Warsaw Schools Recognizes Retiring Board Member Jay Baumgartner
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of School Trustees recognized retiring school board member Jay Baumgartner during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 14.
Baumgartner joined the board in 2012, bringing in financial expertise through his position as senior vice-president of financial services at Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services.
During his tenure, Baumgartner was part of significant achievements for WCS, including financing for Lincoln, Washington and Edgewood building projects, oversight of self-funded insurance and benefits funds for faculty and staff, support for the employee health clinic, partnerships with community mental health services for social-emotional well-being of students and staff, negotiations with the Warsaw Community Education Association, increased priority of support staff hourly wages and leadership throughout the 2020 pandemic and reopening of schools.
In January, Matt Deuel will join the school board as the District 6 representative.
“Jay has been an invaluable member of our team as a servant leader of this board and an advocate for all within Warsaw Community Schools,” said Board President Heather Reichenbach. “His presence has provided a quiet steadiness to the board, in addition to his keen professional insights and provoking questions. Along with his humor, Jay’s eight years of institutional experience will be missed and it’s hard to imagine future meetings without him.”
The school board presented Baumgartner with some gifts; Reichenbach referenced “The Sound of Music” while presenting, through numbers, what Baumgartner has witnessed and assisted with during his time as a school board member.
“Warsaw Community Schools have been blessed through Jay’s service to our corporation,” said WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert. “On a professional level, he brought a strong business and financial expertise to our board. His knowledge into the areas such as insurance funds, school finance, tax impacts and long-term planning have been invaluable to our corporation and community. On a personal level, Jay is a mentor and friend. He possesses a talent in providing calm and insightful wisdom in extremely complex situations. Our schools and community are a better place thanks to his service.”
“I’ve loved every minute of it and loved working with every one of you,” said Baumgartner. “It’s been an honor and privilege.”
Following Baumgartner’s recognition, Dr. Hoffert provided the school board with an update on WCS’s COVID-19 situation. Hoffert and school board members went through several schools on Monday to hand out 1,200 free Warsaw Tiger shirts to the schools’ staff members. Staff can wear their custom-made shirt on Dec. 18 in a celebratory day of team unity.
“When we went around today, the number one comment I received was ‘I never would’ve guessed we would’ve made it this far,'” said Hoffert on the school corporation staying open amidst the pandemic. “When we look around, we are just one of the largest school systems in Indiana that’s been able to stay open K-12. This has been a major success story for our community, for our teachers, for our students.”
Human Resources Director Sheila Howe said the school corporation is still relying on office secretaries and bus mechanics to drive buses due to shortages related to the pandemic.
“We are always looking for more bus drivers,” said Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling. “We are making it through, they are staying strong. But we could always use more.”
Howe also noted that WCS Transportation Director Mark Fick has been very strategic in combining bus routes to help ease strain.
Aside from bus drivers, support and food services staff are also needed at WCS.
During the meeting, the school board also heard two special presentations, the first of which being from Washington STEM Academy Principal Tom Ray about the school’s STEM program and Switcher Studio. Switcher allows for multiple iPhones and iPads to livestream events from multiple camera angles. The software gives parents the opportunity to watch students’ learning experiences via YouTube, with all videos being saved if parents cannot watch live.
Amy Hobbs, WCS director of special services; and Troy Akers, Warsaw Community High School principal, talked about Hands in Autism, a training and resource center used to help impact the lives of those with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs. The pair elaborated on how the program has positively impacted one WCHS teen’s behavior from middle school onward.
The board’s next work session is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the school corporation’s central office. Warsaw Schools’ next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, with location to be determined.