JCD principal reports good start to the school year
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Principal Ray Ratledge reported the junior/senior high school had a good start to the new school year. There are three new teachers (Joseph Haley and Stefanie Kelly - special education and Jessica Steele - Spanish) and one new instructional aide, Michelle Workman.

ISTEP has begun and is going well, although the test creates many challenges, such as having enough rooms for all the students and long lines at lunch. Ratledge said he hopes next year students not involved with ISTEP can do community service during the testing in order to free up rooms for testing.

Ratledge reported there was a significant increase in attendance at parent/teacher conferences this year. Nine students completed summer school remediation.

All fall athletic teams are doing well with special notice given to the boys cross country team who are currently 53 and 4. Junior high student Derek Lunsford broke the junior high cross country record and is currently undefeated this season.

Pam Comer reported there had been a successful bus inspection with only one bus needing a slight repair. Elementary students at each grade level were trained on bus safety and bus evacuation during the first two weeks of school. A school-wide bus evacuation drill was held on September 7.

One spare bus and the spare handicapped bus will be traded in this year leaving the corporation two spare buses and a commitment from South Ripley to use their spare handicapped bus if necessary. Bus routes will be completely redone this year in order to reduce miles and improve gas conservation.

Patron Becky Simon expressed her concern over the number of fundraisers at the elementary school and the timing of the various appeals. She was assured the board shared her concern. Superintendent Narwold was asked to gather information on school fundraising to be shared at the next meeting.

Under Superintendent's report: Board member Paul C. Hardy was recognized as the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year. September 18 was Citizenship Day at both schools, according to a federal mandate.

The Rock N Roll Bands Concert on Saturday, September 17, with four area bands performing was not well attended, but enjoyed by those who were there. Jac-Cen-Del received $210 in ticket sales. Jerry Volmer and The Central House sponsored the event.

The children's library from the Osgood Public Library is now located in the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School Library. Both organizations are benefiting from this arrangement.

At the elementary school, 33 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced lunches and textbooks while 25 percent of the Jr./Sr. High School students are eligible. This is 29.5 percent corporation wide.

JCD ranks 85th in the amount of money spent per student in the state of Indiana. The cost per student is $6,108. This is due to a small enrollment. The elementary school has 22 fewer students than last year with the high school holding steady.

Eighteen names have been turned into a collection agency in order to recoup money owed the corporation for textbook rental, lunches, etc.

The feasibility study being conducted is coming to an end sometime in the next two to three months. Staff members from both JCD and South Ripley are meeting to work on ways to cut costs and help each other and how and if consolidation would benefit students.

Superintendent Narwold reported he had attended a conference on school consolidation conducted by the governor's office. He said it was an informative meeting and feels legislation regarding consolidations will be presented at the next session of the general assembly.

The board accepted the resignation of Matt McNew as 5th/6th grade boys and girls basketball coach. Chad Pindell was approved for the position. Jo Jones was approved as Academic Coach and Junior Class Sponsor. Joseph Haley was employed as an academic coach and Kris Kappas, Shirley Doles, Christi Heaton and April Eveans will be employed for two academic coaching positions, splititng the stipend.

The board approved two grants from the Gilmore and Golda Reynolds Foundation: $2,500 toward support of the Academic Team competition and $12,819 for the purchase of band instructions for the fifth grade music class.

All five board members were present: John Billman, Kathleen Dickman, Deanne Young, Charlie Hughes and Paul Hardy. Superintendent Bill Narwold and Attorney Tim Day were present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, October 18, in the JCD Elementary School Library.