SYRACUSE — Plans are moving forward for implementing “eLearning” during inclement weather days beginning with the 2017-18 school year, the Wawasee school board heard during the regular monthly meeting Tuesday, May 9, in Syracuse.

Wawasee is able to do this because of the 1:1 electronic devices students and teachers have. Joy Goshert, assistant superintendent, said it has been determined about 82 percent of students have internet access at home. Efforts will be made to publicize community internet access points, she said.

The program will be tested a few times in the fall so students can become familiar with it. If school is canceled more than two days in a row, Saturdays will be used for eLearning, Goshert said. Attendance will be determined by how many students turn in assignments.

Teachers will have “virtual” office hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during inclement weather days. They are also supposed to make sure students know how to contact them without using social media.

Goshert also noted during her report to the board summer school will be held June 5-27 for grades kindergarten through eighth. For Wawasee High School, online courses will be offered June 6-23 in the media center and the summer ECO Challenge will be June 5 to July 21.

Other agenda items included:

• Members of the Wawasee High School super mileage cars team were recognized by the school board. They competed in the Shell Eco-marathon April 26-30 in downtown Detroit. It was also noted Larry Pletcher, a retired teacher who has been a volunteer for 13 years, will no longer do so after this school year.

• The WHS baseball team was recognized for helping Norma Sliger with cleaning her garage as a community service project.

• Donations were approved for $1,285 from the Knights of Columbus for the WHS German Club, $500 from the Knights for the WHS Academic Hall of Fame and $500 from The Papers for the WHS Academic Hall of Fame.

• The board approved a donation from Polywood to Milford School of a bench and two planters.

• The board approved a donation of $600 worth of mulch at a cost of $200 from Knepp Sand and Stone for the courtyard at Milford School.

• Overnight trips for Wawasee FFA to the state convention in June and also for leadership training at Quaker Haven were approved.

• The board approved the purchase of 17 acres of land from The Eagles along CR 1300N, west of Kern Road, in Syracuse at a cost of $202,000.

• Moving into the new Syracuse Elementary School will begin July 5.

• A three-phase project will close the intersection of Kern Road and CR 1300N from June 5-30 weather permitting.

• Plans for improvements to North Webster Elementary were briefly discussed. Refinancing a bond issue earlier this year will allow for the improvements, which will focus on safety measures such as surveillance upgrades, installing glass and aluminum frames to improve security at the front entrance, media center and classroom upgrades, replacing the gym roof and more.