The Independent-News, Volume 113, Number 28, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 10 December 1987 — Page 8

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 10, IW7

JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES The Board of Trustees of the John Glenn School Corporation met on December 1. 1987 at 7:45 p.m. in the library of Urey Middle School. Mrs. Beem, Mrs. Craft, Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Ludwig, Mrs. Manuel and Mr. Miller were in attendance. Mr. Millar was unable to attend the meeting. The superintendent and nine observers were also present. Following a motion by Mrs. Craft, seconded by Mr. Hostetler, the Board voted six to zero to approve the minutes of the November 17, 1987 meeting as presented. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to approve claims numbered 1,937 through 2.003 as presented. RECOGNITIONS Mr. Kaufman, principal at North Liberty School, notified the Board that the organization known as the North Liberty High School Athletic Council (a booster group for the former North Liberty High School) has offered to make a donation of $510.80 to the North Liberty School for athletic materials that will be kept at North Liberty School. These funds remain from the former booster group’s activities in support of the North Liberty High School athletic department. Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to accept the North Liberty High School Athletic Council’s donation of $510.80 for the North Liberty School as stiuplated above. OLD BUSINESS A. Communicable Disease/ AIDS Policy Committee: Board member Juanita Manuel was named by the Board as their representative to this policy formulation committee. Mrs. Beem suggested that a physician from the community also be asked to serve as a member of the committee. Dr. Smith commented that he is still collected information for the committee’s work and that he expects that the St. Joseph County Health Officer. Dr. Plain, will have much information to provide the committee. If any patrons of the school community wish to serve on this committee, they should contact the superintendent at their earliest convenience. Committee work will begin after the first of the year and will probably involve at least three committee meetings. B. Walkerton Elementary School Update: 1. Water Storage Tank: Following a discussion and a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Beem, the Board voted six to zero to accept the quote of $8,395 from Dye Plumbing and Heating for removal of the old tank and installation of a new tank according to specificiations as drawn up by the Corporation architect/engineer R W Clinton A Associates. Follow ing a discussion and a motion bv Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted five aye to one na\ i Mr. Ludwig) to pay for the water tank replacement from the Corporation general fund maintenance account. 2. Authorization for Walkerton Elementary Corporation Payments: Following a motion by Mr. Hostetler. seconded by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to authorize the following payments by the Walkerton Elementary Building Corporation Ziolkowski ( >rporatk)n, $43,423.55 Colip Electric $19,333.00 3. Purchase From Equipment Account: follow mg a presentation by Brad Schmeltz. director of maintenance, discussion by the Board and a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconded by Mr. Ludwig, the Board voted six to zero to authorize

installation of three ceiling fans in the Walkerton Elementary School library . The fans are to be installed by Mr. Schmeltz and paid for from the Walkerton Elementary School Building Corporation equipment account. C. Extracurricular Bus Route: Dr. Smith reported that the extracurricular bus route began on Monday, November 30. and will continue through the month of December on a temporary schedule in order to assess what changes should be made. The route presently runs from Urey Middle School starting at 6:10 p.m., to Walkerton Elementary School, John Glenn High School, Tyner, Teegarden and North Liberty at approximately 7:00 p.m. As activity schedules change, the time schedule will be adjusted. Patrons should direct their comments and suggestions regarding the extracurricular route to the superintendent. D. Disclosure Os Conflict Os Interest: Dr. Smith explained that a new Indiana law, effective January 1. 1988, directs Board members to disclose in writing their potential conflicts of interest regarding Board members having a financial interest in school corporation business. Upon the advice of the Indiana School Boards Association legal counsel. Board members have been asked to file such written statements at this time in anticipation of the effective date of the law. Following a motion by Mrs. Craft, seconded by Mr. Ludwig, the Board voted six to zero to accept the filing of potential conflict of interest statements from Mr. Hostetler, Mrs. Manuel and Mr. Millar. NEW BUSINESS A. Walkerton Elementary School Recognition Program: Mrs. Lightfoot, principal at Walkerton Elementary School, presented information to the Board regarding an application to the U. S. Department of Education Elementary School Recognition Program. She noted that Walkerton Elementary School qualifies for application to the program on all major data indicators. She commented that even without further recogniation from the program, the exercise of completing the applicaton is a valuable one because it does a good job of assessing the current status of the school. Mrs. Lightfoot noted that she was assisted in this process by many members of her staff. Following a motion by Mrs. Manuel, seconded by Mrs. Beem. the Board voted six to zero to authorize submission of an application for Walkerton Elementary School to the U. S. Department of Education Elementary School Recognition program. B. School Board Attorney. 1988: Following a motion by Mrs. Beem. seconded by Mr. Ludwig, the Board voted six to zero to appoint Mr. John H. Peddycord. of May, Oberfell & Lorber of South Bend, as the School Board attorney effective January 1. 1988. Mr. Peddycord is a former member of the School Corporation Board of Trustees with more than five years experience. Members of the Board and the superintendent believe that Mr. Peddycord’s tenure as a Board member, coupled with his well recognized skill as an attorney, shall prove to be an excellent resource for the Board and School Corporation. C Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act: Dr. Smith explained that recent federal legislation and Environmental Protection Agency regulations requires the Corporation to conduct an extensive asbestor inspection prior to October 12, 1988. By the same date and based upon inspection results, the Board must submit an extensive management plan to deal with both friable and nonfnable asbestos that may be located in the school buildings. In previous required asbestos inspections, the Corporation was found to be totally free of friable asbestos hazards.

