The Wabash City Schools board on March 2 approved several personnel actions and heard administrative updates including a report on a recent student-led walkout.
Personnel actions: The board accepted the resignation of Lori Render, art teacher at L. H. Carpenter, effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year. The Superintendent told the board the departure is listed as a resignation rather than a retirement because Render does not qualify for retirement benefits. The board also accepted the resignation of Morgan Sprague, a Ryze paraprofessional effective Feb. 22, 2026, and the resignation of April Fisher, an LHC preschool paraprofessional effective Feb. 26, 2026. All three motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Leave approval: The board approved an extended intermittent medical leave for "employee number 21" beginning Feb. 2, 2026 through June 30, 2026. The Superintendent said the employee had exhausted FMLA leave but still had remaining leave days to cover the absence.
Student-walkout report and administration response: Under items from the Superintendent, the Superintendent described last week’s walkout as student-led and not run by staff, estimating that about 2.4% of middle and high school students participated and noting participants were made aware there could be consequences. Administrator Blossom said the student body “handled it well,” that the event did not disrupt the regular school day and that students left school property and did not demonstrate on school property.
Board members also offered brief updates: Jason praised the unified robotics team’s first-place finish at an Indiana Wesleyan competition and thanked administration and Dr. Sibley for communications about the walkout; Jay reported on a Heartland precision-ag farming matter and Joan announced a school book fair and family night next week.
Why it matters: the personnel votes affect classroom staffing and the superintendent’s report gives the board and community immediate context about student behavior and school response. The approved medical leave clarifies staffing coverage through the end of the school year.
The meeting adjourned after routine board updates.