The following is by Alaister McFarren, Times-Union Correspondent
In a change of pace from its typical gatherings, Wawasee School Board spent a portion of Tuesday’s meeting celebrating the retirement of Dr. Tom Edington.
Edington, who has been the Wawasee Community School Corporation superintendent for the past 13 years, is retiring, effective Dec. 31.
During the allotted time for patron comments, individuals from throughout the Wawasee community, both past and present, showed up to share their thoughts on Edington and his time at Wawasee and give him their best wishes.
North Webster Elementary Principal Lee Snider stated that Edington exhibited “over and over kindness in the midst of difficult circumstances,” and that it spoke to his heart and character.
Eric Speicher, principal at Syracuse Elementary, said that Edington gave students the opportunity to walk through the new Syracuse elementary building in 2017. Although Speicher doubted that the kids would be interested, he said that Edington’s plan was something that the students loved, showcasing how well he understood students and education.
Brent Berkeypile, principal of Wawasee Middle School, said that he once discovered Edington in his driveway plowing snow.
“It speaks to the kind of man he is – a great educator but a better person,” Berkeypile said.
Vince Beasley, director of the Career and Technical Education program, said that he once found Edington installing shingles on a building trades project house on his own time.
Dr. Steven Troyer, current WCSC assistant superintendent who will replace Edington as superintendent, said that Edington’s stories were both hilarious and outrageous, thanking him for his guidance and mentorship.
Wawasee High School Principal Geoff Walmer said that Edington had been his first superintendent as a teacher, as an assistant principal and as a principal, and that his support had been unwavering in each position. He added that Edington’s ability to remember small details about his family and inquire about their wellbeing showcased how much he cared about those he worked with.
In a letter, former assistant superintendent Joy Goshert described him as a “selfless student leader.”
Jim Evans, former WCSC director of finance, said that while Edington held his position, there had been more laughter – but no less productivity – in the offices than ever. He added that Edington knew almost every student he passed by name.
In his Student Learning Report, Troyer stated that the school corporation is down to around 390 quarantines, down from 600 a month before.
“Since November 16, we’ve been above 80% attendance in all buildings except for one day when the high school as at 79%,” Troyer stated.
“We’ve had 94 positive cases throughout the entire school corporation since August; among 3,500 students, teachers and faculty, that is just fine.”
He continued, saying that the corporation is still working closely with the county and state health departments on deciding when to open and close buildings. He said that Kosciusko’s designation is currently orange; if it goes to red, they will transition to a virtual learning model at the high school and middle school levels. Elementary learning will remain in-person unless the health departments state that it is unsafe.
“When we look at the physical needs for younger students – meals and a safe place to be – we feel that it’s much more appropriate for the kids to be at school,” Troyer said. “It is also very challenging for them to learn virtually, while high and middle school students can do that easier.”
He concluded his COVID-19 report by saying that, per the CDC, the recommended 14-day quarantine has been reduced to 10 days.
“Please continue to be patient with us as we work through ever-changing guidelines,” he asked the community. “If your children are sick, don’t send them to school; if someone in your family is waiting for a test, don’t send them to school.”
Troyer also broke down the staff evaluations by the state, which were as follows: 89% effective, 19% highly effective, sub-one percent needs improvement, zero percent ineffective.
In other news:
• Five iPads were donated to New Beginnings Preschool and Child Care to enable parent communication and the option for hands-free sign in.
• A $902 KEYS grant was received for STEM learning, which will go towards a Hot Wheels Speedometry kit.
• WCSC employees raised almost $4,000 for the 2020-21 United Way campaign.
• Wawasee Building Trades students provided around 50 turkeys and 25 meal baskets for local families at Thanksgiving.
• A $1,000 gift was approved from Will and Rebecca Linnemeier for the Pathways Cooperative, and a $10,000 gift for a student success fund.
• Liberty Mutual was approved as the insurance provider for the school corporation at a premium of $485,700 through Northern Lakes Insurance.
