Carroll School Board voted for the placement and direction of soccer and softball fields at its April 19 meeting.

Board member Susan Budreau made the motion to set the soccer field north and south, just south of the elementary playground, and to place the softball diamond just south of the existing baseball diamond. Included in her motion was to delete the east-west driveway. The board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Superintendent John Sayers said the softball diamond may need to be south and east of the school. He added that the configuration voted on would necessitate taking out 10 trees. Board member Barb Payne said she would like to see the trees transplanted on school property if possible.

Engineer Dana Wannemacher of Barton, Coe & Vilamaa, Fort Wayne, had addressed the board before its vote, and had recommended a different configuration of the two fields. He said for practical and economical reasons, his plan called for setting the soccer field south of the existing baseball field, and running east and west, and for the softball field to go south of the elementary school. He said a full size soccer field would not fit, running north and south.

Varsity soccer coach Dave Falkenburg and board president Sam Zook said they and others had measured the site and believe that there is room for a regulation size soccer field south of the elementary and running the preferable direction, north and south.

Falkenburg, softball coach Craig Myers, and incoming board members Dave Lambert and Eric Johnson all agreed with the board's vote.

The engineer said drawings would be out in May and bids received in June.

Gretchen Leuenberger from the Wabash Valley Education Center and the junior-senior high school science teachers presented information on the science curriculum and facility needs for the planned update of the science wing.

"These science teachers are very aware of science standards and good teaching strategies," she said. "They have a huge knowledge base of science, and I'm extremely impressed with them."

The teachers took turns speaking on what they would like to do in their classrooms, but are limited to do because of lack of equipment and space.

"We have integrated some biotechnology, but we want to do more," said teacher Stephanie Dickerson.

The science teachers talked about lab kits and technical equipment that would allow students to do more hands-on activities and be able to better visualize what they're studying.

In other business, the board approved the charter members of the Carroll Education Foundation. Upon recommendation by Zook, the members are Sayers, Zook, Jay Bush, and Van Taylor. They will start the process for the articles of incorporation and begin reviewing bylaws.

Sayers reported that $88,000 had been allocated for new kitchen equipment. The equipment will include two dishwashers, a freezer door, two steamers, a microwave, mixer, two convection ovens, cold pass-through, and serving line units.

The Wellness Policy Committee has a draft of a policy that will be considered for adoption in June. It will be posted on the corporation Web Site for the community to view. Public comments are sought.

The board approved the following parents to serve on Carroll Elementary's PL 221 improvement plan committee: Jennifer Gear, Bill Stoddard, Kimberly Stoddard, Gloria Keith, Tina Miller, Becky Taylor, and Julie Eurit.

Elementary assistant principal Natalie McQuade discussed proposed changes for the elementary handbook. Zook said before it is finalized, such things as dress code and policy regarding electronic devices should be looked at to see if they are consistent with the juniorsenior high school policy.

The board approved the following increases in administration salaries: One percent increase in the salary of elementary principal Carolyn O'Connell and one percent increase in the superintendent's salary. Both are to be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006.

The board voted 5-0 to hire Rick George as varsity football coach for the 2006-2007 school year.

Lynn Herendeen resigned her position in food services, effective April 19.

Several conference and field trip requests were approved.