001school board meeting. It's Monday, August 18th, 2025 at 6 p.m. Roll call. >> Everyone is present. >> Having a quorum, we'll call the meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance 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. 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. We have no recognitions tonight. We do have a revision. We need to approve revision 4 I through N. I'll accept a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor of approving the revision say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Is
002there anyone in the audience that would like to comment on an agenda item? Okay. The consent agenda. We have minutes from August 4, 2025, some claims, no donations tonight. And for financials, we have a revenue and expense update and the appropriations report. I'll accept a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> All right. We will start with our July revenue and expenses. um revenue was just about 70,000 less than what we had projected. Um we had lower grant and cafeteria reimbursements from the state which cafeteria doesn't surprise me in this summertime. Um we also our uh our basic grant was a bit lower. Um they go through starting in July with the number that we guesstimate our enrollment will be. And so our enrollment we ended at about 1369. We had estimated our
003um enrollment to be 1325. So the basic grant did drop just a bit starting in July. Um our expenses were lower than what we had projected. We had projected for a payment to Apple because for I guess the last several years we've been making a payment to Apple. So we've just always had that on there. Um we did decide to push our iPad refresh out one year. So our expenses were about $200,000 less. um by not refreshing. Um we still do do need to look at our devices this year and decide how we want to do our refresh. I know that Mr. Veil has already started conversations with Apple um to look at various options. Do we refresh um secondary next year and then maybe do elementary the year before? Do we want to look
004at potentially um reducing what grades we're using these in? I will say um we will still need to have uh to have to have classroom sets just because much of our curriculum it does have a digital component. Um but that's that's something that we will start talking about later this year. >> How often do we usually refresh? >> Um I believe we normally refresh every three years and this is year four. >> So this really needs to be our last year with them. So at least for the at the secondary level >> get some sort of money out of them turn them in. Yeah. >> Um, our payroll expenses were also a bit lower than what we had projected. So, we had projected a net loss. Um, but because those decreases in expenses, oops, um,
005we did end up with a net income of just over $50,000. Um, moving on to our key fund balances, uh, ED fund is just a tad over 1.8 8 million operations is172,536 and rainy day has just over $484,000. Um the total of our key fund balance is two 2,127,05. Um so those are looking pretty good. You can see we had a big jump in our ED fund during this month. And just a reminder, we're using those rainy day for several of our operations. And so that number will continue to go down throughout the rest of this year. All right. Then moving on to the appropriations report. Oops. My gosh. Oh, yes. Good. sometimes. >> So, our target um this is for July, so it'd be seven out of 12 months. Our target percentage is 58.3%.
006Um in the ED fund, the amount of revenue we collected is at 58.3. So, very close to um where we need to be. When you look at the different funds, um, all of them are well below that 58.3. Our summer school, um, driver's training and summer school, we went a little bit over. Um, one thing to remember though that this is 7 out of 12. Once these we keep going the rest of the year, those will get a little bit better. Um, for example, our um, drivers training, that's the 1360 line, that will end the year at 63.7. So, it will be below the 100%. >> Um, the the summer school, we knew um that this year was really going to be just a guess at how much we needed to budget for it because
007we weren't sure what elementary what that second and third grade um summer school was going to look like. Um and we will be getting reimbursed from the state for most of these costs. Um, we have until September 15th to get our cost turned in and then we'll get refunded for quite a bit of these. Good. >> Um, overall our ED fund is we're at 53.2%. So, um, well below that 58.3. When you move to the operations, we have collected 66.9% of our revenue. So, um, over that 58.3, we have a lot that right now are over the 58.3. Um, the first one, for example, the vocational school, um, I went through and, uh, projected that out. It will end underneath, uh, the the appropriation. So, many of these will even out and some of them,
008um, for example, the one 4700, that is one that we did move to rainy day. So, it doesn't look real great right now, but by the end of the year, it will look a little bit better. Um, when you look at our total expenditures, we're at 60.2. And I went back and looked in in May, we were at 46% when we only wanted to be at 41.6. So, we were 4.4% over. In June, we were at 53.7 when we wanted to be at 50. So, we dropped it to 3.7. And now in July we're at 60.2 where we want to be at 58.3. So 1.9. So we've done a good job of getting closing that gap. So hopefully the rest of this year we'll see that continue to happen. >> Any questions on either of
009those? >> Is it typical that we're frontloading a lot of our money during like the beginning of the year? You know what I'm saying? Like >> the coming out. There are more payrolls for the first half of the year, I believe. Um, and we do 26 pays. We only have 10 from the beginning of the year till the end beginning of the school year till the end of the calendar year. So, 16 of our 26 pays happen January and the beginning. So, that is one reason. >> Okay. And then some of the things uh like when we pay H Heartland, we do pay in January. We pay a large lump sum for operations. >> Um so >> All right, cool. Thanks. >> Any other questions from the board? All those in favor of approving the
010consent agenda say I. I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. The next regular schedule board meeting will be Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 here at city hall at 6 o'clock p.m. There's some items of communication. No old business, new business. A board will be presented with the 2024 through 2025 I read data for OJ Neighbors Elementary. Well, I don't know about Beth, but I have been really excited to share this information. Um, just to give you some background information, I read um, it measures foundational reading skills through grade three. Any student that is enrolled in an accredited Indiana school must participate in and obtain a passing score on iAre. One thing that was new in 2025 is that all grade 2 students that were enrolled in an accredited Indiana school must also pre uh, participate in iAre.
