The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 13 November 1986 — Page 2

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - NOVEMBER 13, IM6

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JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES The Board of Trustees of the John Glenn School Corporation met in regular session on November 4. 1986 at 7:40 p.m. in the library of John Glenn High School. Mrs. Beem, Mrs. Craft, Mr. Hostetler. Mr. Ludwig. Mr. Millar and Mr. Miller were present at the meeting. The superintendent and 15 observers were also present. Following a motion by Mrs. Beem. seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted five to zero to one (Mrs. Craft abstaining) to approve the minutes of the September 30. 1986 executive session as presented. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to approve the minutes of the October 14. 1986 regular session as presented. Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to approve claims numbered 1,741 through 1,873 as presented. OLD BUSINESS A. Property and Liability Insurance: The superintendent presented a summary of insurance quotes covering Corporation policies which include a comprehensive business policy, public employee bonds, umbrella liability policy, commercial auto, workmen’s compensation and school board errors and omissions. Quotes on this insurance were received from the Johnson-Williams Agency of Koontz Lake totaling $82,042 and from the Small Agency of Walkerton totaling $65,633. Dr. Smith explained that the insurance industry is very volatile at this time. Insurance coverages and premiums must be closely observed. He recommended that the Board accept the lower dollar quote and conduct careful review of Corporation insurance coverage at six months and 18 months intervals, or anytime when conditions warrant investigation. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to name the Small Agency of Walkerton as Corporation Agent of Record at the quoted figure of $65,533. Further, the Board instructs the superintendent to conduct early review of insurance coverage as recommended. B. John Glenn High School Proposal and Requirements for Participation in Extracurricular Activities — First Reading: Mr. Shuler, principal at John Glenn High School, presented a proposal to the Board to establish purposes and a policy governing high school students’ participation in extracurricular activities. He explained that this proposal has been formulated based upon research with other school corporations and input by the high school staff. It is very similar in context to the athletic participation rule enacted by the Board during the past summer. However, the proposal does not yet effectively deal with extracurricular activities which are also a part of the graded curriculum. Members of the Board questioned Mr. Shuler about how this policy would be administered and instructed him to continue his development of the proposal. A revised proposal is to be returned to the Board early in the second semester of this school year. He is also to present information on how the proposed policy would affect students had it been enacted during the first semester of this school year. A final proposal will likely be enacted to take effect at the beginning of the next school year. NEW BUSINESS A. 1987 Budget Assessed Valuation, Rates, and Levy: The superintendent submitted documents to the Board detailing the results of the 1987 Budget Hearing which

was held at the St. Joseph County Auditor’s office on Wednesday, October 29. The Corporation assessed valuation has been set at $44,706,130. In the previous two years the assessed valuation was at $46,769,030 and $45,326,440 respectively. The net loss over the two year period is $2,062,900 or a decrease of 4.4%. During this two year period Johnson Township has increased in assessed valuation approximately 6%. Polk Township has increased approximately 3%, North Liberty has decreased approximately 7%, Liberty Township has decreased approximately 16%, Walkerton has increased approximately 6.5%, and Lincoln Township has increased approximately 3.5%. The current assessed valuation for each unit is: Johnson Township $2,234,150, Polk Township $10,696,980. North Liberty $4,325,000, Liberty Township $15,325,000, Walkerton $7,900,000 and Lincoln Township $4,225,000. The predicted tax rates during last summer's budget preparatin were general fund $2.7571, debt service fund $2.1674, cumulative building fund $0.2500, transportation fund $0.5556. The total rate predicted was $5,7301. These rates are a rough prediction based upon projections of budget, state support and tax collection. Dr. Smith explained that he was very happy to report that anticipated tax collections from miscellaneous revenues including excise tax were understated in the earlier predictions by approximately $200,000. Therefore, tax rates and levies for the 1987 budget year have been set as follows: St. Joseph County (Liberty Township, North Liberty. Lincoln Township, Walkerton) General Fund $2.4458 Debt Service Fund 1.9985 Transportation Fund 0.5158 Cumulative Building Fund 0.2500 Total Rate $5.2101 Per SIOO Assessed Valuation Total Levy $1,655,509 LaPorte County (Johnson Township) General Fund $2.2608 Debt Service Fund 1.9985 Transportation Fund 0.5158 Cumulative Building Fund 0.2500 Total Rate $5.0251 Per SIOO Assessed Valuation Total Levy $112,268 Marshall County (Polk Township) General Fund $2.1629 Debt Service Fund 1.9985 Transportation Fund 0.5158 Cumulative Building Fund 0.2500 Total Rate $4.9272 Per SIOO Assessed Valuation Total Levy $527,061 The general fund rate in LaPorte and Marshall Counties are lower than the St. Joseph County general fund rate due to the local option tax. The total tax levy among the three counties is $2,294,838. The actual tax rates per SIOO assessed valuation set for the 1987 budget year are 52 cents lower in St. Joseph County, 71 cents lower in LaPorte County, and 80 cents lower in Marshall County than the earlier projected rates. B. Walkerton Elementary School and Central Facilities Project: 1. Tentative Project Schedule: The superintendent submitted a tentative project schedule to the Board. The schedule calls for a tentative construction start date of June 23, 1987. This date is contingent upon a number of benchmarks such as holding a public hearing on the project, securing Indiana Department of Education approval, approval of project certifications, approval of a financing plan, and approval of the School Tax Control Board. Completion of the project is anticipated for the summer of 1988. 2. Program’ for Walkerton Elementary Project: The superintendent submitted a document to the Board entitled “Program for Walk- ' erton Elementary Project" which was prepared by R. W. Ginton A 1 Associates, project architect. The

