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Milan
students recognized at mtg.
Beth
Rumsey, Staff Writer
Milan student Billy Bruns was congratulated on being selected
to receive the Indiana Career and Technical Education Award for
Excellence at the regular board meeting of the Milan School Board
on Monday, January 19. Bruns was nominated by the teachers at
the Southeastern Career Center where he attends part of the day.
SCC Director Bradley Street noted, Billy is an excellent
student. According to Street, Bruns was chosen from thousands
of students in the state. The award is based on scholarship,
character, leadership, and proficiency, said Street. Bruns
will be recognized in the Indiana State Senate during a public
ceremony on February 20.
Shelby Zornes was recognized by Interim Superintendent Gene Pitts
for the honor to represent Milan schools as the Role Model for
the tobacco free student campaign. According to Zornes, she attended
an Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) workshop over
Christmas break. She will speak to the elementary school as well
as engagements within the community.
Shelby is a good role model and an asset to the school,
said Principal Healy. She is very busy projecting a tobacco
free lifestyle to students and athletes. The board received
signed posters from Zornes.
The principals from each of the schools gave an update on the
ISTEP scores to the board. Elementary Principal Jane Rogers said,
I am pleased with the academic achievement of the third
and fourth grades. She credited the success to the parents
and staff.
According to Rogers, 75 third graders took the test with 91% passing
the language arts portion and 87% passing the math portion. Out
of the 93 fourth grade students who took the test, 81% passed
the language arts portion and 87% passed the math portion. Rogers
noted that these scores for both grades were above the state averages.
Middle School Principal Marty Layden prepared an ISTEP comparison
chart that is used to track student progress. According to Layden,
this shows a students strengths and weaknesses. The students
also participate in acuity testing three times a year, which gives
immediate feedback on any weaknesses allowing the teacher to work
with the student in that area.
Starting with this years freshman class, students will no
longer be required to take the GQE in order to graduate, according
to Healy. Instead, students will be required to pass end-of-course
assessment tests in English, algebra, and biology. Homeroom will
become more academically focused, where teachers will have the
same students during their high school career in order to build
trust and camaraderie. A survey is currently being conducted in
order to determine students study habits and technology
capabilities.
The board held a discussion regarding the energy conservation
program for the elementary school. Interim Superintendent Pitts
recommended approval of the advertising of Request for Proposal
in local papers January 22, 27, 29, and February 3. The board
unanimously approved the recommendation. Pitts assured the board
there would be 40 days from the time of proposals to make a decision
on the program, giving the board time to investigate the proposals
and halt the project if needed.
Pitts noted that the biggest disadvantage to the program is it
would tie up approximately 80% of the capital projects for the
next ten years. He also noted that by completing the project,
most of the major problems at the elementary school will be fixed.
Regarding the cafeteria project for the middle school, Pitts noted
that the cost would be approximately $750,000 and would include
a separate serving and seating area. Presently, lunch times for
middle school student begins at 10:15 a.m. affecting class scheduling.
Pitts told the board that he talked to Jerry Firestone, Triangle
Design, about combining the middle school cafeteria project with
the elementary school new office complex/kindergarten rooms project
with a $2 million cap. He noted that any project over this amount
will have to be a bond issue.
Estimating the tax of an additional $16.50 per year to a residential
property owner, Pitts did not know what the taxes would be for
commercial and agricultural properties. He told the board that
a decision will need to be made in the near future if these projects
were to be completed over the summer.
The board unanimously approved a 2.5% salary increase for the
2008-09 school year for teachers and administration. The salary
increase of 2.5% for non-certified personnel and bus drivers was
approved 4-0-1, with Randy Kirk abstaining.
The following field trip requests were unanimously approved: the
special needs class to attend the Parkland Movie Theater on February
13 and student council members to attend L.E.A.D. conference in
Tennessee over spring break.
In other business:
Snow make up days will be February 16 and April 10.
The lease agreement request from the Milan Scholarship
Foundation for use of the cafeteria on April 5 was unanimously
approved.
The resignation of Shannon Wells, elementary Title I Aide,
was approved, along with the recommendation to hire Elizabeth
Cunningham as the replacement.
Tresa Patz was unanimously approved as homebound instructor.
In closing statements, board member Randy Kirk spoke about the
incident at a football game this past fall where he showed inappropriate
behavior. He said that shortly after the incident, he took some
time off from work for medical reasons, and worked with a counselor.
Im striving towards being a better person, he
said. He also noted that he is working to better his relationship
with middle school principal Marty Layden. He commended the coaches
on gaining the respect of the athletes. They work hard,
and Im proud of them, he said.
Tim Tuttle thanked corporation attorney Larry Eaton for his work
on the teachers' contracts, noting that he was pleased that the
corporation was able to give a raise. Doug Norman expressed his
desire to have public input regarding the proposed building projects.
The public is welcome to view the blueprints and voice any suggestions.
All board members were in attendance, along with Larry Eaton to
advise. The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 16 beginning
at 7 p.m. in the administration building.
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SUBMITTED PHOTO
At the January meeting Milan School Board members congratulated
senior Billy Bruns for being selected to receive the Indiana
Career and Technical Education Award for Excellence in
the secondary student category. He is one of ten students
in the State of Indiana who will be recognized by the
Indiana Senate in a ceremony on February 10. He is the
son of Bill and Carrie Bruns of Milan. Pictured from left
are: Randy Kirk, Greg Lewis, Bruns, Doug Norman, Ted Amberger,
and Tim Tuttle.
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