Lincoln Middle/High School students are leading their school’s renovation celebration.

Interim Principal Melissa Zimmerman told Western Wayne Schools’ board at its Wednesday, Feb. 11, meeting that students are helping with many aspects of the event, including creating marketing flyers and videos. She said students are excited about what they’d call a “glow-up” of their school and she wants to involve them in opportunities involving their campus.

The open house will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and free popcorn will be offered.

Lincoln Golden Eagle Industries students are preparing shirts, key chains, signs and coasters to sell that night, along with $10 pulled pork meals.

Afterward, the public can purchase $6 tickets to watch LHS play two boys basketball games against Centerville in the renovated gym. Junior varsity starts at 6 p.m., followed by varsity at 7:30. The LHS team will celebrate senior athletes between games.

Those attending the open house for Lincoln Middle/High School’s renovation can see areas including the cafeteria and gym pictured as renovations were nearly finished. Supplied

Track renovation

The board approved Milestone’s bid to repair LMHS’ track for approximately $300,000. Cracks in the track meant home meets couldn’t be conducted because of safety concerns.

Superintendent Kelly Plank said the track project also will benefit the community because it’s open for free public use outside instructional time when after-school sports practices aren’t taking place. However, the track likely will be closed all summer because of the length of the renovations. It will be ground down before paving.

In other business

Melissa Zimmerman, Lincoln Middle/High School’s interim principal, calls a student of the month forward to be recognized during Western Wayne Schools’ Feb. 11 board meeting. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery
  • Plank said Indiana Department of Education approved a weather waiver day, so Presidents’ Day would be a day off. Zimmerman said synchronous learning went well, and while it’s not ideal, she watched good instruction and learning taking place.
  • Western Wayne Elementary Principal Elizabeth Miller said Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination testing begins in a couple weeks. It’s the first high-stakes testing for second graders. If they pass, pupils won’t have to retake it as third graders. Miller is grateful students have two opportunities to pass IREAD as second graders and three times as third graders if they have test anxiety. In addition, Indiana Learning Evaluation and Assessment Readiness Network tests for third through eighth grades follow shortly.
  • Miller noted sixth graders aim to raise more than $7,000 for their class day trip to Flat Rock River YMCA Camp in St. Paul, Indiana. Previous participants have enjoyed canoeing, fishing and other activities. Students will receive a satchel, T-shirt and goodie bag to celebrate their transition to LMHS. Donations can be sent to 801 E. Delaware St., Cambridge City, IN 47327. She also thanked PTO volunteers for their help with various school fundraisers.
  • Board member Amber Rushton said while getting a haircut, she heard some very genuine compliments regarding WWES special education from a family who didn’t know she was a school board member, Miller was grateful for the feedback.
  • The board approved Wayne Bank and Trust and First Bank Richmond as designated depositories for WWS and a $100 donation from Keystone to FFA.
  • Approved personnel changes were extracurricular hire William Redd, academic coordinator and academic coach, and departures by special education instructional aides Francesca Turner and Catherine Goodman (LMS/HS) and Clarissa Gumm (WWES).
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A version of this article appeared in the February 18 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

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