The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 20, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 10 October 1991 — Page 5

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 September 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Urey Middle School. All board members were present. The board and 18 observers began the meeting with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mary Kay Stedman and seconded by Gene Knowlton to approve the minutes of the Aug. 22 special session 1028 Hearing, the Sept. 3 regular and executive session, and the Sept. 10 executive session. A correction to the minutes of the Aug. 22 special session 1028 Hearing on page two will be made. The correction noted changed the number 63 cents per SIOO of assessed valuation to 61 cents per SIOO of assessed valuation. With the change noted above, the board approved the minutes for the meetings as submitted by a vote of seven to zero. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS 1574 - 1713 A motion was made by Nilas Miller and seconded by Don Ludwig to approve claims numbered 1,574 through 1,713. The motion passed six to zero. PATRON RESPONSE There was no patron response. RECOGNITIONS Mr. Shuler, principal at JGHS, recognized Michelle Lyle, daughter of Phil and Chris Lyle of North Liberty, as a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Michelle is a senior at JGHS and is currently second in her class academically. Mr. Shuler also recognized Nathan Davis, a former student at JGHS, who is attending the Indiana Academy at Ball State University in Muncie as a second semi-finalist. Nathan is the son of James and Phyllis Davis of North Liberty. John Glenn High School students and staff are very proud of Michelle and Nathan. They are very deserving of their recognition. Mr. Shuler went on to recognize the businesses in the John Glenn community that are supporting high school students on the basis of good behavior, attendance, academics and school improvement. The current businesses supporting the recognition program at JGHS are: Marsha's Petals, Plants and Potpourri; Sue's Flower Shoppe; Her Place; Nunley's Trophy and T-Shirt; The Hair Shack West, Liberty Drugs & Emporium; State Farm Insurance Company; Radio Shack of Walkerton; Mainstreet Movie Review; Karma Records; Just Sew Country Crafts; Imogene’s Beauty Shop; The Cottage; Harvey’s Dime Store; LaPorte Sporting Goods; and The Tractor Shop Video. Mr. Shuler asked any other area businesses interested in becoming part of this successful program to contact him at John Glenn High School. Mr. Kaufman, principal at North Liberty Elementary School, described an incentive program for students in grades four, five and six who earn A’s and B’s for each nine-week period. The ABBIT Society Program, which stands for "A’s and B’s Because I Try”, is a national honor roll program designed to encourage students to perform at a higher academic level, and brings recognition and excitement while encouraging membership. Being a member of ABBIT gives the students many opportunities such as special gifts from the school book store or various school sponsored activities. The merchants and businesses in the North Liberty community have been contacted for their help and support of this program. Businesses have responded and are willing to contribute their own incentives in the form of special

treats, gifts, or discounts, to those students who become members of the ABBIT Society. Those businesses who have already committed to this program include Ist Source Bank, Gene's Sunoco, North Liberty Citgo, Nunley’s Trophy & T-Shirt, Success Realty, Sue’s Flower Shoppe, Ted’s Barber Shop, Wells Aluminum Corporation and Kerry R. Knape, D.D.S. Mr. Kaufman, representing Urey Middle School, announced that language arts teacher, Carolyn Alexander, had a baby boy on Monday, September 16. Both Mrs. Alexander and her son are doing fine. Mrs. Lightfoot, principal at Walkerton Elementary School, recognized sixth grade students and their teachers for a recent involvement in a community service project. Sixth graders and their teachers recently traveled to Potawatomi Park to assist in the special program called “Kid’s Kingdon”. Students throughout the John Glenn School Corporation are encouraged to participate in community service projects. NEW BUSINESS 1. Personnel Report a. Urey Middle School 1. Appointment a. Susan Groves, Temporary Contract Mr. Reese recommended the appointment of Susan Groves to a temporary contract at Urey Middle School in the language arts department. Mrs. G*jves has had previous teaching experience and has served as a substitute teacher in the John Glenn School Corporation. Mr. Kaufman, acting as principal of Urey Middle School, also supports this recommendation. A motion was made by Gene Knowlton, seconded by Dan Patrick, to appoint Susan Groves to a temporary contract as the Urey Mddle School language arts teacher. This temporary contract will begin immediately and be completed at the end of the first semester. This motion passed six to one with Mary Kay St eman opposed. b. Kim Huizenga, B-Team Volleyball Mr. Reese explained that due to a substantially large number of girls out for volleyball this year, a B-Team Volleyball Coach was needed. Mr. Reese recommended the Board appoint Kim Huizenga to this position. A motion was made by Dave Hostetler, seconded by Mary Kay Stedman, to appoint Miss Huizenga to the B-Team Volleyball position at Urey Middle School. The motion passed seven to zero. b. Walkerton Elementary School 1. Appointment a. Joel Wilson, Boys Basketball, Grade 6 b. Joel Wilson, Girls Basketball, Grades 5 & 6 Mrs. Lightfoot has recommended that Joel Wilson be appointed the Boys Basketball Coach, Grade 6 and also Girls Basketball Coach, Graces 5 and 6 at Walkerton Elementary School. Mr. Reese would support Mrs. Lightfoot's recommendation to appoint Mr. Wilson. Dave Hostetler made the motion to appoint Joel Wilson to the positions listed above, seconded by Don Ludwig and passed seven to zero. c. North Liberty Elementary School 1. Rich Binkley, Military Experience Granted Mr. Reese recommended the Board approve Mr. Binkley’s request to be moved up on the John Glenn School Corporation salary schedule based upon his previous military experience. A motion was made by Don Ludwig and seconded by Dan Patrick to approve Mr. Binkely’s request. The motion passed seven to zero. 2. Adult Education Report Mr. Kickbush, adult education coordinator, gave a short report to the Board concerning his activities in regard to the Adult Education Procram for the John Glenn School Corporation. Mr. Kickbush also

