Valley Board Hears Burket Update
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
BURKET — The Tippecanoe Valley School Board has received its annual update on Burket Educational Center.
That came at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 17, at the center. Providing it were Burket teacher Micah Lukens and Tippecanoe Valley High School Assistant Principal Dayna Kolanowski.
Kolanowski helps oversee the alternative education program.
Lukens said Burket had 38 students in the fall, with 36 currently. Students received 123 credits in the fall not including work experience and Jobs for America’s Graduates ones.
There are 15 sophomores, six juniors and 15 seniors attending school at Burket right now.
Lukens also said there have been two graduates so far for the school year, with two more having finished all coursework and just needing to complete some paperwork to graduate.
One of the graduates, Jacklyne Greer, was present at the meeting. Lukens and Kolanowski presented her and fellow student Julian Moore with certificates of achievement for their hard work during the fall semester.
Lukens also recognized Byron Tinkey, a 1970 Akron High School graduate, who has started helping out at the school as a paraprofessional when he’s not working part-time in the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Lukens also noted Burket’s annual graduation ceremony is to be on Thursday, May 19.
In other business, the board:
- Approved hiring Mentone Elementary School instructional assistant Kara Loper.
- Approved Vern Wilson as Mentone fifth grade girls and boys basketball coach.
- Accepted the resignation of Tippecanoe Valley Middle School instructional assistant Lisa Andrews and Mentone fifth grade girls basketball coach Alex Rockhill.
- Accepted the retirement of bus driver John Owens.
- Accepted a donation of $100 from Franger Gas of Akron for the Akron Elementary School student council.
- Accepted a donation of $6,200 from Mill Creek Church of Rochester for TVHS’ Boomerang Backpack Program, which provides meals to students in need.
- Heard an update on TVHS activities from junior student representative Abby Bowers. The boys and girls basketball teams both beat Rochester High School last week.
The board’s next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at TVMS.