Dr. Stephen Troyer, currently the principal of Milford School, will begin a new role as assistant superintendent for instruction and curriculum for the Wawasee Community School Corporation in July.

SYRACUSE — During the regular monthly meeting of the Wawasee School Board Tuesday evening, March 10, in Syracuse, the board heard a report about a student cadet law enforcement program launched by the Pierceton Police Department.

Tim Sammons, police chief of Pierceton, noted the cadet program began Jan. 1 and has 12 cadets from local school corporations including Wawasee. He said meetings are held the fourth Sunday evening of each month and cover different law enforcement topics.

“It is for students who have a general interest in law enforcement,” Sammons said, noting he still believes law enforcement is a noble profession.

There is no cost to the cadets for the program with the exception of paying for a shirt. Guest speakers donate their time as a way to give back to the community.

In other business, the board heard a report from Joy Goshert, assistant superintendent. She noted STEM grants were received in December and will involve project based learning integration coaches. Five of those positions have been posted, one for each building in the school corporation.

Beginning at the end of March, meetings will be held to plan for the next school year and those teachers who have not already been trained in PBL will be this summer.

Goshert also noted the kindergarten through fifth grade literacy committee has been looking at materials for literacy and will bring a recommendation to the school board in April.

Also, concerning the coronavirus, there has been much planning and information and updates have been coming regularly from local, state and national organizations. The board approved leeway to be given to extend the number of consecutive eLearning days should schools need to be closed due to the virus.

Other agenda items included:

• Milford School teacher Mary Brower was selected as a recipient of the Indiana University Armstrong Teacher Educator Award for 2020-21. She will be honored during a celebration on the IU campus Thursday, April 2.

• During the annual Key Club district convention in Indianapolis Friday, Feb. 28, Wawasee student Phoenyx Niedermeyer was selected as the Most Distinguished Secretary. Stuff the Bus was selected as the most unique service project and Wawasee student Abigail Morehead was selected as the lieutenant governor of the Land of Lakes Division.

• Syracuse Elementary kindergarten student Hadley Granger was recognized for being named a honored hero for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this year. Her artwork was chosen as part of the honor.

• WHS girls swimmers Alexis Mishler, Rileigh Atwood, Kiah Farrington, Cammy Kryder and Ella Park were recognized for qualifying for the state competition.

• WHS wrestlers Jace Alexander and Garrett Stuckman were also recognized for qualifying for the state competition.

• Several out of state or overnight trips were approved by the school board.

• Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent, noted a new ventilation system was installed for the Wawasee Middle School pool.

• Among the personnel recommendations approved by the board was Dr. Stephen Troyer being named the new assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum.