The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 37, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 12 February 1987 — Page 2

THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - FEBRUARY 12, 1987

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JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES (Continued From Page 1) addition, and the third for a bus maintenance garage. Members conducted a discussion regarding the four and seven room addition. Dr. Smith pointed out that the four room addition would allow for Prime Time implementation through grade 3 and that the seven room addition would allow for Prime Time implementation through grade 3, plus the potential for sixth graders to be housed at Walkerton Elementary School or a long term K-5 design. Mr. Hostetler again stated that president Millar had related that he wished that the public would give more input on both the long-range planning position statement and the proposed addition project. Board members also discussed the need for proposed renovations and the bus maintenance garage. It was agreed that certain Fire Code and Life Safety items must be included in renovations. Board members also decided that they want to see specific quote or bid prices on other renovation items before deciding whether or not to complete them. Dr. Smith explained that any renovation or equipment items that are included in the proposed budget will be bid or quoted for competitive prices and that Board members will be able to make decisions upon which to complete based upon the competitive pricing. He also explained that any dollar amounts which are included in the original budget, but later were not used in the construction project, would be returned to reduce the amount of debt in the overall project. Following a motion by Mrs. Beem, seconded by Mr. Millar, the Board voted five (Mrs. Beem, Mrs. Craft, Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Ludwig and Mr. Millar) in favor to one (Mrs. Manuel) opposed to authorize R. W. Ginton and Associates to proceed with option eight, as presented, which is a seven room addition to Walkerton Elementary School. Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted six to zero to authorize that any Fire Code and Life Safety renovation items be included in the basic addition project and that any other renovation items and the bus maintenance garage be bid or quoted as alternate items. NEW BUSINESS A. Walkerton Elementary School P.T.A. Donation: Mrs. Josie Snell, president of the Walkerton Elementary School P.T.A., spoke to the Board regarding their recent fundraising efforts. She explained that the P.T.A. conducted fundraising efforts with particular goals in mind. Their goal during the present year was to raise funds for the purchase of reading and math materials at Walkerton Elementary School. Mrs. Snell then distributed to the Board a list of materials that had been selected through the joint efforts of the P.T.A. board and members of the

LIBERTY LANES North Liberty 656-3200 WEEKEND SPECIALS Prime Rib - Frog Legs Free Pitcher Os Pop With The ParchaM W Aey Large Pizza FEBRUARY 13, 14 & 15 (Eat In Only)

teaching staff. She asked that the Board accept this donation totaling $7,465.75 in the spirit of providing the best education possible for the students of Walkerton Elementary School. Following a motion by Mrs. Manuel, seconded by Mrs. Beem. the Board voted six to zero to accept with a hearty thank you the Walkerton Elementary School P.T.A. Fundraising donation as presented. Dr. Smith noted that over the past two years that the Walkerton Elementary School P.T.A. has donated nearly $14,000 of equipment and materials to the school. B. Urey Middle School — Lilly Endowment Award: Mr. Dick Reese, principal at Urey Middle School, discussed the recently announced SI,OOO Lilly Endowment Award presented to Urey Middle School for efforts to provide innovative and improving educational experiences to its students. He explained that of 260 middle schools in the state which were available to apply, that 103 did make application, and that 30 have been honored with this award. The 30 honorees are eligible to apply for one of 15 $20,000 grants from the Lilly Endowment. In order to make application for this grant award, Mr. Reese recommended that the Board authorize Urey Middle School to complete the Middle Grades Assessment Program at a cost of approximately $950. Board members asked if the Middle Grades Assessment Program was similar to a North Central Association evaluation self-study. Mr. Reese replied that although they are not exactly the same, there are many similarities. Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted six to zero to authorize the Urey Middle School staff to conduct the Middle Grades Assessment Program in preparation for applying to the Lilly Endowment for a $20,000 grant award. C. Resolution For Temporary Loan: Dr. Smith explained that during the first six months of this calendar year, due to cash flow, the need exists for a $350,000 temporary loan to the general fund and a $300,000 temporary loan to the debt service fund. Loans are to be borrowed against anticipated tax receipts to be collected on or before June 30. Following a motin by Mrs. Craft, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to adopt the resolution authorizing the superintendent to advertise for temporary loans in the amount of $650,000. D. John Glenn High School Proposal for English Enrollement — First Reading: Mrs. Kunze, guidance director, and Mr. Milligan, English department head at John Glenn High School, explained to the Board that under current guidelines due to increased graduation requirements that students who have experienced failure in English classes may be forced to take too many English classes during a semester. They presented a proposal to the Baord whereby a student may be enrolled in only two academic English classes during the same semester. Those stu-

