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Page 8 themail-journal.com
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Wawasee Engagement Committee presents suggestions to school board %\ '$9,' 6/21( 7LPHV 8QLRQ 0DQDJLQJ (GLWRU Four members of the Wawasee Community Engagement Committee presented their findings to the Wawasee School Board Tuesday, April 18. Those findings included combining Milford Middle School with Wawasee Middle School,
renovating or constructing a new Milford Elementary School and a new performing arts center. Before turning the meeting over to the executive committee, Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer explained from late February through the end of March, representatives of the community met five different times to provide input on everything from educational programming to
facility needs. Mike Mettham said the task force was broken up into four groups to study education programs and facilities needs across the school corporation, as well as provide options for the board to consider based upon data and feedback. The task force included parents, patrons, community leaders, teachers, support staff, adminis-
trators and two board members. Jeff Dyson said their focus was on the children and they had to make data-driven decisions. Instruction must drive construction, safety must be a priority and immediate needs should be a focus. They wanted to strive for curriculum and program equity and maximum use of current facilities. Continued on page 2
North Webster Town Council tables motion for new planters North Webster Town Council met in its regular monthly session Tuesday night at the North Webster Community Center. In department reports, Mike Noe reported through Council President Dan Thystrup that a lift pump recently failed and required replacement at a cost of $4,500. The appropriation was unanimously approved. Town Marshal Greg Church reported two of the town’s officers, Noah Kiessling and James Curtis, graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on Saturday. In the parks report, the council was informed that Leann Hubbs has submitted her resignation. Council member Dave Waliczek suggested the board would be OK without replacing her, but that if anyone was interested in the position they should contact any member of the council. In old business, Thystrup announced he paid the invoice for the USI study regarding the proposed North Webster trail. He also in-
formed the council they were denied the MACOG grant for which they applied. He added they were encouraged to apply again in the next grant cycle. In new business, Scott Kuhn, representing the North WebsterTippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, requested $8,331 from the council as reimbursement for the chamber’s purchase of 20 selfwatering planters that will be placed along Main Street throughout downtown. Waliczek argued against the expenditure, saying he believed the cost to be extreme. Council member Lisa Steinbeck expressed her support while Thystrup was undecided. The request was tabled until next month’s meeting. Ben Hogan, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County, spoke on behalf of the organization. While he did not have a specific request, he wanted to make the council aware of the homes being built in Claypool on land donated to Habitat by the town. He Continued on page 2
The final meeting of the Wawasee Community Engagement Committee on March 25 was to develop suggestions using the information provided over the previous four sessions – finances, educational programs, facilities and demographics. “The process is as important as the outcome,” stated Dr. James Halik, president of CompassKeynote Consulting LLC, who facilitated the meetings. He charged the group with a list of things to remember when arriving at sugges-
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%\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU For the primary race for the Syracuse Clerk-Treasurer’s office, The Mail-Journal is asking incumbent Virginia Cazier and challenger Larry Siegel a question a week through the April 26 edition to give readers an idea of how each envisions the office. The sixth question candidates were asked was, “If the Town of Syracuse received an unrestricted $1 million grant, how would you suggest as clerk-treasurer the town council spend the money?” Larry Siegel I have had the opportunity to serve the people of Syracuse on the Town Council for more than 20 years. I appreciate the support and confidence from all the people of Syracuse who recently reelected me to the town council. This election has made me aware of a yet greater need to serve as clerktreasurer. I ask for your votes, trust and support in the May primary. As clerk-treasurer the authority or influence over a grant is very limited by state law. The Indiana law that defines the clerk-treasurer’s authority is very restrictive. IC 6-5-6-6 Powers and duties:
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Committee conclusions presented in an executive summary meeting %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI
Clerk-Treasurer candidates explain how they would advise Syracuse Town Council Sec. 6(a): (1) Receive and care for all town money and pay the money out only on order of the town legislative body. The town has recently had to borrow $2 million for needed projects. The first is for a water main extension along Lakeside Drive. The second is for a sanitary sewer improvement in Oakwood Park. Very soon we will have to repaint the north water tower. This type of debt should not be left to the future of Syracuse. I am a fiscal conservative and would likely suggest to the council they use the money to reduce the debt requirements for these projects. The sooner the $2 million debt is paid, the sooner the town will have the funds for other needs and projects. But, keep in mind, how the funds are spent is determined solely by the town council not the clerk-treasurer. I know this may sound boring. But, I would discourage the town from going on a shopping spree at the expense of the taxpayers in the town of Syracuse. What is not paid from the grant will have to be paid with more tax dollars. As clerk-treasurer, my role would only be to record the grant and pay money out only on the order of Continued on page 4
Syracuse Town Council learns surprising fact regarding National Child Abuse Month
tions to the board. • Instruction must drive construction. • Safety must be a priority. • Focus on the immediate needs first. • Strive for curriculum and program equity. • Benefits of consolidating facilities. • Curb appeal as related to brand. The four groups, divided by suits of a deck of cards, met for several hours before presenting their suggestions to the group. The four presentations were
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compiled into an executive summary by Halik to be presented at the Wawasee Community School Board meeting April 18. Halik presented an 18 page executive summary to the board. This summary included the district vision and mission statements, purpose and process, a list of the task force members and their attendance record along with the charge of the committee. Additionally, the summary included things the committee enjoyed, what they thought was missing and general comments. “It was evident after hearing all Continued on page 3
Church Hosts Passover See Page 12 See Public Notices On Page 11
Erin Rowland Jones, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates, was in attendance as Cindy Kaiser, president of the Syracuse Town Council, read a proclamation declaring April National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kaiser read the proclamation during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, April 18. Rowland Jones explained this year CASA wanted to be more mindful in its observance of National Child Abuse Prevention
Month by visiting the top three communities where children have been removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. Along with Syracuse, CASA also visited Warsaw and Mentone. Rowland Jones also noted CASA serves all of Kosciusko County and needs more volunteers. After the reading of the proclamation, Councilman Larry Siegel asked if those abuse cases were located within the town limits of Syracuse or had a Syracuse address. Roland Jones said “a Syracuse address.” Siegel then noted Continued on page 2
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