Valpo School Board member: 'We screwed up' on budget

VALPARAISO | Recriminations rather than the requested suggestions led off the public input portion of a workshop with the Valparaiso School Board on Tuesday to address a projected $3.2 million budget shortfall.

Valpo schools' financial shortfall more than expected

VALPARAISO | How did Valparaiso Community Schools' anticipated 2012 general fund deficit more than triple since October?

Valpo schools budget takes center stage

VALPARAISO | The health of the Valparaiso Community Schools' general fund will take center stage at tonight's meeting of the School Board.

Valpo schools eye rainy day fund

VALPARAISO | In a prelude to what promises to be a challenging 2012 budget year, Valparaiso Community Schools took steps Tuesday to put its 2011 financial house in order by the end of the year.

Valpo schools look to trim $2M from budget

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso Community Schools will begin an "expenditure reduction process" aimed at cutting about $2 million from the 2012 budget.

Portage Schools question NorthShore costs

PORTAGE | More than $500,000 in costs of NorthShore Health Centers but paid by Portage Township Schools were called into question during Wednesday's discussion meeting of the School Board.

East Porter might tap into Valpo wastewater system

KOUTS | The East Porter County School Corp. will explore the possibility of connecting Morgan Township schools to the city of Valparaiso's wastewater treatment system.

Valpo teacher time plan deemed 'a godsend'

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso teachers' expanded collaboration time -- increased this school year by the addition of late student starts on Wednesdays -- was described as "very helpful" and "a godsend" by school personnel Tuesday.

Portage man found time to help others

Assigned to transportation operations in the Philippines during World War II, Al Waters earned a quick field promotion, thanks to earlier Boy Scouts training.

Portage School Board hears about night school enrollment, full-day K plan

PORTAGE | About 15 students previously enrolled in the adult education program now attend Portage High School's alternative night school, the Portage Township Schools board learned Wednesday.

Valpo schools' general fund to take a hit

VALPARAISO | There will be a significant decrease in Valparaiso Community Schools' general fund in 2012 because of changes in state education funding, the district finance officer told the School Board and public Tuesday.

East Porter schools OKs 2012 budget

KOUTS | The East Porter County School Corporation board on Monday adopted a 2012 budget across all funds totaling $27.9 million.

Portage delays action on subdivision

PORTAGE | It will be at least another month before the city acts to force the developer of Dune Wood Trails to clean up the subdivision.

Valparaiso's 'Grandpa Dobbins' was an all-around great guy

Once, when close friends lost their home, Tom Dobbins had them come live with his family for six months.

Advanced technology at rural schools

KOUTS | Technology took center stage during a federal education official's visit to Kouts schools Thursday.

Valpo woman influenced many lives

Judy Woidke enriched her community through devotion to special needs children and to theater.

Caregiver and artist loved helping others

Creating something to make others happy was at the heart of Patricia Witt, her daughter said.

Bike ride glows bright during Valpo night

VALPARAISO | The flashing red flow of 250 bicycles lit up the Valparaiso nightscape Saturday.

Valparaiso man was devoted to God, family

Integrity, humility and a generous spirit were qualities that stood out in Garry Bradley, his wife said.

Porter Twp. enrollment down slightly

PORTER TOWNSHIP | Preliminary figures show a small enrollment decline in Porter Township Schools.

Family, faith central for Valpo man

VALPARAISO | In the early years of an appliance repair career that spanned nearly half a century, Alvin Barber would come home from work and spend evenings with the family, reading to the three kids and helping with baths. Once they were in bed, he would return to his work in the store until…

Berta touts Portage Schools achievements

PORTAGE | Harvard is not a good school, Portage Township Schools Superintendent Mike Berta said Thursday to Portage's Chamber of Commerce.

Valpo School Board lit up over scoreboard

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Community Schools board faced pointed questioning Tuesday on its after-the-fact approval of a deal to bring a multimedia screen and scoreboard to Valparaiso High School in time for Friday's football season opener.

Whiting woman had 'personality plus'

Kay Adam loved people and loved serving people.

