WWS pauses referendum pursuit

Some taxpayers might be relieved after Western Wayne Schools put plans to pursue another referendum on hold, but some students might not be as pleased with upcoming handbook changes involving water bottles, hats and cell phones.

Referendum

Unless Western Wayne Schools’ board calls a special meeting by July 3, a referendum tax levy resolution to bring new funding to the district won’t appear on November’s election ballot.

At its Wednesday, June 17, meeting, none of the four board members present motioned to adopt the resolution. A related motion for the first official step in the process to pursue the referendum, regarding auditor certification, had been approved at May’s regular meeting.

After the June meeting, interim superintendent Alice Johnson said board members agreed there were too many unknowns about future leadership, and decided to wait. The district is searching for a new superintendent.

Johnson said WWS initially pursued the referendum as many other schools are doing to replace money that it’s losing after Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Mike Braun approved Senate Enrolled Act 1.

In effect, Johnson said that means state officials have determined if communities want offerings such as industrial arts, workforce programs, music and art beyond core requirements such as math, English and social studies, the communities need to pay for them, Johnson said.

In May 2020, WWS taxpayers approved an eight-year referendum of 19 cents per $100 of net assessed value to raise about $500,000 annually. At that time, district officials said passage meant WWS would avoid immediate budget cuts leading to higher class sizes and fewer student services.

Johnson said the additional proposed referendum would have been about half that amount.

Building renovations now taking place are being funded through a separate bond.

Student handbook

In another 4-0 vote, the board approved 2026-2027 Western Wayne Elementary and Lincoln Middle/High School student handbooks and the corporation handbook. Board president Kris Bex was absent.

Students may only bring clear bottles containing water. Concerns arose last semester about incoming beverages. Approved drinks will be sold in the cafeteria and vending machines.

Citing security, no hats will be allowed, and no restaurant lunches can be dropped off.

Students also must follow new state law regarding cell phones. They’ll power off phones and put them in lockers from bell to bell. They can communicate with families through office or classroom phones. For a first offense, phones will be taken to the office. The second time, parents or guardians will have to pick them up.

Principals Elizabeth Miller and Melissa Zimmerman will soon share a joint statement about the changes.

Personnel

In addition to numerous administrator contract renewals, approvals included:

• Hires: Macie Hawk and Amy Dickerson, elementary teachers. Summer band: Ryan Schunk, director; Jake Fost, consultant; Dalton Atkinson, percussion instructor; Shannon Moore, drill team instructor; and Ann Fost, drill writer. Coaches: Ryan Foster, varsity assistant football; Tyler Brown, MS/HS football volunteer; Aubrey Trent, eighth grade volleyball
• Departures: Morgan St. John, LMHS English teacher; Pamela Sutherland, WWES special education teacher

In other business

Board approvals included:

• Memorandums of understanding with East Central Educational Service Center for shared services of Ben Burris plus Girls Inc. of Wayne County for classroom talks with fourth graders about puberty, and Centerstone for its mental health services
• Policy updates on firearms/weapons/destructive devices, wellness, responsible use of technology/internet, wireless communication device, attendance/academic engagement/truancy prevention, medical needs, justifiable decrease, budget adoption/implementation, purchasing procedures/capital assets, free/reduced-price meals, corporation support organizations and public records

Fourteen residents attended. Residents Jim Antle and Miriam Zimmer commended WWS on moving away from screens for WWES’ youngest students, a policy change announced earlier this year. Antle also suggested asking superintendent candidates their views of classical education.