Western Wayne Schools families soon will have a better way to learn about important updates.

Superintendent Kelly Plank told those attending the school board’s Wednesday, Sept. 10, meeting that WWS will begin offering email, app, voice or text alert options for family communication through the ParentSquare service and software.

It allows sending messages to specific groups without contacting all WWS families as the current system does. Families can reply with questions if needed.

WWS aims to have everyone using ParentSquare regularly by January.

Family engagement funding in WWS’ Title I grants for low-income communities will cover the costs.

Since school began, Plank said small groups needed alerts such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County’s Wayne Bank Unit participants about a water issue, or those riding a particular bus.

Public hearings

  • No one from the public spoke about the 2025-26 collective bargaining process for educator pay. Bargaining was to open Sept. 15. Amber Rushton and Brent Fortman will serve as the board’s representatives.
  • The board conducted public hearings on its 2026 budgets, including its 2026-28 capital projects plan, 2026-2030 bus replacement plan and the 2026 education, debt service, operations, rainy day and referendum funds. No one spoke.

Current balances in the district’s funds are: Education, $ 1,631,679.29; referendum, $134,426.75; debt service, $352,847.12; operations, $845,154.88; rainy day, $1,643,477.39. Financial manager Peggy Huesman said funds are normal for this time of year.

In other business

  • WWES’ handbook will be amended regarding classroom beverages and morning drop-off procedures. WWES Principal Elizabeth Miller said latchkey services open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:45 a.m. Unless they’ve made special arrangements to park and walk their child in, parents must follow the drop-off vehicle line. The beverage policy means pupils may only bring water to their classroom. Students previously brought caffeinated, energy, soda and colored drinks that boosted their sugar levels and/or stained carpets.
  • Western Wayne Elementary School’s annual World’s Finest Chocolate started earlier this month. WWES’ biggest fundraiser supports its Student Activities Fund to offset kids’ various needs such as field trip fees. PTO pays for a field trip as well. The top seller receives a 32″ TV. The top-selling class wins a pizza party.
  • Lincoln Middle/High School Principal Renee Lakes said this was one of the smoothest school starts she could recall. School board member Brent Fortman, who drops off and picks up grandchildren at WWES, said everyone is really positive this year. Board member Jenni Risch said she hears lots of positivity about WWS in the community. At LMHS, it’s nice not to have chaos at ballgames, and new Assistant Principal Melissa Zimmerman is doing great work, Risch said.
  • Homecoming activities include a 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 parade and a free public hog roast that night before the football game.
  • The board approved an agreement with Reid Health for athletic trainers.
  • Donations: $1,400, Gerald Gerard for pre-K through third grade classrooms. Athletics: $1,000, athletic boosters; $200, Frank/Laurie Brattain; $100 each from Jonathan/Pasha Ferris; Forrest/Kelly Plank; Body Sales

Personnel

  • Hires: Clarissa Gumm and Taylor Odom (WWES) and Catharine Goodman (LMHS) special education instructional aides; Aleigha Caldwell, cafeteria. Coaches: Abigail Hampton, girls basketball assistant; Carter Mettler, freshman boys basketball; Ashley Trent and Morgan St. John, volleyball co-assistants; Kelly DeVaughn, eighth grade volleyball
  • Departures: Ashley Creech, adjunct fourth grade teacher; Sarah Wilson (LMHS), Autumn Hicks and Savannah Collins (WWES) special education instructional assistants
  • Extracurricular assignments: Kelly DeVaughn, Traci Linde, Kevin Munchel, Brandon Pennington, LMHS Leadership Team; Jessica Cox, Amy Puckett, Tracy Vogelgesang and Krista Weireter, WWES Leadership Team; Crystal Jones, WWES music programs and Drama Club; Heather Skirvin, WWES Drama Club; Garrett Singer, yearbook; Sam Mercer, bowling coach; Michael Lathery, Homecoming sponsor (freshman); Brenda Mateos, prom sponsor
  • Two maternity leaves (one teacher, one aide) were approved.
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A version of this article appeared in the September 17 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.