Wayne School's superintendent Mark Lenihan spoke to our club on August 21. He has been with the school since 2009 and prior to that 4 years as principal in Battle Creek, NE. He told us that Oswald A.(frequent Rotarator visitor to our club) this past summer was at Wayne High School doing IT. Staff changes, new: Mark Evetovich, Asst. Wayne Elementary School Principal, Annette Chase as 6th grade teacher, Lindsey Knutson as Sr. Hi. WHS counselor, and Tucker Hight from Asst. WES Principal to WHS Principal. Kindergarten enrollment is down this year but overall it is up. This is the 5th year of the Wayne Schools' pre-school which is limited to 50 students and provides for those unable to attend other pre-schools. The Wayne Schools also lend support to other pre-school providers. He mentioned the new Kids Club after school continued learning program for K-6 students in partnership with Wayne State College. He praised Rotary member Christian Legler for his help getting this program underway and securing a Rotary grant. He sees enrollment for the school system to keep going up. He said the school provides lots of opportunities during and after school in non-classroom activities. They encourage students in Jr. Hi. to begin thinking about post secondary education and a possible career. Toward that WSC and up to 40 local businesses accepted students to visit/job shadow for a 1//2 day to get some other career ideas. His own non-official after WHS graduation student survey indicated about 25% went to NECC or SECC, 70% to 4 year college (large % to WSC), and 5% to military after which many went on to college. His wife, Lisa, works at "The Table" coffee shop, son Joey works at WSC, and daughter is employed at the First National Bankcard Center. He praised the Rotarians for their service and support to the Wayne Schools and the community. He thinks the best thing they do is serve as good role models in service to others.