Michigan City man cheerful, generous

Jerry Broschart was an independent thinker and kept up with world events -- traits seen in his service both with the U.S. Army and with the U.S. Peace Corps.

Valparaiso veteran loved to help others

For nearly a decade after his wife died in 2001, Melvin Lee Bruder made breakfasts every Saturday morning for patients at the Visiting Nurse Association's hospice center in Valparaiso.

Union Twp. Schools look at helping general fund

UNION TOWNSHIP | The Union Township School Corp. on Wednesday began laying the groundwork on a potential referendum to support a beleaguered general fund.

New turf to take to field

CHESTERTON | Chesterton High School's first home football game is not expected to be delayed as the school awaits delivery of the synthetic turf, the athletic director said Tuesday.

East Porter district avoids deep cuts

KOUTS | The East Porter County School Corporation will seek a 2012 general fund budget about $100,000, or slightly under 1 percent, less than the current year's.

Valparaiso man shared passion for history

Bill Jones lived history, taught history and loved history.

Money-making VHS scoreboard a go -- for now

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso Community Schools will greenlight the installation of an electronic display scoreboard at the high school field in time for the first Vikings football game on Aug. 19 -- and ask questions later.

St. John's Nick Hlebasko cycles across country to raise money for good cause

MICHIGAN CITY | Two dozen upended bicycles rested on handlebars and seats Friday, waiting for their riders to refuel at Washington Park before the next stretch of a cross-country odyssey.

Porter Twp. Schools presents $8.6M budget

PORTER TOWNSHIP | The proposed 2012 budget of the Porter Township School Corp. anticipates a slight increase over 2011 -- as well as a another state cut that would result in a slight net decrease.

Portage board OKs Fronius plan

PORTAGE | Five hundred new jobs in the city moved one step closer to reality Wednesday.

Portage yields at crosswalk idea

PORTAGE | A decision on whether to spend $42,000 to install specially designed crosswalks at Portage High School with the district's mascot will wait at least until the Portage Township School Board's next meeting.

VHS speech camp gives team its voice

VALPARAISO | Stephanie Bohn wants to be famous.

Families help high ISTEP scores

KOUTS | Family involvement and support were cited as important factors in East Porter County School Corporation’s strong 2011 ISTEP+ results.

Interest high in full-day kindergarten

VALPARAISO | Planning for full-day kindergarten classes and talk of a possible revenue-generating scoreboard at the Valparaiso High School football field highlighted Tuesday's meeting of the Valparaiso School Board.

East Porter School Board OKs longer fall break

KOUTS | East Porter County School Corp. students will have a longer fall break, Washington Township buses will have greater protection from vandalism and the elements, and nonteaching classified staff will have more money following the School Board meeting on Monday.

Sarkisian reappointed to Valpo Schools board

VALPARAISO | Attorney James Sarkisian won a second term Monday on the board of Valparaiso Community Schools.

Portage man was 'keeper of the heart'

Joel Vuko was involved in just about everything. At least it seemed that way.

Survey strong for full-day kindergarten

VALPARAISO | More than 150 parents of incoming kindergarten students have indicated they prefer the new full-day option, Valparaiso Community Schools Superintendent Andrew Melin told the School Board on Tuesday.

Ethics board asking for more training

VALPARAISO | The city's Ethics Commission took no action and said little at Monday's meeting about the City Council's amending of Valparaiso's ethics ordinance last week.

Union Township schools OK summer upgrades

UNION TOWNSHIP | Union Township schools will get a variety of physical plant improvements over the summer, paid from federal stimulus funds awarded over the past two years.

City Council interviews School Board hopefuls

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso City Council interviewed four candidates Monday for appointment to the School Board.

Sense of urgency emerges as theme at Wheeler graduation

WHEELER | More than 120 mortarboards ascended in a green and white shower.

A community of graduates

WASHINGTON TWP. | They say familiarity breeds contempt.

Savoring the moment at VHS

VALPARAISO | In her four years at Valparaiso High School, Katie Courtaney learned a lot about friendship and trust from a community she called very caring.