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The renewal of a partnership between Warsaw Community Schools and Lutheran Health Network was discussed during the Warsaw School Board meeting Monday.
The partnership originally began in 2016 with a $1 million, 10-year commitment that supported improvements to the Tiger Athletic Complex, including the installation of turf and track renovations at Fisher Field, according to a news release from Warsaw Community Schools.
Monday, Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said WCS has worked with Chad Towner, chief executive officer of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital, and his team to get the partnership renewed for another 10 years “to look towards the next generation.” The partnership is a financial one, where LHN has helped as a community partner inside of WCS’ schools.
Today, Lutheran Health Network provides access to a wide range of services across WCS. These include athletic trainers, strength and conditioning support and sports performance programming through Optimum Performance Sports.
WCS athletic trainer Corey Branam talked about how the athletic trainers have been able to cover more events in the district since he started 23 years ago.
A focus of the partnership is a commitment to wellness. Through this collaboration, all WCS employees have access to an onsite health clinic, wellness screenings and cardiac scoring, providing proactive care and early detection. The partnership also brings on-site health screenings, physical nights, immunization opportunities and wellness education events directly to students, according to the release.
Hoffert said during the meeting, WCS had 20 of its employees go through a secondary health screening on heart health over the last two months.
“Inside of that, I would love to say that every one of our employees is healthy and that screening came back positive. But that’s not the case,” Hoffert said. “We had a large number of our employees that it came back at really serious levels. And so through that screening, we are going to get preemptive healthcare put in place for those employees and that would not be possible without this partnership.”
Hoffert said the partnership with LHN has been able to do a lot for WCS’ student athletes and staff. He said the partnership meant a lot to WCS.
Towner said LKH is getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the community.
“When you look at the impact that we’re trying to have, there’s no better place than to start in schools,” Towner said, noting the partnership was more than having a name on a basketball court, it was about how LHN could be a resource.
Towner also introduced the staff that attended Monday’s meeting. He said LKH has about 800 employees.
“This is such a critically important partnership and program,” Towner said.
“We’re excited to sign on for another 10 years,” Hoffert said.
Board member Tom Westerhof said the fact Towner wanted to see the partnership continue meant a lot.
“The school system can be great, but we can be even better with community partners like you guys,” Westerhof said.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a presentation from choir teacher Marilyn Mason and Assistant Band Director David Knouse about the music programs at WCS.
• Approved giving WCS permission to advertise for bids for parking lot repairs at Warsaw Community High School and Washington STEM Academy.
• Heard kindergarten kickoff is April 14.
• Approved a $1,750 grant from Network Partners Group for the purchase of two 3D printers at Madison Elementary School, a $670 parent donation along with a matching donation from Johnson & Johnson for the purchase of STEM supplies at Washington, a $600 donation from St. Anne’s Episcopal Church for the student/family food pantry and a $20,000 grant from United Way/Start United for summer school.
