JCD building project moves ahead

Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

The Jac-Cen-Del Schools building project is continuing to move forward with the formation of the Building Corporation which was approved at the regular JCD board meeting on Wednesday, June 16.

According to the architect, the project is ready to go out to bid with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for June 29 and bid openings scheduled for July 13 at 2 p.m.

According to George Link, architect, the project will be bid in three categories, general, electrical and mechanical. Plans are to begin construction in August.

Retention rates are lower than previous years, according to high school assistant principal Brian Fehribach. Superintendent Bill Narwold noted that the majority of the 13 students retained at the elementary school were in first grade. This means that the staff and students are working a little harder, according to Narwold.

Elementary Art teacher Stacy Gray invited the board to look at the completed sculpture project along the wall near the kindergarten playgrounds. Gray received Lilly and Reynolds Foundation grants last summer to study sculpture in California.

Each grade is represented by a butterfly created from hardware cloth and a special cement-like material. Students from each grade created special ceramic pieces to embed into the wet material.

Narwold updated the board on a special financial meeting held in Indianapolis. According to Narwold, the superintendents were advised to expect more cuts in the coming year.

In personnel, the resignation of Carrie McNew as dance team coach was approved; summer preschool assistants Sarah Kelts and Jane Ann Vankirk were approved; the employment of Marcus Wirth as summer recreation worker was approved; and Courtney Hughes as an aid at the elementary school.

Due to uncertain financial and enrollment numbers, the recommendation to approve the reduction in work force for instructional aids and cook assistants was approved 4-1 with Deanna Young voting against.

In other business:

• Book rental fees were unanimously approved.

• The approval of the transfer tuition was approved. Tuition will be free before September 17. After that it will cost $600 for the remainder of the school year.
• The PTO yard sale will be held on July 30 and 31.

• The “I Caught You” award was presented to Sue Mullikin for going above and beyond the call of duty and for all the extra things she does and rarely receiving any credit for it. “I do it because I love the kids,” said Mullikin.

• The board accepted a $1220 donation from the Margaret Mary Community Hospital consisting of the proceeds from the athletic physicals completed on May 12. The funds will go to the athletic department.

All board members were in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 21 beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.