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Grant helps school with nature, fitness program

Tuesday, May 15, 2007
By JASON MOON, Assistant Editor

CLOVERDALE -- On Monday, six Cloverdale school board members learned the corporation recently received a $3,400 donation from the Putnam County Foundation for its nature and fitness trail.

The board voted 6-0 to accept the donation, the second it has received from the foundation for the project. The corporation received a $9,600 donation from the foundation in November 2006 as well.

On Monday, Cloverdale Middle School eighth-grade language arts teacher and current administrative intern Katie McLaughlin said the project should be up and running by August.

"It's amazing what has been done," McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin, who is spear-heading the project, said plans call for the area to feature outdoor classroom, an amphitheater, a rock garden and an observation deck.

The nature trail and fitness area will sit in the wooded area behind the school, a 5.7-acre space located behind the high school softball field.

"It's quite comprehensive," McLaughlin said.

She said fifth-grade students, under the supervision of Kathy Moore, recently built bird houses for the project.

McLaughlin said weather has presented a problem with clearing brush and cleaning up the area, but it should be completed for the 2007-08 school year. A dedication for the new area has been scheduled for August.

Meanwhile, the board unanimously approved a measure to conduct a 1028 hearing June 11 for an upgrade in facilities on the corporation campus.

The board has looked into upgrading facilities with the help of architectural firm Odle McGuire and Shook, Indianapolis, for several months.

In April, the board conducted two informational meetings with the public regarding the issue. Current plans call for health, safety and code compliance improvements to facilities.

On Monday, Supt. Carrie Milner said the board would discuss the scope of the project in June, including what items will be addressed in the project and what items would be cut in addition to the tax impact on the community.

In other news, the board:

  • Recognized elementary student Taylor Montgomery, middle school student Claudia Monnett and high school student Amber Curtis as Students of the Month.

  • Recognized retiring staff members Cathy Kirby, Kathleen Caulkins and Jo Puckett for years of service. Each staffer received potted flowers and a card.

  • Received an update on middle school remediation for 2007 and how the corporation plans to tackle the issue.

  • Approved a measure to add high school cooling units for laboratories in the industrial technology area.

  • Voted 6-0 to purchase a steamer for the high school cafeteria.

  • Approved a measure allowing Milner to fill summer school positions prior to the board's June meeting.

  • Approved the hiring of Terri Ward, high school special education teaching assistant, for the final two weeks of the school year.

  • Approved the resignation of Andrea Mrozinski, middle/high school agriculture teacher.

  • Approved the reassignment of Harry Pruitt to maintenance from elementary custodian.

  • Approved the teacher contract cancellation of Mark Mostes.

  • Approved the hiring of volunteer high school baseball coach Kurt Kyle, defensive football coordinator Mike Parks, junior varsity head football coach Mark Wheeler, volunteer assistant football coach Rob Keefer, varsity boys' basketball coach Pat Rady, and varsity wrestling coach Brian Siddons, pending a certified teacher that is qualified does not apply.

  • Approved the hiring of girls' basketball coach Bruce Cook by a 5-1 vote. Board member David Brinkman voted against the measure.

    The board meets regularly on the second Monday of each month. Its next meeting is set for 7 p.m., June 11.

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