“She has done an outstanding job for us at Milan,” Interim Superintendent Gene Pitts told the Milan School Board at their regular meeting held Monday, April 20. He was referring to Gretchen Berger who will be honored on May 15 by the Indiana Association of School Business Officials as Treasurer of the Year for her hard work and dedication to the Milan School Corporation.

Members of the student council reported on a recent field trip for leadership training. There, the students learned how to be a leader in the community and how to handle stress and conflicts. They also had the opportunity to meet with students from other schools as well as hear several motivational speakers. “I think we have great student leaders,” said Pitts.

A grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation was unanimously approved. The funds will go towards improvements to the football field. Also approved was a grant application for technology improvements to the elementary, middle school, and the high school. According to Pitts, the funds will pay for the installation of ceiling mounted projectors and other hardware for use by the teachers.

After meeting with the principals and the nurses, Pitts recommended the revision of Corporation Policy #6600, which deals with the dispensing of medicine. According to Pitts, the change will address those students with unique medical conditions when attending field trips. Parents will be reminded that there will not be a nurse on the field trip, but the parent will be allowed to attend. The revision to Corporation Policy #6600 was unanimously approved.

The 2009 Ripley County Chamber of Commerce Christmas ornament will feature the unique design by Milan student John Herzog. The design features scenes of the past from the town and the school.
The elementary school has met the AYP standards set by the state, according to Pitts. The middle school and the high school passed all but a few of the categories required. Pitts assured the board members that these issues are being addressed.

The dates for summer school were approved. Grades 2-8 will attend from August 10 through 13. Those attending the high school English and Algebra will attend in two sessions from June 8 through July 2 and from July 6 through 31.

In other business:

• The motion to approve the social studies textbook adoption was unanimously approved.

• The donation of a typewriter by Robert E. Kirk, Jr. was unanimously approved.

• The following fundraisers were approved: FFA to sell beef and pork products; and sophomore class raffle of a laptop and iPod.
• Field trip requests approved include 8th grade science and geography classes to the Omnimax; social studies trip to French Lick and West Baden Hotel; and student council to attend an awards program.
• The softball agreement with the Milan Park was unanimously approved.

• The resignations of Jason Dudgeon and Glenna Thomasson were unanimously approved. Also, the resignation of athletic director David Wolferst was approved.

• The recommendation to employ Clayton Wullenweber as middle school custodian was approved. Yatzi Roysden was approved as girls softball coach.

• Mary Pat Taylor and Carla Holt were approved as homebound instructors for two elementary students.

• The Mutual Aid Agreement with Ripley Crossing was unanimously approved.
The next board meeting will be held on Monday, May 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at the administration building.