Greencastle board approves purchase of Hanson property

The ever-evolving goal of building a new transportation facility is becoming a reality for the Greencastle Community School Corporation.

After a tumultuous end to a lengthy debate concerning the purchase of property adjacent to Wood's Edge subdivision, GCSC turned its attention to other potential locations, finally landing on a property owned by Hanson Aggregates.

The 30-acre property east of Woods Edge met all of the criteria, but several questions were raised by the relevant neighborhood residents, who received personal invitations to a Nov. 23 public meeting to discuss the complex's potential issues.

Property value, an increase in traffic, noise and air pollution, a possible over purchase and tax rates were cited by the more than 50-strong turnout.

"The funding is fully there in the debt service (and) by Indiana law we are limited on what we can pay or spend on activities like this," Puckett said at the November public meeting. "We certainly wouldn't make any sort of decision to do anything that would, in any way, impact the tax rate. '$2 million' is the number the board is looking at that can maintain all of those factors -- we can pay for it out of our current funding."

It was determined by various officials that the facility be at least six acres in size, be located within city limits, have ease of access with minimal railroad interference and contain an operations center.

The 22.9-acre location near Hanson Aggregates, Superintendent Dawn Puckett explained, is the next-best choice.

"This resolution gives authority to the school board president, the secretary, the superintendent and legal counsel to move forward with negotiations on the purchase of the property owned by Hanson Aggregates, which is just under 30 acres and is located south of Veterans Highway opposite of the quarry -- not including the quarry, just the cornfields," Puckett said. "This (motion) is so we can negotiate that deal and work to get the appropriate zoning approvals to be able to build a transportation center."

"By state law, the school system can only make an offer on a property that is the average of two appraisals," Board President Denise Sigworth added at the same meeting, going on to say that the potential use of a property around the current Vine Street location was nixed due to the average of the two appraisals being too high.

In other developments:

* Puckett updated the board on the status of the newly-adopted Smooth Wall internet filtering system, saying the software system is "operational at this time."

* Multiple donations to benefit the Greencastle High School aquatics center were approved: Putnam County Swim Team, $7,600; Greencastle Swimming Club, $3,000; and Greencastle All-Sports Booster, $4,300.

* A donation on behalf of Greencastle Walmart in the amount of $1,000 from Jay Bartrum, a former assistant coach at Greencastle Middle School, was approved.

* Items of no value were approved to be discarded. These include, but are not limited to, printers, docking stations and VCRs.

* Several hirings, transfers and resignations were received and approved: Deborah Lambert, resignation as choir teacher at GHS (effective May 26); Shannon Sharpee, resignation as instructional assistant at Ridpath Primary (effective immediately); Heather Huber, resignation as instructional assistant at Deer Meadow Primary (effective immediately); Sandra Clay, resignation as noon aide at Deer Meadow Primary (effective immediately); Lindsay Wagner, resignation as cheer coach at GMS (effective immediately); Elizabeth Spencer, approval of FMLA from Deer Meadow Primary (effective Jan. 18 through April 4); Elizabeth Lucas, approval of FMLA maternity date change at GMS (effective Jan. 18 though April 8); Ray June Turner, approval of FMLA (effective Feb. 4 through March 21); Suzanne Frank, approval of intermittent FMLA from GMS (effective throughout the 2015-16 school year); Erin Blaydes, approval of FMLA from GMS (effective Feb. 3 through March 28); Claudia Schlagenhauf, hire as licensed, long-term substitute at GMS (effective Jan. 19 through May 26); C.J. Shields, transfer from seventh grade science teacher at GMS to industrial technology teacher at GHS (effective immediately); Lara Inlow-Shields, hire as temporary teacher for Kyla Burnham (maternity leave) at Deer Meadow Primary (effective April 4 through May 26); Alex Wickerman, hire as long-term substitute for C.J. Shields (transfer) at GMS, effective Feb. 1 through end of school year); Ginny Kuckler, transfer from cafeteria assistant at GHS to cafeteria assistant at Deer Meadow Primary; Jacqueline Williams, hire as cafeteria assistant at GHS; Martha Scott, hire as noon aide at Deer Meadow Primary; Lindsey Conley, transfer from cafeteria assistant at Ridpath Primary to instructional assistant at Ridpath Primary; Angie Miles, hire as substitute cafeteria assistant; Susan Garl, hire as substitute cafeteria assistant; Nina Burkett, hire as substitute cafeteria assistant; Karen Phillips, hire as substitute bus driver (pending Indiana Bus CDL and completion of training); Jess Norton, hire as substitute teacher; Sarah Parker, hire as substitute teacher; Ian Pingleton, hire as assistant wrestling coach at GMS; Greg Bennett, approved as volunteer diving coach at GHS; Alisa Isaacs, approved as Shakespeare Club sponsor at GMS; Kristien Hamilton, approved as Mathcounts Club sponsor at GMS.