The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 28, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 August 1987 — Page 1

Nort h sesquicentenni; I 1837-1987

Milford 658-4111 & Syracuse 457-3666 . %

VOLUME 26

Offer three options —

School board to decide future of middle schools Thursday night

Wawasee Community School Board members will draw a conclusion to the middle school issue Thursday, Aug. 27, when it publicly announces what direction the corporation will take with its middle school program. The special meeting, planned for a final budget hearing and middle school decision, will be held in Wawasee High School’s auditorium at 7 p.m. Personnel recommendations will also be made by Dr. Howard Hull and Roger Kryder.

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FIRST DAV OF SCHOOL, AND IT HAD TO RAIN — The first day i of school was yesterday for students in the Wawasee Community School Corporation, and for some the day was not made any better i when light rains fell. But, there are some students who find, no matter s

Total enrollment: 3,339 —

Back to school in Wawasee School Corporation Tuesday

4 By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer The unofficial school enrollment figures for the Wawasee Community School Corporation are higher straight across the board this year for all schools, as of the student’s first day back on Tuesday. The total enrollment in all schools on Tuesday was 3,339. Unofficially, Wawasee High School once again has the largest body of students with 992. This is slightly higher than last year’s unofficial figure of 988, which is somewhat lower than the official count which was made on September 12 last year. This year’s official enrollment figures will be taken on September 18. Officially, Wawasee High School had 1,006 students in attendance last year. North Webster shows an enrollment once again second only to the high school with 877 students this year. This figure is considerably higher than last year’s unofficial enrollment of 794, however the school had 834 students by September 12 last year. The Syracuse schools follow closely behind with 822 students enrolled Tuesday. This number is slightly higher than last year’s 800, though the school officially had 809 students at state deadline time. The Milford schools show an increase of students this year with an unofficial number of 648. Last year’s unofficial figures were 603 for the first day of school with an official number of 619. “The official number of students is always a little higher than what we start school out with,” commented secretary to the assistant superintendent Sue

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p* A compromise plan is being recommended in an editorial on page 4 of this issue. Five options have been presented to school board members —two from area organizations and three from Wawasee Superintendent Dr. Roger Thornton, but only three were seriously considered. A late addition to the middle school issue is that of the Wawasee Property Owners’

Craft. She went on to explain that many new students are unaware of the time school is to start and haven’t enrolled and a number of residents are usually in the midst of moving and are just getting to the area. As was earlier estimated, the North Webster Schools have seen the largest student increase with 83 more students over last year’s unofficial figures. This is a break

Ml Ik > W C, // ’ \ hhl fiSJ HERE IT IS! — It sore is a relief when yon finally find your name on a classroom list that first day of school. Kelly Drake on the right, found her name without too much trouble while Joey Fumey looks on. Both students are first graders in Mrs. Conroy’s class at North Webster this year. (Photo by Carla Gaff)

Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURNAL (Est. 1907)

Association, in a “preferred plan” for maintaining the three community schools in the individual communities as they now exist. This group addressed the cost effectiveness of this plan, and spoke to its bringing quality education to middle school students. A second call of this group was to build one middle school between Syracuse and North Webster, leaving the Milford school unaffected, with Milford students being given an opportunity to transfer to this new

what the case may be, the first day of school is welcomed. In the photo Wawasee High School students from North Webster and Milford are shown as they get off the buses. (Photo by Deb Patterson) :

down of 621 students in the elementary school and 256 in the junior high. The Milford Schools have also seen a considerable increase in students with 45 additional students. The elementary school has 462 students this year with 186 in the junior high . Syracuse has a small increase

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26.1987 /

school if they so desire. The final proposal, that by Thornton, seeks two new middle schools. One school — Wawasee North — would be built between Syracuse and Milford for the needs of both communities. The other school — Wawasee South—- — stand between Syracuse and North Webster. Wawasee's five board members — Dave Carey, Carol Swartzendruber, Bill Troup, Curtis Jordan and Bill Little — will make their decision at the 7 p.m. meeting.

of 22 additional students this year, with 554 in the elementary and 268 in the junior high. And, the high school has a slight increase of four students over last year’s unofficial enrollment. All schools are expected to once again see an increase over the first day enrollment figures by the state official date of Sept. 18.

Reassessing has started in Van Buren Twp. Marcia Baumgartner, Van Buren Township trustee, has stated that reassessing has begun in the township. Mrs. Baumgartner’s two assistants, Mrs. Robert (Carol) Auer, and Mrs. (Maxine) Pifer, both of Milford, started working on the south side of Dewart Lake Monday of this week. They are not required to notify home owners that they will be assessing. If no one is home, they will leave a plastic bag with information cards that are to be filled out by the homeowner and returned to Mrs. Baumgartner’s office. However, if a new home or building is to be assessed, the owner will be notified in advance. The purpose of reassessing is to take inventory of what changes have taken place in the township in the last 10 years since the previous assessment was done. Things the ladies will be looking for are any additions or substractions (buildings being tom down) to a home of building. Included in these changes will include fireplaces (because of the masonry chimney) and any changes within the home. Woodburning stoves are not included if the chimneys are pipe vented. Mrs. Baumgartner stated that all reassessing and the paper work must be done and turned into the state by 1990. At that time, changes in tax statements will go into effect. Real estate re-assessing now underway Reassessing of real estate in Turkey Creek Township is now in progress, according to Township Assessor Charlene Knispel. It’s a 10-year occurrence and workers hope to have the job completed by the first of the year. They began their schooling July 1. Assessor Knispel said workers will include Jackson Ridings, Robert Knudsen, Robert Insley, Brenda Donat, Juanita Hughes and Susan Myrick. Mrs. Myrick will coordinate field workers and Miriam Ridings will serve as office coordinator. Each deputy assessor will wear a badge of credentials signed by Mrs. Knispel. Republican caucus at Milford tonight The Milford Republican Convention (caucus) will be held tonight (Wednesday) at7:3o p.m. in the community building. All residents of the Town of Milford who are Republicans are urged to attend. The purpose of the convention is to select three town board trustee candidates and a clerktreasurer to serve for the next four years. Candidates must be a resident of the town, be a Republican, and be registered to vote. Plans for a Democratic caucus were unannounced at press time. Duffin to hear verbal arguments in law suit Elkhart Circuit Court Judge Gene R. Duffin will hear verbal arguments, tomorrow (Thursday) oh the motion for summary judgment in the suit between Kenneth E. Webster and the Wawasee Community School Corporation, its board of trustees and the State of Indiana, Department of Education. The hearing will be at 1:30 p.m., on the second floor in the Elkhart County Courthouse. The motion of a. summary judgment asks the court to make a ruling on the legal questions in Dr. Webster's suit. These questions concern the validity of his license: Was it valid from July 31 to his termination date of September 26; and whether or not the meeting notices were properly posted. The hearing is expected to last no more than one hour.

