By HOLLY GASKILL
Southern Wells is making big moves for childcare this fall.
Elementary Principal Kristen Wall told the school board Tuesday the latchkey program is expected to start after labor day. However, this start date is contingent on hiring a teacher for the program.
Wall reported there are roughly 15 students currently signed up to attend the program five days per week. Another 13 students are expected to attend for a partial week.
Alongside this, Southern Wells expects to open its preschool Monday, Aug. 21. Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Kim Conner, who has spearheaded the daycare’s opening, reported 24 students have currently signed up for the preschool. The school also hosted an open house in its classrooms on Tuesday afternoon.
Additionally, the school board approved using Apptegy, a software company, for updating the district’s websites. The software is projected to cost about $10,000 annually.
Superintendent Trent Lehman said the program will allow the school to connect with an app and text communications for more accessible updates. He hopes to have the website updated by the second semester.
Other updates included:
• The board was notified of the resignations of assistant principal and athletic director Dustin Beucler, SWES special education teacher Vonda Bradt, and junior high football coach AJ Wright.
• The following hires were approved: Michael Kiess as a social studies teacher, Jamie Resse as a business teacher, Brook Betz as a fourth grade teacher, Jordan Bieber as a special education teacher, Taylor Benedict as an instructional aide, Shelby Miller and Amy Yates as special education instructional assistants, and Chad Eltzroth as lead custodian.
• The following coaching positions received approval: Taylor Roush, Olivia Durham and Sarah Roush as junior high volleyball coaches, Evan Huffman as varsity baseball coach, Jason Riley as varsity softball coach, and Mike Carter as junior high football coach. Additionally, approved extracurricular positions were Judy Lawrence and Laura Fiechter as mentors, Jamie Grim for junior prom and homecoming, Robin Collins for Raider promotion, Carter for archery club, Natalie Inskeep for elementary choir, and Shelly Ivins for art club.
• Donations were received from Wright-Loney Stables and Montpelier Speedway for transition camp T-shirts, Lowes Car Show for school lunches, Zestos Ice Cream of Bluffton for sports teams, Six Mile Church Missions to assist students in need, and Delmer and Alice James for the senior trip. Additionally, Zach Crowch donated books to both libraries and several furniture items for the preschool.
• The following fundraisers received approval: cross country to host Dine to Donate on Aug. 7, football to sell slushies, and boys basketball to sell pork burgers at games in September and Oct. 6, girls’ golf to host night golf on Sept. 23, student activities to do a pop shoot during the basketball season, BPA to sell calendar days in March 2024.
holly@news-banner.com
