SYRACUSE — Also during the regular monthly meeting of the Wawasee school board Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, in Syracuse, the board heard a progress report on the construction of the new Syracuse Elementary School on Kern Road. Bob Lahrman, transportation director, gave the report.

Lahrman said the project has moved beyond just dirt work. Approximately 65 percent of the storm sewer network has been installed and digging for and pouring footers began Nov. 9. Work will begin soon on installing the water service, which it is hoped will be completed before winter sets in. “They also hope to have the electric service installed by winter,” he added.

Paving for at least a couple of the parking lots is projected to be completed by winter, as well. Mostly dry and mild fall weather has allowed for work to progress ahead of schedule.

In other business, Joy Goshert, director of instruction and curriculum, noted this is the only week parents of students in this year’s grades four through nine can request rescores of the spring 2015 ISTEP+. The window for requesting rescores closes Friday, Nov. 13.

Final testing results are projected to be released to school corporations Dec. 8 with the information being available online to parents and teachers Dec. 22.

Other agenda items included:

• Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent, recognized Wawasee High School graduates Matthew Johnson (2001), John Locke (1981) and Scott Lawrance (1994) who received awards in their various career fields. Johnson is a math professor at the University of Kansas, Locke is the head athletic trainer at Marian University and Lawrance is also an athletic trainer and a professor at the University of Indianapolis.

• The board approved a new policy concerning the use of drones. It had been discussed at a couple of previous board meetings.

• The board approved a pay raise in the same amount recently approved for other employees for Jim Rochford, an independent contractor who is the liaison for the school corporation’s energy savings program.

• And the board gave formal approval for six grants totaling $5,000 awarded by the Wawasee Community Education Foundation. The grants were announced publicly in October.