Cloverdale School Corp. receives two grants

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Community School Corporation has been awarded two grants.

"We could not do this alone," said Superintendent Carrie Milner during the Monday night regular school board meeting. "It was a team effort (to get these grants)."

For the second year in a row, Cloverdale applied for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and this year was awarded the more than $1 million grant.

"We are very fortunate," said Milner about the grant, which will help continue the Knoy Resource Center at the high school over the next three years.

"The applications this year were close and highly competitive," stated Dre Knox, coordinator in the office of integrated service with IDOE, in a letter to the Cloverdale School Corporation. "Statewide, approximately $24 million were requested with approximately $12 million being funded," the letter continued.

The corporation has also been awarded The Indiana Department of Education's National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant. The $11,816.69 grant will help purchase a Combi oven for the School Food Authority.

"We hope this award will allow you to significantly improve your school's food service program to the benefit of all students," a letter from John Todd with IDOE stated.

School board president Pamelia Hepfer thanked Milner for her hard work in writing grants for the corporation.

"It allows us to do so much more for the students," Hepfer said.

"We have gotten millions of dollars through grants," added school board member Dave Brinkman.

In addition, the school board voted to accept a donation of phones and Nortel controller panels during its meeting.

"We sincerely thank the First National Bank for thinking of us with regard to the donation," a letter from Milner stated. "We are glad to be able to extend the value of good equipment."

In other business:

* School board members unanimously passed personnel changes, which include Jenna Lewis as volunteer assistant director to the high school marching band; the resignation of Marcia Gould, middle school science teacher; David Razor, as volunteer assistant softball coach and the resignation of Melissa Boyd as cheerleading sponsor.

In a separate vote, the board passed 6-1 the non-renewal of two contracts. Joe Dunagan, high school athletic director and trainer and Lynette Williams, high school special education teacher, will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the current school year.

Board member Barbara Nees was opposed.

Just before adjournment, board member Tony Hacker expressed his best wishes to all the teachers and Dunagan, who will be leaving the corporation at the end of the school year.

* The board passed two new policies granting remote access to the corporation's network. The corporation's calendar of events, Harmony system and board agendas and minutes will be available to employees, students, parents and community members through the corporation's Web site www.cloverdale.k12.in.us.

The policies also include standards and regulations as set by NEOLA.

* Through the elementary capital projects fund, railings will be installed on the school's bleachers. A motorized pull-out will also be installed.

"This is a long overdue project," said Milner.

* During approval of claims and financials, Milner noted the final payment on the greenhouse has been made. It is now open to the public to purchase fresh vegetables. The greenhouse will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

* Several students placed at the district FFA leadership conference. Board members gave a congratulations to all the students, who worked hard on their projects.

"We are very proud (of the students)," said Milner. "They do an amazing job representing our school in a positive manner."

* State Board of Accounts released its findings and Milner said she was "pleased" with the results. The corporation was encouraged to increase bonds for the treasurers, which have been taken care of, she said.