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WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO
Melissa Alexander is all smiles as she
does what she loves best, teaching science at South Ripley
Junior Senior High School. She was recognized for her outstanding
work at the February meeting of the South Ripley School
Board.
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SR
teacher receives recognition at mtg.
Wanda English Burnett, Editor
Melissa Alexander, science teacher at South Ripley
Jr. Sr. High School, was commended at the regular session of the
South Ripley School Board meeting held February 16.
First, Superintendent Ted Ahaus recognized Alexander for being
named a Bayer-NSTA Fellow by the National Science Teacher Association.
She will travel to New Orleans for an all-expenses paid
trip to the national conference in March. She was given a certificate
of recognition, a pin, and Raider sticker. Then, Principal Bob
Meyer thanked the teacher for the excellent job she does in the
classroom and presented her with a Raider umbrella.
Ahaus recommended the 2008-2009 Transfer Tuition Policy be waived
due to a special circumstance. A family outside the school corporation
has two children that have attended South Ripley for the past
three years as tuition students. Their enrollment was grandfathered
when the no new transfer policy was adopted in July
2008.
As of January 1, 2009, these students no longer owe tuition because
the State of Indiana is funding the entire General Fund. However,
the family has recently gained guardianship of another child and
has asked that the child be permitted to attend South Ripley as
well. But, since this student was not present in 2008, state guidelines
dictate tuition be charged for 2009 educational expenses. This
policy of transfer tuition as a whole will be reviewed
in the near future. The request passed with Tim Taylor abstaining.
Personnel changes unanimously approved at the meeting were:
Resignation of Donna Perry as Special Education teacher
at South Ripley High School effective at the end of the 2008-2009
school year.
Resignation of Mary Krumm as School Nurse effective at
the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
Family Medical Leave for Pat Sproessig, retroactive from
January 14-30.
Family Medical Leave for Barb Shadday, retroactive from
January 28-February 11.
Family Medical Leave for Lori Linkmeyer, retroactive from
February 9-22.
Family Medical Leave for Carole Swinney from March 10-April
21.
Volunteer basketball coach position to be given to Curtis
Stephen for the spring 2009 season.
Under financial news:
The monthly claims submitted to MainSource Bank for the
building project were $1,340,365.00.
Unanimous approval was given to rewrite the mowing specifications
based on a three year contract, accept new bids, and have authority
to advertise the new specifications in the local newspaper.
Approval was given with one abstention by Randy McIntosh
to accept land lease specifications for 30.2 acres of tillable
farm land the corporation owns and to advertise for proposals.
These land lease specifications will be written in such a way
that the winning proposal would need to include the right
for the corporation to reclaim the land, if need be. The farmer
would be compensated for the crops at a value of a completed crop.
Merritt Alcorn, attorney for the corporation, will continue to
pursue the matter. Specifications submitted would be required
to have proof of insurance.
Board members thanked the community for their support of the building
project. The gymnasium, being only a small part of the building
project, is the first visual available for the public view. It
was reported that the community seemed pleased with their first
glimpse of the project on Homecoming night, February 14. This
was a practice run with 1800 people in the new gymnasium. All
the concessions available sold. Many people were complimentary
about the gym and the gym lobby. Some comments that were heard
were things like practical and appropriate.
Ahaus stated that one community member was pleased by the easy
access for wheelchair bound people.
Approval was given unanimously to accept the revised operating
agreement with the Southeastern Career Center. The language of
the agreement was updated when the SCC was recently audited.
Under information items:
According to Ahaus, renewal rates from Delta Dental include
a 4.5% decrease effective March 1. Also, there will be a change
in the way billing will be done. Checks are to be mailed directly
to dentists. The corporation will stay with Delta Dental for now
but may put it up for bids in the fall of 2009.
Dr. John Mehrle, assistant superintendent, shared school
improvement information for the corporation. He distributed a
book, The Path of Least Resistance for Managers written
by Robert Fritz to all board members. He explained the intent
of the book is to graphically organize and align businesses and
schools by setting goals and pushing to advance toward those goals.
Some of the ideas penned by Fritz such as telescoping will be
used corporation-wide to help organize school improvement plans.
This book has been used by many other schools to improve and organize
their policies concerning school improvements.
Dr. Mehrle informed the board he had recently attended
a budget workshop, saying he had learned a lot.
Ahaus shared information about junior high scheduling for
next school year. He explained that one of the major goals with
the building project was to isolate the junior high students within
their own area. A series of meetings have been held with staff
and administration. All options are being considered including
sharing staff with neighboring schools and possibly hiring retired
teachers to teach 1-2 periods a day.
Members present were Gil Landwehr, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh,
Jim Miller, Ralph Miller, and Tim Taylor. The next regularly scheduled
school board meeting will be March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
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