At the regular meeting of the South Ripley Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees held March 17 patron Jerry Gilpin said he believed some students should receive an apology from school personnel. Gilpin spoke first on the agenda and noted that he was not happy with how the freshmen cheerleaders had been reprimanded after they had gone to a game. Gilpin says the cheerleaders, (his daughter is one of them), were yelled at by school personnel after they attended a game, where they didn’t even cheer, (They couldn’t because they didn’t have a sponsor present) but, their photograph appeared in the local newspaper after their team won the game. “They were just there to support their team,” noted Gilpin.

Superintendent Ted Ahaus said he believed the matter had been dealt with and the girls had received an apology. Board President Jim Miller said the board would review the matter.

Fees will increase for the summer 2008 for students wanting to take driver’s education. Superintendent Ahaus noted that a slight loss was incurred with the program last year. He said, “We just want to break even.” The new fee is just $25 more than last year, making it $375. “This is not out of line with what other schools are charging,” Ahaus said. He also talked about the possibility of not offering the program, with students looking to the private sector for the training. The school researched what was spent last year and with the rising cost of fuel, insurance and rental fees, the increase had to be made. High School Principal Bob Meyer said there are already 70 students signed up to take the course.
Amy Linkel, elementary school assistant principal, was at the meeting and recognized Jonah Mersch as the Geography Bee winner and Faith Lafary as the Spelling Bee winner. Both were congratulated by the board and presented with a pin and certificate of recognition.

Under personnel:

• The retirement request of Deanna Wooley, kindergarten teacher, was accepted with a unanimous vote. She was thanked for her years of service to the school. Lisa Gilpin was recommended to fill the vacancy due to the retirement of Jean Deamron, sixth grade teacher. Gilpin’s degree and years of experience will be recognized.

• Non-renewal status was granted to two teachers who have not received their standard teaching licenses: Rae Jean Auterson, music teacher, and Leah Crowe, Spanish teacher. It was noted that this is an annual occurrence and will continue until they get their standard licenses. It was also noted that Auterson is one class away from the license and Crowe has actually completed all the requirements and is awaiting the test results at this time.

• The supplemental contract for Amy Linkel for five days of work in High Ability Instruction was granted. She will be paid in one lump sum in June.

• FMLA leave was granted for Rae Jean Auterson to care for her mother. This is retroactive from March 12 and will be as needed up to the 12-week limit FMLA allows.

• The following spring coaching assignments were unanimously approved: Shawn Halcomb, reserve baseball coach; Brian Romans, volunteer baseball coach; Chris Clements, varsity girls track assistant; Krisha DeWitt, junior high volunteer track coach; and Megan Dennis, volunteer track coach.

In other business:

• Field trips were granted for the Spanish classes (nearly 100 students) to travel to the Cincinnati Zoo on April 28; and for the seventh grade Green Thunder group to go to the Cincinnati Zoo on April 4.

• Spring golf fees for the golf team will be $760. Superintendent Ted Ahaus explained since the school doesn’t have a golf course, they pay so much for each student’s membership fees that is on the team. That membership is good for one year.

• MainSource was recommended as the bond trustee for the building project. MainSource was the low bidder with a $750 set up fee and a $1,000 annual fee for the 22 year lease.

• A letter was received from Becky Rutherford, Ripley County Soil and Water District, thanking the South Ripley FFA for their assistance in serving a breakfast at the no-till meeting.

• Assistant Superintendent John Mehrle informed the board that the certification process for the Project Lead The Way curriculum would be underway. He also told the board that meetings have been set up encouraging the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to begin “thinking as a middle school.” This will help in the transition as the building addition/renovation make it possible for those grades to be separated from the high school area.

• Good Friday, March 21 was designated as a snow make-up day, with the other days added at the end of the calender year. Also, it was noted any more days missed due to weather, would not have to be made up. The date for graduation remains the same, May 24.

All members of the board with the exception of Robert Garcia, who is serving in Iraq, were present: Gil Landwehr, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller, Ralph Miller, and Tim Taylor. School Attorney Merritt Alcorn and Superintendent Ahaus were present to advise the board. The next regular meeting will be held April 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the administration building.