Ciarra Denham

The meeting commenced with the approval of the balance of the bank reconciliation fund and subsequent approval of claims and transfers. Key discussions included the approval of minutes for the annual finance meeting, reorganization session, and regular session. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an academic report showcasing the junior high robotics team's activities, including details on the current year's challenge involving peg stacking, past challenges such as block manipulation and disc shooting, and the emphasis on collaboration during competitions. Student presenters noted that Camp Invention is returning for its third year, serving K-12 students. A public patron addressed the board to commend the girls' basketball team for achieving only the ninth winning season since 2001 despite significant adversity, praising the coach's dedication to the players' physical, mental, and spiritual development. The patron also expressed disappointment regarding inappropriate behavior following a sectional loss. The personnel report included an omission for approval regarding a volunteer for baseball.

The Reorganization Meeting of the West Washington School Corporation covered the reorganization of the board, including nominations and appointments for the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board. Other organizational matters addressed included appointing a School Board Association Legislative Liaison and representatives for the Lost River Career Cooperative. Discussions continued into a subsequent Finance Meeting, where annual financial reports for 2025 were presented, detailing the status of the rainy day fund, operations fund, and education fund, noting a significant positive turnaround in the operations fund balance compared to the previous year. The board also approved adjustments to the mileage reimbursement rate to reflect the federal rate of 72.5 cents and set the schedule for future regular meetings.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the bank reconciliation and claims on hand. The board subsequently approved the minutes from the November 17, 2025 meeting. An academic report was presented, highlighting that the elementary schools ranked highly in the 2026 best elementary schools in Indiana by US News and World Report. The minutes from the November 24, 2025 special session were also approved. Personnel matters included the hiring for a social studies position, a wage adjustment, and hiring for class monitoring. Old business involved the cancellation of two-year-old checks for corporation funds (ECA funds). New business addressed the need for resolutions to purchase gift cards for elementary staff (Texas Roadhouse fundraiser) and for junior senior high school holiday support programs. Four field trips were approved. An update was provided regarding the totaling of a school minivan in an accident, necessitating its replacement with a 2022 Chevy Equinox, purchase of which was sought for approval. Finally, the dates for upcoming January meetings were set, scheduling the work session, reorganization meeting, finance meeting, and regular board meeting all for January 19th.

The meeting included discussions and approvals of board policies, the updated superintendent contract, and the athletic director contract. There was also a recommendation to increase the base salary for the athletic director.

The meeting included a public hearing for the superintendent contract for 2025-2026, approval of the balance of the bank and reconciliation fund report, and approval of claims and transfers. There was discussion regarding administrator contracts, including a recommendation for a $3,000 increase to the base salary and increasing the health insurance contribution for building administrators. The board also discussed policy revisions and additions, as well as the purchase of a stock bus from Midwest Transit Equipment. A letter from the state of Indiana indicated a failure to meet the funding floor of 2025, and there was an update on the wastewater treatment plant project and plans to rehab the roof and replace HVAC units. Three field trip requests were approved.