Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Architect Jerry Firestone updated the Milan School Board on projects for the elementary and middle schools at the regular meeting on Monday, November 17. According to Firestone, the elementary staff was encouraged to fill out questionnaires regarding the needs for the school. The needs that were mentioned the most were the first ones to be addressed.

Firestone told the board that the building envelope, which includes roofing, windows and brick repair, will be addressed. Solutions to other needs include providing sound barrier between the walls to cut down on noise between the classrooms and the hallway traffic. Also, the administration area will be opened up to create a classroom in order to keep all of the kindergarten classes close together.

Other solutions include installing sky lights for more natural light in the interior classrooms, enclosing the media center with walls, upgrading the HVAC, and additional restrooms.

Firestone presented plans for a cafeteria in the middle school. The first option presented was the original plan brought to the board ten years ago. Firestone suggested a second option to expand the area to build a stand alone kitchen. Another option was to expand the existing cafeteria and kitchen space and move the dish washing area.

The final report, with a cost estimate, will be presented at the December meeting.
Representatives for the senior class presented a field trip request to St. Augustine, Florida. The trip will include several historical and educational stops such as the Fountain of Youth, the Potters Wax Museum, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. The trip has educational benefits for the senior class, one representative said. The board unanimously approved the request.

Interim Superintendent Gene Pitts recommended waiting until spring before making a decision on the student transfer policy. Pitts also recommended not accepting additional transfer students until the end of the school year. Current transfer students will stay without extra tuition. The recommendations were unanimously approved.
The social studies text book committee was unanimously approved. This will include for the high school staff: Rich Healy, Rich Dobson, and Todd Yates and parents, Bob Riley, Trish Riley, David Lynch and Mary Lynch. For the middle school, the committee will include staff: Jeff Stutler, Linda Oelker, Cinda Ahlrich and parents, Vikki Kuerlic, and Beth Honnert. The elementary committee will be staff: Sherri Zornes, Kirsten Cost, Jeff Greiwe, and Julia Grills and parents, Amy Phillips, Lisa Smith and Robin Laws.

In other business:

• The purchase of two new buses, already in the budget, was unanimously approved.

• The 2009-2010 school calendar was unanimously approved.

• The bond bank resolution was unanimously approved.

• Doug’s Lawn Care was approved for the school’s lawn care contract with John Prifogle. Chris Riehle was approved for the sports field lawn care contract.

• The lease agreement for the Batesville boys swim team for the use of the pool was approved 3-1, with Greg Lewis voting against. Board member Randy Kirk was absent.

• The lease agreement for the elementary PTO to hold a Secret Santa Workshop was approved.

• The resignation of kindergarten instructional aid Laura Barret was approved. The recommendation to hire Rebecca Herrick as a replacement was also approved.

• Pitts updated the board on the cafeteria software, which will allow parents to check a child’s lunch account online and put money into the account. There will be a link to the website on the school’s homepage.

The next board meeting will be held on December 15 starting at 7 p.m. at the administration office.