Sarah LeCount speaks to the Wawasee School Board.

By Tim Ashley
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Three weeks from now, voters living within the Wawasee Community School Corporation boundaries will see on their ballots a referendum that if approved would provide additional funding the school corporation says it needs. During the regular monthly meeting of the Wawasee School Board Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, in Syracuse six patrons stated their opinions about the referendum — three in support of it and three against it.

Dr. Erick Leffler, a chiropractor in Syracuse who owns both commercial and residential properties, said the referendum will be costly to him but he still supports it because it will help to maintain the safety and mental health of students and keep needed Pathways Cooperative programs. He cited a 2018 Johns Hopkins study showing high school graduates make on average more than $9,000 per year than those who don’t graduate.

Cindy Kaiser, former principal of Milford School, said when she was an administrator she always tried to make decisions based on what is best for kids. She supports the referendum and noted when improvements are made to a house, for an example, “it takes time and money” and the same is true for a school corporation.

Starr Senter, who has two sons attending Wawasee schools, said “these kids need these programs” and not every child learns the same way. She supports the referendum.

Dave Barry said there is a concern among some even if there are no budget cuts by the state, human nature being what it is, the school corporation will still find a way to spend the money. Jack Hicks said he believes it is not fair part-time lake residents who pay taxes can’t vote on the referendum. He is also opposed to his taxes being raised.

Another man calculated his property taxes would increase by a total of $21,000 during the eight-year period of the referendum and is not in support of it.

James Flecker, director of finances, personnel and legal services for the school corporation, said in response “there is a huge accountability piece” with a referendum and funds must be used exactly for what they are requested. He said even if there are no state budget cuts in the future, enrollment numbers are declining and that means state funding is decreasing for Wawasee.

“We need to be prepared” for what lies ahead, he said. He also noted not being a good steward of finances would create mistrust among school corporation patrons.

“We have never asked for a referendum before,” he said, but more than 200 schools in the state have.

In other business, during his report to the board, Dr. Stephen Troyer, assistant superintendent, gave a sobering report of the effect COVID-19 has had on teaching. There have been 11 total positive cases of the coronavirus — eight students and three staff members. There have been 140 students and eight staff members with direct exposure to a positive case at school. But there have been no positive cases from direct exposures at school.

Troyer said soberly “this has been the most difficult year for most anybody in our school corporation.” He said some teachers in the middle school and elementary grades not only are teaching students in their classrooms, but also are teaching some students virtually and some who are quarantined.

He noted he has talked to a few veteran, longtime teachers who “have broken down in tears” because of what they are dealing with.

Troyer proposed to the board beginning Nov. 10 all the virtual learning students will be brought back to classrooms with the exception of those with medical conditions. He said unexcused absences are almost doubled with virtual learning students and some of them are doing either nothing or very little school work.

“We believe we can best serve kids when they are in class,” he said. The school board approved his proposal.

Other agenda items included:

• The board approved the purchase of three 78-passenger conventional school buses and one 14-passenger mini bus from Kerlin Bus Sales at a cost of $382,896.

• A $66,000 grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for child care programs was approved.

• A $10,000 grant from United Way for summer school programs was approved.

• The board approved the adoption of the 2021 budget, which has been published in local newspapers.

• The board approved the donation of a strength and conditioning leader board from Jon Everingham.

• A memorandum of understanding between the school corporation and the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce was approved to allow high school students to work with the chamber.

• A resolution was approved to allow gift cards from McDonald’s and The Sleepy Owl to be given to Wawasee High School students.

• The former marine mechanics building on Chicago Street in Syracuse will be auctioned off along with its contents Nov. 5.