Banner Graphic, Volume 14, Number 178, Greencastle, Putnam County, 3 April 1984 — Page 1

Detour no more: Roadblocks to education must be eliminated, panel agrees

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Affairs Editor Removing roadblocks from effective teaching is a responsibility of the total community, according to a panel of local educators who spoke at a Farm Bureau meeting Monday night at Mathena Manor. Panelists participated in a program sponsored by the Local Affairs Committee of the Farm Bureau as a public service. Joining members Monday night were school people representing administrators, teachers and school board members from all Putnam County schools. ADDRESSING THE SUBJECT roadblocks to counseling students, was Ruth Rehlander, a teacher in the Greencastle Community Schools, who prefaced her remarks by noting a positive approach to the problem in areas of support from

"Go fly a kite" may have been the order of the day on Sunday and Monday in Putnam County as bright sun shine and warm temperatures gave brief rise to hopes for a nice stretch of spring weather. Kite-flying enthusiasts Mark Reed (left), 8, son of Tim Reed, Greencastle, and Mike Clark, 9, son of David Clark, Greencastle, were among those harboring such high hopes as they cast their fate to the winds on the DePauw University soccer field. What goes up must come down, of course, and that goes for temperatures, too, as cold air and rain returned Tuesday. (Banner-Graphic photo by Bob Frazier).

South Putnam calendar adored

By LARRY GIBBS Banner-Graphic Publisher Adoption of a 1984-85 school calendar highlighted an unusually brief regular monthly session of the South Putnam School Board Monday night. Meeting for only 30 minutes, the board approved Supt. James Hammond’s recommendation of a calendar that calls for 175 days for elementary pupils, 176 days for junior and senior high students and 180 days for faculty. At the junior and senior high levels, the 1984-85 schedule includes one additional day over the present school year. “THIS CALENDAR WAS proposed quite awhile ago,” Hammond said, “but we had waited for the General Commission (Indiana State Commission on General Education) to decide the start of school

Putnam puddles A 90 per cent chance of rain with thunderstorms possible overnight. Turning cooler, with low in the upper 30s to low 40s. Cool again Wednesday with an 80 per cent chance of rain. High Wednesday in the low to mid 40s. Winds from the east at 15 mph. Indiana Extended Outlook The Indiana extended forecast for Thursday through Saturday begins with rain and cool conditions. Lows in the 30s Thursday with highs from the mid 40s to mid 50s. Partly cloudy Friday and Saturday. A little warmer with highs in the 50s to around 60. Lows from the mid 30s to 40. Abby A 4 Calendar A 4 Classifieds A 9 Comics A 5 Crossword A 8 Heloise A 4 Horoscope A 9 Obituaries AlO People A 5 Sports A7.AB TV’ A 5 Worry Clinic A 9

parents and student interest from teachers. Roadblocks she considered include those present in society, in the home and in the classroom. Contributing in society is the rising crime rate and its effects on students plus abuse of various forms, she said. “We are in a more mobile society,” she said, noting pupil changes as families moved about. Lifestyle in the family, pressures in the home and the lack of honesty also have their effect in counseling students, she said. CLASSROOM ROADBLOCKS, the speaker said, involve the lack of time for counseling and peer pressure among students. “Students have a fear of being themselves,” she said. There is also the problem of finding out what the student’s

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Tuesday, April 3,1984, Vol. 14 No. 178 20 Cents ™

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and the number of days required.” The superintendent’s reference to the start of school recalled an earlier unsuccessful attempt in the state legislature to bar the start of classes until after Labor Day. Hammond, who read the calendar in detail prior to the board’s 4-0 authorization vote, said it has the support of the South Putnam Classroom Teachers Association. South Putnam’s first full day of school will be Aug. 22 with May 23 scheduled as the last day for students. There will be no school on Labor Day, Sept. 3; fall vacation, Oct. 25-26; Election Day, Nov. 6; Veterans Day, Nov. 12; Thanksgiving vacation, Nov. 22-23; Christmas vacation, from 3 p.m. Dec. 21 to the resumption of classes Jan. 2; End of first semester, Jan. 11, records day for faculty only; Spring Vacation, March 25-29,.and Good Friday,

uommissioners advised or employment program

There's a summer place for youth to work

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor Summer employment opportunities for youth became the focus of the Putnam County commissioners Monday evening as the board gave endorsement for the county to participate in a statewide work study program implemented by the State Student Assistant Commission. Presenting the data to Commissioners Jim Malayer, John Carson and Don Walton was county Treasurer Myrtle Cockrell. Reading from a notice provided by the Association of Indiana Counties, Mrs. Cockrell said the state will provide 50 per cent of the student’s wages and salaries during the summer months of 1984. “THERE ARE GUIDELINES,” Mrs Cockrell related. She said students must work for either a private non-profit organization, or state and local governments. Also, an approved institution of post-secondary education may serve as the employer. Students must have applied for a state grant for 1983-84, be designated as undergraduates and must be willing to work a 40-hour week. During the month of May, Mrs. Cockrell

problems are. Speaking on roadblocks to extracurricular subjects and activities, Shirley Steward, teacher in North Putnam schools, spoke on the limitations caused by a legislative mandate for six hours daily in approved courses under classroom teachers. “The basic intent of the law is good,” she said, “since it gives each subject maximum time with few interruptions.” The roadblocks come in the scheduling of athletic events, pep sessions, music, vocational activities and club activities. THESE CAN NO LONGER be in terspersed during the school day proper and to work them in after the six hours would require a longer school day, Steward said. Specifically, she noted the effect on sec-

