Wabash Community Unit School District 348 Board of Education met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Board of Education of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, met in Regular Session on February 17, 2026 in the Mt. Carmel Grade School Gymnasium.
President McCorkle called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Secretary Theresa Hocking called the roll. In addition to the secretary, those present were Jamie McCorkle, Susan Wood, Janice Alka (via Phone), Kyle Peach, Jessica Peter and Gregg Wilcox.
Also present were Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, MCES Principal Jake Newkirk, MCHS Principal Amy Duckworth, MCJH Principal Logan Crum, MCGS Principal Brianne Foster, Kevin Madden –WSJD, Xain Ballenger –Hometown Register, Concerned Citizens: Heath Reed, Jessica Reed, Gloria Reed, Michelle Musgrave, Eli Musgrave, Cecily Day, Luke Drone, Ravyn Drone, Amanda Medler, Lexie Brown, Jonathon Brown, Brandon Leach, Malachi Leach, Jason Sigler, Ryan Peter, Melanie Linson, J C Linson, Tricia Fowler, Janet Mann, Allie Silvernale, Nadia Krupp, Nick Krupp, Travis Gill, Rebekah Gill, Mya Leach, Naemi Knapp, Zach Parkhurst, Kaitlyn Parkhurst, John Swanson, Tracey Swanson, Stella Swanson, Lola Swanson, Milla Swanson, Ayla Swanson, Sarah VanMatre, Kate Fowler, Hemes Reed, Rachel Gill, Benita Turner, Krystle Leach, Annette Johnson and Recorder Melissa Strine.
President McCorkle led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Consent Agenda
a. Past Minutes
-January 20, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. Monthly Bills
-Invoices Paid January 2026
-Bills Payable February 2026
c. Financial Reports
Cash Deposits $ 1,212,729.18
Investments $ 12,899,747.37
4 Fund $ 10,974,120.00
5 Fund $ 12,138,956.00
Breakfast/Lunch -$ 45,730.14
d. Correspondence
∙ Levi Johnson resigning as MCHS Assistant Baseball Coach effective February 17, 2026
∙ Erin Warnken resigning as MCHS Softball Coach effective February 10, 2026 ∙
e. Administrative Reports
∙ District Curriculum/Grant Coordinator Michael Brewer
∙ Mt. Carmel Elementary School Principal Jake Newkirk
∙ Mt. Carmel Grade School Principal Brianne Foster
∙ Mt. Carmel Junior Senior High Principal Amy Duckworth
∙ Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Peter and seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.
Reports
MCHS Principal Amy Duckworth announced the dates for Awards Day on May 8, 2026 at 1:30 pm and Graduation on May 9 at 10:00 am at the Stadium. The high school gym will be set up in case of bad weather.
Superintendent’s Comments
Dr. Bleyer noted that the 4 snow days will push the last day of school out to May 27, 2026.
He also addressed the board policy on who is eligible to participate in Wabash Dist. 348 extra-curricular activities. Dr. Bleyer said 20+ policies would have to be amended in order to allow non 348 students to participate.
Public Comments
The following peoples spoke in favor of allowing Wabash County home schoolers to participate in District #348 extra-curricular activities: Eli Musgrave, Tracy Gill, Heath Reed, Ravyn Drone, JC Linson, and Melanie Linson,
Board Member Theresa Hocking noted her concern over how all the requirements for participation could be monitored. Also, who would be in charge of this responsibility?
Board Member Kyle Peach asked what District 348 could do better to get all Wabash County kids to enroll.
Jessica Peter talked about her responsibility to all people in Wabash County. She also requested the board to review current policies.
Susie Wood said parents are concerned about our current curriculum. She is in favor of looking at the issue again.
Executive Session pursuant to Section 2 (C)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”. At 5:54 p.m. a motion to go into closed session was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.
At 6:16 p.m. a motion to return to open session was made by Hocking and seconded by Wood. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.
A motion to approve the minutes as read in closed session was made by Peter and seconded by Wilcox. All present voted Aye. Motion Carried.
New Business
2026-2027 School Calendar
A motion to approve the 2026-2027 school calendar as proposed was made by Hocking and seconded by Peter. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.
Bus and Equipment Bids
A motion to approve the bus and equipment bids as recommended by the Board Finance Committee was made by Wilcox and seconded by Peach. A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried.
Employment of Personnel
A motion to approve the following employment recommendations was made by Peach and seconded by Wood:
NON-CERTIFIED
Jessica Alka -MCGS Part Time Cook beginning February 18, 2026
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Mark Zimmerman -MCHS Assistant Girls’ Track Coach beginning February 17, 2026
Elliot Laws -MCHS Assistant Boys’ Track Coach beginning February 17, 2026
Xander Willis -MCHS Assistant Baseball Coach beginning February 17, 2026
Gherig Jones -MCHS Assistant Baseball Coach beginning February 17, 2026
Patrick Donnell -MCJHS Boys’ Track Coach beginning the February 18, 2026
A roll call vote was taken and all present voted AYE. Motion Carried
Peter motioned to form a committee to further discuss homeschool students’ participation in District 348 extra-curricular activities. The motion was seconded by Wood. A roll call vote was taken and the results were 2 AYES and 5 NAYS. The Motion did not Carry.
Peter also requested that the board meeting times be changed and McCorkle said it would have to be put on next month’s agenda.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Hocking and seconded by Peach. All present voted AYE. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
https://www.wabash348.com/documents/school-board/meeting-information/meeting-minutes/67252
