The two corporation principals reported on their school improvement plans at the June 20 Carroll School Board meeting.

Schools are mandated by Public Law 221 to submit an annual plan to the state.

Junior-Senior High School Principal Charles Huckstep said his school has a three-year plan, with focus on Writing Across the Curriculum. He said teachers started professional development in writing this past school year and will continue this coming year.

Next, Huckstep said students will learn writing rubrics, according to the "6 + 1" program, followed by ISTEP rubrics. In 2007, he said more student writing and assessing will be done online, and by 2008, the school hopes to develop its own writing rubric.

Principal Carolyn O'Connell said the elementary school's plan has three goals - improvement in math, language arts, and writing.

She said 15 elementary teachers will attend a "Simple 6" writing workshop on Aug. 9 at Hillcrest Elementary School.

"We will implement this program next year with staff and across all grade levels," she said. "We want our students to be able to express themselves in writing."

The board approved Jr.-Sr. high school textbook rental fees following a presentation by Huckstep.

New courses

He mentioned new courses including forensic science, 3-D art, jewelry, advanced life science courses, and pre-engineering classes. A computer class will again be offered to seventh graders as a nine-week course. Huckstep said he is anticipating that there will be free workbooks for French, Spanish, business and accounting.

He added that most book rental increases are due to new book adoptions. He said the average student will pay just a little more in fees than last year. School policies

Superintendent John Sayers said parents and students should take a look at school policies posted on the corporation website, www.carroll. k12.in.us. They are currently under consideration. Some are new, some are existing policies with proposed revisions.

He listed the posted policies as follows: Wellness Policy, Entrance Requirements, Student Use of Medications, Immunizations, Student Use of Motor Vehicles, Graduation Requirements, Raffles & Fundraising Games, Student Fundraising, Sponsorship Policy, Advertising Policy.

The policies can also be reviewed in the Administration Office. Decisions on the policies will be made at the next board meeting, July 5.

The board approved a new copier for the elementary school at a cost of $12,995, to be paid from the Capital Projects Fund.

Personnel

Donald Pettit, a 2005 graduate of the University of Evansville, will be the new band director.

Other personnel approved include: Erin Garrison, volunteer girls' golf coach; Dave Mann, Tom Hall, and Andy Zinn, volunteer assistant football coaches; Danna Bonfiglio and Stacey Brazel, Jump Start English teachers; Scot Collins, volunteer Outdoor Club sponsor; and Anita Schaeffer and Pamela Miller, food service employees.

Resignations were accepted from Nathan Sheets, high school chemistry teacher, and Robert Smith, custodian.

A 12-month contract was signed for Steve Keown, vocational agriculture teacher.

The corporation will advertise for a new position, a reading teacher for the elementary school. Sayers said the position will be paid from Title I and Title II grants, and will be approved on a year-to-year basis.

Athletic director Scott Ayres announced that Spring Team GPA Awards went to the girls' tennis team, first place with a GPA of 3.374; and to the girls' track team, second place, with a GPAof 3.266.

Ayres reported that certified weight room supervisors are needed. He said there is a one day training for any coaches who are interested.

Proposed changes under consideration for the Athletic Handbook include recognition of letters earned by athletes moving into the Carroll corporation; and adding girls' golf and cheerleading to the handbook. Ayres said currently a student has to have two Carroll letters and be a sophomore to earn a letter jacket. He said, under the proposal, at least one of those letters would have to be earned at Carroll. Ayres added that a transfer student's previously earned awards would count only toward a letter jacket. Sayers reported on the progress of summer outdoor work: Footing poured for new concession stand; tennis courts re-paved and will be re-painted; new light poles on site.

The 4-H Tractor Club was given permission to use the junior-senior high school parking lot July 8 for a driving course.

This was the last board meeting for board members Susan Budreau and Edward Johnson. Sayers presented them each with a gift. Budreau has served four years, and Johnson, 12 years.

Budreau publicly thanked the Flora Police Department for traffic assistance before and after school. Board president Sam Zook added his appreciation for officers' patrolling the school grounds.

The next board meeting will be July 5 at 8 p.m. in the Administration Building.