Board was asked to review this document which was compiled based upon interviews with Mrs. Lightfoot, Walkerton Elementary School principal, and her staff. The project architect will attend the next Board meeting for the purpose of collecting additional information from the Board and giving an update on progress in preparing preliminary drawings and cost estimates. 3. Execute Contract with Construction Control; The superintendent submitted a copy of the contract which has been negotiated with Construction Control, construction manager for the Walkerton Elementary project. He also submitted a letter from the Corporation attorney, Kenneth Lukenbill, clarifying the conditions of the contract. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted six to zero to approve the negotiated contract with Construction Control, a division of Schenkel & Schultz, Inc., of Fort Wayne, as construction manager for the Walkerton Elementary School and central service facilities project. 4. Authorize 1028 Public Hearing: Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to authorize the superintendent to publish notice of a public hearing for the purpose of explaining the Walkerton Elementary School and central service facilities project to the public. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 25, 1986 at Walkerton Elementary' School. A document entitled “Excerpts from the Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees of John Glenn School Corporation, St. Joseph, LaPorte and Marshall Counties, Indiana" is attached to and a part of these minutes as an explanation for the purpose and conduct of this public hearing. 5. Select Financial Consultant: The superintendent presented a Letter of Agreement from Municipal Finance Corporation of South Bend detailing the conditions by which Municipal Finance would serve as finanacia! consultant for the proposed project. He explained that Mr. James Keil of Municipal Finance has worked with the John Glenn Schoo! Corporation on many projects and comes highly recommended by other clients. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted six to zero to approve the Letter of Agreement between Municipal Finance Corporation of South Bend and the John Glenn School Corporation for financing of the proposed Walkerton Elementary School and central service facilities project. The agreed fee is $2.25% of the total project cost, not to exceed $40,000. 6. Authorize Request for IDE Project Number: The superintendent explained that in order to proceed with this project it is necessary to request a project number from the Indiana Department of Education. He submitted to the Board a copy of the proposed application. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to authorize the superintendent to request an Indiana Department of Education Project Number for the proposed Walkerton Elementary School and centra] service facilities project. C. Conference Requests: Following a motion by Mrs. Beem. seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to grant the following conference requests: 1. Don Fortlander, Cindy Wagdner, Band Directors, “Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Ginic”, Chicago, December 18 - 19, 1986. 2. Deb Pickerel!, Ann Camblin, Rich Binkey, North Liberty School, Betty Brown, Jenny Heemer, Walkerton Elementary School, “South Central Elementary Teacher Exchange — Grade 1", Novem-

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS Publication Number 261460 ROBERT E. URBIN, EDITOR SUSAN R. URBIN, ASSISTANT EDITOR INDEPENDENT-NEWS CO., INC., PUBLISHER 601-03 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 46574-1294 Telephone (219) 586-3139 601-03 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 46574-1294 Telephone (219) 586-3139 PUBLICATIONS TIME: Thursday of Each Week Second Class Postage Paid At Walkerton, Indiana 46574 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 20‘ Per Copy; $6.00 Per Year (SI.OO Extra If Mailed Out Os State)