011Um OJ did pilot the test for 23 and 24, so we kind of knew what to expect from it. Um also new this year, Senate Enrolled Act One requires third grade students to be retained if they did not pass IEA after multiple test administrations, so spring and summer if they do not qualify for a good cause exemption. Um they did change the good cause exemptions in the past. it was um special ed. If you're a special ed student, um you have an intellectual disability or your IEP case conference committee determines that um retaining them would not be appropriate. Um and then also English language learners, they um could get a good cause exemption. Um, so if they've received services for uh fewer than two years, they have an ILP. The committee can determine again that
012it's not appropriate to retain them based on this test. Um, some things that they've added, they added a math exceptionality. So if a student passes iLearn in third grade, the math portion, but they don't pass the third grade I read, we are allowed to give them a good cause exemption and move them on. Um they also added that if a student had been ret retained twice and received intense intervention um they would move on and then if they have been previously retained in third grade. So if we have a third grade student that takes it does not qualify for that good cause exemption we retain them. If they take it again the following year as a third grader they would get to move on even if they don't pass it. Um they also changed summer
013school. Um it required us to offer summer school to second grade students that had been identified at risk. Um as well as all non-passing third grade students. And if a student did not attend summer school or they attended less than 90% of the program, they have to participate in an uh indiv individual reading plan the following year. um until uh they pass the test. So, moving on to our third grade results. And I've I've got three years of data here. Um because each year is a different group of kids. We don't do anything with cohort comparisons. Um our pass rate for this year um and this included students that passed as second graders and then passed as third graders was 94.1%. And you can see that the last two years we were at 82.7 and
01477.2. So we saw a tremendous increase in our pass rate. Now, of the 118 students that were in that cohort, seven of them did qualify for a good cause exemption. So, like we've always done in the past, we back those students out because it's not appropriate for them to for us to consider that they would pass this test. Um, and so when you back that out, we are at 111 out of 111 passing the test. So that means we did not have to retain a student which is exciting news. Um I know that was something that Mrs. Philippy was concerned about and so um just kudos to Mrs. Philippy to our teachers um did a great job. Um we should really be proud of this. Um, when you look at how we fare against public
015schools and um, non-pubs or private schools, you can see that, and I'm using the 94.1 because the state does not count good cause exemptions. In the past, we've never had to turn those in. This year, we do have to report that. Um, but the data right now is just our our our pass rate. So, public schools averaged 86.5, which if you look across, that's an increase. Um you can see we're performing well above that. When you look at non-pubs, non-pubs were at 96.1. So private schools. Um so we are just a couple percentage points below the private schools. So another thing to be very very proud of. Um the one thing the ESA when I first saw that I didn't know what it was and so I had to do some research. That is the
016educational savings account for students that um are special ed. If they go to a homeschool that accepts that ESA money, then they had to take i. And you can see that they had a pass rate of 35.3%. So the average of all of those is 87.3. Um again, uh we are above or on the tails of the private schools. One thing I did look up, um, 84 districts performed higher than Wash City Schools. performed lower than us. So, I was really excited to see that. You know, we're in the the top third. That is that's great job. Excellent job by our teachers. Um, just really excited to share this information. Um, we'll look now at our second grade students. Um, this year it was no longer a pilot year. We had 77 students that test
017tested and we had 42 that passed. So, we had a passing rate of 55%. You can see each year we've gotten that to grow just a little bit. Um, I think the more that we're giving the test and learn from it, the better we're doing. Um, so those 42 students will not have to take iid next year as third graders. Um, which is really nice because the the 35 that didn't pass um, our teachers have that data and they can start working with those students right now on what they need to get them to that pass rate. And I think last year, I think our data from last year shows that what our teachers are doing is working. Uh so next step um we have our new wonders curriculum in grades K through five and
018we also continue to use Roxy reading um for intervention. Um both of these align with the science of reading. We'll continue this year with the Indiana Literacy Cadre to provide coaching to our teachers in grades K through three. Um, I know that our grade 2 teachers were excited because they had their win groups already set based on the IRA data from last year. Um, so we're able to hit the ground running from day one when it comes to intervention. We will continue um doing trainings for staff on RTI. So, how do we respond when students don't get it? Um, new this year, um, for grades three through eight, um, we have our iLearn checkpoint assessment. So, this, uh, will help us as we're working with those third graders. Oh, it may not open. Um, our
019third grade students that still need to pass iLearn, they're going to be or I read, they're going to be taking an iLearn checkpoint. And so that data, we still are learning how to use that data, but we're hoping that it may also help us get them ready for ire. Um, so that's kind of where we're at. Again, I was excited to share this. Um, kudos to OJ. >> Well done. >> Yes. >> Any questions from the board? >> Okay. Item B, board will be updated on the new PECAP program at Wabash Middle School. Mr. Blossom, >> all right, here we go. Okay. So, uh proud to talk about the PCAP program where we start the year two of that and tell you all about where we are at. >> Okay. What is PCAP? Um so,
020of course, Connie um has taught for me before, so she knows project based learning. Oh, yeah. >> We did a lot with the Buck Institute back in the day and they've kind of rebranded as PBL works now and we did some work for them. But think about uh project based learning is that's the start but so much more. Um the central components that that make it different are on the side. There's some more coming up here as well. It's relationship centered learning. It's integrated hands-on curriculum. Uh it's career pathways that are aligned with program post-secondary pathways also. So we're preparing for college or career. Both of those are are embedded in this. And it's characterized by high school industry and post-secondary partners. So that's a a big component is that we want to work with
021our employers and the community, our community partners. Chelsea's going to talk a little bit about that, our relationship grow county here shortly. Um and of course we're aligned with IvyTech Community College, Indiana University Cooko, and now Ball State as a partner and offering dual credit at Wes High School. >> Are they? Oh, great. >> Yeah. Yeah. Japanese for this year, which is cool. So essential components in uh PECAP are crew to begin with um community partners and employer employer challenges as we talked about it's student centered there's student ownership it connects learning to students lives in the community high level of collaboration it's purposeful there's multi-layer projects um au authenticity is important and then also feedback so why for us um well we selected by cell as a year 2 PECAP school and offered this
022opportunity. What we saw with year one and Cell and the data that they came was increased engagement. So our students um Connie remembers back in the day we had a transition academy and we've always been trying to figure out a way to engage our kids that didn't respond well to traditional teaching. Um gosh, and now I was all the way back. I think I taught in it the first year and then I I went into the assistant principal position when we were running transition academy back in the day. And uh we've always tried to figure out a way um the best way possible to engage these kids. These kids that we talked about at Wash Middle School at the time were were eighth graders and they all identified that they learn much better through projects.
