Greencastle School Board looking forward to ongoing improvements

Between recognizing student achievements, approving construction bids and preparing for school-based summer programs, the Greencastle Community School Corporation had a fruitful school board meeting on Monday night.

The meeting started with student academic recognition.

Hannah Gellman was recognized as the recipient of the National Merit Scholar Honor and Melody White was given acknowledgement as the Lily Scholarship Award winner.

The pair hugged amongst the smiles and applause of attendees and board members.

The board approved funding for several summer school programs including the Kids Ideal Discovery Summer (KIDS) Program, the summer band program at Greencastle Middle School, summer speech services, the hiring of six adult summer bus cleaners to be hired from May 29 -- July 10 and the hiring of two student bookstore workers to be hired for the period May 30 -- Aug. 4.

The board approved acceptance of two $1,000 dollar grants from Walmart to help with a Tzouanakis playground upgrade. In addition to these grants, third-grade Tzouanakis teacher Julia Stevens and city attorney Laurie Robertson-Hardwick were able to secure $500 from the Putnam County Foundation, $614 from a movie night fundraiser, $1,656 from community donations and the even managed to receive $84 from a lemonade stand fundraiser.

The money will be used to improve and provide a variety of supplies at the playground. The list of items needed include recess balls, bike racks, painting the swing sets, soccer goals and more. Stevens and Hardwick were especially thankful to local businesses and contractors for donating time, services and providing discounted materials to help aid the project.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend the park clean up day on May 17.

Last month the board approved to put the Tzouanakis and Greencastle High School construction projects out to bid. This month board members were prepared to accept bids and start construction.

The board approved the lowest bid of $311,100 from 3D Professional Contracting for the Tzouanakis bus lot and parking restructure. The project includes a new bus pick up/drop off parking lot that can double as parking spillover when needed, new power-saving LED lighting systems and restructured traffic routes to improve vehicle flow.

Board members approved the $80,400 low bid from Design and Build Corp. to create an adequate storage facility for Greencastle High School. The new facility will be built in the existing boiler room and will feature a large garage door for vehicle access.

The board approved the $945,582 low bid from Texas-based Brazos Urethane Inc. to roof McAnally Gym, the Greencastle High School auditorium, the swimming pool and the areas connecting those sites. The bid includes a complete warranty from Brazos, ensuring annual inspections and repairs of cracks or other issues for another 20 years.

The Greencastle High School cafeteria remodel was also approved by the board with the low bid of $223,500 from 3D Professional Contracting. The remodel will provide a substantial increase in natural light and increase square footage.

The bid for the roofing project came in lower than the board had anticipated, which helps level out the cafeteria remodel coming in slightly higher than expected.

In reference to a decision held during a special session on April 10, the board informed attendees that the school decided to purchase a foreclosed property adjacent to the bus barn at 310 N. College Ave.

The lot was offered at a discount to the school and provides the opportunity for more useable space in an already confined area.

In other business:

* The board approved a 4-year lease of 110 computers at a rate of $1,598/month. This lease provides computers for a variety of staff including secretarial, maintenance workers, teachers, and a few computers for existing computer labs.

* The board approved the allowance of a mini-bus to be used by the Summer Enrichment Program, with SEP providing the insurance, gas and driver.

* The board approved the appointment of Amy Weliever, media specialist and librarian at Greencastle Middle School, to the Putnam County Public Library board on behalf of the school corporation.

* The board approved declaring two unused, older playground slides to be of "no value," allowing for the slides to be donated to Bethel Church.

* Charles Fletcher, visual arts teacher at Greencastle Middle School, has resigned from his position effective April 25.

* Robin Sweet has resigned as ESL instructional assistant at Tzouanakis Intermediate, effective April, 23.

* Deanne Jordan has resigned as custodian at Tzouanakis Intermediete effective immediately.

* Jana Higgins submitted her resignation as cheer coach at Greencastle Middle School, effective immediately.

* Jane Roberson has resigned as the grade 7 girls' volleyball coach at Greencastle Middle School, effective immediately.

* Jessica Stockton was approved for maternity leave, effective August 4, 2014 -- January 4, 2014.

* Wendi Evans was hired as elementary summer school lead teacher.

* Jennifer Miller was hired as elementary summer school teacher.

* Tamora Bacon was hired as elementary summer school teacher.

* Maria Stierwalt was hired as substitute after school tutor at Tzouanakis Intermediate.

* Logan Kuhne was hired as summer school math teacher at Greencastle High School.

* Bradley Key was hired as summer school government teacher at Greencastle High School.

* Glenn Hile was hired as summer school economics teacher at Greencastle High School.

* Donovan Wheeler was hired as summer school English teacher at Greencastle High School.

* Several elementary summer school instructional assistants were hired: Lisa Torrence, Kim Rossok and Stephanie Hudson.

* Judy Siddens and Nancy Brock transfer from substitute bus drivers to full time short route drivers, effective immediately.

* Janice Heavin was hired as summer technology assistant for the technology department.

* Kelly Brown was hired as an aide at Ridpath Primary.

* Christina Krouse and Dan Layton were hired as substitute teachers.

* Diana Divine was hired as spring event supervisor for the athletic department, effective 2013-14 school year.

* Braden Gibson was approved as the volunteer assistant track coach at Greencastle Middle School, effective 2013-14 school year.

The next Greencastle Community School Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19.