Cloverdale school board approves speaker, mulls budget figures

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale school board had a fair amount of business to attend to as it met for its monthly meeting Monday evening.

Coming off of an executive session that lasted until 7:15 p.m., the board moved to approve several items that were on its agenda.

The first item was a request from CCSC superintendent Greg Linton to approve a two-hour early student release so that staff can take part in a professional development exercise addressing bullying, drugs, alcohol and drugs.

This exercise is part of a three-day event that will bring motivational speaker Craig Conrad to Cloverdale Schools later in the month.

Conrad, a nationally recognized educator and author, will present his ‘The Unstoppable You” program to Cloverdale students and the community. The program will address life choices, building character and boosting self-confidence and self-esteem.

The event will be sponsored by Endeavor Communications in Cloverdale, which was represented at the meeting by Kathy Morgan, who manages Endeavor’s customer and media relations.

Linton added that the event would help cover areas of staff training that are required by the state, and that administrators from surrounding schools can attend the presentations as well.

After it had approved the early student dismissal, the board then heard news regarding recent successes gained by the Cloverdale FFA chapter.

FFA adviser Chris Kaufman informed the board that several Cloverdale students were recognized as state champions at the Indiana FFA Agriscience Fair.

While none of the students recognized at the state level were chosen to present at the National FFA Convention and Expo in October, Kaufman said that this year’s experience will influence their performance in the future.

Additionally, he relayed that $6,000 was raised recently for the Cloverdale chapter.

The board then heard information presented by Linton regarding the school corporation’s budget. Much of the budget’s figures was centered around a downward trend in student enrollment that is projected to continue.

Other factors that played into the budget was the need to replace two school buses, as well as attend to other projects that will require a significant amount of money to move forward.

After he had gone through where Cloverdale stood financially, the board approved Linton’s request to publish the proposed 2018 budget, as well as a capital projects plan and a school bus replacement plan.

The board then approved two donations made to the athletic and cheerleading programs at Cloverdale High School and Cloverdale Middle School.

Additionally, the board approved a five-cent increase for school lunches. This increase is a normal adjustment to remain compliant with regulations set by the Indiana Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture.

Finally, the board approved the following personnel matters:

Resignations

•Beth Wernz, eighth-grade science teacher and Knoy director;

•Jennifer Mann, special education teacher;

•Dennis Weir, fifth and sixth-grade health and instructional assistant;

•DeeDee Skiles, instructional assistant;

•Laura Monnett, elementary and middle school cafeteria staff; and

•Paige Gruener, eight-grade volleyball coach

New Hires

•Dawn Tucker, Knoy director;

•Melinda Allen, high school math teacher;

•Adrian Martin, elementary school music teacher and middle-high school choir director;

•Zach Waycott, eighth-grade science teacher and high school assistant track coach;

•Kinzi Pierce, special education teacher;

•Angela Kiste, pre-kindergarten instructor;

•Julie Wagoner, instructional assistant;

•Jessica Blake, instructional assistant;

•Diana Jordan, high school custodian;

•Chandra Titus, elementary-middle school cafeteria staff;

•Rhonda Trueblood, elementary-middle school cafeteria staff;

•Mitch Warner, middle school assistant football coach;

•Greg Thomas, high school weight room;

•Kyle Walter, high school weight room;

•Andy Tyler, high school weight room;

•Paige Gruener, high school JV volleyball coach; and

•Kimmy Winders, eighth-grade volleyball coach

Volunteers

•Zach Waycott, high school assistant cross country coach;

•Ashton Higgins, middle-high school cheer coach; and

•Chad Koosman, middle-high school cross country volunteer

Leave of Absence

•Meganne Stepp, elementary school physical education teacher.