Wawasee school board officers for 2016 will remain the same as in 2015. Seated is president Rebecca Linnemeier. Standing are Rob Fisher, left, vice president, and Mike Wilson, secretary.

SYRACUSE — During the regular monthly meeting of the Wawasee school board Tuesday evening, Jan. 12, in Syracuse the board was given a brief update on the status of the construction of the new Syracuse Elementary School on Kern Road. The update was given by Bob Lahrman, director of support services for the school corporation.

Lahrman said work is continuing at the site despite the recent colder temperatures. The weather forecast indicates warmer temperatures by the end of this week and concrete can still be poured and kept warm with an additive. Foundation walls and footers have been completed in three sections and the goal is to have a fourth section completed before work is halted for the winter.

Sanitary sewer work is finished along Kern Road and about 90 percent completed on the north side of the site. How much further work can progress into winter will, of course, depend on the weather.

In other business, January is the month for reorganization of the school board and various officers were approved for 2016. Rebecca Linnemeier will remain president, Rob Fisher vice president and Mike Wilson will be the secretary. Amanda Jackson will be the recording secretary for board meetings and James Flecker will remain as board attorney.

Board meeting times will remain 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, with the exception of April, which will be the third Tuesday. Meetings will typically be held in the Warrior Room of Wawasee High School.

The board stipend or salary will be $2,000 plus $60 per meeting paid quarterly capped at $5,000 total. Mary Lou Dixon will be president of the board of finances. All school board members will be representatives to the career/technical advisors council.

Dr. Tom Edington, Jim Evans, Bob Lahrman, Joy Goshert and James Flecker are authorized to open sealed bids and receive quotes for school business. And Jim Evans and Sandy Hollar are treasurer and deputy treasurer respectively.

Other agenda items included:

• Beth and Grant Kroes were recognized for their $250 donation to Warrior Radio 93.7 FM.

• Marcia Carpenter, former girls track coach and teacher for the Wawasee school system, will be inducted into the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame Jan. 29 in Indianapolis.

• Approval was given to reappoint Dave VanLue to the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Board.

• Several trips were approved including WHS Culinary Arts to Chicago, WHS Spanish students to a Hispanic leadership conference in Chicago, seventh and eighth grade music classes of Wawasee Middle School to Cedar Point in Ohio and Milford Elementary and Middle school students to the Bittersweet Ski Resort in Michigan.

• First reading for a very detailed updated of school board policies was given. Flecker noted the updates consist of about 300 pages and many updates are only suggested, not required, by federal organizations.

• And approval of a $1,500 stipend, made in two payments of $750, was given for Grace College mental health therapist student interns who work with Wawasee students.