023And we asked them about their favorite classes. It was rarely a core class. Um, it was an art class. Um, it was industrial technology, something that they can use their hands in, something that they're active, not necessarily sitting there taking notes all the time. >> But if it was a core class, it was because they really engaged with that teacher, had a special relationship with that teacher, and that was enough to motivate them to be in the class. We also note from the PCAP schools, there are better grades and better attendance. So, there's a market increase in both of those. demonstrating that the PCAP students um who at once identified all of them we were at Winchester for a study visit and all of those students didn't like school at all but one year in
024PECAP they love coming to school and and anecdotally gosh we're seeing some kids we've been in school for one week and we're seeing some happy kids uh that you know really didn't like coming to school in the past but we've had them for five days now and and they're smiling coming in the door which is which is great to see. um also improve student learning outcomes since we're focusing on real world application, interpersonal skills, problem solving, teamwork, those sorts of things. It better prepares our students for life after high school, whether they enter the the workforce directly or whether they head to post-secary education. Um I think all of you would agree that uh that's something we we need to be better at as schools especially the interpersonal interpersonal communication schools and skills in a
025digital era where they're used to texting or I don't even know how to read most of the text it's code I don't know but we they at some point they're going to have to interact with others um way um and there's an emphasis on that in path so our pcap timeline time was this we started in the spring of of 24 um where we were selected by cell C cell is from the University of Indianapolis the center of education center for excellence in leadership of learning we've worked with them um as an early college school for a long time so I personally I think I've been working with them for about 13 years now maybe maybe 14 uh we were selected by them for this we're lucky to get on the side of it that
026we were u because we got 110,000 over two years to help implement this program. So last year was a was a training year and a planning year and then now we're in full implementation. Uh in the fall of 24 we we attended some meetings and we did our study visit as I mentioned earlier to Winchester Junior Senior High School. Uh spring we identified some of our students and took them on a trip. Nobody had thought about doing that. So we we feel pretty good. We load of our kids on a bus and I've had them meet those kids and participate in a day of learning just to for them to get a feel of it. And some of our kids were like, "That's really not for me." >> So that made it easy. >> That's
027good to know, too. >> And other kids were like, "Yes, it is for me." And then some in the middle, too. So, >> that's important. >> Um, yeah, it was it was a really good idea. Uh, we also purchased a lot of equipment and supplies. We'll continue to do that. Uh, in the spring, we completed PBL Works PBL 101 training. Uh that was we did that online over over three days with the team. Um that used to be used to be Buck Institute. They they're now called turns out that's not a good name, right? So they went PBL works. Um in spring, I think it was spring when we met with Pearl Wes County and then also Hartland Career Center because they're really important parts of of our plans. Uh and then the uh actually
028traveling to High-Tech High in there in the spring that was great. uh got to go to San Diego and that the whole school corporation essentially is is project based learning this sort of thing. So that we learned a ton. Um I also got a lot of resources that we use. They they have some AI based planning tools that really are helpful. >> How long has San Diego been? >> Oh gosh. >> Long long time. >> Long time. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um and then finally in the summer we went to our our required PECAT meetings early uh in June in Indianapolis and then we continued to meet through July. Chelsea was able to secure some space upstairs at Burwash County. So we were able to meet with a team offsite there. So good. >> Good. >>
029All right. So uh in PCAP we have um there's some vernacular that we want to get through. Uh students are called scholars, teachers are called lead learners. And if you're a first year, you're a chapter 1. If you're a second year, you're a chapter 2. So, we're just getting started this year. So, we have chapter 1 scholars. Um, all of them are freshman. We've got 19 in total, 13 boys and and six girls. So far, going really, really well. And this is our team of lead learners. So, of course, Chelsea is here from Burwash County. Uh, she's our employer liaison and also our crew teacher. Kyle Kelshammer has been with us uh gosh for a while now. >> Yeah. >> Eight or nine years. An English teacher and he's our PCAP English 9 teacher. Randy
030Leage is he's our seventh and eighth grade guidance counselor for PCAP. He's the PCAP guidance counselor. This has been great because he knows the kids on seventh and eighth grade and has developed that relationship. So, um that really is helpful. He will stay with these PECAP kids all the way through high school. So that he'll be their guidance counsel. >> Again, relationships are super important. That's why it's it's important that we keep Randy with them. Sean Eer, uh our industrial technology teacher, um he's doing PCAP advanced manufacturing and construction for us. Ryan Evans, our science teacher, is doing PCAP first science. And then Justin Denny, uh has been instrumental in everything that we do. He has a long long history in projectbased learning uh during his time in um oh gosh, Columbus. Columbus. >> I
031mess it up. I say east and then he tells me south. >> Um anyway, he's our algebra one teacher, but like I said, he has a tremendous experience in that. He's really been a leader for group. >> Okay. So, in PECAP, you you can have as many pathways as you want. We started with with one that we put together. So, it's advanced manufacturing and construction. So it's essentially what happens in the industrial tech classrooms whether that's conventional nomenclature we've got the metal shop and no board shop right >> essentially is what we've called them. So what we have are uh three different courses are integrated introduction to advanced manufacturing introduction to construction and introduction to design processes. We block those at the beginning of the day. They also have an advisory word together as well.
