Cloverdale board discusses school improvements

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale School Board met for its monthly meeting Monday evening, in which it discussed the ISTEP exam as well as airing several of its events through Endeavor.

District test coordinator Kathleen Glaser gave the board its first taste of spring ISTEP results. The 2013 test was particularly challenging, as it was delayed by statewide computer issues and took nearly three weeks to complete.

"ISTEP, as you probably heard on the news, was pretty challenging this year," Glaser said. "I don't think we had any students who really weren't affected by that. It was especially hard on the fourth and sixth grade. They had numerous interruptions."

Glaser informed the board that despite all the problems, the corporation as a whole did quite well. Overall, there were very few scores that went down from the previous year. The majority of the scores increased from the previous year.

"They (the teachers) just handled it as calmly as they could and I think that really helped. I just really admire them for handling it so well," Glaser explained. "Overall, I think we have to be pleased with the progress we've seen this year. I think considering the challenges we had, I think these are good scores."

Glaser noted that the science scores have not yet been released and the board should expect to find out how its scores compared to the rest of the school corporations in the state.

Cloverdale Athletic Director J.J. Wade also came before the board to present a proposal from Endeavor Communications to air several of the corporation's sports and events.

"They approached us and would like us to air our athletic events, school plays and different things like that on their local television station," Wade explained. "We wouldn't do this in a live fashion, we would have these recorded."

The corporation chose to not air events live in hopes of not decreasing ticket sales as well as avoiding any unforeseen circumstances. All programs will be produced by Patrick Rady's radio and media class, which will provide the students with valuable experience in producing such programs and narrating events.

"Mr. Rady's class would also like to do somewhat of a news channel ... It wouldn't be just athletics," Wade said. "There are a lot of opportunities for our school and to get our kids recognized out there in public."

Wade noted that he had hoped to come before the board with more information, but was unable to meet with a representative from Endeavor to get some details on the equipment that would be needed. It is the hope of the corporation that Endeavor will be able to help provide the equipment needed to produce such programs.

"We are excited about this opportunity," Wade said. "It sounds good in theory. We're excited about it. It could be something great, it could be something that just fizzles out if they're not willing to help us out."

Project Manager Dan Sulkoske came before the board to present a proposal on the cost of the drainage issues between the high school and the football field.

Sulkoske presented several phases of the project, but the board will only be completing two at this time, which include a detention basin and outlet structure as well as drainage channel improvements.

It is estimated that the project will likely cost nearly $174,000 with a contingency.

The board voted to move on to the next step and engage an engineer for design services, which will cost a total of $13,000.

It is expected that during the January meeting the board will open bids for the project.

In other business:

* The board approved the hiring of Kelly Stevens as an elementary nurse; Jennifer Weist as part-time cafeteria at the elementary and middle schools; and Tori Maldonado as a high school instructional assistant.

* Several resignations were approved: Jennifer Walters as the elementary nurse; Tisha Combs as the high school cheer coach; and Regina Tate as a high school instructional assistant.

* The following coaching and volunteer positions were also approved: Billy Boyette as the middle school seventh-grade boys' basketball coach; Heather Lee as the middle school eighth-grade girls' basketball coach Ed Stevens as the middle school seventh- and eighth-grade boys' volunteer basketball coach; and Rob Stout as the high school varsity wrestling volunteer assistant.

* October Students of the Month were recognized as second-grader Hannah Baker, eighth-grader Abigail Walker and sophomore Sadie McKinney.

* The board approved the adoption of the proposed 2014 budgets, tax rates and levies, capital projects plan, school bus replacement plan and resolutions.

* Accepted two donations from the Putnam County Community Foundation, each for $500 for the Toy Drive and Project Pig Two.

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