Wawasee School Board member Andy Cripe.

By Tim Ashley
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Wawasee High School graduate Dave Baumgartner made a passionate plea for the Wawasee School Board to have the WHS football field, Warrior Field, renamed Harry J. Michael Field in honor of the World War II Medal of Honor recipient who grew up near Milford. Baumgartner addressed the board during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Jan. 11, in Syracuse.

Baumgartner said he was speaking on behalf of several members of the American Legions from Syracuse, Milford and North Webster, some of whom were present at the meeting. “This is an incredible opportunity to establish a shrine for someone who was the ultimate warrior,” he said.

He said this is an opportunity for communities to come together “in a time when our nation needs heroes.” He noted he has petitions signed by many Legion members locally asking for the football field to be renamed.

Michael’s nephew Rich Rhodes, who lives on the homestead Michael grew up on west of Milford, spoke briefly and shared some quotes and facts about Michael such as he was killed on his 23rd birthday by a German sniper.

Don Bokhart, school board president, said he thinks it would be a good idea for a group to form and finalize details of a proposal so Dr. Steve Troyer, superintendent, can eventually make some type of recommendation to the board.

In other business, the monthly series of school reports was continued with the high school being featured this month. Geoff Walmer, principal, shared some of the recent accomplishments of the school including the marching band qualifying for the state finals for the first time ever, boys basketball having a team grade point average of 3.6, Evan Coblentz and Emily Sabin being awarded American FFA Degrees at the National FFA Convention and many more accomplishments.

Teacher Paula Fiscus talked about her work with high ability students and what she teaches them including how to properly speak to the principal, for one example, and how to properly word emails to different groups of people. She said 24% of seniors and 21% of juniors are taking the AP, or advanced placement, dual credit English composition class.

Band director Tony Pawlicki said the band is growing and noted there are 102 sixth graders in beginning band, for example. He shared a promotional video about the band produced by drum major Devin VanLue.

In other business, the board voted to allow the exploration of establishing a relationship with Edustaff that would increase the pool of substitute teachers available. Sub teachers would become employees of Edustaff and have access to greater benefits such as health care options and retirement incentives.

It would also enable Wawasee to be able to draw sub teachers from a larger pool that includes other school districts.

Also on the agenda, Troyer noted there are two 2022-23 school year calendars being considered and the biggest difference between the two is one would include fall break being a week long and the other would keep fall break to the current two school days off. He will make a formal proposal to the board next month after more input is gathered through a survey.

There was also considerable discussion about the consideration to remove the personal finance class as a requirement to graduate from high school. Walmer said changing diploma requirements is making it more difficult to properly staff the class. It would still be offered as an elective course.

Board member Rebecca Linnemeier said she feels the personal finance class is too important and should be kept, even if it means incorporating the material taught into another business class. “I feel it is very important for students to know how to manage their money before they walk out the door (after graduation),” she said.

A proposal will be made at a future board meeting for a vote to being taken at that time.

January is the time for the annual board reorganization that includes election of officers for the year and more. Everything will essentially remain the same as in 2021 including Bokhart remaining president, Mike Wilson the vice president and Linnemeier the secretary. Board meetings will continue to be held at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month with the exception of the third Tuesday in April and meetings will be held in the Warrior Room at the high school.

During her report to the board Dr. Shelly Wilfong, assistant superintendent, said a software audit of electronic instructional materials is ongoing. The goals include providing continuity across the district, better support for software utilization and providing the most effective programs in the most efficient manner.

For one example, it was noted a survey of K-5 teachers revealed 30 different programs being used, which makes it difficult to provide quality technical and instructional support especially considering the programs are of varying qualities.

Other agenda items included:

• The board approved a donation of $500 by Pro Wake to the Wawasee Super Mileage team.

• Donations of $500 were approved from Griffith’s Wawasee Marina and $1,000 and $1,5000 from the Wawasee Boat Company to the marine mechanics program.

• Shoop Foundation donated $1,800 for the Hispanic Leadership Conference, which was approved.

• WHS student Allyson Eppert became the first Wawasee student to qualify for Indiana College Core.

• Brent Berkeypile’s appointment to the Syracuse Parks Board was approved.

• The board approved purchasing two new school buses for $250,860 and three mini buses for $194,007.