Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

A change soon to take place regarding school funding was discussed at the Milan School Board meeting on Monday, October 20. According to interim superintendent Gene Pitts, effective January 1, 2009, the corporation will no longer receive money from the county property taxes. Funding will come instead from the state, based on enrollment.

This also means, according to Pitts, a student can transfer to Milan schools from another district without paying the full tuition. Pitts recommended the board consider a policy regarding acceptance of these transfer students. He told the board issues to consider are the possible need to hire more teachers who require special services and students transferring to play sports.

Agriculture teacher Rachelle Cole currently pays tuition for her children to attend Milan, noting that she lives only five tenths of a mile from the district line. This change would benefit her by reduced tuition. According to Cole, the schools would benefit from an academic standpoint by helping test scores.

The board will consider the recommendation and further discuss the issue in order to make a decision at the December meeting.

A brochure featuring important information about the Milan School Corporation was created by Dawn Lewis, and mailed to candidates for the superintendent position. A letter of appreciation to Lewis was signed by the board for volunteering her time to create the document.

The following extra-curricular recommendations were unanimously approved: Harold Taylor as freshman basketball coach; Steve Stock as eighth grade coach; sixth grade coach Bobby Davis; and volunteer coaches Steve Peek and Brian Voss. Fifth grade coach Marty Layden was approved with a vote of 4-1 with Randy Kirk voting no, stating that he feels an administrator should be supervising instead of coaching.

In other business:

• High school senior Tyler Mills was recognized for his achievements in the National Merit Contest, placing in the top 5% nationally. Mills has been accepted to the Kelly School of Business after graduation.

• The board will continue to consider the 2009-2010 school year calendar with a decision to be made at a later meeting.

• The following field trip requests were approved: the special needs class trip to the Cincinnati Zoo on October 24; FFA trip to the rodeo at the Kentucky Convention Center on November 14; home economic students to visit Jungle Jim’s; fourth graders to see a production of Cats at the Aronoff Center; and 20 art students to visit the Cincinnati Art Museum.

• The board unanimously approved fund raiser for the SADD kids night out and FFA fruit and meat sales.

• The lease agreement for St. Nicholas School to use the high school cafetorium for the Christmas program was approved.

• Director of Operations Bill Bruns updated the board on the purchase of two buses, already in the budget, which will replace two older buses.

• Melinda Williams was approved for special education instructional aide at the elementary school. Candy Sizemore was approved as a homebound special education instructor.

• The budget hearing will be on November 6 at 7 p.m. and the budget adoption will be held on November 17 at 6:45 p.m.

All members were in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 17 at 7 p.m. in the administrative offices.