The Independent-News, Volume 116, Number 39, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 21 February 1991 — Page 6

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWS — FEBRUARY 21. 1991

JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Board of School Trustees of the John Glenn School Corporation met in regular session on February 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the North Liberty Elementary School. Board members present included Nilas Miller. Dan Patrick. Gene Knowlton. Jean Ann Beem and Don Ludwig. Absent were Man Kay Stedman and Dave Hostetler. Dave Hostetler entered the meeting following the approval of the claims. The board and those present began the meeting with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Jean Ann Beem and seconded by Gene Knowlton to approve the regular and executive session minutes of the January 22 meeting. The vote was five/zero. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS 157-225 A motion was made by Don Ludwig and seconded by Dan Patrick to approve claims number WILLIAMSON ACCOUNTING Complete Accounting And Tax Service , For Individuals And Small Businesses 1550 Pine Rd. 784-3832 Plymouth n ?9i , — _ -. — _ JOHNSON INS. AGENCY DON R JOHNSON Certified Insurance Counselor DONNA L. RAUSCH DIANE JOHNSON We Sell Service Along With Our Product Call (219)586-2580 Koontz Lake THE TAX SHELTER YEAR AROUND INCOME TAX SERVICES Individuals & Small Businesses BOOKKEEPING For Small Businesses AUDIT ASSISTANCE Phone 656-4706 903 S State Street North Liberty. Indiana I ( FARMERS I INSURANCE I; GROUP OF COMPANIES { CAROL JEAN BECKER / AGENT 903 S State St., North Liberty 656-8796 Res 369-9442 ( AUTO * FIRE ★ LIFE * FARM 5 COMMERCIAL lISSiS BECKER BUILDERS OF HECKAMAN HOMES Has A Full Line Os ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMft Drtvt Out And S" Our Model 903 S State St 656-8796 North Liberty, Ind... 14

J 57 through 225. Following discussion. the vote was taken at six/zero. PATRON RESPONSE Patron Tom Fair addressed the board regarding their decision relating to the projected middle school project. Mr. Fair voiced concerns on behalf of the community in regards to tax increases and the current state funding cuts. He asked the board to give consideration to tabling their discussion until the state legislature and the federal government were more stable. Patron John McGee spoke to the board concerning the proposed middle school project. Mr. McGee asked the board if a decision had been made regarding the grade structure of the new middle school. He voiced his concerns about grade six being included with seventh and eighth graders. Patron Tom Bradford also spoke to the board regarding the proposed middle school project. Mr. Bradford voiced concerns regarding the time lines and the lack of patron input in the proposed project. The board indicated they had a representative from Municipal Finance to answer any questions COMPETITIVE ELECTRIC Heating & Cooling Sales & Service Reasonable Rates Licensed & Insured Free Estimates Bruce A. Smith. Owner Call 282-1349 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS KOONTZ LAKE LIBRARY Monday & Thursday 7 00 p.m. WALKERTON COMMUNITY BUILDING Sunday 7:00 p.m For Further Information CALL 586-3243 OR 586-3689 Budfs Bargain Barn 617 Roosevelt Road Walkerton Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 00 a m. - s:ooip m. VARIETY OF ITEMS Something For Everyone PHONE 586-7244 a' 389 90 E-Z STUMP REMOVAL REASONABLE RATES Bill Ellinger 586-2167 Walkerton FULL Y INSURED 4?5 9ip I ''JUDTS j | BEAUTY SALON (MEN - WOMEN - CHILDREN ( I, HELENE UNI PERMS (CURLING IRONS & HAIR ACCESSORIES S S COSMETICS - PERFUMES S I EAR PIERCING • j Gl HONEE HAIR REMOVAL / ’! Call 6 Days A Week / By Appointment (207 W Center 656-4491 North Liberty - ?

about the construction time lines along with representatives from the architect firm and that these answers would be given following the patron response. Patron Gene Reese also spoke to the board regarding the proposed building program. Mr. Reese indicated his concerns included the proposed funding cuts from the state, the legislation regarding choice, the lottery revenues taken in by the state and the increase the local fixation. Superintendent Barb Murray reported to those present that she had received a listing of bills currently submitted to the legislature. She indicated that there were many bills in the legislature that recommended program increases as well as the monies for such. Dr. Murray also reported that she had received a letter from local Congressman Richard Mangus and that letter indicated that the John Glenn School Corp., under the Governor Bayh's recommendations, could possibly lose over a million dollars during the next three years. Dr. Murray reported that there were many inconsistencies in the reports that she had received from state government officials as well as literature from the State Deptment, Indiana School Boards Assoc, and government officials. She indicated that area superintendents have received similar information and report many inconsistencies and conflicting information from both parties. Board president Nilas Miller reported to the patrons that he had spoken with government officials and they had reported the same cuts, however he had also spoken directly with Governor Bayh's office and that liaisons in Gov. Gayh's office said that the governor had no intentions of making cuts in education for the upcoming school years. The board further discussed that with those conflicting reports in mind, they recognized the difficulty in making a decision to build a middle school. However, the board reported that this process had been researched for at least five years, included two feasibility studies and several Task Forces and the decision process had been a long, well thought out, organized process. Board president Nilas Miller, along with board members, also indicated that they had had several meetings during this current school year where they had made a point to use the press to encourage patrons to attend and add their input to this process. The board noted that during the last board meeting that they had had financial advisors and architects present and had given an extensive detailed report that had answered questions received tonight. Board president Nilas Miller also noted that very few patrons had attended that meeting and shown an interest. Financial advisor Ralph Gerhart and architect Jack Swindell proceeded to answer partons’ questions regarding tax increases and time lines in terms of construction. It was noted that there would be a lengthy amount of time in which patrons could voice their input and concerns concerning the project and that the remonstrance period would not end until after the publication of notice of the execution of a lease. By reports given at the last board meeting it was discussed that if occupancy was to occur in 1993, the time line would provide for a 1028 hearing in June of 1991 with the notice to execute the lease being approximately February of 1992 and the remonstrance period being over March 9, 1992. Again, it was emphasized that patrons would have an adequate amount of time to voice their concerns about the proposed building project. President Nilas Miller asked middle school principal Dick Reese to comment on the middle school project. Mr. Reese emphasized that the current middle school facility was not in any was designed to meet the educational demands of the 1990'5.

