Wawasee High School Principal Kim Nguyen gave a school improvement plan report to the school board Tuesday.
The high school’s attendance is 945 students. Wawasee’s graduation rate is at 88 percent (2 percent under the school’s goal), advanced placement is averaging at 66.5 percent (41.5 percent up from the school’s goal), and the end of course assessment averages for English was 92.4 percent and algebra was 91.1 percent (2.4 percent and 1.1 percent up from the school’s goal).
On the negative side, the last ISTEP scores were not optimal, but technical difficulties with the testing helped contribute to the lower scores. Overall, Nguyen said the school is doing excellent, but will be working on improving the lowered graduation rates and ISTEP scores in the final months in session this spring.
Assistant Superintendent Joy Goshert reported that the 2017 ISTEP part 1 was finished with minimal issues. IREAD-3 is currently in session, with ISTEP part 2 set for April 17 to May 5.
The AdvancED District Accreditation visit will be Sunday and the accreditation team will do interviews and school visits Monday and Tuesday. A board meeting will be held in the afternoon of Wednesday in order for the team to conduct an exit review.
Goshert gave an overview of the standards in preparation for the visit. Wawasee Community Schools will be assessed on purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing for learning, resources and support system, and finally using results for continuous improvement.
The board approved the adoption of the NEOLA policy updates.
Director of Personnel and Legal Services James Flecker brought to the board the Resolution of Determining Need for Project, Resolution of Re-approving Building Corporation, and the Resolution Approving Form of Lease. The board approved all three resolutions.
Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington presented certificates of merit to four students at the school board’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday.
Paige Miller placed eighth and sixth in events at the state girls swim meet; Braxton Alexander placed sixth in the state at the state wrestling meeting; Brady Robinson finished 12th in the individual medley at the state boys swim meet; and Reagan Atwood finished in a tie for 20th in gymnastics at the state meet.
Edington reported the following donations: $1,000 from Doug and Kristen Rassi to the Wawasee High School Choral Department; two engines valued at $46,000 from Kohler Engines to the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperatives and the high school; and a bird feeder, a shepherds hook and birdseed from Ace Hardware, $50 from Foyle Plumbing Inc., and $50 from Mr. Rooter to Milford School’s Warrior Time group for the courtyard that has been adopted as their Make An Impact project.
The WHS Leadership Committee received $1,004 from the pancake breakfast held in partnership with the Knights of Columbus.
Finally, Edington announced that the Wawasee Community School Corporation was awarded a 2017 digital learning grant in the amount of $72,000.
Milford Principal Cindy Kaiser invited the board and all community members to a presentation by author, motivational speaker and gymnast Jen Bricker. Bricker will give a presentation at the WHS gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. today. She also was to speak to Wawasee students in fifth through eighth grades at 9:30 a.m. today and the high school students at 1 p.m.
The following are recommendations for support services/certified personnel, as well as resignations and transfer:
Kari Baker, recommended for employment by Susan Mishler as a Wawasee Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional.
Daniel Neff, recommended for employment by Mike Snavley as a WCS corporation bus driver for route #44.
Christina Ricci, recommended for employment by Mike Snavley as a WCS corporation bus driver for route #39.
Anna Mills, recommended employment by Kim Nguyen as a WHS cafeteria worker.
Nita Johnson, recommended for transfer by Brent Kerkeypile from a full-time, year-round position as a WMS custodian to the same school but a school-year position.
Michael Johnson, recommended for transfer by Brent Kerkeypile from a school year position as a WMS custodian to the same school but a full-time, year-round position.
Teresa Boyer, submitted letter of resignation, effective Feb. 28.
William Eby, submitted letter of resignation, effective March 1.
Justine Byrket, submitted letter of resignation, effective March 3.
(Story By Jude Striey-Raska, Correspondent)