032And the courses that we integrate into these projects are English 9, algebra 1, and earth science. And then our students for the remainder of the day are able to have alignments. Uh year two, we'll get there eventually. I'll talk to you next year at this time and give you another update. Uh they will switch to principles of advanced manufacturing, principles of construction, advanced manufacturing technology, and we will integrate English 10, business math and biology into these. Okay, biology is going to be a tough one, but we'll figure it out. Earth science, not so much. Um, so I mentioned that we met with the career center earlier as well, and they were really instrumental in helping us develop um this these courses, specifically the introduction courses and then the principles level uh courses as well. There's
033CTE funding attached to this. So, it was really important and when we're developing a pro program because we knew we had two years of $110,000, we need to be able to generate fun. This is a >> program. Exactly. >> So, um, we generate about $300 per student per semester on the intro level courses. So, I think that comes to about I don't know 15 or $16,000 I believe um for this year. Next year that that doubles um because these are all $740 per kid uh per semester. So, that will definitely help our sustainability moving forward. Okay. Oops. That's not good. Uh, years three and four are kind of in the works. Uh, what we always what we've done at Wbash High School has done a very good job of doing intro level and principles level
034courses and then transitioning our kids to Hartland um for the next two years um where they can get a lot of college credit or they can get on on workbased learning whichever they choose. So, a lot of our kids will know um that they don't necessarily want to do advanced manufacturing and construction. They love the project based learning and they know they're going to be engaged and learn that way. And they may choose to go out to the career center and get into health science, for example, or culinary arts. Yeah. Whatever it is, that's fine. There's no such thing as wasted learning. This is a different way of going at it. >> Sure. >> Okay. And as I said, our key partner in this is for Wab County. So Chelsea is going to talk a
035little bit about about what she's doing for us um and our relationship. >> Yeah. So um as Josh said, a big part of this is the uh community employer industry connections. So basically PCAP I like to say is we're answering the question of whether we ever use this in real life. So a lot of these projects um after kind of the we're getting our feet wet with them, but a lot of these projects are going to have a community employer attached to it. So, oh, you you know, we're talking about this. Well, all of these information, all these skills that you're thinking about can directly translate into a job at Ford Meterbox. Let's bring Ford Meterbox in uh to introduce themselves. Hey, this is what Ford me box is. Maybe a tour. Kind of getting
036that face-toface connection with those students. So, maybe a few years down the line, they're applying for maybe even summer work and oh, well, I met Jesse. I I know Jesse. you know, kind of starting those relationships and that thought process of there's so many opportunities and careers right here in our backyard. A lot of times kids just don't know. So, um, yeah, obviously with Gash County, I'm talking with them every day. So, it's just another reason for me to email them and reach out to them. And then, of course, on that other side is the, um, soft skills. We don't like to necessarily just toss our kids with the employers and say, "Good luck." Y um we want them the a big part of crew is setting them up for that success, having them know
037how to speak to adults, speak to potential employers. So every morning I am the first face they see every morning out with crew and we do a lot of that interpersonal stuff. So this week and last week we've been talking about core values which is a big thing in PECAP, responsibility, respect, communication, um confidence, things like that. So those really core values of what do you need to be to be a successful human really in the society and um this week we've been working a lot on communication. Again a lot of these people don't super know each other and they are going to be together ideally for two years these 19 kids. So um getting them all to work together as scholars on the same team. So yeah we've been working with a lot of
038communication stuff. um giving and taking feedback is a big part of crew because a lot of times they're going to be presenting projects and the students are the ones giving feedback why you know I wonder why you did this you know what if you tried to look at this because of course they're also going to hopefully be getting feedback from employers you know they're going to be presenting some of these project based learnings if Ford meterbox comes in and says hey here's this project they're going to probably be presenting hopefully to Ford meterbox saying you gave us the problem here's the solution so again teaching them about feedback and all those things So again, those soft skills, those those job skills, interpersonal skills that it's really tough to uh to teach maybe in a math
039class, but uh that's what they start their day with every day. So >> our presentation happy to take questions. >> So the day for the students, they're in they're in one room and then the did you call them lead learners? The teachers leaders >> lead learners come to that room to teach. And so then in the afternoon when they have their electives then they go out but >> all morning they're in the one room. >> Yeah. So they give me PE. >> Sure. >> Um art. >> Uh some are in band or choir. >> Yeah. Anything. Some some went into the principles of the biomedical sciences if they're interested in health science. >> Anything really. >> Yeah. So, we like that part because there's they do get to interact with their with the friends that
040necessarily aren't necessarily incap, but um and there's some choice, right? So, they can stick with the things that they really love as well. >> The lead teachers are in um science, math, those guys are all continually in there the whole morning. Then >> they >> how how does that roll? >> Yeah. So, they kind of um fortunately they're very very flexible. >> Sure. Sure. Oh yeah. So what we what we really Ryan Evans is there all morning periods. Okay. >> The others are assigned for a period and then also have a prep in in very different spots just how that works. >> Um so but they also know and what they were good with is like you know sometimes I'm I'm going to need to go straight through on a day >> but maybe that
