Vol. 40, No. 41
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
of Wabash County Inc. December 27, 2017
www.thepaperofwabash.com Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Tax caps cut into City Schools budget By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Wabash City School’s 2018 budget received a few cuts on Wednesday, Dec. 13, under the 1782 Notice Notes Report provided by Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Matt Stone, Wabash’s chief business officer, reported the cuts to the Wabash City Schools Board of Education on Monday, Dec. 18. “The 1782 Notice is the preliminary to our budget order that tells us what they’ve approved in our budget,” Stone said. “At first look, it came back great.
The General Fund, they approved exactly what we asked for. Of course Debt Service, exactly what we asked for. “In Capital Projects, they only cut $80,000 in a $1.1 million request. Transportation they cut barely anything and Bus Replacement they gave us $215,000. “So you look at that and you think ‘that’s great,’” Stone continued, “until I looked at page two (of the notice) and Tax Caps are going to hit us for $425,000. So we get $3.2 million in tax monies for all of our funds and you think ‘Ok $425,000, it’s only 12 percent,’ except they can’t take any out of Debt Service, and
that’s $1.5 million out of the $3.2 million. “So they’re really taking $425,000 out of $1.7 million. So we’re losing about 25 percent in Capital Projects, Transportation and Bus Replacement. Stone explained last year’s budget was cut much “harder” and then hit with tax caps. “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “We’ll make best of it and we’ll get through it.” In other news, Superintendent Jason Callahan recognized outgoing board members Kim Pinkerton and Mary Anne Tait for their service and commitment to Wabash City Schools’ education. “Unfortunately, Mary Anne couldn’t be
here to be honored, but I want to take this time (to honor these board members),” Callahan said. “And I want to thank the (Wabash City) Council, too. This is my thirteenth year in the district and I feel like the council always goes out of it’s way to try to get a lot of candidates and really find people who have a broad desire to do what’s right for kids in our community and our school system. “So I thank the council for that and one of those people, Kim Pinkerton, has done that for six years and I’m grateful she’s been a part of my board during those six years as a board member, somebody (continued on page 3)
NM Chamber director steps down By David Fenker david@nmpaper.com
A 4-Her discusses his woodworking project with a judge during non-livestock judging prior to the start of the 2017 Wabash County 4-H Fair. The Paper file photo
Deadline nears for 4-H enrollment By Emma Rausch emma@thepaperofwabash.com Wabash County 4-H enrollment is still open until Monday, Jan. 15. Open enrollment for the 2018 season began in October. While third through 12th grade students have the opportunity to be apart of Wabash County’s 4-H program, youths grades
Kindergarten through second are welcome to join Mini 4-H, according to Tammy Unger, 4-H office manager. For 2017 Wabash County 4-H Pageant Queen Mary Guisewhite, both programs are worth joining. In addition to her 10-year membership, Guisewhite was a Mini 4-H member for all three years. “Mini 4-H was a long time ago, but
I remember actually falling in love with the multicolored ribbons that you get upon completing a project,” Guisewhite told The Paper of Wabash County. “I thought those were so cool. I thought they were cooler than the blue ones honestly. … I took foods, arts and crafts, and I think I took another one as well, but (continued on page 3)
The North Manchester Chamber of Commerce will soon be under new leadership. Executive Director Debra Pyrah, hired in February, is resigning, effective Dec. 29. “We at the Chamber are grateful for Debra’s dedication and commitment to advancing the vision of the Chamber of Commerce. She’s helped us get to a better place than the beginning of the year,” Chamber Board President Sebrena Cline said. “We are saddened by this turn of events but wish Debra the best.” DEBRA PYRAH Pyrah’s departure was announced in an email to chamber members dated Monday, Dec. 18. Her last day in the office was Tuesday, Dec. 19. Susan Mattern, who has served as Pyrah’s assistant in the past few months, will take over as interim director. “Susan Mattern has worked closely with Debra for many months and we’re pleased she has chosen to step into the interim role,” Cline said. (continued on page 3)