By July 9, 1989 the Corporation is required to have in effect its asbestos hazard management plans. At the present time there is a severe shortage of certified asbestos inspectors and management planners. Estimates of the cost for inspections and management planning from EPA officials range between six to eight cents per square foot for inspections, and six to eight cents per square foot for management planning. Following the creation of Indiana regulations for certifying inspectors and management planners, more accurate estimates may be obtained. Regardless, the cost for compliance with this federal legislation shall certainly total in the thousands of dollars. Dr. Smith noted that the intent of the legislation seems to be to cause school corporations and other agencies to either conduct extensive and ongoing management plans for asbestos hazards or to completely abate/remove all asbestos potential hazards from school buildings. Due to the well documented nature of the friable asbestos hazard, penalties for noncompliance to this legislation are very high. Board members directed the superintendent to investigate how the Corporation can fully comply with these regulations and to report to the Board on a regular basis. D. Conference Requests: Following a motion by Mrs. Beem, seconded by Mrs. Manuel, the Board voted six to zero to approve the following conference requests: 1. Brant Kaufman, North Liberty School, “NCA Annual Conference", Chicago. March 16 - 18, 1988. 2. Pat Sriver, North Liberty School, "Gifted Education Resource Symposium", Merrillville, December 7, 1987. 3. Vera Tiani, Urey Middle School; Judy New, Walkerton Elementary School; Cyndy Williams, North Liberty School; Dixie Kunze, Dan Snider, John Glenn High School, "Group Counselling", Indianapolis. April 20, 1988. E. Conference Reports: The Board accepted written conference reports fromt he following staff members: 1. Dick Reese, Urey Middle School, "Middle School Conference”. 2. Rick Dehne, John Glenn High School, "NCA Visitation, South Adams High School". F. Others: 1. New Buses Received: It was reported that two new Wayne/ Chevrolet 1987 buses have been received. The units are being checked for any defects and should be on regular routes within a few days. 2. North Liberty School Lighting: in response to Mrs. Craft’s question. Dr. Smith and Mr. Schmeltz reported that additional lighting for High School Drive at North Liberty School can be acquired through NIPSCO and the Town of North Liberty. Mr. Schmeltz noted that he will check with NIPSCO to see if billing can come directly to the Corporation rather than being charged through the Town of North Liberty. 3. North Liberty School Roof: Mrs. Craft noted that students climbing onto the roof at North Liberty School seems to be a problem and requested that a solution to this problem be found. Mr. Kaufman, principal at North Liberty, confirmed that this has been an ongoing problem. Dr. Smith noted that it is not only a problem at North Liberty School, but also at all school buildings. Mr. Schmeltz was asked to look into the matter to determine where all the access areas to the school building roofs are located and try to formulate a common solution to this problem. NEXT MEETING DATE The Board will meet in regular session on Tuesday, December 15. 1987 at 8:30 p.m. in the library of John Glenn High School. ADJOURNEMNT There being no further business to come before the Board, following

