Milan School board hears patrons concerns
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Milan School Board members listened as Daniel Fleming, senior class president, made a presentation to the board Monday, February 20 after Board President David Voss opened the meeting to patrons' concerns.

Reading from a prepared statement, Fleming raised concerns and questions about the non-renewal of Principal Mike Parks. "In conversations with patrons of this community, it has come to my attention that this deal was cut and dried," he told the board, continuing, "I figured this is the way you wanted it." Fleming noted that the board called two meetings that were early morning times. He believed those meetings were called to avoid the public's input.

Fleming questioned a prepared statement the board released following a 4-0 vote to not renew Park's contract. "...you said the board had done nothing behind closed doors. Then voted 4-0 to not renew his (Park's) contract. How can all of that have happened including the prepared statement you had ready? It had to have been decided beforehand, or there is no possible way you could have had a statement prepared."

The senior president argued that the board had taken away someone "who has put forth his greatest effort to make this school better." He said he felt the situation was handled wrong and suggested a change might come at the ballot box at the next election. He closed with saying, "...this is a sad day for Milan and a sad day for the democratic process."

Board member Anita Pitts responded to Fleming by first thanking him for addressing the board. She said, "You're looking at an educated board - we all have college degrees." She noted that she has been in education for 40 years and been the wife of an administrator for 12. "We (the board) have not done anything illegal," she noted, adding that the early morning meetings were not unusual. She further explained that the board cannot divulge information discussed in closed meetings. She told the crowded room of people, "The last thing we always say when making decisions is 'Is this going to be good for kids?'"

"You won't get all your answers," Pitts said, noting that decisions over the non-renewal of the principal's contract had been made over a long period of time - not overnight. "Sometimes change has to happen," she said. She noted that this was a tough decision but one that was made without malice. "I can assure you it wasn't made without a lot of thought and prayer on my part."

Another student Joshua Holland spoke to the board, saying he felt Mr. Parks really cared about education. He said the principal had a great interest in the FFA program, which is what attracted him to Milan schools. "I believe the board made an error in judgment," he noted.

Again Pitts replied saying the FFA group was in place because of the board. "There are issues you don't understand," she noted.

At the end of the meeting each board member addressed the crowd. Stephanie Baker congratulated students on achievements and said she wished the room was always so full at the meetings. Edward Amberger noted that the attendance was good at the meeting, saying Milan has parents and students who care about the community and education. Tony Veldhaus thanked the students who spoke at the meeting saying "That's a hard thing to do." President David Voss also thanked the students, but said they should have gotten their facts straight first. "I'm disappointed you didn't get the facts right," he said saying no one asked him why the meetings were held when they were, "everyone assumed," he stated. He went on to say the board members all have full time jobs and sometimes they have to work in meetings that fit their schedules.

In other business T.J. Greene from the Batesville Swim Team presented a plaque to Milan schools in appreciation for the use of the pool for their swim team. Debbie Johnson, elementary secretary, accepted the plaque on behalf of the school. Superintendent Donald Swisher noted that Johnson is the "wheel that keeps everything clicking with the program."

Meeting with unanimous board approval, the following items were approved:

· movie night at the elementary school;

· Born Again, a singing group, was given approval to use the school facility for a fundraiser event;

· Kissell Martial Arts will use the school facility for a fundraiser;

· MIST/USA Swim combo will use the swimming facility;

· Milan Church of Christ asked for the use of the gymnasium to house approximately 40 college students.

A field trip request from the art teacher, Mr. Hunger was approved. He came before the board and gave a slide presentation of last year's trip to Atlanta.

While the trip itself was approved there was a non-student request to attend that was denied.

The choral department's request to attend a show at the Aronoff Center was approved.

It noted in the meeting that the school corporation had to pay $32,000 in interest last year due to late payments from the county. "That's the cost of a teacher," pointed out Pitts. This was due to property taxes being paid late.

President Voss noted that the cost to use the softball field had raised from $500 to $750. He noted that the park is charging for this but when the parking lot at the school is used by those attending the park, they are not charged. "I wish we could come to some kind of an agreement with the park," he noted. Anita Pitts said she believed the school needed to think about buying some land for their own park.

The April 1 deadline was discussed for summer school expenditures to be turned in to the state. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.

Superintendent Swisher noted that the ISTEP report could be called a "good news report" saying there was dramatic improvement in the scores. He noted that the staff had worked hard along with the students to achieve that goal.

Middle School Principal Connie Nobbe noted that all scores had raised. She said the efforts of both students and staff have definitely paid off. While she noted there was still room for improvement, she said Milan is headed in the right direction with standards.

Under personnel, Lisa Lambert resigned, along with Randy Pindell and Tony Pennington. Denise Reynolds and Ryan Hixon were approved as new hirees.

All motions carried 5-0 results with all members being in attendance: Stephanie Baker, secretary; Edward Amberger, member; Anita Pitts, vice president; Anthony Veldhaus, member; and David Voss, president. Superintendent Donald Swisher and Attorney Larry Eaton were present to advise the board. Susan Dudgeon was there to take minutes.

The next regular meeting of the Milan School Board of Trustees is set for March 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the administration office.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Daniel Fleming, standing left in the back of the room, addressed the Milan School Board at their regular meeting Monday evening, February 20. He felt that Principal Mike Parks had been unfairly dismissed. Fleming is a senior and the class president. The room was filled to capacity for the meeting with some people standing in the doorway and out into the hall of the administration building office where the meetings are held.