During the annual report on Burket Educational Center given to the Tippecanoe Valley School Board at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 16,  teacher Micah Lukens recognized four students “for their exceptional work during the first semester.” The students recognized were, pictured from left after Lukens, Lilli Messer, Kaydin Manges, DeAngelo Gonzalez and Bryonna Barrus. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

BURKET — Eleven students have already graduated from Burket Educational Center this school year.

Burket teacher Micah Lukens noted that in his annual report to the Tippecanoe Valley School Board at a Jan. 16 meeting.

Lukens said the number was “high for the first semester for us.” Those students received Indiana Core 40 diplomas, with one getting a Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma.

He gave a few other statistics. There were 42 students at Burket in the fall, earning 191 credits. Thirty students are currently at Burket, representing one freshman, 10 sophomores, 12 juniors and seven seniors.

Tippecanoe Valley High School Assistant Principal Dayna Kolanowski also contributed to the report, stating Burket students got new laptops this year. Students have heard from several speakers, including one from Lake City Bank who talked about financial wellness.

Lukens also recognized a few students “for their exceptional work during the first semester.” Honored students were Lilli Messer, Kaydin Manges, DeAngelo Gonzalez and Bryonna Barrus.

Burket’s graduation ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18. Lukens mentioned the school has had 415 graduates in its 19 and a half years of existence.

TVHS Renovation

The board also heard a brief report on the upcoming renovation of TVHS from The Skillman Corp. Project Manager Scott Rogers.

Rogers said contractors are prepping for work, with plans now for workers to start mobilizing at the site on March 6.

The project will include a new auditorium, pool renovation and improved space for agriculture studies.

Personnel Changes

The board also approved the hiring of Akron Elementary School instructional assistant Yadira Garcia-Vera, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School custodian Emily Pickens and Mentone Elementary School custodian Orion Svara and instructional assistants Avery Conley and Evelin Alarcon Rodriguez.

It approved Darren Parker as TVHS boys’ golf coach and accepted his resignation as TVMS boys’ golf coach. It also accepted the resignations of TVMS nurse Ashley Derf and cook Kathy Smith and approved Kamarin Schopf becoming Mentone secretary.

In other business, the board:

• Accepted a $100 donation from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rochester for the Boomerang Backpacks program, which provides food to students in need.
• Accepted $2,500 through Cargill Cares for FFA kids to go to conventions and leadership camps.
• Heard a report on TVHS student activities. The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams beat Rochester High School’s teams last week.

The board’s next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School.