By Phil Smith

The Metropolitan School District of Wabash County has named a new athletic director.

Christopher Oswalt, a teacher at Huntington North High School was approved by the MSDWC board at its regular board meeting July 12.

By Phil Smith

As students prepare to head back to the classroom in the month or so, local educators have some insight as to how the young learners can hone their studying skills to maximize retention.

By Joseph Slacian

Some $10.2 billion in travel related expenses flowed into the Indiana economy in 2020.

That figure was down by more than 25 percent from 2019, due to the pandemic, according to Elaine Bedel, CEO of the Indiana Destination Development Corp.

A current deficit in a major fund, coupled with economic challenges suffered by all Americans has officials at Wabash City Schools considering some cutbacks in the form of reducing assets.

At the regular meeting of the board of trustees June 20, the board, along with Business Manager Matt Stone and Superintendent Dr. Amy Sivley, discussed several deficits in the corporation’s coffers.

By Joseph Slacian

The Imagine One85 comprehensive plan was approved by three separate plan commissions on Thursday night, June 16.

The Wabash Plan Commission, the North Manchester Plan Commission and the Wabash County Plan Commission approved the plan in a joint meeting – perhaps the first in Wabash County history -- at the Wabash Middle School auditorium.

Imagine One85 is designed as a way to help stem the population loss that has impacted the county for several years. Since 1980, the county has lost 5,800 people.

By Phil Smith

Officials at Metropolitan School District of Wabash County have become fully invested in ensuring every resident — particularly taxpayers — of the district have all the information necessary to make an informed decision in November, should the district’s proposed high school reconfiguration plan make it on the ballot.

“Our website is live now,” said MSDWC Superintendent Mike Keaffaber. “We want the public, or the registered voters to be able to vote on this so that it will be a public thing and not necessarily just us or the board.”

By Phil Smith

At a public meeting May 24, the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County’s board of trustees heard the official presentation of a proposal to consolidate the district’s two high schools. The meeting will also serve as a public hearing on the matter, providing the transparency that upended the corporation’s previous attempt to consolidate six years ago.

Unlike the proposal in 2016, which was voted upon and then rescinded amidst findings by the Indiana Public Access Counselor that the board violated the state’s Open Door Law, the proposal being pitched by the board involves the construction of a new high school. In 2016, the board voted on July 12 to move Southwood Jr/Sr High School into Northfield Jr/Sr High School, combining the two facilities into one high school. The 2016 proposal also included turning Southwood Jr/Sr High School into a middle school and closing Sharp Creek Elementary School. After a complaint was filed, alleging the board violated the Open Door Law, the Public Access Counselor ruled in favor of the complaint on Aug. 8 and the board rescinded its vote the following day.

By Phil Smith

Several Wabash County schools have been recognized by the Indiana Deparment of Education for their contributions to family friendliness.

Wabash High School, along with Northfield High School, Sharp Creek Elementary School and Metro North Elementary School, were named Family Friendly Schools for the 2022-23 school year.