A bond resolution to fund improvements to the Monterey-Tippecanoe Township Public Library was tabled by the Pulaski County Council Monday. The measure would let the library borrow up to $475,000, although it’s hoped the actual amount will end up being closer to $385,000.
Appraisal Clears Way for Monterey Elementary Sale
The Culver Community School Board made a decision Monday to move forward with selling the property and building of the old Monterey Elementary School. Continue reading
Culver School Board Approves Use of Monterey Elementary For Church Services
The church requested permission to use a portion of the building to hold services on the weekends through the month of April, but there was some concern noted that by allowing St. Anne’s Catholic Church to use the facility, the board is opening itself up to other requests of this nature by other organizations.
Board member Marilyn Swanson made a motion to approve the request and it passed unanimously.
West Central School Board Gets Report on Active Shooter Training
The feedback will also aid in reviewing the corporation’s emergency plans.
Active Shooter Training Set for Today at Monterey Elementary School
Active shooter training will be taking place throughout the day at the Monterey Elementary School.
This training is to help coordinate emergency personnel in the case of a shooting at a school or business. Those responders participating in today’s event will be using a special radio for communications, but if you have a scanner and you hear of a mass casualty event, personnel are training for such an event and it’s not the real thing. You will see several emergency vehicles on the roads as well.
Culver School Board Discusses Monterey Elementary Display Items
The decision as to what to do about the items on display in the closed Monterey Elementary School building is still being discussed, as Monterey Town Board President Jim Fleury approached the Culver School Board this week requesting an update on the situation.
Fleury asked the board whether or not they would allow him to make arrangements to have a number of items removed from the building that hold sentimental value to the community. Superintendent Brad Schuldt said the board would ultimately have to decide what items can be removed, and requested that Fleury make a list of items to be removed from the building and where they would be taken.
Culver Superintendent Comments on Deannexation Petition
With the recent petition in Tippecanoe Township to deannex from Culver Community Schools Corporation and reannex into the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation gaining support, Culver schools find themselves in a tough spot. Because funds follow the students, a loss of students because of the deannexation could hurt Culver’s already tight budget.
The petition is still being circulated and has not yet been presented to the Culver School Board. The board will have to approve it in order for the process to continue; however, approving it could mean the loss of many students and a large chunk of federal dollars.
Superintendent Brad Schuldt says that though the board has not yet officially seen or heard anything, they will handle it when the time comes.
300 Sign Petition to Deannex Tippecanoe Township from Culver Schools
Over 300 signatures have been collected to deannex Tippecanoe Township from the Culver Community School District. The effort was made in response to the closing of the Monterey Elementary School.
At the time of the announcement of the closing, many in the township expressed their extreme displeasure, claiming it was promised that Monterey Elementary would stay open permanently. School officials in Culver said it was necessary to close the school as a cost cutting measure.
Monterey Elementary went through an extensive remodeling project 10 years ago.
Monterey Elementary Building Suffers Vandalism
One of the biggest fears of closing down Monterey Elementary has become a reality: Vandalism of the old elementary school building. According to James Fleury, president of the Monterey Town Board, two windows were broken out of the school several weeks ago. He says if the vandalism continues, it could make the building an eyesore.
Vandalism Reported at Monterey Elementary School
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department received a vandalism complaint at the Monterey Elementary School on Thursday, June 23rd.
A staff member told police that she noticed paint on the side of the school building. Words were painted on the brick wall and on a window. A small hole was made on the corner of the window but it is unknown if it had been shot or if a rock had hit it. When police investigated, the words were recognized as being associated with gang activity.
Culver Community Schools Tracking Direction of Monterey Elementary Students
Since the closing of the Monterey Elementary School, there have been rumors that some of the students will go to the Eastern Pulaski School system, instead of going into Culver Community.
Culver Community School Superintendent Brad Schuldt was asked if he anticipates losing students because of the closure.