Middle school teacher Pam Pearish spoke on behalf of the proposed middle school project, along with Michelle Chamberlin, listing inadequacies in terms of classroom size and space. Both indicated that student learning was greatly hindered by the lack of facilities on the middle school site. Josie Snell, middle school secretary, also spoke and indicated that service areas for middle school students and the administrative offices were very limited which caused difficulties in, terms of properly serving student needs in terms of health facilities, quidance and conference areas. Patron Kerry Knape voiced a concern about spending the amount of dollars on such a project. He indicated that students today did not need all the math and science that was being forced upon them. Dr. Knape indicated that he would prefer the North Liberty students to be pulled away from the Walkerton area and housed in a local home school setting in the North Liberty town. Dr. F.A. Engel also questioned the board about their communication. He questioned board member Nilas Miller as to whether or not he had polled the community and various partons to sec if the community was in support. President Nilas Miller noted that he had not polled the community per se, however that the board was very much in tune with the numbers of persons that had contacted board members and appeared at board meetings regarding the middle school project. Dr. Engel asked Mr. Miller if he was planning on polling the persons present. Mr. Miller indicated that he could. At that point a poll was taken and the majority of those present indicated that they were in favor of a proposed middle school project. Patron Robert Schaeffer addressed the board concerning the feasibility of remodeling the current middle school site to meet those deficiencies recognized by the feasibility study and further research. Board president Nilas Miller indicated that those questions had been answered in detail at the last board meeting, however architect Jack Swindell was available to answer questions. Board superintendent Barb Murray indicated that a detailed report had been conducted to take into consideration this alternative and that the price for bringing the current middle school up to education code would be approximately what the cost would be to build a new building. Dr. Murray felt this would not be a wise business choice. Mr. Schaeffer agreed with Dr. Murray’s statement. Other patrons speaking about

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the proposed project included Ben Smith, Sue Dittmar, Susan Groves, Nancy Price and Ed Dolph. Board member Dave Hostetler thanked the patrons for attending, complimented them for their input and encouraged them to feel free to continue to contact board members and attend meetings to gain further knowledge about the program. RECOGNITIONS 1. Building Principals. Walkerton Elementary principal Marilyn Lightfoot noted that 100Day Celebrations had been held at Mrs. Walz and Mrs. Hensler in their first grade classrooms. Mrs. Walz sewed 100 buttons on her shirt and Mrs. Hensler glued 100 plastic eyes on hers. Students counted 100 items of buttons, screws, candy, nuts, bolts and beads. They took 100 licks on a sucker and did a picture of 100 with 100 marshmallows. Mrs. Lightfoot reported that the fifth and sixth grade basketball teams both had winning seasons. The fifth grade had a recored of 11-2, the sixth grade, 9-3. Mrs. Lightfoot congratulated Mr. Huffman. Mr. Groves and players for their cooperation and hard work and thanked the parents who made this possible with their support. The Falcon 500 Club was recognized for donating $209.50 to WES. Funds had been requested to reimburse the WES student council for summer school trips taken last summer. Patriotic themes to support area servicemen have been taking place. The school has a tree in the front hallway where students and community members post names of their friends and relatives serving in this cause. Currently, there are 66 names. Students have made U.S. flags which are also displayed around the building. Walkerton Elementary participated in the "Light Up America" on February 1. Radio station 101.5 broadcast the national anthem. Boys and girls took that time to stand and give thought to what is happening. It was an impressive time. 151 students had perfect attendance the first semester. McDonald's has donated free food coupons for the awards. Brent Kaufman, NLES principal, announced that the adult basic ed program had 36 attendees the past week. With this large number, Mrs. Darlene Bell pitched in and volunteered her services. This is an indication of the support the staff has given Mr. Kickbush for the program. The NLES fundraiser will begin in the near future. The monies will replenish the extracurricular fund which supports the sports programs, convocations, special activities in the classrooms, the Outsiders Cub and