Director of Student Services hired at Milan
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Combining several areas of expertise, the Milan Community School Board named Andrew Jackson the new Director of Student Services at their Monday, June 20, meeting. Jackson will be in charge of technology, transportation, and safety.

According to Superintendent Donald Swisher, the position of assistant to the middle school principal, a vacancy created by Jackson's new assignment, will be posted internally.

Board members David Voss, president; Edward Amberger, Stephanie Baker, Anita Pitts, and Charles Rohlfing approved the hiring of Karen Haessig as varsity co-ed soccer coach.

In other personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Christian Cain as director of technology; Joyce Volz as part time elementary cafeteria assistant; Linda Baurley as a member of the middle school KEY team; Ruth Hyatt as head cook at the elementary cafeteria.

Also, Sarah Caudill as elementary special education aide; Mark Garrett as varsity assistant football coach; and Julie Myers as drill team sponsor.

Old business included the approval of revisions, minor changes, and updates in the corporation policy handbook as prepared by board member Rohlfing.

Under new business:

* The lease agreements for the use of the elementary gym by St. Nicholas Parochial School for volleyball and basketball games received unanimous approval.

* The high school's School Improvement Plan and Professional Development Plan were approved with the addition of ... "School serves the students of Washington Township, Franklin Township, and the Town of Milan."

* Fundraisers for the high school student council and the middle school PTO were approved.

* Elementary Principal Jane Rogers received approval to accept the donation of fax machines, teacher desks, office chairs, and miscellaneous office equipment from the Fluor-Fernald Company in Cincinnati.

* The 2005-2006 athletic handbook presented by Athletic Director Marty Layden was approved with the addition of a section stating the student athlete can choose to report an athletic code violation on himself/herself and therefore reduce the penalty phase of the violation.

* Student fees for the elementary school received approval as did middle school fees for new textbooks.

* The reorganization meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m.

Superintendent Swisher presented the board with a proposal from the
Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) to form a partnership with public schools to prosecute a school funding lawsuit. Participation would cost the school an annual fee of $3,500 for the next three years.

Although board members supported the issue, they agreed to decline the invitation due to financial restraints.

In other business, administrators gave final updates on their goals for the 2004-2005 school year, and the superintendent reported that the AYP (average yearly progress) showed that overall the Milan schools had done very well.

At the beginning of the meeting High School Principal Michael Parks presented an award to graduating senior Sarah Marksberry for four years of perfect attendance. She is the daughter of Randy and Lisa Marksberry.

Elementary Principal Jane Rogers complimented the Milan Elementary Relay for Life team and captain Tonya Marsee for their participation in the Tenth Annual Ripley County Relay for Life. The event on Saturday, June 18, at the Batesville High School track raised over $101,000 for cancer research, education, and patient services.

Athletic Director Marty Layden presented spring "Student of the Month" awards for April: Rebecca Jackson, a freshman on the girls' varsity track team, and Lucas Wall, a junior on the boys' golf team. For May, Courtney Crabtree, a freshman on the girls' softball team, and Terrill Ash, a senior on the baseball team and a member of the ORVC All-Conference Team.

The J. Martin Layden Award went to the girls' track team for the third year in a row. Present to receive the award were Rebecca Jackson, Deborah Fryer, and Kim Atwell.