Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

For the first time in four years, Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School is above state average in ISTEP scores, according to a report presented by elementary school Vice-Principal Don Snedaker at the regular session of the Jac-Cen-Del School Board meeting held on Wednesday, December 17.

According to Snedaker, JCDES received about 76% passing in 2008, which was above the state average of 73%. Also in the 2008 testing year, 50 students received a score of 5 on the writing prompt portion of the test, and 13 students received a perfect score of 6.

“We are pleased and happy with the improvement of our scores this year,” said Snedaker. “We realize that we are not where we want to be yet, but we are going in the right direction.” Board President Paul Hardy agrees. “Looks like we’re beginning to move in the right direction,” he said.
Superintendent Bill Narwold congratulated the school for the improvement in the ISTEP scores. “I appreciate all the hard work by the students and staff,” he said.

The issue of some students not completing homework was addressed by Snedaker. A new policy similar to one used by the junior high will be implemented after the Christmas break. A packet explaining the new policy, which includes punishments such as Saturday school or suspension after three incidents of uncompleted homework, will be sent home for parents to sign and return to the school.

“We have a small core of students who don’t take their education seriously,” said Narwold. He also stated that the staff takes into consideration other behaviors and the student’s academic history before deciding on the best course of action. “It’s been very frustrating,” he said. “We’re not getting the results the staff and community deserves.”

The board reluctantly accepted the resignation of corporation treasurer Ruth Ann Peetz, effective July 1,2009. “You’ve done an awesome job,” said board member Deanna Young. Another board member John Billman agreed. “Thank you for the years you’ve given to Jac-Cen-Del,” he noted.
The board unanimously approved the recommendation to hire Lynaya Hess as the corporation treasurer effective July 1, 2009. The board unanimously approved training and orientation hours for both Peetz and Hess, which will be above their regular hours, prior to the transition.

In other business:

• The resignation of Charlotte Salkeld was unanimously approved.

• The board unanimously approved a temporary contract for Arlin Hooker to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Salkeld.

• The request by South Ripley School to use the JCD gym for the basketball game with Lawrenceburg on January 30 was approved.

• The board was asked to refer anyone interested in serving on the Osgood Library Board to Narwold. The person should live in Center or Delaware township.

• The request to increase mileage to 55 cents per mile was unanimously approved.

All board members were in attendance, along with Corporation Attorney Tim Day to advise. The next meeting will be held on January 21, 2009 beginning at 6 p.m. at the high school cafeteria.