dents who have experienced failure and. therefore, need remedial work will take additional credits during summer school or in additional semesters prior to graduation. Board members questioned Mrs. Kunze and Mr. Mulligan regarding need for additional staff and how summer school English could be scheduled. The Board directed Dr. Smith to investigate how a summer school English program may be implemented and asked that the high school guidance and administrative staff prepare class schedules showing English enrollment with the current staff and with an additional staff member. All Board members expressed satisfaction with the policy as proposed. Dr. Smith explained that formal adoption of this policy would occur at the same time that the John Glenn High School Student Handbook is adopted for the 198788 school year. E. Insurance Consulting Agreement: Dr. Smith explained that the members of the North Central School Employees Insurance Trust which has been recently formed by New Prairie, Union-North, Triton and John Glenn school corporations has been working with American Schools Insurance Brokers during formation of the insurance Trust. The insurance consulting agreement is to outline the responsibilities of the insurance consultants to the Trust and to the individual school corporations. Costs of the insurance consulting agreement have already been outlined to the Board along with all other insurance costs connected with the Trust. Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted six to zero to approve the insurance consulting agreement with American Schools Insurance Brokers, Inc., as presented. F. Resignations: Following a motion by Mrs. Beem, seconded by Mr. Ludwig, the Board voted six to zero to accept the following extracurricular resignations: 1. Marlene Edison, North Liberty School 7th Girls Volleyball Coach. 2. John Pattison, Middle School Head Football Coach. 3. Gene Bailey. Middle School Assistant Football Coach. Dr. Smith pointed out that Mr. Pattison's and Mr. Bailey’s resignations were for the purpose of allowing them to accept or apply for other extracurricular positions. G. Appointments: Following a motion by Mrs. Craft, seconded by Mrs. Manuel, the Board voted six to zero to make the following appointments: 1. John Pattison, John Glenn High School Assistant Football Coach. 2. John Wathen, WalkertonLincoln Township Public Library Board. H. Conference Requests: Following a motion by Mrs. Manuel, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to grant the following conference requests: 1. Pat Stiver, North Liberty School, “Deveolping Curriculum For The Gifted", Warsaw, February 2. 1987. 2. Vicki Craig, Laura O’Connor, Urey Middle School, "Indiana Federation Council For Exceptional Children", Indianapolis, February 20 and 21,1987. 3. John Thomas, Hugh Rettinger, John Glenn High School. "Indiana Geringhouse For Computer Education", Indianapolis, February 11, 1987. 4. Gladys Shaffer, North Liberty School; Judy McGovern, Urey Middle School, School Foods Level II Workshop", Merrillville, February 13, 1987. 5. Judy Wojcik, North Liberty School, "Ceramics In The Art World", Syracuse, N.Y., April 8-11,1987. G. Conference Reports: The Board accepted the following written conferences reports from staff members:

