The bald cypress tree at Mentone Elementary School, Mentone.

WARSAW — Discussion during the Tippecanoe Valley Board Meeting held Monday, June 12, revolved around the bald cypress tree that many feared would be cut down.

During the meeting, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Superintendent Brett Boggs provided background information on the issue with the tree.

Boggs explained every year the school administration tours each school facility. During a recent tour of Mentone Elementary School, issues with the bald cypress tree, located in the front of the school, were discussed. The tree sheds needles which clogs the gutters and causes issues with the roof. It was discussed whether cutting the tree down would be a possible solution to fix the issues with tree. Boggs noted it was also discussed whether the tree held any historical significance.

“The tree is not going anywhere,” said Boggs.

The Mentone High School Alumni looked into the history of the tree and expressed desire to keep the tree.

Alumni member Linda Cochran found an article from 1976, explaining the history of the tree. The tree was brought back from Florida by Mentone School Principal Dale Kelley in the early 1940s. The tree was planted by Mentone Agricultural teacher Pat Harrison and his students to celebrate Arbor Day.

Bald cypress trees are rare in northern Indiana because they prefer mild winters and the soil of swamps in the southwestern United States.

The alumni committee explained a plaque will be made with an article printed on it, explaining the historical significance of the tree, in front of the bald cypress tree.

The alumni committee added the tree is very healthy and will not need any additional care.

Other News:

• The Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center has fulfilled the standards for the level 3 rating in Paths to Quality. The school will pursue the highest level, level 4 rating next year .
• The board approved to accept the donation for $3,800 from Cargill Nutrena Feeds Of Mentone to Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks.
• Mentone Elementary School Music Teacher Tana Tinkey was awarded a $4,000 grant by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation Board of Directors for a LifeTouch interactive touchscreen and laptop for her classroom. The board unanimously approved to accept the grant.
• The board approved a motion to accept grants from the Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services for $1,500, Art Dekko fro $7,500 and the United Way of Kosciusko County for $25,000.