Board members looking at updates of school projects.

WARSAW — The Warsaw School Board met on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The board discussed project updates, the 2017 budget and Jennifer Tandy’s resignation

Tears were shed at the board work session as Tandy announced her resignation to the Warsaw School board over the phone. Tandy was in San Diego at the time of the meeting. She mentioned it would be in the board’s best interest if she were to offer her resignation due to her family’s current transition to San Diego. She explained that during this time it would be difficult to keep up her duties at president of the board of trustees.

“Jennifer, I know I speak for everyone around the table, we can’t thank you enough,” Hoffert added, “You’re leaving big shoes to fill.”

The meeting continued with four teachers at Claypool reporting on a conference they had attended held by author, Eric Jensen, on how to teach kids who are struggling with poverty. The teachers mentioned the conference enabled them to learn about techniques which would serve them in helping to better connect with students. A main theme of the conference was that teachers are the single most significant contributor to student achievement. Consequently, equipping them with the tools to reach students is essential.

The next item of meeting was to discuss whether Jefferson Elementary School should allow a portion of the property to become an easement for an extension to the greenway. Hoffert offered that giving a portion of the property to the addition of the trails would be a great cause. The board will decide whether or not to allow Jefferson to allow a portion of their property to become part of the greenway at their next meeting.

Brandon Penrod presented the budget overview for the 2017 year. The total proposed budget for Warsaw schools is $77,887,160 with an advertised levy of $24,572,247.

Board member Dan Metzger asked, “Is there anything that will affect taxpayers negatively?” Penrod responded there should not be any large tax spikes unless something unseen were to occur.

“This is very similar to what we have done in the past,” said Penrod.

In the personnel report, Jeanine Corson mentioned the school district has 77 new hires, 64 re-hires, 58 extracurricular hires, 40 transfers, 38 separations and two retirements.

Design and building updates were given for Lincoln Elementary, Washington Elementary and Edgewood Middle School.

Lincoln Elementary plans to continue brick work, complete foundations and set structural steel for canopies, begin installing windows, begin ceilings in two-story wing, paint gymnasium and cafeteria and other various projects in the next month. Washington Elementary plans to paint exterior fiber cement panel system, complete solar panel installation, complete roof edge metal and details and other various projects. Edgewood Middle School plans to complete roof detailing and eye meal, start demolition in final phase classroom work, begin landscaping and final exterior touch-up and other various projects.