SR school board approves hiring assistant elementary principal
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

With all but one board member approving, an assistant principal was hired for the South Ripley Elementary School at the regular board meeting on December 19.

Superintendent Ted Ahaus recommended the approval of Mrs. Amy Linkel for the elementary assistant principal position to be effective January 2, 2006. He said that a building with more than 700 students needed more than one administrator present.

Board member Jim Samples stated that he did not support hiring a second administrator. He questioned where the funds would come from to pay for this position. He also asked why the recommendation was to replace an administrator rather than a teacher. Samples commented that Linkel had no administrative experience and had been "picked for the job months earlier."

Ahaus said the position would be paid for from the General Fund.

All board members with the exception of Samples voted to hire Linkel.

In other personnel business:

· The GT Aide position vacated by Amy Linkel was approved to be posted.

· Ms. Kristen Leever was approved to fill the temporary Title I elementary teacher position for the second semester 2005-2006. It was noted this position is temporary, non-benefits with the rate of a beginning teacher.

· Todd Crabill was approved to remain teaching science on a substitute basis through the end of the second semester.

· Approval was given to pay Mark Downard at the beginning teacher hourly rate of $28.46 to compensate him for the 53 hours he has taught the computer programming class the first semester. He was also approved to teach the computer programming class through the second semester.

Other business included:

· January meeting will be January 9 instead of the regular meeting on the 16. This is due to state law requiring re-organization by January 15.

· Driver education student rates will increase from $300 to $350 due to a loss during the 2005 summer session. Fuel, insurance and car rental increases were noted.

· Due to a safety issue the high school doors will remain locked until 7:30 a.m. each morning school is in session.

· A proposed 2006-2007 school calendar was shared. The final school calendar will be brought before the board for approval at the January meeting.

· Make up days will be held February 20 and April 14. Students with religious obligations will be excused on Good Friday.

· Business Manager Lana Miller was approved to pay 2005 bills from 2005 appropriations through the end of 2005 and to encumber appropriations (if necessary) for bills created in 2005 and payable in 2006. It was noted that a list will be created of any necessary transfer of appropriations from one major account to another and explanations will be given of all transactions at the January meeting for the board to approve.

All board members were present for the December meeting: Chris Bradford, Robert Garcia, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller, Ralph Miller, and Jim Samples. Superintendent Ted Ahaus and Attorney Merritt Alcorn were present to advise the board.

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