041next day I might be there oh I'm going to take two preps on that day. >> So contractually they're obligated to prep every day. >> Sure. Like I like I told them, "Look, this is up to you guys. If you want to do it this way, we'll do it this way. Otherwise, we'll figure it out." But these are all seasoned veterans. >> Without flexibility isn't going >> Yeah. And they uh um I will say this, they are an exceptional group of educators and really proud to be able to work with them >> um and see what they're able to do with kids. Um you know, it used to be sometimes I I would go into a choir class or a band class or um Connie knows this. I go up to Lauren Millsball's class and
042watch her teach and get inspired, right? That sort of thing. U but that's the same thing coming out of the PECAP classroom is seeing happy engaged kids here in the first week of school. So really proud to be a part of it >> and ideally then they'll feed right into vocational school. >> Yes. Yeah. All of them have identified that they intend to to go to Harlem Career Center when they're juniors. and we'll be helping them prepare for that as well, applying and treating that almost like applying for a job. But that'll be a chapter two conversation. >> Yeah. And freshman year is so funky. Those kids can't find their behind with both hands. You know, I taught freshman forever and this is so I'm so Aren't you glad I'm retired? You know, it's so
043good to see them focused. I'm very excited about this and I'm so proud of Wabash because we offer something for everyone. for everyone no matter what your skill set is and that's so cool. >> So how did you identify >> I was just gonna ask >> these 18 student how did you identify and get them into the program? I mean did >> you know how did you figure that out? >> Mr. page um actually came up with that first group and talked to a bunch of kids that he thought were potentials for this. >> And then we also got recommendations from that eighth grade team as well and including Ryan Evans had them all at seventh graders too to identify some more kids and to speak to the power of teachers too. A couple of
044them um when they learned that Ryan Evans were teaching is that Mr. Evans is teaching. Well, I'm in. >> Did you talk to parents too? >> We did. Um it's always difficult to engage high school parents that had a public meeting, invited everybody and didn't get as many as as we hope. >> Um but you know what? Uh >> I'm going to venture to say that our parent teacher conference night is going to be great because we've got some kids that are really proud of what they're doing and enjoying this program. >> Um my hope is that you have so many kids interested that you'll have to cap it somehow. But um you know, do you think about that? Would it would you cap it at 25? Is that I wonder what's doable. >> Yeah,
045it's a space, you know. >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. >> Um >> yeah, I don't know that you can go much higher than >> us that would represent about a quarter of the >> quarter of the class. Um I mean, I like it personally because that's a quarter of the class that I know we're going to have success with. >> Yeah. So, it's just a matter of >> different way of think. I I hope it goes that way. I really really do. You know, and then next year, you know, you have nine and 10. It'll be interesting to see how it goes and the mistakes and what you learn. You know, obviously >> we have some considerations. I'm sorry. >> No, that's okay. >> We have some considerations about um adding a second pathway,
046maybe health science, something like that. The difficulty is is it's hard to if we were going to add another pathway starting in the fall, all that planning would have to take place now. And we already I mean we're learning what we don't know right now. So it's almost best if we go get the the year twos done and then then maybe start another pathway with some year ones to work out. >> All the logistics and the challenges that are that are in that. >> So these are all students that are bound for the career center. >> Yes. What if they decide to change their mind and not go to the career center? >> That's okay, >> too. To assimulate into normal. >> Yes. Because that's why we're checking off all those integrated core classes, the
047English 10, things like that. So, it's tough for a kid mid year. So, if a PCAP kid decided in >> uh January they didn't want to be a part of PCAP anymore, that's a little bit touchy. But the idea is they will be at the same place that all of their peers come junior year. So, if they want to continue on, go to college, fantastic for them. If they go H Heartland, they're set up for success there as well. >> I'm curious about the breakdown of boys and girls in the class. Is it mostly boys in this? >> We have 13. Yeah, 13 boys and six girls. So, um >> 33% that's >> two to that point. Jade is that the new diploma requirements that are that begin with this freshman group really allow us
048for a lot more flexibility to junior and senior year as well. for example, you noticed that they probably noticed that we had a business math class in there after algebra one for the sophomore year, but we can never really count that as a as a math requirement, but but we can now. So, that's g us a lot of flexibility kids to meet those requirements. And so, the math class that they would go into doesn't necessarily have to be >> uh algebra 2 or preal trig, right? They can get into our business technical math class that we have mapped out. That's great. Thanks. >> Any other questions? >> Nope. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you guys. >> Item C, board to approve hiring the following classified staff. One, Mara Davenport as middle high school pair
049professional at a pay of $11 per hour not to exceed 29.75 hours per week. And two, JC Wolf as a special needs bus aid at a rate of $11 per hour. So moved. Second >> discussion. >> So we are excited to have Mrs. Davenport back at Wabash City Schools and I know the fifth grade team um is super happy to have her. Um Miss Wolf will serve as one of our special needs bus aids during the AM and PM routes. She is currently a parah at OJ and I know Mrs. Philippy was able to work her schedule so she can do this for us. Um which we greatly appreciate Mrs. Philippy doing that and we appreciate Mrs. Wolf uh willingness to take on this additional duty. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the
