Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School science teachers told about pressing needs of their department at the Carroll School Board meeting March 7.

Science teachers who spoke were MaKay Adams, Stephanie Dickerson, Nathan Sheets, and Melissa Keown.

Supt. John Sayers prefaced their remarks by saying that updating the science facilities had been identified as one of the school corporation's priorities (based on a feasibility study conducted in 1998).

The science teachers highlighted the problems of teaching new curriculum in 40-year-old facilities. They said they need more lecture space, more laboratory space, and more technology. Some of the things they mentioned specifically were more stations for hands-on experiments, extra room for ongoing science fair projects, computers and programs, outdoor lab and greenhouse.

The teachers have been visiting other schools to see their science facilities. Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School principal Charles Huckstep, who formerly taught science, said Carroll's science classroom size is 1100 sq. ft. He said today's updated science classrooms are 1500 sq. ft.

"In a science facility, you can't have too much room," Huckstep said.

The teachers also pointed out some safety concerns. Sheets said the classrooms need better ventilation. He cited an incident where some fumes escaped, and students had to continue class in the cafeteria.

There was no board discussion on the teacher presentations.

Sayers told the Comet Friday that a consultant had earlier presented several options for the science renovation, including a new addition, reutilizing current space, or a combination of the two.

Sayers said an architect hasn't been hired yet, but he expects the renovation to begin in the summer of 2007. He said the teacher presentation at the board meeting was for information purposes only. He said there will be discussions between the science teachers and the board before architect interviews are conducted.

In other business, the superintendent announced that a corporation Wellness Committee has been formed to develop a wellness policy for recommendation to the school board. He said the federal government mandates that school corporations have such a policy in place by July 1, 2006. The policy will address such issues as nutrition, childhood obesity, and physical education.

Members of the Wellness Committee are Carolyn O'Connell, Barb Payne, Beth Hayden, Kathy Woodward, Karla Taylor, Brandi Oliver, Lori Smith, and Kathy Sanders.

The following conference and field trips were approved:

Joe Spence to take the Cougar Blues to the Navy Pier and other attractions in Chicago April 7 and 8.

Roger Mahrling to attend the Privacy Concerns-Best Practices Conference April 12 and May 10 in West Lafayette.

Mike Hyman to take the fifth grade stock market students to the Indiana Council for Economic Education Stock Market Awards Program May 12 in Indianapolis.

The board's next regular meeting will be March 21 at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m., and then students will be invited to the meeting at 1:30 p.m. The board holds a meeting with students once a year. A board work session will be held that morning at 10 o'clock in the Administration Building.