GHS project up for bids

Bids on the renovation project at Greencastle High School and McAnally Center are being accepted until March 8 by the Greencastle School Corp.

The Greencastle School Board recently approved its construction documents for the project, and granted permission to advertise for construction bids.

A pre-bid conference is set for 3 p.m. Thursday to answer questions about the drawings or project manual for the project.

The renovation includes window and door replacements at the high school and McAnally Center, as well as upgrades to the heating system.

Meanwhile during its recent session, the school board approve several personnel items. They were:

-- The resignation of Tamora Brewer-Bacon as Ridpath principal at the end of the school year. She will move back into teaching in the classroom. Several qualified candidates have already applied for the principal opening.

-- A leave of absence for Vicki Montgomery from March 12-April 13.

-- Erin Dahl as substitute for Montgomery's leave of absence.

-- The resignation of Heath Smiley as middle school custodian.

-- Hiring Richard Overshiner as middle school custodian.

-- Hiring Ronald Dugan as substitute bus driver.

-- Transferring Donna Nicholas from a substitute bus driver to a regular route driver.

-- Kristin Schouten as volunteer middle school assistant swim coach.

-- Hiring Pamela Gardener and Carrie Brock as cafeteria assistants at the high school.

-- Hiring Joy Morris as cafeteria assistant at the middle school.

In other business, the board:

-- Approved construction documents for the GHS renovation project to advertise for construction bids.

-- Saw that comparing utility cost for this month to last year, all utilities are about half of what they were last year at this time. He credits that to both the milder weather so far as well as the energy saving program. The school district has saved about $57,000 so far on the energy saving program.

-- Learned the debt service fund had a negative balance of $65,000. Green said that was due to less than anticipated tax collections.

-- Approved the 2007-08 school calendar, which closely mirrors the current year schedule.

-- Approved the summer drivers' education course at the high school.

-- Learned that Savannah Provine and Emma Hazel have been chosen for interviews for the IU Honors Program in foreign languages. The interviews will take place in March. If chosen from the interviews, Savannah will study in France and Emma will study in Spain.

-- Approved an out-of-state field trip to St. Louis by the Greencastle Middle School eighth grade on May 4.

-- Accepted a $500 donation from the Mary Allison Trust Fund to benefit needy families at Ridpath.

-- Reviewed several changes for policies related to administration, programs, professional, students, finances, property, operations and support staff as presented by the NEOLA agency, which monitors policies for compliance with state and federal laws. The policy changes will be presented for approval at the March board meeting.

-- Heard that Hannah Gellman was winner of the geography bee at Tzouanakis School. She will compete at the state level for a chance at the national competition.

-- Noted that Emily Dean won state honors for the Indiana Quarter Horse Association.

The Greencastle School Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Miller Education Center, 522 Anderson St.

The meetings are open to the public.