“We expected this to be an issue, and in fact, when we did some financial planning, the numbers that we used did include a reduction of students over the next two years,” said Schuldt. “Of course the big question is going to be how many students will be moving. That is a number that is changing rather regularly. I know that some of the families have requested transcripts to be sent to a new school corporation. That’s pretty much how we can keep track of people who have actually made the move.”
Eastern Pulaski School Board Prepares to Welcome Students from Monterey Elementary
Now that the Monterey Elementary School is closed where will the students attend school next year? Many of the over 130 elementary school students could be going to Winamac Elementary. With that possibility, the Eastern Pulaski School Board this week discussed the possible need of transporting those students from Tippecanoe Township to Winamac.
Monterey Elementary School Closes
It was a sad day in Monterey yesterday as the elementary school closed for the last time. In a building that had students enrolled since 1934, there were hugs and tears on that final day.
“We had an awards program this morning and prior to that, we had a photographer come and he took a picture of all the staff and students out in front of the building,” said Principal Julie Berndt of the last day. “At the end of the program, we surprised the kids by loading them up in school buses and the fire department led us through town with the sirens screaming. We took two laps around town and the kids really enjoyed it as well as the staff.” Continue reading
Monterey Elementary School to Close Doors Today
The Monterey Elementary School is in its final day as a location for learning in the Culver School District. Beginning next school year, the students will be transported to Culver as part of a cost cutting measure.
In 1968, Monterey was consolidated into the Culver Community School District and was turned into a stand-alone elementary school.
Monterey Elementary Alumni and Students to Gather Once More Before School Closes for Good
On Thursday, June 2nd, there will be a party of sorts at the Monterey Elementary School. Patrons are invited to the school from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET to watch a slide show, tour of the building and exchange of stories from a by-gone era.
Monterey Elementary to be Closed at the end of the School Year
A tough and controversial decision was made last night by the Culver Community School Board, as they ultimately voted 5-2 to discontinue operation of Monterey Elementary School. The closure of the school was due to a need to meet budget cuts in the amount of $855,928 over two years from the state. While this decision may not have been the most popular one, the Board felt it was the best decision for the school, as well as the teachers, the students, and even the parents.
“The vote ended up being five members voted for the motion, two members voted against the motion, and the motion was to discontinue operation of Monterey Elementary school effective at the end of this current school year,” said Superintendent Brad Schuldt, “and that the students beginning next year would be a part of the Culver Elementary School body.”
Culver Community School Board to Vote on Future of Monterey Elementary School
The Culver Community School Board will discuss, and possibly vote on the future of the Monterey Elementary School tonight during their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. ET in the Administration Building. The Board needs to reduce expenses in order to meet budget cuts from the state level in the amount of $855,928 over two years.
The Culver Community School Corporation has a number of options to explore in order to meet this new budget. Some of the options include increasing revenue through a referenda, in which the school tax rate would be raised $0.11 per $100; the use of the Rainy Day Fund, and decreasing expenses through budget reductions, such as closing Monterey Elementary.
The Board will also look at reducing certified staff, non-certified staff, and administration, and reducing the following programs: business, music, art, athletic, extra curricular, Industrial Technology, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Building Trades, and Vocational.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Theft from Monterey Elementary School
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft from the Monterey Elementary School. The incident occurred Thanksgiving weekend, November 28th or 29th.
According to Detective Scott Taylor, some unknown person(s) broke into the Monterey Elementary School and stole 11 iPod touch devices and 2 laptop computers. The items were property of the Monterey Elementary School. The thieves did minimal damage when they broke into the building but took over $5,000 in electronics from the school.
If anyone knows anything about this case, you can provide an anonymous tip to Detective Scott Taylor of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department by calling (574) 946-6655 ext 239.
Grandparents Honored at Monterey Elementary School
WKVI’s Ted Hayes was part of a program that honored grandparents at the Monterey Elementary School this week. Grandparents were allowed to go to class with their grandchildren and tour the building.
