JCD students take advantage of online classes
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Dr. Fred Sagester, director of the Indiana Virtual Academy, gave a presentation on the academy to the Jac-Cen-Del School Board at their November 15 meeting. More than 200 students are now taking classes online. Sagester said Dedra Montgomery had been a great help. Teachers Ernie Ruble and Andrew O'Grady have taught classes for the academy and Sagester said both have done a great job. He explained to the board how students taking the SAT, PSAT, and the ACT can prepare to take these tests through a program at the academy.

Jac-Cen-Del Jr./Sr. High School Principal Ray Ratledge congratulated many of the athletic teams for their accomplishments. All Conference in volleyball was Emily Einhaus; soccer, Eric Gloyd and Andrew Wagner; cross country, Kyle Horan, Alisha Lord and Amber Lunsford, who also won the Mental Attitude Award. Kyle Horan and Justin Eaton qualified for the cross country regional by placing in the top 15 at the sectional. The JCD girls basketball team is ranked 9th in the state in Class A.

Ratledge also discussed improvements in student grades in the 7th and 8th grade classes. He announced graduation is set for May 25, 2006 at 2:00 p.m.

The robotics class is preparing to go into competition at Purdue University. The students performed a skit and gave a demonstration of their project. Paul Thole is their sponsor.

Under personnel items: Lauren Lauber resigned as 7th grade girls basketball coach. April Forkert Hughes will coach the 7th grade girls basketball team for the 2005/2006 season. Steve Gilland will be the boys' golf coach. Kelvin Comer and Michelle Sebastian will teach drivers education with classroom instruction by Kelvin Comer. Mary Jane Jansing will retire as elementary school cook effective January 3, 2006.

In other business: Driver's Education costs will remain the same for 2006 at $300. The board accepted $4,120 for nine grants from the Gilmore and Golda Reynolds Foundation. The Technology Plan has been submitted to the state.

The elementary school Christmas program will be held on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. The junior high program will be on Wednesday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.

All five board members were present: John Billman, Kathleen Dickman, Deanna Young, Charlie Hughes and Paul C. 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, December 20 in the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School Library.