School board wants public input

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

CLOVERDALE -- Since December 2006, the Cloverdale Community School Corp. has been working with Odle McGuire and Shook, an architectural firm in Indianapolis, on designs of upgrades for athletic facilities in addition to improved security measures at the corporation's three school buildings.

On Monday, representatives from the firm met with the school board in an attempt to finalize the current plans.

But the board wanted more input, especially from the community.

It scheduled to public meetings to discuss the plans with the community. The first meeting is set for 9 a.m., April 21, with the second meeting set for 6 p.m., April 25.

CCSC Supt. Carrie Milner told the board Monday it had at least one more one to finalize the plans.

"I want us to make a decision that feels good," Milner said.

Educational Services Financial Advisor Nate Day told the board Monday he estimated the corporation would have to borrow close to $2 million to complete the project. That total, he said, would also include money to be put into a rainy day fund.

But several board members expressed concern regarding the number and wanted to get more input from the public, setting up the meetings. Both Day and Odle McGuire and Shook representative Scott Carnagie agreed with the board regarding setting up public meetings for the issue.

In December 2006, Milner approved the board with three projects wrapped into one proposal, calling for a health, safety and code compliance project, including:

  • Gymnasium bleachers and guardrail replacement at the high school, and

  • Security access control at all three corporation buildings.

    In addition, Milner called for a sports and athletic project, including:

  • Replacement of the football field bleachers and press box and accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and

  • Baseball field improvements to include a re-grade.

    In December, Milner told the board the estimated cost for the project, without the baseball field improvements, was roughly $996,000. However, she said adding the improvements to the field would push the estimated cost to roughly $1 million. for specific sections of the proposal.

    In January, however, the board shifted its focus, saying it wanted time to decide which items should be addressed first.

    The project originally called for two phases, the first of which is schematic design from the architectural firm, in order to analyze the items. The second phase of the project called for the completion of the projects through bidding and construction.

    The board approved the corporation to move ahead with the second phase of the project earlier this year.

    In other business, the board:

  • Recognized elementary student Max Secrest, middle school student Sadie Gaston and high school student Chelsey Mann as Students of the Month.

  • Recognized the Mann had become only the third student in corporation's history to earn the Lily Scholarship and was also the state winner in Agriculture Communications Proficiency.

  • Approved 18 facility use requests.

  • Approved 16 professional leave requests.

  • Approved 22 field trip requests.

  • Approved the resignation of eighth-grade girls' basketball coach Katie McLaughlin.

  • Approved the hiring of assistant track coach Jeremy Simpson.

  • Approved the hiring of volunteer assistant softball coach Andrew Tyler and volunteer assistant boys' track coach Merlin Oetken.

  • Approved non-renewals for Spanish teachers Yanina Richardson and James Phipps.

  • Approved the resignation of Greg Ratliff, replacement teacher for Elaine Bollhorst, who is on maternity leave.

  • Approved the hiring of Sarah Miller as a replacement teacher for Bollhorst.

  • Approved an adoption of reading and handwriting textbooks by a 7-0 vote. However, board member Bobbi Nees asked the three corporation principals that they include more parent involvement in the future. Board member Todd Whitlock also asked that textbooks be chosen that will be used.

  • Approved summer school programs by a 6-1 vote, with Whitlock voting no. Whitlock expressed concern regarding the cost of Driver's Education.

  • Approved the corporation's current Gifted and Talented mission statement.

    The board meets regularly on the second Monday of each month. Its next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., May 14.

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