April 5. Elementary parent-teacher conferences at Belle Union, Fillmore and Reelsville will be Oct. 24. IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board: -Took under advisement two bids for purchase of 17 computer terminals for the high school. Bids opened Monday night included $30,372.84 from Tandy Corp. (Radio Shack) and $37,047.30 from Telephone and Data Systems of Waldron, Ind., parent firm of Communications Corp. of Indiana. Fifteen of the computer units are to be located in the high school’s computer lab and two in the business education department. -Heard Hammond report that James Associates, an Indianapolis-based architectural and engineering firm employed by the school corporation, will at-

told the commissioners she could utilize one student. With money in her treasurer’s budget to cover extra help, Mrs. Cockrell said the worker could work twice as long under the program. She also pointed out that county clerk Sharon Hammond, County Court Judge Sally Gray and Circuit Court Judge William C. Vaughn 111 are interested in obtaining a work-study student. IT WAS POINTED OUT that the funds for work-study students would have to be allotted first with the state providing reimbursement later. Mrs. Cockrell also noted that the Putnam County Council would have to appropriate the funds for Putnam County’s participation. With few comments, a motion to allow the program was made by Carson with a second voiced by Walton. Malayer made the motion unanimous. In other action, the board approved change orders in connection with further renovation work being completed in the old Putnam Circuit Courtroom. Also, the commissioners denied that an electrical change be made in the old Circuit Courtroom as a change order request was not brought before the board prior to the work being completed. IN OTHER BUSINESS, the com-

tional practice in basketball, special music programs. Future Farmers of America judging activities and transportation difficulties for club or other activity if these are held when school is not in session. Public attitude is a major roadblock in the teaching of special education classes, Leo Schmidt, North Putnam substitute teacher, said. He defined those needing this kind of teaching as retarded, physically handicapped and those with learning disabilitities. SCHMIDT SAID THAT parents can be a roadblock when they are not willing to admit that their child is in need of special help, and they may blame the school when the child fails to perform to their level of expectation.

tempt to arrange a meeting with state officials April 10, 11 or 12 regarding demolition of the 1917 building at Fillmore. Plans to tear down the abandoned building have been complicated by State Board of Health requirements regarding water and sewage system improvements at the Fillmore school. -ALSO HEARD HAMMOND report that a second progress meeting on the Central Elementary School project was conducted last Friday with several of the contractors involved in attendance. The superintendent said contractors hope to begin soon laying water and sewage lines to the building site, a field immediately southeast of the high school. However, Hammond said, conditions are too wet to allow heavy equipment onto the site for at Col. 3, back page, this section

missioners: ♦Established April 21 as the sale date to auction excess county materials and equipment from the courthouse and highway department. •Gave authorization for county surveyor Alan Stanley to survey the Putnam County landfill to determine how much additional space is at the location. •Will invite Bill Dory, project manager for Main Street Greencastle, to a future commissioners’ meeting to enlighten the board how the courthouse fits into the downtown square being designated as historical district. •HEARD A PROPOSAL from county resident Robert Johnston about having a section of roadway maintained by the county. Johnston said he was advised a few years ago that, if he brought the road up to county specifications, the county would take over the maintenance. •Gave approval for General Telephone to cut across county roads in Greencastle and Marion townships as specified by a plan submitted to the board. •Approved the application, SIO,OOO bond and 60-day notice requirement for the Pingleton Lumber Co. to drive on county

Not all children are created equal, he said, and each should be helped to reach his potential, at whatever level that is. Other roadblocks listed by the speaker included the attitude of society which considers those persons needing help as inferior. He was critical of the system which involves busing of special and vocational students from one school to another. He noted, however, that lack of funding makes this system necessary, although instruction time is lost in transit. CAROL EMERY, SOUTH Putnam teacher, said that the major roadblock to school discipline is that the child is not successful and feels he has no stake in what is going on. This feeling of self-worth can begin at kindergarten age when children who are not ready for this experience are enrolled.

