Elementary principal named at JCD meeting

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Several recognitions and personnel changes were made at the regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del School Board of Trustees held May 16.

The board voted unanimously to approve Travis Rohrig as the principal for the elementary school.

Board members were very complimentary of Rohrig taking the position with Deanna Young, board president, saying he had done a great job as a teacher. She said she believes he will do a great job and be a good mentor. Paul Hardy also joined in saying Rohrig had "earned the elementary principal position."

Outgoing board member John Billman noted that he has tremendous faith in Rohrig and has seen a tremendous growth in him over the year. "You may not always know the influence you have on a student," he advised.

Rohrig will take the position of principal effective July 1, 2012.

Some of the recognitions included:

• Dr. Leanna Phillippe thanked Mrs. April Hughes and her students for all of their hard work and beautiful job they did on the elementary landscaping. She also thanked everyone who was involved in the art show, book fair and music program.

• The Fourth District Girls Basketball Coach of the Year award went to Scott Smith.

• Superintendent Bill Narwold complimented the high school and elementary on their outstanding art and music programs.

• Mrs. Dixon's kindergarten class adopted a kindergarten class from Henryville and raised over $1500 to help them buy books for their classroom after it was destroyed by the March 2 tornado.

• Congratulations were given to the first junior high academic team who placed in the top ten in the state.

• The high school social studies academic team placed second in the state and were also congratulated. They will be receiving medals, a team plaque and the Napoleon State Bank will provide them each with a ring for their accomplishments.

• The "I Caught You Award" was given to Cindy Toops for the many ways that she supports the Jac-Cen-Del School system , staff and most importantly, the students.

Under personnel:

• The board accepted the resignation of board member John Billman effective June 1, 2012, due to him locating outside of the Jac-Cen-Del School district.

• The retirement of Paul Thole was unanimously accepted and is effective May 31, 2012.

• The board accepted the retirement request from Susan White as a corporation bus driver effective May 21, 2012.

• David Huling was granted his request to resign from his teaching position at the end of the 2011-2012 contract period.

• Vicki Demaree was given unanimous approval to be a corporation bus driver beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. She will get all benefits provided in the educational support staff package. It was also recommended that the 30-day probation period be waived.

• The board approved 2012 summer employees for the following positions: technology, transportation, building/grounds, summer recreation, latch key and camps/condition.

Lunch prices will remain the same for the 2012-2013 school year with the elementary school students paying $1.25 for breakfast and $1.50 for lunch; the middle/high school prices will be $1.50 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch. Adults will pay $2.50

The middle/high school handbook for 2012-2012 was unanimously approved.

In other business:

• Dr. Phillippe shared the results of a survey regarding students wearing school uniforms. Overall 69% did not want to implement a school uniform policy. It was noted that JCD will not be moving forward with any type of motion for a school uniform dress code policy at this time.

• Melodie Busch, chairman of the JCD Scholarship Foundation, gave a report about the process and determining factors of recipients. She said the foundation is operated by volunteers who hold various fundraisers to supplement the amount of awards. Since 1989 the foundation has awarded 380 scholarships. She also noted that private donations are also received and very appreciated.

• Alex Dodge shared that he had been a boyscout since he was 12 and has now completed his sixth and final rank to become an Eagle Scout. The JCD senior created an organized walking trail in the woods across from the high school. He hopes it can be used as an educational tool for students. The Eagle Scout project is complex, but Dodge continues to work on the trail he named in honor of classmate Emily Huntington, who lost her life in a vehicle accident during the school year.

• Health classes for the 2012-13 school year will be online through the Indiana Virtual Academy.

• The band width issue has been taken care of with the purchase of additional megs through the Indiana Virtual Academy.

• JCD will have five seats at the Learning Center, which will be taught through the Virtual Academy as before.

• A horticulture course through the Southeastern Career Center is in the making.

• Cummins Diesel, Columbus, will be signing an agreement with the Southeastern Career Center to build a building, provide two dyno units and software for a diesel program. This would allow students who complete the program to immediately start a job at Cummins.

The next regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del School Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the JCD Middle/High School Cafeteria. The public is invited to attend.