a motion by Mr. Hostetler, seconoed by Mrs. Craft, the Board voted six to zero to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Following the regular session the Board met in executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. No other matters were discussed. The executive session adjourned at 11 00 p.m. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED BY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY If you have time on your hands, We need you. The American Cancer Society needs help to facilitate a variety of special programs. Some of the programs are: Can Surmount: An opportunity for cancer patients and their families to speak to someone who has experienced cancer, either as a patient or a family member of a cancer patient. I Can Hope: To learn about cancer, cope with daily problems and express feelings. The eightweek series of two-hour classes offers lectures by doctors, nurses, social workers and other care professionals. American Cancer Society volunteers are needed to provide leadership and guidance for this program. Road To Recovery: Volunteers offer cancer patients without transportation a ride from their home to their treatments and home again. Anyone with a car, a driver’s license and a few hours to spare each month can participate. Reach To Recovery: Reach to Recovery volunteers are specially trained women who have had breast surgery themselves and visit other women who are facing the same challenge. The visiting volunteer offers a temporary prosthesis, information on obtaining permanent supplies locally and information on the disease and recovery and real understanding of the situation. Health Care Supplies: Through a special contract with Starke Home Health Care, the American Cancer Society can provide special sick room equipment and supplies to patients who need them. Equipment includes hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, commodes, bed pans, walkers, etc. Starke Home Health Care Center will deliver, set up and demonstrate the equipment at the time of delivery. For further information contact Henry Tolson at 772-4458 or the American Cancer Society at 4829181. COUNTY PLAN DEVELOPED TO HELP FARMERS MEET TAX REQUIREMENTS A county plan has been developed to help farmers meet tax requirements for conservation deductions. This plan is available from your local Soil Conservation Service (SCS) office in LaPorte. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and SCS have been working together on allowable deductions for conservation under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. This Act revised Section 175 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code regarding soil and water conservation expenditures a taxpayer may deduct on his or her tax return. The law says expenses may be deducted if they are consistent with an SCS approved conservation plan or a plan of a similar state conservation agency when there is no SCS plan available. Soil and water conservation expenses may be deducted when there is (1) an individual site specific conservation plan approved by SCS, (2) a county plan approved by SCS, or (3) a plan such as a forestry management plan approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The SCS county plan consists of a list of commonly used soil and water conservation practices that farmers apply. Crop management practices are not included because they are normally considered part of the cost of crop or livestock pro-

duction. Practices on the list are limited to those generally applied by farmers or conservation contractors that meet a particular conservation need. Taxpayers must certify on IRS form 8645 that their Section 175 expense is based on the county plan or a site specific conservation plan. For more information or to get a copy of your county plan, visit your local SCS office. A series of 12 regional meetings on the conservation provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill, sponsored by Senators Quayle and Lugar, have been scheduled for the week of December 14-17. These meetings are designed to inform farmers and agricultural leaders of the background to the conservation provisions and how these provisions affect Indiana. SWCD Supervisors, USDA personnel, farmers, farm organization leaders and the general public are invited to attend. Background and legislative history information will be provided by Broze McVey of Senator Quayle's staff and Bob Eddleman will discuss specifics of the conservation provisions. On December 17, at 7:00 p.m. C.S.T., a meeting will be held at the Farm Bureau Co-op Building, 1304 Evans Avenue, in Valparaiso. PROJECT SAFE APPLICATIONS NOW BEING TAKEN The Starke County Council On Aging wants to remind all. Project SAFE applications are now being taken by the Council for households that meet income guidelines. Eligible households receive a credit on their heating and electric bills. Income guidelines are as follows: No. in Household Over 60 1 $ 8,250 2 11,100 3 13,950 4 16,800 Each Additional 2,850 Under 60 1 $ 6,875 2 9,250 3 11.625 4 14.000 Each Additional 2.375 CHRISTMAS CONCERT The LaPorte Symphone Orchestra will be presenting its Family (Yiristmas Concert on Sunday, December 13. at 3:00 p.m. C.S.T., at Kesling Middle School auditorium, in LaPorte. Musical director is David Burris. Featured in the second half of the program will be the LaPorte Symphonic Chorus, an ensemble of approximately 45 vocalists under the direction of Jane Snyder. In addition to the musical presentation, the Symphony is concluding its poinsettia sale. The poinsettias are the jumbo variety of plant, a large three bloom plant. Certificates may be obtained from symphony members or at the concert and plants may be picked up at Bernacchi Greenhouse. LaPorte, where they will be wrapped in foil and decorated w ith a ribbon of your choice. The plants sell for $15.00. Proceeds from the sale help to fund the Florence Andrew Young Artist Concert, the purchase of an acoustical sound shell and chorus development. Tickets for the concert at $6.00 for adults and students are $4.00. Tickets can be purchased at LaPorte Bank and Trust, LaPorte Savings Bank, First of America, Roxy Music Shop, J.R.’s Music and at the Michigan City Community Center for the Arts. For more informaton call 362-6053. Save a life. Learn CPR.