By HOLLY GASKILL
While no decisions have been made, Southern Wells school board members are moving forward with discussions about a new auxiliary gym.
Following their board meeting Tuesday, the board, Superintendent Trent Lehman, and teacher Kyle Penrod met with Aaron Taylor and Matthew Gerber of Meyer Building to discuss a proposal for the addition. The proposal outlined a prospective 80×160 ft. addition, which would include a gymnasium, weight room and administrative offices, as well as a wrestling room on a second level. In the preliminary design, the addition was located at the west side entrance of the Raider Dome, near the bus parking.
Given the nature of the draft, many items regarding the finishing and specific layout of the construction were flexible. However, the board members were pleased to hear the prospective addition would include air conditioning.
While no estimate was explicitly given, Gerber stated the project would fall within the district’s discussed budget. In a previous work session, the board discussed the project budget as approximately $3.6 million.
At the time, Lehman said the district could pursue an up to $6.1 million bond without going to a public referendum. However, he said the district also needed to consider the costs of bonding and other needed building repairs in determining the possible bond issuance.
According to Lehman, a $6.1 million bond would raise the district tax rate by nine cents, equalling a $18.49 increase for every $100,000 in assessed property value for homesteads.
Taylor and Gerber also stated there were possible cost savings in the project, like eliminating the administrative offices. The office space had been added to the project by the board, who identified a need for the current staff.
The construction would also not include the cost of the athletic and training equipment or furnishings.
During the regular board meeting, the board members celebrated the first graduating class of Little Raiders Preschool. The pint-sized graduates donned their caps and gowns to meet the school board and sang a goodbye song before leaving. Their “formal” commencement exercises will be in May.
The board also heard from Jody Mounsey about a safety concern within the junior high. Mounsey referenced a situation in which a student was removed from the school after a threatening document was identified. The student will be returning to the school tomorrow, Mounsey claimed. He felt there had not been adequate communication to parents nor had the administration exhausted their efforts to ensure safety.
“Too many acts of serious violence have occurred in schools … I am still not at ease,” Mounsey said.
The board assured Mounsey they were taking the matter seriously. “And I believe you do — which is why I’m bringing it up here,” he concluded.
Also during the meeting, the board:
• Received resignations from Jessica Killingbeck, elementary school assistant principal, transportation director and varsity girls’ basketball coach, effective June 30; and Taylor Benedict, an instructional assistant; Joel Roush, varsity boys’ basketball coach; and Flava Sirk, basketball coach. The board also recognized the retirement of special education teacher Judy Lawrence.
• Approved employment recommendations for Kim Huffman as Early Literacy coach for Cohort 3, Susan Oswalt as an after-school tutor and summer school teacher, Kiann Palmer and Amy Yates as summer school teaching assistants, Nancy Griffis Muncey as an instructional assistant, Theresa Dollar as second shift custodian and Josie White as third shift custodian.
• Approved a policy requiring district students attending private institutions to pay for credits received through Southern Wells schools. The board also approved waivers to cover the use of inflatables in liability.
• Accepted donations from Psi Iota Xi for the elementary music department, Kappa Kappa Kappa for BPA and from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne on behalf of an anonymous donor for a skilled trades scholarship.
• Approved field trip requests for the FFA to travel to South Haven, Michigan, June 26-27 for an officer retreat and Spanish 2 to travel to Spain, Italy and France, June 17-29, 2026. The Spanish trip will partner with a travel company, which provides many touring resources and amenities. It will be open to Spanish 2 students, past and present.
• Approved a facility rental of the track on May 14 (May 29, rain date) for the PIE Walk-A-Thon.
holly@news-banner.com
