IT Professionals Day Recognition

The board was thrilled to celebrate the Tech team in honor of IT Professionals Day today. 

James Davis, Director of Technology, shared a short presentation to board about some fun “WCS tech facts.” James shared that the WCS Technology Department currently supports 8,594 active users and manages 9,841 devices across WCS. Over the summer, the Tech team completed more than 9,500 hands-on device upgrades in preparation for the new school year. This included deploying 2,000 new iPads, refurbishing 500 existing devices to extend their useful life and completing software and security updates on 7,000 devices.

Since August 9, the team has also resolved 1,025 support tickets with an average resolution time of 1.1 days and a 3.5% reopen rate. The recognition provided an opportunity to thank the technology team for the important behind-the-scenes work that supports students and staff throughout WCS.

Academic Spotlight: DLI Partnership with IUSB

Crystal Kreider, DLI Instructional Coach, and Ana Manwaring, WCHS DLI and IUSB Instructor, shared an exciting milestone for the WCS Dual Language Immersion program as the first group of DLI students (now sophomores) began taking their Spanish classes to the college level through a partnership with Indiana University South Bend.

As freshmen last year, DLI students completed the AP exam, with 38 of 45 students scoring a 3 or higher and earning between three and nine college credits. Three additional students passed the IUSB placement test. In all, 85% of the ninth-grade cohort qualified for entrance based on GPA requirements, resulting in 37 students becoming “Tiger Titans.”

Through the partnership, students will continue taking advanced Spanish courses throughout high school and can earn up to 24 college credits in Spanish by graduation. Coursework includes Spanish grammar, writing, conversation and diction, and Spanish culture. The program also plans for students to participate in community-based internships during their senior year, providing opportunities to use and apply their language skills beyond the classroom.

Crystal also shared updates on continued DLI growth throughout WCS. Leesburg Elementary and Lakeview Middle School are expected to be designated as International Spanish Academies in December. At the elementary level, the program continues to focus on reading and phonics growth, small-group supports and responding to student data. At the secondary level, work continues around culture course development, AP course alignment, standards analysis and curriculum mapping.

Bus Stop Report: Mr. Mark Fick

Mark Fick, Transportation Director, presented the 2025–26 transportation and stop-arm report to provide the Board with an overview of transportation and student safety across WCS.

During the school year, WCS recorded 283 stop-arm violations. Of those, 112 were sent to the Prosecutor’s Office, which has been remarkable to work with. 16 resulted in motorists being pulled over by police. Areas with the highest reported violations included Papa Johns with 71 and Detroit Street with 29, followed by West Lake and Orchard Ridge with 15 each.

Mark’s presentation also included information related to bus accidents and four verified incidents of vaping on school buses involving students across the preschool through high school transportation system.

Human Resources and Financial Update: Mr. Steven Boyer

Steven Boyer presented the September 2026 Personnel Report and the district’s financial reports.

Mr. Boyer presented an MOU to the 2025–2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding salary differentiation for possession of a literacy endorsement.

2027 Budget Hearing: Mr. Steven Boyer

Mr. Boyer discussed the upcoming 2027 Budget Hearing (part of the WCS annual budget process).

Facilities & Construction Update: Mr. Jim LeMasters

Jim LeMasters provided the Board with the latest Facilities & Construction Update. At Lakeview Middle School, roof work was completed last Saturday. Crews are continuing work on hot water heaters, chillers and other projects, which are expected to wrap up around fall break. 

Jim LeMasters also shared that work is underway on a backup battery generator at the WCHS TRAC.