Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

The announcement that the Milan Community School Corporation received a resignation from Superintendent Paul Roads was heard at the regular meeting of the Milan School Board on Monday, June 15. Tim Tuttle, president of the board, noted that “Roads did not show up for work.”

According to Tuttle, Roads explained in a phone call that he had some personal as well as staff issues and could not come to Milan. “This leaves a real sour taste in my mouth,” said board member Doug Norman, who continued, “But if I had to do it over again, Roads would still be my choice.”

The motion to accept the resignation of Superintendent Paul Roads was unanimously approved. Gene Pitts will continue as interim superintendent until June 30. The motion to modify Pitts’ resignation to include the effective date of June 30 was approved.

The Milan School Corporation has hired Steve Gookins to be interim superintendent effective July 1. According to Tuttle, Gookins, who has been interim superintendent at Lawrenceburg schools for the past few years, has 29 years of experience. Gookins started his career at Jac-Cen-Del as a teacher, then principal, and later as superintendent. Currently, he is helping other school corporations with their budgets.

The board also approved Jane Rogers, Milan Elementary Principal, as the assistant superintendent effective July 1. Rogers will receive on-the-job training from Gookins, after which she will become the superintendent. Pitts noted that Rogers will have her license by the end of the summer.

The recommendation to hire Josh Blankenship as the high school basketball coach and PE teacher was unanimously approved. Blankenship came highly recommended, according to middle school principal Marty Layden. Layden stated that he believes that Blankenship is the best candidate as a coach and a teacher.

The request for the submission of grant applications was approved. The IDEA grant application will be for the amount of $72,000 over a two year period, and will used in the middle school for tutoring and small group instruction. The Title I application will be about $85,000 over a two year period and will be used for assistance in the classroom and summer school help for the elementary.

High school principal Richard Healy recognized athletes with a 4.0 GPA for the second semester. The following student athletes received plaques: Nick Walter, Tyler Mills, Alex Walter, Bret Stites, Robby Shannon, Kyle Fuqua, Adam Lee, Matt Arkenberg, Katie Dickey, Montana Winters, Arielle Noel, Elaina Voss, Koehler Morrissey, Lydia Ertel, Elizabeth Smith, Kelsey Reese, Jessica Strassell, Donna Jarrett, Christie Robinson, Brittney Knowlton, Marki Smith, Kelly Stutler, Kayla Stutler, Neal Herzog, Ethan Voss, John Paul Jackson, Nick Ryan, Tatijana Marsee, Lizzie Fuller, and Kurtis Kimla.

In other business:

• The following lease agreements were approved: the Good News Club for the months of October and November 2009 and February and March 2010; and the use of the high school gym for a gymnastics program.

• Fund raising requests approved include the middle school band’s sale of candy bars in October; band boosters to hold a raffle in March; and the high school cheerleaders to hold a car wash and a yard sale.
• Resignations accepted include Mark Garrett and John Prifogle.

• Terminations approved include Melinda Williams as student specific aid; Ron Watts as in-house substitute teacher; and Michelle Hasmer as girls golf coach.

• The board approved the maternity leave request of Tara Obermeyer for eight weeks beginning in September.

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