Heist fails at New Ross bank NEW ROSS--At presstime Tuesday area authorities were searching for a man who tried to rob the Farmers State Bank at New Ross in southeastern Montgomery County. At 10:55 a.m., a white male, described as 5-9, 160 pounds with dark hair and of average build, entered the bank wearing a hosierytype stocking over his head. Although no gun was displayed, he kept his hand in his pocket as if he had one, police said. No money was taken in the aborted robbery attempt. The suspect, said tc be wearing blue jeans, white jogging shoes and a dark jacket, fled on foot, authorities said.

roads with overweight trucks, but only on designated roads. Retroactive to April 1, Pingleton officials are required to submit to the highway department supervisor a detailed plan of what routes the company plans to use. If approved by the supervisor, the truck driver will be given a permit for a 60-day time span, alerting law enforcement officials he has permission to drive a particular route. •RECEIVED NOTICE from county attorney Robert Lowe that Donna Goodhart, a Clay County teen-ager, has given notice of intent to seek damages resulting from an accident which occurred last year. In that accident, two Clay County teen-agers were killed. Earlier, the parents of one of the teen-agers killed, also notified Putnam County officials of their intent to seek reimbursement for their daughter’s death. Both claim Putnam County officials were negligent in keeping the road maintained properly. •Acknowledge that Bridge 67 on County Road 775 east is reopened to traffic. Also, the board signed additional paperwork pertaining to Bridge 160 on County Road 625 west and Bridge 184 on County Road 375 west. Both are federal aid projects in line for replacement with new spans.

When their self image is crushed, it is difficult to build it back up, the speaker said. When children know they are accepted, they thrive and get the most out of school, but the roadblock to discipline comes when a student is constantly told what is wrong with him. Moderator for the panel session was Merideth Kincaid, Farm Bureau legislative assistant, who spoke on new laws affecting education. He also had available school statistics books which were available to school administrators. PLANNING MONDAY night’s meeting was Noble Fry, chairman of the Local Affairs Committee of the Farm Bureau. Also participating was William Rowings, president of the Putnam County Farm Bureau.

Not guilty pleas for 5 cyclists By BARBARA CARHART Banner-Graphic Staff Writer Preliminary not guilty pleas were entered in Putnam Circuit Court late Monday morning for five of six motorcycle gang members who allegedly abducted a Fillmore man at gunpoint, beat him and robbed him in Fillmore this past weekend. Charged with criminal confinement (class B felony), battery causing serious bodily injury (class C felony) and armed robbery (class B felony), are Wayne “Egor” Peterson, 29, and Von “Weasel” Meyer, 31, both of Cedar Lake, Harley Black , 22. Danville, Alfred Mills. 28. Crown Point, Joseph Rodek, 36, Fillmore, and Frank Leuteritz, Clayton. Leuteritz is still at large, police said. BAIL WAS SET AT $25,000 cash or surety bond. A pre-trial conference and omnibus hearing have been set for May 29, with trial by jury scheduled for 9 a.m. June 15. All of the defendants will have to seek private counsel as the court found that they are not considered indigent. Their alleged victim, Danny Fisher, Route 1, Fillmore, was treated and released from Putnam County Hospital Saturday for rope burns to his neck and wrists, scald burns on his legs and lacerations to his eyes. He was allegedly abducted from his Fillmore home Friday evening and taken to the Radek residence where he was beaten while he was tied to a chair in the kitchen and robbed of S4O. Originally, police believed Fisher had been robbed of S2OO. Peterson, Radek, Mills, Meyer and Black were apprehended at approximately 4:55 p.m. Saturday after Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and State Police officials set up two roadblocks on U.S. 36, just outside of Bainbridge. The suspects were taken by surprise, Sheriff Gerry Hoffa said, and were arrested without incident. AT LEAST THREE LOADED weipons were confiscated-a .45 caliber automatic and a 9 mm handgun from the vehicles and a .44 caliber lever-action rifle from the Radek home, police said. Fisher was allegedly struck with the butt end of the .44 caliber lever-action rifle during the vigil at the Radek home which lasted between 10 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the report. Arriving at the Radek home with the apparent intention of partying, the suspects allegedly learned that Radek’s motorcycle was missing and repeatedly questioned Fisher about the whereabouts of the bike during the victim's alleged confinement at the Radek home. Soon after 3 a.m., police said, Fisher allegedly worked himself free from the ropes and returned to his home where he called the sheriff’s department sometime after noon Saturday. Fisher was able to identify some of his alleged captors by names and others by nicknames, Hoffa said. The alleged victim personally knows Radek and Black but the other suspects were pursued using nicknames and physical descriptions. A WARRANT WAS issued to search the Radek home and police decided initially to investigate the scene in an unmarked vehicle before calling other units in, Hoffa said. After recognizing some of the suspects allegedly stopped in the middle of the road due to a disabled vehicle, police called for assistance and roadblocks were set up. Peterson, Black, Meyer, Radek and Mills were still being held at the Putnam County Jail Tuesday morning, awaiting the posting of bond.