050hires say I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item D. Board to approve Angela Baleiff as middle school high school FMLA leave teacher. She will earn subpay for her first 15 days. After 15 days, she will be paid the beginning teacher daily rate of $216.32 through November 7th, 2025. >> So moved. Second >> discussion. Um, Miss Baiff does have a master's degree in English and she is in the process of getting her emergency permit. I believe she's also considering taking the test um to be able to become a certified teacher. Um, we're thankful to find a long-term sub with her qualifications to fill in in our middle school language arts program. >> All those in favor of approving the hire, say, "I." >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. >> I abstain. >> Okay. >>
051Item E, board to accept the resignations from the following classified staff. One, Brock Ireland as a permanent substitute teacher effective immediately. two, Sierra Phillips as a permanent substitute teacher at WHS and three Jade Stumbo as WMSWHS physical education teaching per professional effective August 4th, 2025. >> So movement >> second >> discussion. Uh Mr. Ireland and Miss Phillips have been hired into other positions. So these resignations are just paperwork to document that they're no longer in those previous positions. Um, and Miss Stumbo was given the opportunity to take over as a long-term sub as a first grade teacher at another school. So, we want to wish her the best of luck in her new role. >> All those in favor of accepting the resignation say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> I abain. >> Motion
052passes. Item F. Board to approve Chandler Jones for half of supervision position. move second >> discussion. >> Uh Mr. Mr. Jones will do half of the supervision role for us. The other half is currently being handled by Trenton Dorey. So we appreciate Mr. Jones willingness to help us out. >> What's he supervising? >> Um this this is supervision at athletic events and so it might be a night where maybe we just have a middle school volleyball game. And so when uh Mr. Stone does the supervision roster. He can utilize these folks to kind of make it where our uh administrators and Mr. Stone don't have to be there every single night. >> I didn't know if it was within the school or something with athletics. Okay. >> All those in favor of approving the position
053say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. G. board to approve hiring William Inan to drive WHS students to and from IUK 2 days a week for the first semester for the 2526 school year pending a background check. >> So moved >> second >> discussion uh Mr. Enan is a retired truck truck driver with many years of driving experience. Um we want to welcome him to Waw Bash City Schools. We are always thankful to be able to give our students the opportunity to actually go to college, get that college experience as high school students and Mr. Inan is uh helping to make make that happen. >> Is this is an activity bus or >> Yes. Yep. >> Is this the first time we've done this? >> Um we've done this before. >> Did we?
054Okay. >> Quite a while. I can't remember. >> Okay. We started with um what was IPFW back when the principal predis and we've been doing it since then. >> Yeah. Great. >> All those in favor of approving the hire say I. >> I. >> Those opposed motion passes. H. Board to approve that we s board to approve that we surplus bus number seven. We will be able to sell the bus for scrap. >> So move. >> Second >> discussion. Um the insurance company did declare uh that the bus was totaled. Uh we will be receiving an insurance settlement for the bus. Um we're still working to try to find a bus to purchase, but schools aren't getting rid of buses. We want to get one that's about the same. Go through the process to do
055another lease with another bus that will get 18, but we would have the money from the insurance to pay and then only have to lease a smaller portion. So, still working on that. Um, the bus is currently stored at a wrecker facility. Once it's marked as surplus, we will have it towed to metal source. Um, we will receive approximately $2,600 after the towing expenses. Um, so we do have one spare bus right now. So, we are working on a plan to get that second spare. Um, I know we have another bus that is scheduled to be here next July, so we may have to go this year with just one spare bus. So, >> can we rip the tires off this one? >> Um, >> you have the football team push it to the metal
056source. >> I will talk to to Jeff about that to see if that's something that we might >> Yeah. Are the are the are the tires good enough to save? I mean, >> we're going to be towing this thing anyways. [Laughter] >> How How long do we usually keep buses? >> Uh 12 years >> till the wheels fall off. >> Okay. Um >> all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. I board to approve the transfer of Megan handling handing from fifth grade pair professional to WMSWHs physical education teaching pair professional at a salary of $21,400 prrated for the 2526 school year effective August 12th 2025. >> So move second >> discussion. So with Miss Dumbo's resignation this opened up our PE teaching parah at the middle school and high
057school. Miss Handing initially wanted a full-time position, so we're pleased that we're able to move her into that position. And Mrs. Davenport is now going to take uh Mrs. Handing's PAR position. >> Good. >> All those in favor of approving the transfer say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> Motion passes. Item J. Board to approve a $300 stipen for each of the following staff. Jenny Baker, Brody Cook, Britney Fagger, Alicia Galott, Sarah Kurpatre, Beth Phillippy, Josie Phippe, Natasha Whitney. These stipens are for spring 2025 sessions of the strengthening families program and are paid from the Eisenberger donation that we received a few years ago. Discussion. Oh, sorry. Yes. >> So, what is that second? Um so uh strengthening families is a program that OJ offers where the the entire families come in. We want
058parents, we want their kids and they learn lessons. Um they go through training on really how to work together as a family. Um we've done two sessions prior to this that were reasonably successful. um they did the spring of 25 and I think they offered four sessions and attendance was not good and so they just pulled the plug on it and so this is paying those teachers those people for the four four times that they did show up. Um, so and the the Eisenberger donation was one that we received that specifically said that you have to use it for atrisisk students and so this was a perfect program. It was just difficult to get families to show up to it. >> So it's scrapped essentially. Uh, it's a shame. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All
