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SYRACUSE — A bus replacement plan, ongoing work on pool renovation and various proposed projects were all discussed at the Wawasee School Board’s lengthy first work meeting Monday.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Troyer and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Brandon Penrod outlined several ongoing or proposed projects that will shape the district’s facilities in the coming years.
Presented were bond appropriations totaling $6.1 million for the projects.
Bus Replacement Plans
Discussion grew most pointed when the board considered whether to delay votes on the 2026-28 capital projects and bus replacement plans. Board Vice President Andy Cripe insisted the documents be published in detail before the Oct. 14 regular meeting.
“Do we have (a finished plan) here today?” he asked Penrod, who answered that there was not.
“If this work session has the meaning it’s supposed to have,” Cripe said, “then we need to see those plans here. You’re not asking me to vote on the plan without seeing the plan.”
At this statement, several patrons voiced their agreement with Cripe from their seats.
Penrod responded that the plans could be posted online for public review once finalized. “The capital plan exists, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything on it,” Penrod said. “We’ll make sure it’s updated and accurate.”
Troyer supported giving the public additional time to review the data before the Oct. 14 meeting, noting the statutory deadline for adoption is Nov. 1.
“If needed, we can hold a special meeting before then,” Troyer said.
Penrod acknowledged that past plans did not always reflect actual purchases or delivery schedules due to turnover in transportation leadership.
“As you know, this is our third transportation director,” he said. “We’re working now to reconcile what was purchased, what was budgeted and what remains to be done so that our future plan accurately reflects reality,” he said.
Wawasee Middle School Pool Renovation
Troyer said a number of items under discussion stemmed from infrastructure aging beyond its intended lifespan.
On the subject of ongoing — and much-delayed — pool construction at Wawasee Middle School, patrons Curt and Julie Hursey asked if the pools would be ready in time for the upcoming season.
“Is there any consequence for (the contractors) missing their deadline?” Julie Hursey asked. She described how her daughter had switched to diving after the district closed its gymnastics program earlier this year — and now was losing access to diving.
Troyer replied the contractors had been given a new “drop-dead deadline” in mid-November. Athletic Director Brent Doty said he was in talks with other school corporations to lend their pools if Wawasee’s was not ready.
Other Items
• During transparency discussions, Troyer announced Wade Wirebaugh put a list of the school’s projects online, a move praised by patron Lissa Krull.
• Emily Hower, of Garmann Miller, presented further information on a proposal for soil boring and resurfacing on the Wawasee High School track and tennis courts. A plan will be presented at the next meeting.
• Troyer presented an update on the Wawasee Early Learning Center for Pre-K special education. While the center has created a $160K negative balance over the past few years, Troyer emphasized that there is ample funding for the program.
• Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelly Wilfong presented double-digit improvements across Wawasee Schools in iLEARN, which she credited to a positive, open teaching culture.
• Whitley County Consolidated Schools has withdrawn from Wawasee School’s Career and Technical Education Cooperative. Troyer said the board “has been having some conversations” about replacing its firefighting program.
• Cripe discussed expanding the weight and locker rooms at the high school, a project he called “exploring a wish.”
Looking Ahead
Cripe closed the session by thanking attendees for their patience and engagement.
“We’re going to have disagreements, but I want us to move from ‘you’re hiding something’ to ‘I disagree with your assessment,’” he said. “We’re trying to do what’s right for our kids and community.”
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Wawasee Professional Learning Center, 801 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse, where the 2026 budget and project resolutions are expected to be up for approval.
