During the Warsaw Community School’s October regular board meeting, members of the board were given a presentation by the Warsaw Community High School Junior ROTC program explaining the new program’s growth and future goals.

Maj. Fred Josellis and Sgt. Maj. Mark Whitford were in attendance with cadets from the program to display some of the students training first-hand through the presentation of the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the board meeting.

Josellis later explained to the board the many strides the program has made in its first year at WCHS, including improving cadets GPA, responsibility and overall attitudes toward peers and adults.

“Were trying to get them to think beyond themselves,” explained Josellis. “We want them to think about their futures as well.”

According to Josellis, the program still currently has two teams, a color guard and a drill team. The cadets are currently still awaiting the arrival of their uniforms which he stated will dramatically affect the students overall frame of minds and attitudes.

Students spoke briefly following Josellis’s presentation about the benefits of the JROTC program. They noted the opportunities to improve their leadership skills and prepare for a future in a branch of the U.S. military as major factors that drew them to the program.

In other news, Tracy Horrell, assistant principal of Edgewood Middle School, received recognition from the board for being named the District 2 2013 Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. Indiana Association of School Principals District 2 is comprised of Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Pulaski, St. Joseph and Starke counties.

Horrell explained, District Secondary Assistant Principals of the Year are nominated by their peers and then entered into question rounds. Horrell said one question asked of those nominated was what they would do with $1,000 for their respective schools. Horrell said that he would utilize the money to create a fund for needs that may not be currently filled at home, including emotional and mental health care options for students.

One principal is honored from each of the 12 Indiana districts and one will be announced as the 2013 State Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year during a Saturday, Nov. 23, luncheon in Indianapolis.

In another matter, WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz said the board is expected to enter into a contact with Steve Klink to provide consulting services leading up to a possible capital building campaign referendum in May. Based on information from last year’s Facility Feasibility Study, the possible referendum would focus on Lincoln and Washington Elementary schools, Edgewood Middle School, the Warsaw Area Career Center and Warsaw Community High School. The total projected costs for improvements at these buildings are unknown as they are being finalized.

In other business:

• The school board accepted a $1,000 donation from Maple Leaf Farms for the choir and theater programs at WCHS. The Tucker family was thanked for their continued support of WCS performing arts.
• According to the enrollment report, October 2013 enrollment demonstrates an increase of 239 students. The total students enrolled in October is 7,264 students in 2013 compared to the 7,025 students enrolled this time last year.
• During his superintendent report, Dr. Craig Hintz noted that the school has not received individual school and school corporation A-F grades. The district is waiting for the results and hopes to receive the scores this month despite the controversy surrounding the grading system.
• Hintz noted that following the concern of board member Randy Polston over the class sizes of the sixth grade classes at Madison Elementary, the board took a closer look across the district and found that Lincoln had comparatively large class sizes. Hintz noted a teacher has been added at Madison, however, due to space, a solution at Lincoln has yet to be reached.