059those in favor of approving the stipens say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item K. Board to accept the resignation of Autumn Allen, cafeteria employee at WHS effective August 22nd, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Uh we'd like to thank Miss Allen for her service to W Bash City Schools. >> All those in favor of approving the resignation say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. L or to approve a pay increase for April Fiser from $11 to $12 due to changes in paraprofessional responsibilities. >> So moved. Second >> discussion. Miss Fish Fiser has moved from a kindergarten parah to a preschool parah which um requires toileting andor diaper changing. Um so paras that have these responsibilities do receive a slightly higher rate. All those in favor of approving
060the increase say I. I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. M. Board to approve the changes of Linda Miracle and Joyce Osborne effective August 25th or yes 2025 at OJ Neighbors. Linda Miracle will be taking over as head cook. Linda will receive a 70 cents per hour pay increase. Joyce Osborne will be staying at OJ Neighbor as a cafeteria employee at a decrease of.7 cents per hour. >> So moved second >> discussion. So these changes are a result of changes in Indiana code. Um head cooks must have the serve safe lensure. Uh Miss Miracle has that appropriate licensing to be the head cook. Miss Osborne um does not have that but did wish to remain on as a cafeteria employee which we appreciate. >> All those in favor of approving the changes say I. >> I.
061>> Those opposed motion passes. N board to approve the addition of a.5 industrial technology position at WHS for the 2526 school year. This position will be funded through the PCAP grant. >> So moved. Second >> discussion. >> So with the new PECAP program, Mr. Eer is dedicated to that for a portion of the day, which means that we need a halftime industrial tech teacher. I think even if he wasn't doing that, our enrollment in those classes is is going up. Um, and so this position for this year will be funded through the PCAP grant. And as I'm working on the budget for next year, we are still working to see how we can move this into the ED fund for the 2627 school year. >> It's tough to find an industry difficult. >> Wow. >>
062All those in favor of approving the addition say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Items from superintendent. >> Um we've had a great start to the school year. Um, I've loved getting into our buildings and seeing our students and our staff happy to be back at school. Um, our count is estimated to be 1309. Um, which is a little bit lower than what we had hoped. Um, we still have students that are enrolling. So hopefully we'll get closer to 1320 before count day in October. Um, the guesstimate that I turned in was 1325. So, like I said, hopefully we get a little bit closer. Um, want to wish good luck to all our fall sports athletes and coaches. I know many of them are already underway and I look forward to getting to
063many of these events this fall. And because we don't have another board meeting before um reminder to our families, September 1st is Labor Day and school is not in session on that day. >> Okay. Items from administrators. Well, I'm super happy to to uh talk a little bit about a project that we've been working on with Honeywell Arts and Entertainment in our music program. Uh so, we've collaborated with them. Of course, they they have this beautiful space um that um and they have some empty space in it in the Eagles Theater. Um and we really wanted to expand our music offerings. Um so, um what we've done is flex schedules a little bit. So, Brock Ireland does not come in for first period. said he comes in at second, which creates some space at the
064end of the day where he could work longer and still be under contract. And of course, we're contracted with with Emily France as well. Um, so what we're going to be able to do is offer a music theater course that will take place after school and that will be in the Ferguson Theater um at at Theater taught by Barack. Um, and then Emily will be teaching a piano and a live period on a keyboard class after school as well. that's starting both those programs are starting at two days a week at the moment um with that but can be expanded um if we have if we have that >> have kids begun signing up >> they have yes they have until I think the end of the week I'm not sure what that number looks
065like now um piano we have a a cap of I believe that's 11 students that that we can have in that class if we have any more than that then we'd have to go to um we're going to go I think Monday Wednesday go Tuesday Thursday as well with that group. >> Okay. >> Um the music theater class, however, is in the Ferguson theater and we could have as many as as 40 kids in that particular class. >> Now, why are we doing this at the Eagles rather than at the school? >> Well, what we're also going to be able to do is is um so we have that certain number of spots that we have, but what we worked with the Eagles Theater is they want to have um classes that are open to
066everybody as well. So, if we're at the the Eagles theater, uh we can put that out to the surrounding schools uh within the county and if they have kids that are interested, they'd be able to send those in if there are empty spots not filled by Wai City Schools. Um yes. >> And how many of those positions have filled up? >> Uh I I don't know off the top of my head. I think we're at about seven or eight right now. Um I'm really excited about that um for for a number of reasons. I think it's it's foundational the kids that we have that are able to play the piano. Um, and and hopefully we're going to be able to offer this younger ages as well as part of what Honeywell is doing. Work on
067some cool collaboration with them. Um, but you know, talking with Emily and our high school kids when they go through this program, they would be in a position where they're able to teach beginning piano to younger kids. And so I I think that's would be really interesting for our kids and increase the capacity of the Honeywell Center to be able to offer lessons. >> That's right. Um, I can see if um this idea of group lessons instead of one-on-one lessons. >> Yep. >> Um, it's definitely more efficient. Um, and for a lot of lot of students, this was done at the college level. And for a lot of students, they learn better when you're in there with with other students because you learn from your peers. >> And these are beginning students. >> Yeah, these
