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JCD
administrators address flu issue
Beth
Rumsey, Staff Writer
In an effort to clear up any misinformation regarding two Jac-Cen-Del
junior high students that have been confirmed with the Type A
flu virus, school nurse Marla Thompson gave an update at the regular
board meeting on Wednesday, August 19. Thompson has been in contact
with the Ripley County Health Nurse Vickie Powell as well as the
Ripley County Health Officer Dr. David Welsh, regarding the issue.
Prevention of the spread of the virus was addressed at the orientation
meeting for the staff at the start of the school year, according
to Thompson. Steps have been taken to ensure that as many surfaces
as possible are disinfected daily at the end of the day.
Parents have been notified via a letter sent home, according to
Thompson. Sanitizing hand gels are available in areas that do
not have easy access to soap and water as well as in the school
cafeterias, art rooms and libraries.
Teachers in the elementary school are reminding students of proper
hand washing techniques and drinking fountain etiquette. We
want to ensure the safety of the students, said Thompson.
Parents are reminded that any medical questions should be answered
by their doctors, noted Superintendent Bill Narwold. Board member
Paul Hardy reminded those attending that there are several different
forms of the Type A virus even though the Ripley County Health
Department treats all Type A viruses as if they were the H1N1
virus as stated on the Ripley County Health Department website
at www.ripley-co-in-health.org.
In her report to the board, Elementary Principal Leanna Phillippe
explained the Supplemental Education Services program that must
be provided to all students that meet the criteria as prescribed
by Title One. According to Phillippe, these services will be provided
by an outside company and will allow parents a choice in which
program they want their child to participate.
Phillippe explained that these will be Internet based and will
be made up of a small group of no more than six students. The
after school program might hire some of the elementary staff to
implement the program. It is her hope that the school will be
able to provide the same type of assistance to those non-proficient
students who do qualify for the SES program.
This program will be at no cost to the qualified student, according
to Phillippe. A qualified student is one who is non-proficient
and qualifies for free or reduced lunches/books. More information
will be sent home to the parents in the coming months. The motion
to approve the contract provider agreement for the SES program
was unanimously approved.
Superintendent Narwold reported that there were seven transfer
students at the beginning of the school year from Greensburg,
Batesville, South Ripley, and East Central Schools. JCD will continue
to waive the tuition fee for transfer students until September
18. There were 13 students who moved out of the JCD district for
various reasons, according to Superintendent Narwold.
Personnel recommendations approved by the board include employing
Travis Rohrig as track coach and elementary boys intramural coach;
Pat Holland for a small agriculture class; rehiring Linda Hunger
as an instructor at the elementary; Sara Kelts as a part-time
aid in the elementary; and a second special needs bus route and
driver as needed.
Two options for the renovations at the elementary and high schools
were presented by Scott Veazey of VPS Architecture. The plan approved
by the board will renovate the existing science classrooms into
regular classrooms and create four science labs that are next
to each other; and expand some rooms for band. Renovations include
expanding the kitchen and cafeteria in the high school, plans
for additional softball/baseball fields, and general repairs in
the elementary.
The cost of the proposed projects will be between $3-$4 million
dollars according to Veazey. The board approved the recommendation
to authorize Superintendent Narwold to form a financial advisory
team.
All board members were in attendance along with corporation attorney
Tim Day to advise. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday,
September 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at the JCD high school cafeteria.
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