Two earn Readers Digest recognition
Students honored by Milan School Board
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Fourth grader Russell Pitts and sixth grader LeAnne Siemer will be among 100 Indiana students competing at Butler University on March 18 in the Readers Digest competition in vocabulary and spelling.

The two students and their parents received recognition at the Monday, February 21, meeting of the Milan School Board with President David Voss, Vice President Charles Rohlfing, Secretary Stephanie Baker, and members Edward Amberger and Anita Pitts in attendance.

Introduced by Middle/High School G/T Coordinator Linda Oelker, the two students began their competition in October and have competed in classroom vocabulary and spelling competitions for one of the spots available to 100 Indiana students.

Oelker presented framed certificates to Pitts and Siemer for their accomplishments. Two from the Butler University competition will represent Indiana in the nationals in Orlando, Florida, later in the year and will receive scholarship money.

Among the items of new business, the board voted unanimously to approve April 22 as a snow makeup day and to change the upcoming board meetings to March 28 and April 25.

Field trip requests which received approval included:

* 23 members of the high school academic team accompanied by sponsors Brenda Walter, Ken Hornbach, and Alecia Fryman to visit the Cin
cinnati Museum of Natural History on February 23 to view the Nicholas and Alexandra, Last of the Russian Tsars exhibit;

* Eight special educations students and sponsors Judy White, Georgia Bushorn and Neysa Lambert to attend a hockey game at Cincinnati Gardens on February 26;

* 105 third graders and teachers Jeff Greiwe, Carla Holt, Renee Mischell, Judy Powlen, and Sherri Zornes to tour the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum and the Great American Ballpark on April 27.

A request from Band Director Stefani Bedel for professional leave to perform with the National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 24-25 received unanimous approval. Elementary Music Teacher Mindy Barrett will direct the band for the 2005 Commencement Exercises.

This year's high school science textbook committee was approved and will include teachers, Randy Combs, Steven Gutzwiller, and Joan Kennett; parents, Mary Schmaltz, Tim Atwell, and Robin Cunningham; and students, Nathan Hampton and Ryan Ison.

Board members agreed to a lease agreement for the group "Born Again" to use the high school cafetorium on April 30 for a gospel sing, the proceeds of which will go to the "We Care" group for mailing "care packages" to local troops stationed overseas. "Born Again" will cover custodial fees of $119.00.

Personnel items included:

* Liconda Reece was hired as a kindergarten aide to replace Jackie Bergman, who resigned in December;

* Tammy Oberschmidt and Lois Collier will share the elementary cafeteria position vacated by the resignation of Luanne Konradi;

* Patricia Johnson will serve as interim teacher for high school music during the family medical leave provided for Dara Stutler;

* Randy Pindell will replace high school custodian Betty Huffman, who resigned effective February 7;

* Linda Rohrig and Tressa Day will each work a four hour shift daily as middle school custodians to replace Vince Holman, whose resignation was effective January 22;

* Ag Teacher Anita Boggs was granted a maternity leave from May 2 until the end of the school year;

* Gladys "Betsy" Wilson was hired as a middle school student specific aide with her salary fully reimbursed by ROD.

In his report Superintendent Don Swisher announced the corporation had received $1.67 million from the county and thanked the "power of the press."

He also presented board members with a calendar of Indiana School Board Association (ISBA) meeting dates.

After a brief discussion concerning the cost of snow removal, board members asked Superintendent Swisher to devise specifications to get quotes next summer for the 2005-2006 snow removal.

At the beginning of the February 21 meeting, the large crowd in attendance heard reports from FFA Advisor Anita Boggs and officers: Heather Ellison, reporter; John Craig, treasurer; Emily Schmaltz, secretary; Abby Dickman, president; and Josh Holland, vice president.

High School Physical Education Teacher Mark Garrett informed board members of the exercise program and weight training in his classes. He noted that his goal is to have at least 50% of each class meet the presidential standards for physical fitness.

Jon Custer, assistant principal and sponsor of the high school student council, announced a Hoxworth Blood Drive at the high school on Tuesday, March 8. Appointments can be made through the high school office.

Board member Anita Pitts presented the corporation with three Indiana flags that have been donated by Mary Warner Johns from Greencastle, Pennsylvania.