Chamber of Commerce sponsored —

Circus to be in Syracuse for two shows Sept. 8

The Kelly-Miller Brothers’ Big Three-Ring Circus will be coming to Syracuse — one day only — Tuesday, Sept. 8. The circus will be held at the Liberty Lot on SR 13 with performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The circus is being sponsored by the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce. The circus is not only guaranteed to be fun for children of all ages, but will serve as a fund-raiser for the SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Com-

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ACCIDENT AT SR 13 AND US 6 — Two persons were taken to Goshen Hospital following a twovehicle accident at the intersection of SR 13 apd US 6 Tuesday at 10:19 a.m. Injured were Robert Elliott, 7144 North Olney, Indianapolis, and Barb Karl, 3528 43rd Road Plaza, Highland. Elliott complained of some pain and Mrs. Karl complained of pains to her chest. Syracuse Police Officer Calvin Kline reported Elliott had stopped for traffic at SR 13 and US 6 and observed a west bound semi that was going to stop or turn, but did not see an east bound van driven by Richard Karl, 3528 43rd Road Plaza, Highland. As Elliott proceeded to cross the intersection he was struck by the east bound van. Officer Kline stated damage to the 1987 Dodge Van could be $2,000 to $3,000 while the Cadillac, driven by Elliott was totaled. The accident investigation was turned over to Elkhart County Police.

Syracuse oks $2.78 levy

I By GLEN LONG Staff Writer The Syracuse Town Board voted unanimously to accept the Syracuse 1988 budget after hearing its final reading by Jennifer Lewis, town clerk-treasurer Tuesday evening, Aug. 25, at a 7 p.m. public meeting at the town hall. The 1988 tax rate will be $2.78 per SIOO of assessed valuation based on a total valuation of $23,088,100. This compares with the current tax rate of $2.1748, an in-

IIS fifth.! FIFTH BOAT FIRE IN THREE WEEKS—A 21-foot 1984 Regal I/O was completely destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon on the south west corner of Lake Wawasee. This was the fifth boat fire in three weeks which has destroyed water craft. Damage was estimated at SIB,OOO. » Syracuse Fire Department was called at 3:38 p.m. to Pier 433 on North Road in Hess Addition by \ Greg Gartland, a neighbor. Patrick E. Money, r 3 box 173, Syracuse, and Fort Wayne, resident of Pier 433 and the owner of the boat was not home at the time of the fire. Wawasee Lake Patrol Officer Dick Waterson reported the boat was on a boat lift and under cover when the fire broke out. Because the boat was fiberglass It was engulfed in flames when firemen arrived. The cause is undetermined. Investigating the fire with Waterson was Conservation Officer Michael Fedor. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

merce. The funds which are raised will be used to buy additional Christmas lighting for the town. Many people may not be aware the Christmas lighting is a project solely of the chamber of com merce. The members of the chamber would like to add new Christmas lights to the existing ones, so the areas of town which are decorated will extend further than the existing decorations allow. All tickets that are purchased prior to the day of the circus will return a greater portion of the ticket price to the chamber than

crease of about 61 cents. The clerk-treasurer budget is increased $47,159 to $294,364. The police budget is $221,189, an increase of $16,730. The street department budget is up $12,317 to $242,592. The fire department totals $124,022, an increase of $7,986. The park department budget is increased $3,991 to $24,328, the civil defense budget is again $2,000 and the EMS budget is up $3,658 to $33,358. The total local funds budget for 1968 is $1,021,853. The estimated portion of funds to be raised by property taxes is $653,289. A federal revenue sharing trust fund of $65,000 is also in place which brings the overall 1968

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NUMBER 28

tickets purchased the day of the circus Tickets are available from the following merchants: Thornburg’s, State Bank of _>w\acuse. Lake City Bank, Augsburger's. First Federal of Waoash-the Syracuse branch and Hook's. Tickets are also available from any board member of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. These board members include Jeanne Gardiner. Sally Cotton, Bill Beemer, Ernie Rogers, Jim "Caskey, Judy Warner, Jim Evans. Bob Troutman and Mike Tallon.

budget to $1,086,853. In other business, board member Joe Morganthaler reported that Everett Edgar has accepted the part-time maintenance position at the town hall. The board approved his being hired at an hourly wage of $5.50. Edgar will report to Marshal Bob Ziller. Lewis was asked to inform all offices in the building of this so maintenance needs may be reported to Ziller. The board met in a scheduled executive session after the budget meeting to discuss personnel matters. The next scheduled meeting of the Syracuse Town Board will be on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the town hall.