068are they're all high schoolers. Going to be beginning students. >> Chopsticks. >> Did anything go up? >> Excuse me. Do can they take a bus? >> Uh talks about that. They >> I think they're gonna find their way carpool or whatever they do. >> Track team. Okay. >> Yeah, correct. I can talk to uh Mrs. Callahan. We haven't had any students really inquire about that. >> Okay. >> Um really it's about they're going to plan to start at about 4. So they have a half hour to get from um the school straight down my >> Is anything going out to the parents about it? >> I'm sorry. Is anything going out to the parents about it? I know some of the students might need a little encouragement to join piano, >> right? I know uh
069I'll have to check on that. I know Mrs. France and Mr. Ireland sent the stuff out to the students. I'm not sure how how wide that went. I think they were a little worried about having an overwhelming response. >> Sure. >> And not being able to accommodate everyone. So, but >> Well, if other schools are feeding into it, we want to make sure our kids >> Right. Exactly. but it won't open to them until we have everybody from us that um that wants to be in. So, um >> same token, I think we're looking at a fall drama production. >> I was going to ask if that would >> spring musical again. >> It could be helpful. >> Selfishly. >> Yeah, >> I love that. >> It was really well done. >> I was just
070thinking about Brock with 40 kids after school. Oh my. Oh my. >> Yeah, we might need to get him a pair of >> It might be I was gonna say I thought that too. >> This is as um popular as I think it might be. He might need to have some help. >> Yeah. >> Well, OJ was good for him last year. >> Both of them. >> They brought an incredible amount of energy, dedication, and professionalism to our choir classes. So >> is Emily teaching vocal music then at Waw Bash this year? >> Yeah, she started last year. We put um kind of combined all into a combined choir. >> Um so we still have that combined choir, our symphony group which is kind of been that select group. >> Uh will become an extracurricular
071program. Kids are still kids are still able to earn credits for that. Select group that they will audition for. >> Swing choir same way or do they have swing choir? >> Swing choir. all at this point. But I can see that happening. >> Yeah. >> I feel good about, you know, like you said, the programming that we're doing in PEAP for a certain group of students, the programming that we're doing in fine arts for a certain group of students, and I think we really have to be cognizant of having quality offerings for all of our kids. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Do you have any? Yeah, I'm real excited to hear all that and kudos to the high school and the staff because that is awesome to hear all of those programs and Barack
072and Emily both were at OJ and man, they're topn. So, that's exciting. I have to, you know, talk about the I read scores a little bit and just say that it was a um collaborative collaborative effort from all of our teachers right down from um you know first grade teachers and second grade teachers piloted a new phonics program last year that was given by the state and boys trying to better our instruction and I mean they they stepped out and did that for us and first grade and fourth grade teachers chose second and third grade teachers to support during testing week and did some really fun cool things for them. Um, right down to the kitchen staff who did some uh really nice snacks for us and made sure that the kids were all um
073ready to go. We did have staff from all over the district write some um really nice letters so every student had a letter to open every day with some encouragement and they sent that in. And so um I'm so proud of those staff members. They just all I mean it it was just a big a big trying for us. So we're very excited and looking forward to what we're going to be able to do this year. >> Thank you. >> Anybody wants more? >> Yeah. >> Items from board members start with Joe. >> Um today Mrs. still be shared on the OJ page. Um the free giveaway, the food, and I thought maybe the middle school and high school would want to share that with their students also because that's available to them too, right?
074>> Yes. >> To take advantage of and it's the entire school calendar >> and they can mark it on their calendar. Yes. >> Yes. >> And there's families in need of that. >> Okay. that piggybacking off that the first big idea is August 27th from 4:00 to 5:30 at the OJ cafeteria. And then this Wednesday, H Heartland Career Center is having their open house at 6 PM. Um so if if you guys would like to come and see what the H Heartland H Heartland does and meet the teachers, you're welcome. I'll be there. Um looking forward to that. >> What night was that? >> Wednesday at 6. Yep. >> Okay. >> Jason, >> I don't have anything tonight. Okay, Connie, >> I think I've said enough. No, I I having taught and I've always had
075real faith in Ma Bash and and the kids who graduate from Ma Bash, I'm always so proud of them. We have so much going on and we offer something for everyone. And uh Josh took us through the building after the teacher meeting. And um for a corporation who has 60% of the population, the families earn below $50,000 a year, we assume a huge responsibility for giving these kids the experiences that they need. And I know that all the parents want more for their kids and the best for their kids. They don't always know how to achieve that. But city schools has always found a way to help make that happen for these kids. And um it's it's incredible and anybody who moves into the county needs to examine what happens here because the kids receive
076a quality education and kids succeed. And I'm very proud of that. Always have been, always will be. So kudos to what's going on at the high school. and the kids can read when they get to the high school. Pretty darn crucial as far as I'm concerned. >> Um, I just have to say thank you to Beth and Josh for coming to present. Um, really impressive. And welcome back. I'm excited for the school year. It's going to be a great one. And with that, we're ajourned. >> Thank you. No