Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“We’re proud of our football heritage,” Milan High School Football Coach Ryan Langferman told the Milan School Board at their regular meeting on Monday, March 16. Langferman gave an overview of the football program for grades K-12.

According to Langferman, the Peewee Football league currently has six teams made up of students in the elementary school. The program allows students from South Ripley and Jac-Cen-Del to participate. “It makes for a great community program,” Langferman commented.

The success of the middle school football program is due to the coaches, according to Langferman. Playing the larger schools prepares the athletes for competition at the high school level. The varsity athletes are encouraged to volunteer within the community, with projects including youth football camp and working at the PTO carnival.

The Friends of the Milan Football is glue for the whole program, according to Langferman. To date, the organization has raised nearly $33,000, which helps to pay for equipment and uniforms. The group meets the first Thursday of each month at the VFW.

High school Principal Richard Healy updated the board on the new requirements for graduation. According to Healy, starting with the current freshmen, end of course assessment tests will be administered at the end of Algebra I and English 10. Also given, but not required by the state, are tests in English II and Algebra II. Biology I is required by the federal government, but not by Indiana, according to Healy.

Interim Superintendent Gene Pitts received information from the State Board of Education regarding school make-up days. According to Pitts, the school is required to make up six of the eight days missed.
Already, two days have been made up, leaving four to make up. This makes the last day of school to be on May 29.

In other business:

• The board approved the request to send in the application for summer school programs to the state as well as posting the teacher positions available.

• The $26,000 Technology Advancement Account Loan, a loan from the state to purchase technology products for the classrooms, was unanimously approved.

• The board approved the use of the high school cafeteria for a gospel concert on April 25.

• Field trip requests made by the Anatomy/Physiology class; Environmental Science class; and the SADD chapter were unanimously approved.

• A homebound instructor for a high school student was approved.

• The board approved the request to advertise the position for a reserve softball coach.

Edward Amberger updated those attending on his study of the lunch lines at the middle school and high school cafeteria. According to Amberger, each student averaged approximately three minutes in line. He noted that there were problems with congestion at the registers and the dish return area.

Randy Kirk recognized Milan graduate Laura Ison for her hard work studying fashion design. According to Kirk, Ison will have the opportunity to study in Paris before graduating. He also commended basketball coach Wes Peck on his professionalism during ball games.

All board members were in attendance along with corporation attorney Larry Eaton to advise. The next board meeting will be held on Monday, April 20 beginning at 7 p.m. in the administration building.