provided information to the Board concerning the Adult Basic Education classes offered in John Glenn. The GED classes offered in Walkerton are conducted through the South Bend Community School Corporation, but are taught by Mr. Kickbush and Mrs. Hayes. Mr. Kickbush also related to the Board other classes being offered to adults in our Corporation. Some of the classes offered are Adult Recreation, Introduction to Computers, Fitness/Aerobics and Quilting. Mr. Kickbush expressed the desire to offer a variety of classes to the community. Interested parties should contact Mr. Kickbush at North Liberty School for further information. Currently, Mr. Kickbush had 30 enrollees in the Adult Basic Education Gasses. It is hoped that in the future, high school credit classes could be offered if enough interest is generated in the community. Board members had questions for Mr. Kickbush concerning Adult Recreation, sites of the classes, and number of students enrolled. Mr. Kickbush responded to these questions and gave some final information in his Adult Education report. 3. Adult Education Contract Language Mr. Reese recommended to the Board that contract language be adopted concerning the Adult Education Program. The previous contract did not deal with specific language concerning this item. Mr. Reese’s recommendation for contract language was as follows: "Assignments to teach Adult Education classes for credit will be made on the basis of preference to teachers with regular licenses currently employed during the regular school year by the John Glenn School Corporation, a. Certified teachers teaching continuing education classes (noncredit classes) will be paid sl9 per hour for 1991-92; S2O per hour 1992-93, or 80% of the tuition fee, whichever is greater, b. Noncertified personnel teaching adult continuing education classes (noncredit classes) will be paid according to enrollment." Board member Mary Kay Stedman questioned Mr. Reese and Mr. Kickbush about the amount of pay for the Adult Recreation classes offered in our Corporation. Mary Kay Stedman did not feel as though the Adult Recreation classes should be paid at the sl9 or S2O per hour rate. Mr. Kickbush explained that adults attending recreation pay a fee per night for attendance. Reviewing last year’s attendance, Adult Recreation collected an amount of money that paid most of the cost of supervision. A motion was made by Dave Hostetler and seconded by Gene Knowlton to accept the administration's recommendation concerning Adult Education contract languge. The motion passed six to one with Mary Kay Stedman opposed. 4. Attendance District Transfer — Robert Gross, Walkerton Elementary School, Grade 5 Mrs. Lightfoot, Walkerton Elementary principal, recommended the Board approve Robert Gross' attendance district transfer. Mrs. Sandra Gross, mother of Robert, formerly lived in Walkerton and currently resides in North Liberty. Due to Robert’s resource room replacement, she would prefer Robert to remain at Walkerton Elementary School. A motion was made by Dave Hostetler and seconded by Dan Patrick to allow the attendance district transfer for Robert Gross, Walkerton Elementary School, grade 5. The motion passed seven to zero. 3. Fundraisers Mr. Reese related to the Board that Mr. Patrick had requested that "Fundraisers” be put on the School Board agenda. A discussion by the Board was held concerning the issue of fundraisers. Mr. Patrick had specific concerns about a fundraiser being held at North Liberty Elementary School for the purchase of computers. Mr. Patrick read from a letter sent

