Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The Milan Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees met in regular session on Monday, December 18, 2006.

Superintendent Andrew Jackson presented the board with a preliminary smoke-free campus policy. Jackson noted that the committee had met twice. He explained that at the present time the policy would involve the prohibition of smoking only, not use of other tobacco products. Jackson submitted this first reading into the minutes and has asked for comments or concerns from patrons and the community. “Smoking prohibited. No students, staff member or school visitor is permitted to smoke at any time, including non-school hours; in any building, facility or vehicle owned, leased, rented or chartered by the Milan Community School Corporation; on school grounds, athletic grounds or parking lots (staff members and school visitors will be permitted to smoke in their private vehicle).”

Superintendent Jackson presented retiring teacher, Leslie Simonton, with an engraved clock. After thanking the board for the gift Simonton told them that his decision to retire came when he was reading Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. He related that the line “’tis time to part” stuck in his mind. Simonton said that it was not an easy decision to reach, but knew it had to come sometime, and now was as good a time as any. He commented how much he had enjoyed teaching and said that he would miss the kids. Simonton expressed appreciation to all who had sent their good wishes and those who attended his retirement reception. He shook hands with all of the board members and the superintendent before leaving to a standing ovation.

Senior class officers came before the board to request permission for a field trip for members of the senior club to St. Augustine and Orlando, Florida, from March 19-23, 2007. Board president, David Voss, commended participants and sponsors of past senior trips stating he had yet to hear one single parent complain about student behavior or how the trips were put together. Voss went on to say that the trips were a credit to sponsors, Mr. Yates and Mr. Dobson, and thanked them for their past efforts.
A Band Tour field trip was approved for spring. Band students will go to Orlando, Florida, from April 25-29, 2007. The tour company will perform six goodwill concerts, most likely at nursing homes.
An FFA field trip to the National Farm Machinery Show and Tractor Pull in Louisville, Kentucky was approved for Wednesday, February 14, 2007.

In old business, Superintendent Jackson informed the board that upgrades in the elementary pool area had been an ongoing project. Jackson stated that installing a new system had finally solved the dehumidification problem, and now it is time to repair and paint.

In new business, middle school principal, Connie Nobbe made a fundraising request. Nobbe has asked permission for a concert to be held featuring 650 North and two other bands in the high school cafetorium on April 21, 2007. She stated that band manager, Jerry Vollmer, would take care of booking the other bands, printing tickets, promotion, ticket sales, etc. The middle school would receive 50% of the profits. Nobbe noted that the members of 650 North are good role models for the students and that their songs contain clean lyrics. She also said that the group had visited the middle school twice to talk to students and sign autographs. Nobbe said that the concert would provide seed money to initiate an Arts in Education program. Such a program would provide an artisan such as a sculptor, ballet dancer or choreographer to the community to work with teachers on core discipline. David Voss asked if the concert would be open to the public and Mrs. Nobbe answered in the affirmative. The request was approved unanimously.

Superintendent Jackson reviewed recent results of ISTEP testing. He noted comparisons from last year and stated that scores had dropped slightly from 78.0% to 76.3% in language arts and from 84.3% to 82.1% in math. Jackson explained that as scores climb it becomes more difficult to improve and/or maintain the levels. He said that teachers and administrators will be concentrating on the standards and providing remediation for students who are having difficulty.

In personnel matters, Jeffrey Greiwe was hired as the new varsity baseball coach and Jeffrey Stutler was approved to take over the temporary social studies position vacated by Leslie Simonton’s retirement.

Superintendent Jackson presented the 2006-2009 Teacher Association Agreement. The salary agreement calls for a 2% raise in 2006-07, another 2% for 2007-08 and the 2008-09 salary to be discussed at a later date. Jackson thanked the negotiations committee for their professionalism and hard work. He extended a special thank you to board member Timothy Tuttle and MEA president Stephanie Siemer.

Jackson recommended a 2.5% retroactive raise for all non-certified personnel. Board member Randy Kirk asked if the 2.5% was the best that could be done for the secretaries and Jackson stated that it was at this time citing the fact that the prospects for state funding are an unknown. He went on to say that 2.5% was the most he is comfortable with right now. The board voted 4-1 to accept the 2.5% raise with Randy Kirk opposed. Jackson recommended a 3.8% raise for bus drivers becoming effective on January 1, 2007 plus an increase in extracurricular pay for bus drivers from $9.50-$10.00 per hour. The board voted 4-1 on the 3.8% increase with Randy Kirk opposed. The vote was 5-0 to approve extracurricular pay for the bus drivers.