ber 14, 1986. The Board accepted the following written conference reports: 1. Hugh Rettinger, John Glenn High School, “Financial Aid Workshop". 2. Laurie Morris, North Liberty School, Carol Wiwi, Walkerton Elementary School, “Westville Elementary Teacher Exchange — Grade 3". 3. Cyndy Williams, North Liberty School. “Conference On Early Childhood". 4. Mike Shuler, John Glenn High School, "Principal’s Fall Conference”. 5. Vicki Craig, Urey Middle School. “Learning Disabilities Conference”. 6. Judy New, Walkerton Elementary School, Pat Stiver, North Liberty School, "G/T Grant Recipients Meeting”. 7. Marilyn Lightfoot, Walkerton Elementary School, "Math Is A Non-Trival Pursuit". 8. Jana Burkholder. North Liberty School. “LOGO Computer Workshop". E. Appointments: Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to make the following appointments: 1. Bruce Keiser, Social Studies, Adult Education Program. 2. Randy Schmeltz, Evening Recreation, Adult Education Program. 3. Scott Hollenbaugh, John Glenn High School Intramural Sports. F. Others: 1. Request for Student Attendance District Change: The superintendent submitted a letter to the Board from Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McGwin requesting that their children, Stephanie, an eighth grader at North Liberty School, and Jessica, an elementary student at North Liberty School, be allowed to continue to attend North Liberty School for the remainder of this school year even though the family will soon be moving into the Walkerton Elementary/Urey Middle School attendance district. Mr. and Mrs. McGwin have offered to make the necessary transportation arrangements. Dr. Smith recommended that this request be granted because it is in the best interest of the children and will in no way disrupt other school schedules. Following a motion by Mrs. Beem, seconded by Mr. Ludwig, the Board voted six to zero to grant the request of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McGwin for their children, Stephanie and Jessica, to continue to attend North Liberty School for the remainder of this school year. 2. Medical Insurance Trust Update: Dr. Smith explained that over the previous six months the John Glenn School Corporation and five other local school corporations have been investigating the formation of a medical insurance trust for the purpose of gaining better and more cost effective medical insurance for employees. With Board approval, the six school corporations have retained American Schools Insurance Brokers, Inc., of Indianapolis, to assist in formulating medical insurance specifications and evaluating bids. Bids were received from Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Horace Mann, The

Equitable and The Travelers Insurance Companies. Members of the local insurance committee include Dr. Smith, the superintendent; Mrs. Beem, the Corporation treasurer; and Mr. Hostrawser. head of the high school math department. The apparent low bidder will attend a discussion session with the insurance committee and members of the teachers association executive board to explain their program. Following determination by the teachers association and the insurance committee, a recommendation will be forwarded to the Board at the next school board meeting. NEXT MEETING DATE The Board will meet in regular session on Tuesday. November 18, 1986 at 7:30 p.m. in the library of Urey Middle School. The Board will meet in special session for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the proposed Walkerton Elementary School and central service* facilities project on Tuesday, November 25. 1986 at 7:30 p.m. in the library of Walkerton Elementarv School. ADJOURNMENT Following a motion by Mrs. Beem. seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. SENIOR CITIZEN BOWLING NEWS The Senior Bowlers increased their numbers to 31 bowlers and four spectators, the largest total so far this season. That made the competition keen again this week, with both the ladies and gents tallying some very close totals! Among the 18 lady bbwlers. Betty Schrader rolled the high scratch game of 157, followed by Helen Bowman's 151. The high handicap game was tallied by Helen Pontius with a 223 total. Betty Schrader's 220 and Stephanie Kilarshi's 216 were close second and third place competitors. High series of 420 total was rolled by Betty Schrader. Good fun. exercise and bowling made it a fine day for the ladies. The 13 gents saw Marion Anderson roll a nice high scratch game of 210. Harold Schweder's 191 and Paul Dampts' 188 gave him good competition. Marion also had the high handicap total of 233. Paul Dampts’ 226 and Harry Nowaczyk's 222 totals were pushing Marion all the way. The high series went to Marion who totaled a nice 547. As the season progresses, there is real improvement shown among the various bowlers. Despite the best attendance of the season, there was still room for more Senior Bowlers! You active seniors are ail welcome, either as bowlers or spectators. Come join the fun at the Walkerton Shady Lanes each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. We are always happy to add another bowler to the roster. SET ANNUAL SMOGRASBORD AND BAZAAR Hamlet United Methodist Church is sponsoring its Annual Fall Smorgasbord. Bazaar and Bake Sale, November 14, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. C.S.T. at the Church, located at the comer of Main and Madison Streets in downtown Hamlet.