From left, are Greg Demopoulos, Kim Lezark, and Nick Hauck, Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club. InkFreeNews photos by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Schools will be reverting back to a “pre-pandemic” school calendar.

WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert requested changes to the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school calendars during a May 16 board meeting. The changes follow a new law from the state of Indiana, House Bill 1093, which limits schools to only three days of virtual learning.

The bill states that “a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180-day student instructional day requirement.”

Hoffert said the district has heard feedback on both sides of having set eLearning days throughout the school year.

“Some people really like the prescheduled eLearning days,” said Hoffert. “For others, it has brought some challenges that go along with that.”

The board approved calendar changes, which will be updated on the school website.

In other business, the board also approved a 5% increase in support staff wages, which will take effect on July 1. WCS has about 700 support staff.

Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling said the increase was discussed during a salary committee meeting. Teachers’ and administrators’ salary increases will take effect July 1. Fitterling requested the board approve moving the start date of raises for support staff from January 2023 to July 1 of this year.

There were also recognitions aplenty during the school board meeting.

WCS Director of Transportation Mark Fick and Assistant Director of Transportation Kristy Newton presented engraved cutting boards and flowers to bus drivers who have had an extensive work history with the school corporation. Driving trainers and those with perfect attendance were also recognized.

Fick and Newton presented school administration with cutting boards and flowers to thank them for their support of the transportation department. A video of the recognized bus drivers can be viewed on InkFreeNews’ Facebook page.

Also during the meeting, the Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club was recognized for hosting a bicycle rodeo this year with third-grade students at Eisenhower, Claypool and Jefferson Elementary Schools. Dozens of students were taught about bicycle safety and, through the program, 20 children were taught how to ride a bicycle for the first time.

“They (KCV Cycling Club) help promote cycling with students but also talk about safe cycling and what that looks like,” said Dr. David Robertson, WCS assistant superintendent of elementary education. “They donated tons of time to our students.”

Francesca Hoffmann, Madison Elementary School’s new principal, was also introduced to the board at the meeting. Hoffmann was in attendance with her husband, Ryan Thornburgh; and two-year-old daughter, Eleanor Thornburgh.

“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity and can’t wait to get to work,” said Hoffmann.

Online registration for the 2022-2023 school year for new and current students is also open. Parents can register their children online and are encouraged to contact their child’s school or the WCS central office for assistance.

The school board will have a combined work and regular meeting at 4 p.m. June 8, at the WCS central office.

From left, are Madison Elementary School Principal Francesca Hoffmann; Ryan Thornburgh, Hoffmann’s husband; and Eleanor Thornburgh, Francesca and Ryan’s two-year-old daughter.