, typically we'll assign a mentor teacher. He's going to work very closely with Mr. Evans. Yeah. He's still teaching a biomedical science class. So, they'll be right across
031from each other. >> I just wondered how that worked. You know. He'll be a great mentor for her in her program. Okay. Items for board members. Let's start with Connie. Um let me think. It was great going to middle school. Um it was a reminder that I still really miss teaching. I don't know what it is, but greatest job in the world. But anyhow, um got to observe those kids. And seventh graders and sixth graders are just funny. And then Wednesday I Whitney Myers invited me to go watch for Shark Tank. So, I'll be at the school Wednesday. And there's nothing better than getting and watching the kids and being around the kids. You know, at my age you steal a little bit of youth where you can, you know. I'm on the back back
03218 and of life, you know. So, anyhow, that's that's all I got. Okay. Jake. Um I don't have anything. Um join us at the senior certificate ceremony in 30 minutes if you'd like to see Parkland graduates. That's it. [clears throat] Thank you. Um park board the 27th. That's a Wednesday. We're going to have the ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:00 for the pickle ball court. Pickle ball and tennis courts. And there have been some trees and shrubs planted at the Broadmoor Park. Did they still have the equipment? No. No. Playground equipment I know that. I thought it was a liability. Sorry. Um and >> [laughter] >> congratulations again to you two. Um we have our library board meeting tomorrow. So, I've got nothing to report from there. And with that, we'll adjourn. I can't believe there's
033seven more days left. That's it. Thank you. How many Wabash kids are graduating from Voc Ed tonight? Oh gosh. >> know? I have no idea. I don't have that number right here. I'm not sure. Uh we have I mean we always have the most kids. I know. I know we do and I just Well, it's Yes, and yours is rough. Roughly half. Well, it'll be half of that cuz it's just the seniors, right? Okay. So All right. All right. It's got to be between 50 and 60, probably. That's great. That would That would be good. That's what works out right now. Absolutely. >> [laughter] >> And this is where it all works out. So good two months. I haven't been there. You haven't been in there? Awesome. If you don't have any questions