OCTOBER 10, 1991 - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS

to parents. His questions centered around if we have to buy classroom computers through the use of fundraising, was the School Board not providing the equipment necessary for the education of our students? He also mentioned how could we afford to build a new school if we could not afford to provide the computers necessary for our students? Mr. Patrick also had questions concerning who selected the fundraiser, what the economics of this arrangement was, what percentage of revenues stays with the school, what company the students were working for, etc. Mr. Patrick felt the Corporation needed a computer plan and that request has been made in the past with previous administrations and had not been responded to. Other Board members responded they also had concerns about fundraisers. Many Board members mentioned that they do not like to see their students out selling for the schools, but in certain circumstances for athletic equipment, uniforms or major P.T.A. purchases that they understood this may be necessary. Mr. Kaufman responded to some of questions and concerns of the Board. Mr. Kaufman did not necessarily like to have fundraisers, but sometimes it was necessary to get the needed supplies for the buildings. He mentioned that in the past four school corporation budgets, very little computer money, if any, was put in the budget for North Liberty Elementary School. He felt his role as principal was to work toward providing an equal education to students at Walkerton Elementary School. As a principal he felt an obligation to provided the necessary computers for his students. He mentioned that many of the computers that are currently at North Liberty have been purchased as used computers. North Liberty Elementary School is currently six computers short in their lab. In responding to some of the questions raised, Mr. Kaufman stated his goal was to raise approximately $9,000 with this fundraiser. The company the students are fundraising for is the Colgate Palmolive Company and the school receives a 45% return on all sales. Mr. Reese did relate to the Board that in the 1992 Capital Projects Funds no money was specifically designated for purchase of computers at North Liberty. If funds remain from other Capital Project Funds that have been designated for North Liberty Elementary School, the remainder of those funds could be used to purchase computers in that specific building. Other Board members expressed their feelings concerning fundraisers and also mentioned they felt it was an important point to have a Corporation plan for the use of computers. During the discussion, the Falcon 500 Club was mentioned concerning fundraising. One of the Falcon 500 Club’s initial goals was to try to eliminate all small fundraisers in the John Glenn School Corporation. School Board membes stated input from a representative of the 500 Gub would be important. Board members expressed a desire to put the fundraising, issue on the next School Board agenda. They also directed Mr. Reese to confer with his administrators to see what recommendations they would have concerning this issue. This issue will be discussed at the next School Board meeting after gaining input from principals, community members and other interested parties. Mr. Reese will talk with the Corporation’s Computer Coordinator, Mrs. Klinedinst, and will have her present ideas about the Corporation computer plan at a future School Board meeting. Board members and a patron questioned curriculum coordination in regard to computers and in other disciplines throughout the Corporation. 6. Adoption of Administrative Office and Custodian Schedule. Mr. Reese asked the board to approve the calendar for the ad-

ministrative office and custodians for the 1991-92 school year. A motion was made by Don Ludwig and seconded by Nilas Miller to approve this schedule. The motion passed seven to zero. 7. Superintendent’s Report. a. ISBA Conference - October 14-15, 1991. Mr. Reese reminded board members to get in registration information to him by the end of the week. b. Extracurricular Financial Reports. Board members received copies of individual school’s extracurricular financial report for their review. c. GED Certificates. Mr. Reese informed the board that on Sept. 9 he met with Mr. Kickbush, Mrs. Hayes and five GED recipients and their families. A reception was held at JGHS to honor these recipients who received their GED through the work and efforts of Mrs. Hayes and Mr. Kickbush. These students took their GED test in South Bend and recently received their certificates. The following were honored at this reception and received their GED: Tara Ream, William E. Miller, Dorothy Kretchmer, Brenda Hensley and H. Regina Alexander. Board members and Mr. Reese applauded these individuals for their efforts and hard work in receiving their GED certificates. d. Petition of School Patrons. Mr. Reese provided a copy of the Petition of School Patrons form to all board members. This is a form mandated by state law requiring at least 50 patrons to sign a petition in support of a building project. Mr. Reese and Mr. Ralph Gerhart, representing Municipal Finance, will be meeting with PT A members from each of the schools and with citizens interested in earring petitions in support of the middle school building program. e. Other. Mr. Reese read a letter to the board requesting reassignment from the John Glenn superintendent’s position to the Urey Middle School principalship. Mr. Reese explained his request in this manner. He believes he can best serve the John Glenn School Corporation and its patrons as Urey Middle School principal. He did not realize how important the daily interaction was with students, staff and parents. He possesses an ability to relate to and understand middle school students and wants to directly use these abilities. Secondly, the amount of time demanded of his new position has taken away the quality time necessary to raise a young family. He feels his first responsibility is to his family and he wants to be a caring and loving father and husband. Third, his personal health has deteriorated in the past few weeks since his appointment as superintendent. Mr. Reese did relate that the past six weeks had been productive. School had started, the budget adopted, a two-year teacher contract ratified and 1028 Hearing was completed. He can do the job of superintendent, but at this time in his life would request another role in our school corporation. Mr. Reese related he felt a great burden in his heart because he had “let the school board and community down.' ’ The patrons, staff, and community have been extremely supportive in the past few weeks and during his six years as principal. He wanted to say “thank you” for that support. Mr. Reese also related that the board had been a great group to work with as superintendent and had provided support, cooperation, and advice during the past weeks. He also felt the John Glenn community has excellent schools, led by a dedicated board of trustees and staff. He was proud to live and work in this community and school corporation. Mr. Reese explained that the reassignment was something that he needed to (continued on Page 6)

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