Vol. 39, No. 29
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. September 28, 2016
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
MSD board to consider talks with Wabash
Wabash, Manchester enrollments increase MSD sees drop in students By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Wabash County schools received their preliminary student Average Day Membership (ADM) counts Friday, Sept. 16, and one district reported a drop in numbers. Wabash City Schools (WCS) and Manchester Community Schools (MSC) both experienced an increase among their student populations while MSD of Wabash County reported a decline compared to last year’s numbers. MSD reported 2,045 enrolled students on Friday, a loss of 92 students compared to last year’s preliminary count of 2,137, according to MSD Superintendent Mike Keaffaber. Meanwhile, WCS gained 79 students and MCS gained 10 students compared to last year’s counts, according to superintendents Jason Callahan and Dr. Bill Reichhart respectively. Keaffaber accredited the decrease to a number of reasons including a reaction to the MSD Board of Education’s reconfiguration actions in July. “There’s some of that, (but) a lot of it is we’ve had students that have continued to move out of our county and that is part of it too,” Keaffaber said. “We’re talking about a net (difference) right now, so we have a lot of new students in our corporation, in our district, but also (continued on page 4)
By Emma Rausch & Joseph Slacian news@thepaperofwabash.com
Wabash County Historian Ron Woodward reads the essay, “I am a Hoosier” during opening ceremonies Saturday. Photos by Joseph Slacian
County celebrates Bicentennial By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com People from around Wabash County gathered Saturday, Sept. 24, at Paradise Spring Historical Park to celebrate the State of Indiana’s 200th birthday. The day was filled with performances from a variety of groups, food prepared by various organizations, and displays from representatives from the various communities around the county. Members of the Veterans of Foreign War and Boy Scouts kicked off the day kicked off the day with a flag presentation. It was followed by a brief performance by the Paradise Spring players, who presented a brief history of the park. Deanna Unger, secretary of the Paradise Spring board of directors and coordinator of Saturday’s activities, greeted the crowd. “I just cannot thank all of these people Pastor Dave Phillips leads a Quaker enough,” she told the crowd. “There are just church service during the Bicentennial celebration. (continued on page 5)
The Metropolitan School District board of education will consider a recommendation Tuesday night, Sept. 27, to invite the Wabash City Schools board to open talks about consolidation. The item will be considered under new business when the MSD board meets at 6 p.m. “I would characterize the planned discussion for Tuesday nights meeting as a next step, following our prior executive sessions, as a process of gathering additional information while the MSD board continues to look at all options regarding sustainability,” MSD board vice chair John Gouveia told The Paper of Wabash County. MSD Superintendent Mike Keaffaber also discussed the proposal. “(The) agenda item and discussion is a step following our last two executive sessions which were titled consolidation,” he said. “It is also a result of our public forum meetings as we continue to investigate options to improve efficiency and added programming for our students.” The MSD board began looking at ways to combat declining enrollment. The board initially voted on July 12 to reconfigure Northfield and Southwood high schools to have Northfield serve as a high school and Southwood to serve as a middle school/junior high. As part of the reconfiguration, Sharp Creek Elementary School also would have closed, sending (continued on page 4)
Local groups to benefit from Chili Cook-off Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of stories looking at the organizations that will benefit from the 2016 Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Chili Cookoff.
By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com
In just three weeks, dozens of teams will stir things up at Paradise Spring Historical Park at the 14th annual Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Chili Cook Off. On Oct. 15, chili lovers and connoisseurs will have another opportunity to
taste a variety of recipes that include chicken, beef or exotic meats and range anywhere from white to green to black bean. Although the festivities draw the masses, the event’s purpose is to assist local organizations continue to
serve Wabash County. In just 13 years, Chili for Charity has raised and donated more than $430,000 to charity, according to Marc Shelley, Chili Planning Committee member. Each year, several organizations are chosen to receive a portion of the event’s raised funds. This year, 10 organizations, including the Lagro Park Board, Best of the Best and Blessings in a Backpack, were selected as fund recipients. Park renovations The Lagro Park Board has served the children of its community and county since 1988, according to Kristie Bone,
Lagro clerk treasurer. On a yearly basis, the department serves approximately 500 people and offers youths a range of activities for youths including free movie nights, Easter egg hunts and basketball tournaments as well as a safe playground. “The Parks and Recreation Board is responsible for the development and maintenance of the town park,” Bone told The Paper of Wabash County in an email. “They are also responsible for the operation of the community center and all recreation programs provided to town residents. The Board acts in an advisory capacity to the (Lagro) Town Council.” (continued on page 5)