TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – It’s just as matter of hours until the Vigo County School Corporation’s first day of classes.
The school board had their monthly meeting Monday.
They
expect 14,270 students to walk through their doors this school year.
That’s after staff reached out to students who dropped out of VCSC
schools, others who pursued education from home or virtual schools. And
it helped increase enrollment. Superintendent Haworth says they gained
around 170 students after recruitment efforts.
The board also talked about their political action committee in which
three board members are involved: Dr. Susan Powers, Paul Lockhart and
president of the school board, Jackie Lower.
The PAC will try to gain voters in the upcoming tax referendum. That
will help the corporation gain 7 million dollars over the next 8 years.
The money is intended to support school safety, transportation and
student wellness. It will also adjust teacher’s salaries so that they
are more competitive.
Dr. Haworth says they’re still looking for volunteers for the PAC.
“Right now it sets at about 20-25 members that have been meeting, but
yeah we are recruiting members, volunteers, but there’s something for a
number of people to do. This is kind of an organizational group,” he
said.
The PAC will be able to lease VCSC facilities in order to hold public
meetings regarding the referendum on this November’s ballot. Dr.
Haworth says members of the school board in the PAC are not allowed to
lead conversation or promote the referendum. Other organizations in
opposition of the referendum can also be hosted at VCSC facilities.
Dr. Haworth says there are 75 new teachers this year that will be
long-term, many who are waiting to receive their teaching license.
There’s a shortage in bus drivers for the VCSC. While Dr. Haworth
says the corporation meets the number of drivers needed, some office and
mechanical staff with their CDL license will be assisting with bus
transportation.
At the school board meeting a representative with the Vigo County
Education Foundation endorsed the operations referendum. Several
donations were accepted by the board like a nearly $4,000 donation from
the Dixie Bee PTO for the elementary to purchase new iPads.
