Diverse forms of income take shape at Cloverdale Schools

CLOVERDALE — Although playgrounds and classrooms are without students, the Cloverdale School Board remains active in preparing for the fall and beyond.

After the call to order, a member of the public stood before the Cloverdale school board to address the $2 million Additional Appropriation Resolution bond, which was included in a written notice to taxpayers on May 26, and has been causing community members to wonder what the funds will be used for.

“We have generated a list of about 17 items, and we know we cannot pay for all of them out of the $2 million,” board president Vivian Whitaker said. “So we will be looking at hiring an architectural build and design firm to see what we can afford. They’ll put it together and once we know that, we can come back for another hearing, but for now we’re only in the appropriation stage of acquiring the money to do a project.”

While the list of specific items is circulating only within the board, “the revenue will be used for building improvements,” said Greg Linton, superintendent.

Local attorney Stacy Barclay, who works with the school district and the Additional Appropriation Resolution, made it known to the public that ”these funds are very specifically not allowed to be used on educational raises for teachers ... we are, by law, not allowed to,” she said.

Whitaker and Linton also added that the appropriation does not come out of the Education Fund or out of debt service, making it tax neutral.

Another talking point from the public involved a concern for students who are “in really bad shape.” He referred to the local students who, despite their completion of high school, “didn’t have enough intelligence to get to college,” he said. “School boards should know that people are falling through the cracks.”

Whitaker assured the board and members of the public that the teachers, principals, curriculum director and superintendent “are addressing those kids that are falling behind and trying to get up,” but that “a lot of it is the parents’ support and holding them to it.”

She also stressed that all kids in Putnam County, from birth to school age, are eligible to be sent one free book per month if their parent(s) register them through the Putnam County Library.

Closing public comments and transitioning into the agenda, the board also discussed an agreement with Crane Credit Union that will generate donations back to the district.

With a branch along Main Street just blocks away from the administration building, credit union members, pre-existing or new, may request a debit card with the Cloverdale Schools logo on it.

“Based on the number of transactions, (CCU) will make a quarterley donation to the school,” said Jessica Kyle, Cloverdale’s Crane Credit Union assistant branch manager.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Other business:

- The board approved of a school resource office memorendum of understanding that has been carried over from 2018.

- Part time summer maintenance employees were discussed by the board. Linton insisted that “summertime is always a busy time around school corporations. We have a lot of work that we’ve got to get done in a short period of time,” he added. The board approved.

- The request to approve surplus old weight room equipment was approved, the new equipment to be included in school facility improvements, Linton said.

- A request to approve three instructors to teach summer marching band and color guard was approved, and an increase in hours for summer band was introduced to “encourage more participation and better quality performance,” Linton said.

- A request to accept “generous donations” toward Cloverdale High School was approved by the board.

- Professional leave requests were presented to the board and approved.

- New field trips were approved with enthusiasm among the board, with members agreeing that the trips are “educational,” bringing students all over the state and even into Kentucky, Linton said.

- New personnel were introduced to the board and were approved. The new employee hires are:

Jeffrey Turmail - CMS asst. principal; Emily Stattner - elementary teacher; Whitney Bond Roberts - Pre-Clover instructor; Chelsea Reed - special education; Paige Glassburn - Pre-Clover instructor/pre-school coordinator; Sabrina Byrns - pre-K instructor; Kaileigh Sparks - pre-K instructor; Stephanie Shepherd - CHS/CCSC custodial staff; Amanda Hutchison - corporation nurse.

Coaching Hires: Nicole Campbell - CHS cheer coach; Seth Geiger - CHS asst. wrestling coach

Coaching volunteers: New volunteer football coaches include: Tyce Jackson, Kade Schroer, Mike Parks, Nick Winders, Billy Boyette, Charlie Lee, Mark McCammon and Mac Dutra. New CHS volunteer basketball coach is Veronica Carter.

Resignation: Silas Plasters - custodian, Daniel (Wade) Warren - head wrestling coach; Michael Nees - asst. girls’ basketball coach; Anna Powell - CHS cheer coach; Jesse Koosman - CMS volleyball coach