Greencastle reports increase in student population, decrease in state funds

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

With school well under way, the official count of students at Greencastle Community Schools is in.

Greencastle Superintendent Dawn Puckett announced Monday that even though the number of students attending is up from last year, funding from the state would be lower.

Puckett explained that this situation occurred due to a large increase in kindergarten classes. She continued that the state only funds half the amount for kindergarten students as it does for a student in a higher grade. The decrease in funding is a very small amount, Puckett said, and shouldn't affect anything.

While the student population increases, the Greencastle Community School Corporation (GCSC) is also looking to increase technology use in the school system.

Assistant Superintendent Jeffery Hubble presented to the board the need for the technology infrastructure to be upgraded at Greencastle schools. Hubble cited the technology plan that had been drawn up sometime ago that had Greencastle schools going to a one-to-one plan.

The one-to-one plan would put some portable electronic devices into the hands of each student to help supplement curriculums.

Hubble said that upgrades would be necessary for the technology plan to advance. At this time students are allowed to use personal electronic devices in classrooms only when permitted by teachers.

The hope of the corporation is to implement the one-to-one plan by the 2014-15 school year for students and by January 2014 for teachers.

Hubble asked the board for permission to start looking at quotes to upgrade the system and replace the fiber optics network in the schools to get the ball rolling on the technology plan. The board approved Hubble's request.

The board also listened to first readings on several proposed policy additions for GCSC schools.

One involves on weapons on school property. The state legislation on guns on school property has recently been amended and helps schools to regulate non-employees in possession of a firearm on school property, school bus or a school function.

Another policy addition is on anti-bullying. The new anti-bullying policy was an overhaul on what originally was used.

The policy would redefine bullying to include issues that happen in a cyber setting and off school property. It would address different venues of bullying.

With the implementation of this policy, Greencastle will need to broaden anti-bullying training to include all school corporation employees.

These policy changes will be read again and decided upon at the next Greencastle school board meeting.

To help improve safety at the school for students the corporation will be looking at procuring a Secured School Safety Grant. This grant is a matching grant for upward of $50,000. There are three different ways in which the grant could be used. Greencastle will be looking at the purchase of safety equipment.

Puckett also informed the school board that the Industrial Technology Department had received a donation of $1,500 from Joe and Jill Spiker.

The Spikers gave the donation, thanking Greencastle High School Principal Russ Hesler and Greencastle schools for supporting them throughout their time at Greencastle.

In other business Monday night:

-- The board approved the purchase of two new school buses in the amount of $215,386 plus the trade-in of an older bus.

-- Jessica Tensley was approved to work under contract as a speech pathologist at Ridpath Elementary.

-- The school board approved the resignations of Lois Sprouls as custodian at Tzouanakis Intermediate, Kathleen Wilson as part-time custodian at the central office, Susan Kass as ECA treasurer at Greencastle High School and Middle School, Leisa Trimble and Melesa Doty as cafeteria assistant and Lisa Torrence as instructional assistant at Deer Meadow Elementary.

-- New hires for the corporation include: Sarah Parker as instructional aide at Greencastle Middle School, Nicole Dearinger as cafeteria assistant at Greencastle Middle School, Britney Douglas as temporary instructional aide at Ridpath Elementary, Robin Sweet as ESL instructional assistant at Tzouanakis Intermediate, Connie Clark and Sandra Rasnake as cafeteria assistant and Denise Smedley as ECA treasurer and bookstore manager.

-- New hires for the athletic department include: Dianna Divine as fall event supervisor for the athletic department, Stacy Williams as assistant and junior varsity cheer coach at Greencastle High School, Charity Hope Crosbie as dance team coach at Greencastle Middle School, Bryan Gerard and Robert A. York Jr. as volunteer assistant boys' basketball coach at Greencastle High School, Nathan O'Hair as seventh-grade boys' basketball coach, Shane Thomas as wrestling coach at Greencastle Middle School, Kent Menzel as boys' and girls' swim coach at Greencastle High School, Tori Gregory as assistant swim coach and Nathan Lewis as assistant swim and diving coach for Greencastle.

-- Ivonne Martinez and Laura McMaster were transferred from volunteer status to hired assistant cross country coaches at Greencastle High School.

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