Cove Equipment built on site of historic restaurant, pages 11-14

Thursday,
June 18, 2015
Wilton, Iowa
Vol. 121, No. 25
24 pages $1.00

Increased
sharing
leads
A pillar of the community
to increased revenue
By Derek Sawvell

Managing Editor, Advocate News

Heaven is a much sweeter place now that George Nopoulos is in charge of God's
soda fountain. Services for Nopoulos, 95, who passed away June 14, will be held
June 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wilton. "He's in a better
place now," said his wife Thelma. "We're all happy for him. Ninety-five years is a
good life and we had a great time." See "Case in Point" on page 8 for a celebration
of George's life.

AN file photo

With the 2014-2015 school year in the

books, so too is Durant and Wilton school
districts first attempt at sharing more classes
and resources while coordinating school calendars.
Due to decreased enrollment over the years
at both schools, coupled
with staffing and state
funding issues, the Durant
and Wilton school districts
shared three key positions
throughout the year in
order to receive supplemental funding.
Duane Bennett
The districts shared
Wiltons maintenance director (Joe Ragatz),
one of Durants counselors (Kristy Badtram)
and Durants transportation director (Ryan
Lilienthal). In exchange for each position sharing a portion of time with the other district,
both schools stand to receive $82,758 or
the equivalent of 13 students. (Funding is
always a year behind so the extra funds will
be received next school year.)
The schools also worked together to share
more students in more classes. DHS students
came to Wilton for agriculture and business
related classes while WHS students went to
Durant for art and family consumer science
classes.

The districts also shared a Spanish teacher

Laura Meincke whose services wont
need to be shared next year due to number of
students in the program.
Coordinating school calendars was the
hardest part initially, according to Joe Burnett,
superintendent of Wilton School District.
In order to make the
shared calendar work,
Durant had to go to block
scheduling in the high
school (four-period days
rather than eight). Wilton
had to move its in-service
days for teachers from
Thursday afternoons to
Wednesday mornings.
The only hiccup, ac- Joe Burnett
cording to Durant superintendent Duane Bennett, was transportation.
Students were bused back-and-forth throughout the day on one bus. Bennett said the lunch
schedule at Wilton caused some crossover with
regard to bus times.
Burnett noted that when Wilton opens its
new cafeteria in the upcoming school year,
those logistical issues should be solved, as
the school will go from four lunch periods to
two. The schools are also exploring running
two buses next year.
Ideally theyd meet at Wahkonsa (Country
Club) with one taking students to one school
and the other bringing students back, said
Bennett.
Otherwise, both school leaders were in
agreement that the first year of increased
sharing and shared calendars went well.
Its been a good year. Everyone has been
forward-thinking and good to deal with, said
Burnett. It was organized a good start to
building that relationship with them.
Were very happy with the sharing and it
will continue, said Bennett.
Students seemed to assimilate well together,
according to Bennett, as more students were
spending more time in the other school.
I think the kids got along. With all the
years of ag sharing, that helps, said Bennett.
Shared calendars have already been set for
the 2015-2016 school year and both schools
plan to continue in increased sharing opportunities.

INSIDE...

The Durant and Wilton area has been hit with several inches of rain over the past 7-10 days, causing several flood warnings
resulting in area creeks flooding out of their banks. Above, Mud Creek is shown outside of Durant near Durant Cemetery
(looking west), with water coming out of its banks. Look close enough to see Canada Geese navigating their way through
flooded waters.

Photo by Derek Sawvell

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