Valpo School Board candidates face council queries

VALPARAISO | Round one of the City Council's interviews of the Valparaiso Community Schools Board candidates was reduced to a two-man contest before the session even started.

Valpo to consider School Board appointments

VALPARAISO | As proponents of an elected school board continue to gather signatures, a change could be coming in how the appointed board is selected.

Center Township to choose from six for Valpo School Board

VALPARAISO | Two former assistant principals at Valparaiso High School are among the six-pack of candidates seeking to be appointed to the school board position now held by Mark Maassel.

Only three apply for Valpo School Board post

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso City Council's planned Monday executive session to narrow down the candidates for the annual Valparaiso Community Schools Board appointment to at least three wasn't needed.

Wrong Valparaiso School Board member listed

A story that appeared Wednesday in some editions of The Times incorrectly stated whose term on the Valparaiso School Board is expiring in July. The story should have said Jim Jorgensen's term is expiring.

Valpo again offers education grants to schools

VALPARAISO | To help area school districts create jobs and skills, Valparaiso's Redevelopment Commission is giving $365,000 of its 2013 education grants to the Valparaiso Community and East Porter County schools.

Valpo seeking applicants for school board position

VALPARAISO | The council is looking for people interested in being on the Valparaiso School Board. The council appointment is one of two to be made in the coming months.

Official: Valpo needs to step up efforts to attract business

VALPARAISO | In the intercommunity battle for economic development, it might not be enough to just have shovel-ready building sites to offer to prospective businesses.

Valpo commission triples tech funding to schools

VALPARAISO | Money saved on plans to beautify the interchange at Vale Park Road and Ind. 49 will be used to triple the educational challenge grants to the Valparaiso and East Porter County school districts.

Sponsorships Valpo schools deficit cure?

VALPARAISO | With about 40 people in the audience Monday, the city's School Board gave the council a quick lesson in how it plans to reduce spending to eliminate a $3.2 million deficit over the coming year.

TIF funds won't solve shortfall in Valparaiso schools budget

VALPARAISO | There is a $3.5 million budget shortfall in Valparaiso Community Schools, and the city has about $5.4 million in property taxes tied up in tax increment financing districts, which some residents have said could help the schools.

EDITORIAL: Valpo needs elected school board

When the headline screamed, "Official: 'We screwed up'" on a story about a stormy Valparaiso School Board meeting, what Valparaiso has been missing was readily apparent. The School Board lacks accountability.

EDITORIAL: Plant the seeds for new job growth

Porter County's formation of an economic development cabinet, to craft a countywide strategic plan for economic development, is a very good idea.

Valpo schools to add art to bike lockers

VALPARAISO | The city has 10 new bicycle lockers located in its downtown parking lots. It also has 10 elementary and middle schools. The math was more than the art committee of Valparaiso's Redevelopment Commission could ignore.

PHIL WIELAND: Nursery rhymes are filled with crimes

Following his successful prosecution of Gold E. Locks as part of a lesson on law and government for third-graders at Valpo's Hayes Leonard School, lawyer Jim Jorgensen was named a special prosecutor for Porter County's MGSVU - the Mother Goose Special Victims Unit.

Valpo grant program to create 21st century jobs

VALPARAISO | The city's Redevelopment Commission is ready to receive applications for grants from both the Valparaiso and East Porter County school districts for a share of $150,000 set aside to develop skills for 21st century jobs.

Recession has slowed but not stopped Valpo's progress

VALPARAISO | In the midst of one of the worst recessions in the nation's history, Valparaiso has managed to grow and thrive. And, now that it appears the recession is easing, the city appears poised for a big upswing.

Grants might bring technology to schools

VALPARAISO | To help today's students prepare for 21st century jobs using 21st century technology, the city's Redevelopment Commission is trying a 21st century approach to economic development.