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1. Carolyn Ort, Walkerton Elementary School; Jane Bliley, Tim Davis, North Liberty School, "Textbook Caravan", Rochester. 2. Anna Rose Heim, Terry Hensler, Jane Chapman. Walkerton Elementary School; Carol Whitmer, Marilyn Gordon, North Liberty School, "Second Grade Teacher Exchange", North Liberty School. 3. Brent Kaufman, North Liberty School; Dick Reese, Urey Middle School, "Indiana Principal's Leadership Academy", Indianapolis. 4. Sharon Klinedinst, "Indiana Computer Educators Conference", Indianapolis. 5. Mary Ellen Hission, "NCA Evaluation Team", Northwestern, Kokomo. J. Teacher In-Service Day: Mr. Brent Kaufman, principal at North Liberty School, and chairman of the in-service day committee, distributed a copy of the in-service program which is to be held on Friday, February 6, 1987. He invited all members of the Board to attend any or all of the activities for that day. K. Others: 1. NSBA Convention: Dr. Smith announced that the National School Boards Association convention will be held on April 4-7 in San Francisco. He asked that Mrs. Beem, Mrs. Craft and Mr. Miller, who are to be the Board representation at the convention, meet with him following the meeting to dicuss details. 2. Collective Bargaining/Legislative Workshop: Dr. Smith announced that Mr. Millar. Mrs. Craft, Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Miller and the superintendent will attend the Indiana School Boards Association Collective Bargaining and Legislative Workshops in Indianapolis on February 11. 3. GED Certificate: Following a motion by Mr. Ludwig, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to grant a General Educational Development Certificate to Lisa Ernsberger. 4. Greene Township — Mr. Hostetler asked for Board members input on the Greene Township issue. All members expressed that they were still in favor of speaking with the South Bend Community School Corporation regarding this issue. A negotating committee of Mr. Millar, Mrs. Manuel, Mr. Hostetler. Dr. Smith and Mr. Kenneth Lukenbill, school coporation attorney, was apppointed. 5. Dr. Sheehan Program: Mrs. Beem reminded all Board members that the North Liberty School P.T.A. is sponsoring a program on February 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Liberty School featuring Dr. Michael Sheehan, prominent child psychologist. NEXT MEETING DATE The Board will meet in regular session on February 17, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. in the library of North Liberty School. ADJOURNMENT Following a motion by Mrs. Beem, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. POSITION STATEMENT In an effort to consider the impact of future educational goals of the John Glenn Shool Community,

the Board of Trustees recognized the need for long-range planning. The basis for any plan must start with the efficient and effective operation of our schools. In the spring of 1985 the Board commissioned Dr. C. William Day, of Indiana University, to study all aspects of the John Glenn Corporation. His study included grade organization, building utilization, attendance districts, transportation. staffing, tax rates and levies, and expected student population. During October of 1985 the Board held two public input meetings with the study document providing compiled data for all interested parties. Input was received from parent-teacher organizations, faculty members, the teachers' association. school administrators, and others. As the Board considered the information presented during the winter of 1985-86. additional input was sought from architects, engineers, financial consultants, and others. Individiual Board members consulted with various school patrons. From all this research, a number of given positions have become apparent. They are: 1. Enrollment is expected to stabilize. 2. Program and facility demands from the local and state level will continue to rise. 3. Elementary schools shall be maintained in both North Liberty and Walkerton. 4. Special education instruction shall be provided in both elementary schools when numbers warrant. 5. Lower elementary class size is an essential goal — implementation of Prime Time shall be expected. 6. Redistricting for attendance purposes may be necessary. 7. A unified middle school program is necessary to meet the needs of schools, the school corporation and community. 8. The present high school organization shall be continued. In order to properly react to the needs of the John Glenn School Community as discovered by longrange planning, the Board proposes that it is both prudent and proper to adopt the following positions. 1. Immediately address the problem of overcrowding at Walkerton Elementary School with an addition project. 2. Utilize Urey as a temporary facility for a unified middle school program for all seventh and eighth grade students. 3. The middle school program should consist of a modified sixth grade program, and a seventh and eighth grade middle school program. Construction of a new sixth through eighth grade facility by the fall of 1992 should be considered. The North Libety and Walkerton Elementary School sites would then each house K-5 students and have room for Prime Time. Shop and Save in Walkerton! CHANGING ADDRESS? If you are moving or your mailing address has been changed, please notify our subscription department as soon as possible. Thank you. The Independent-News