GCSC board moving forward with administration building, renovations

Future renovations and construction projects were major talking points during the monthly Greencastle Community School Corporation (GCSC) board meeting Tuesday night, with $2 million worth of changes being proposed.

Superintendent Dawn Puckett clarified that the construction would be part of a tax-neutral initiative, and that "no increase in tax rates" will be incurred from the projects.

With $2 million in renovations approved by the board, one of the major changes will see the school corporation purchase and renovate the building located at 1002 Mill Pond Dr., directly across the street from Greencastle Middle School (GMS), for use as a new administration building.

Acquisition and remodeling of that building would total just over $1 million, with the remaining $1 million being used to renovate the locker rooms at McAnally Center, install digital heating and air conditioning units at both GMS and Tzouanakis Intermediate School, seal coat all parking lots and a renovation of restrooms at Greencastle High School.

The board approved a $74,000 bid from Associated Controls + Design to install new lighting controls for Parker Auditorium, which is also a part of the renovation projects the corporation hopes to begin during the spring and summer months.

Puckett said she hopes for the new administrative office to be completed by early summer and to at least set the goal for remaining projects to finish before the start of the 2015-16 school year.

In projects that require the spending of more than $1million dollars, school districts are required to publish a public notice, with GCSC having published that notice on Feb. 4, Tuesday night's meeting granted the opportunity for the general public to raise any questions, concerns or comments regarding the project.

No one in attendance had any issue or questions regarding the projects.

The board approved the Project Resolution which extends board approval to the aforementioned renovation projects; an upcoming lease hearing; a petition of the Putnam County Circuit Court to appoint two appraisers and a taxpayer to asses the value of McAnally for the lease of the building; and grants permission to acquire the facility at 1002 Mill Pond Dr.

The school board approved a resolution to cover mid-year insurance rate increases for school personnel.

"I think it's the right thing to do," board member Gary Haussin said.

His sentiments were backed by other board members and received a thank you on behalf of GCSC employees from Greencastle High School math teacher Logan Kuhne.

In other business:

* The board approved Camp Invention to take place at a yet-to-be determined Greencastle school over one week in the summer. The camp will be host to around 80 kids from grades 1-6. The camp was last held in 2003 and both attendees and board members expressed appreciation of what the camp provides.

* The board held a second reading of 23 NEOLA policies, affecting administration employment, employee tobacco use, weapons on campus, public access to employee contracts, participation of home-school children in extra curricular activities, immunizations and foreign exchange programs.

* The school board approved the hiring of numerous positions, including Lisa McCoy as temporary fourth grade teacher at Tzouanakis Intermediate School; Beth Williams as GMS life skills teacher; Courtney Middleton, Emily Gilley and Sue White as substitute teachers; Melesa Doty as substitute custodian at Tzouanakis Intermediate School; Elizabeth Bluemle as substitute bus driver.

* The board approved FMLA leave for multiple personnel, including Jody Cowger, Lindsey Fenwick, Kathy Terry and Allyson TeGrotenhuis.

* The board approved Elizabeth Lucas as Shakespeare Club sponsor at GMS and Lucas Pittman as Three B's club sponsor at GMS.

* A number of resignations were also approved, including Molly Warren from her positions as both the life skills teacher at GMS and the special education department chairman at GMS; Debra Sabin as 1:1 instructional assistant at Tzouanakis Intermediate School and Linda Collins from noon aide position at Deer Meadow Elementary.

The Greencastle Community School Corporation holds monthly meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Ridpath Primary School.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is slated for Monday, March 16.