Northeastern Wayne School Corporation anticipates spending about 6% more in 2025 than it planned to in 2024.
The school board approved budgets for the general fund, bus replacement and capital projects during its Oct. 23 meeting. All told, next year’s budget is $19.2 million, compared to just over $18 million this year.
Northeastern plans to order three school buses next year, Superintendent Matthew Hicks said. They will likely be diesel buses rather than electric. In 2022, Northeastern qualified for a federal grant that paid most of the cost for six electric buses. Without that grant funding, electric buses cost considerably more than diesel.
In other business, the board heard from Northeastern High School administrators about a proposal for replacing the school’s academic wall of fame, where photos of the top two graduates have been displayed. That area near the gym entrance was painted over last summer.
Principal John Markward suggested a video replacement for the static photo display. He and assistant principal Holly Miller are looking into putting a large video monitor on the wall that would show a continuous display of top students and photos from years past along with current news from the school.
Board member Daniel VanDuyn said “I really like the idea of an interactive archive.” Kimberly Claypoole asked if photos of the most recent valedictorian and salutatorian could be displayed on the wall for a year and then be added to the video; Markward said they could.
Hicks asked Markward to return to the board with a firm plan and price for that proposal.
The board approved changing the system used for communicating with parents. Hicks recommended changing to a system called Apptegy Rooms, made by the same company that designed and installed the NWS website last year. It is similar to the current system but less expensive and interfaces more easily with the website. The switch will be for the 2025-26 school year. The schools exchange about 3,100 messages a week with parents, Hicks said.
The board also heard an update on a church-sponsored religious education program called DIVE, or Developing Important Values for Eternity. About 120 school students are participating after school in Bible study and recreational activities run by trained volunteers from New Life Church, said Northeastern Elementary School Principal Tierney Stevenson. Each has permission from their parents.
Hicks announced that 21-year teacher Jeannie Brookshear is retiring Nov. 15, for personal reasons. Additionally, Miller has resigned after eight weeks as NHS assistant principal. She has accepted the principal’s job at the school she attended as a child.
Other personnel actions are listed.
Extracurricular: Brent Ross, varsity boys basketball; Tyler Moore, assistant varsity/JV boys basketball; Jeremy Everman and Brian Maurer, assistant varsity/ninth grade boys basketball (split position); Dave Baker, volunteer boys basketball; Don Beatty, volunteer boys basketball; Frank Gross, Seventh grade boys basketball; Cody Dudley, varsity girls basketball; Chad Kircher, assistant varsity girls basketball; Stephanie Lord, assistant varsity/ninth grade girls basketball; Travis Cates, eighth grade girls basketball; Joel Summitt, seventh grade girls basketball; Todd Crull, varsity wrestling; Brian Richmond, archery; Doug Berhalter, assistant archery; Chelsea Wine, varsity cheerleading; Robbie West, 7/8 cheerleading; Debbie Moore, assistant varsity cheerleading; Ryan Chalfant, varsity boys golf; Tara Williams, varsity softball; Savanna Abner, JV softball; Drew Noland, varsity girls tennis; Tyler Hostetler, varsity boys track, varsity girls track, BPA sponsor; Lee Reed, middle school boys track, middle school girls track; Julie Coryea, junior class sponsor; Amanda Villanueva, junior class sponsor; Chris Curtis, grade 5/6 boys basketball; Stacie Shepherd, 5/6 grade girls basketball; Heather McDaniel, volunteer gymnastics; Frazier Phillips, eighth grade boys basketball; Brayden Stevens, NMS wrestling; Randi Robeson, volunteer archery; Karlee Haager, grades 5/6 cheer; Tom Robeson, archery; Kristi Johnting, kindergarten team lead; Lizzie Summers, first grade team lead; Mindy Day, second grade team lead; Amy Wiley, third grade team lead; Julie Irwin, fourth grade team lead; Laura VanPelt, fifth grade lead teacher; Darcey Catey, MTSS chair; Kara Day, culture leader / NES; Carrie Ingalls, NES/NELC Mentor Teacher; Jackson Neagle, JV wrestling; Ryan Hartmann, JV wrestling; Corey Baker, volunteer wrestling; Erick Noland, volunteer girls basketball; Wes Oler, volunteer girls basketball.
Personnel Changes: Additional role, Alyssa Baker, Career; Kaelynn Prater Dillard, transfer from part-time TA to full-time permanent sub.
New Hires: Brooklyn Harris, part-time CNA; Dakota Gibson and Lindsey Lee, part time food services; Emma Robinson, sub for food services; Kassie Day, full-time IA; Alyson Harrell, substitute nurse; Lanie Short, part time.
The board’s next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the student services building, 7299 US 27 N., Fountain City. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the October 30 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.