Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LARWILL - The Whitko School Board watched a special presentation on Policy Analytics LLC and welcomed a new biology teacher during a meeting on Monday, July 20.
April Fitterling, school services project director with Policy Analytics LLC, presented the 2026 property tax analysis to the board. Fitterling was the chief financial officer for Warsaw Community Schools for 11 years.
Fitterling discussed how Senate Enrolled Act 1 would affect not only Whitko’s school district, but districts around the state. She explained with SEA 1, this will affect how school districts will be funded. Fitterling showed several slides with how SEA 1 and different deductions will affect the district up to 2031.
“Compared to the state average … you guys are looking fantastic when comparing cash balance wise. If everything broke loose and you didn’t receive any new revenue, you could sustain almost half of a year,” explained Fitterling.
“I’m glad we’re not the only ones going through this,” stated Board Vice President Georgia Tenney.
The presentation will be used in the fall for the schools' budget hearing.
Zachary Biddle was present at the meeting and expressed his excitement to be joining the high school. Biddle said he is “excited to get my feet wet … and to be the best teacher I can be.”
Other Business
• Pierceton Elementary School’s Applied Skills Sensory Room and Gen-Ed Calming Corners received a $5,000 grant from the Windswell Foundation.
• Extra-curricular reports for PES, SWES, and WJSHS were approved.
• A $151,399.73 transfer from debt service to operations was approved.
• Summer school bus driver contracts were approved.
• A JG Bowers contract to renovate the Life Skills area at Whitko Career Academy, pending legal approval, was approved.
• The second and final reading of the Wireless Devices Prohibition Policy 4307 was held and approved. Superintendent Dr. Amy Korus explained further that this bill was approved by the Senate Act 78 and has been giving more information on the act. She stated she will be giving more information on this as she can.
• The second and final reading of the Teacher Appreciation Grants Policy 3416, replacing 3220.01, was held and approved. This update reflects the current TAG selection process.
The open house for the district will be Monday, Aug. 10, with the first day of school to be Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The next school board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in the Whitko Career Academy lecture room.
