Carroll School Board authorized a $450,000 bank loan for the Debt Service Fund at a regular meeting Nov. 7.

The purpose of the loan was not stated at the meeting, but when asked later, Superintendent John Sayers said it will be used for roof and swimming pool repairs next year.

Sayers said it is a short-term loan with pay-off dates in July 2007 ($225,000) and January 2008 ($225,000).

Sayers reported that further development of the new soccer/softball area, such as dugouts and press box, will now likely be a spring project.

Lindsey Muinzer has been hired as a substitute Spanish teacher for second semester.

Other personnel announced were: Ladd Kitchel, junior high wrestling coach; Kim Bordner, sixth grade cheerleading coach; Shana Bordner, sixth grade volunteer assistant cheerleading coach; Tammy Wickersham, fifth grade cheerleading coach; Deanna Herr, fifth grade volunteer assistant cheerleading coach; and Chase Richardson, volunteer varsity swim coach.

Junior-senior high school principal Charles Huckstep announced that the fall sports team having the highest grade point average was cross country (girls and boys) with a 3.43. The second highest was girls' golf with a GPA of 3.40.

Elementary principal Carolyn O'Connell reported that Caring Connection, which matches community volunteers with students, has started, with 32 students involved. She told about recent events including Grandparents Day, Red Ribbon Week led by guidance counselor Amy Hickson, and Fire Safety Week. The Flora VFD sponsored a fire safety contest, with the winning student receiving a DVD player. Students will compete in a spelling bee at Hillcrest on Nov. 16.

Cougar Blues' fundraising request was approved. The singing group will have two paid performances, on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, in addition to their annual Feast on Dec. 3.

FFA National Convention participants reported on the convention sessions and the awards won in the National Agriscience Fair. The Carroll chapter is ranked in the top three percent of chapters nationwide.

The following conference and field trip requests were approved:

v Steve and Melissa Keown to take FFA students to Area Crops, Forestry, and Entomology Contest Nov. 15 at Cass County Fairgrounds.

v Charles Huckstep, Indiana Association of School Principal's Fall Conference Nov. 19-21 in Indianapolis.

v Melissa Keown, AP Environmental Science Workshop Nov. 21 at Butler University.

v Kathy Shuler and Jill Kressley, "Leveling Texts: How, When & Why" Conference Nov. 29 in Lafayette.

Kathy Sanders, Communities Aligned Toward Children's Health, Nov. 30 in Indianapolis.

v Don Pettit, Indiana Music Educators State Convention Jan. 18-20 in Indianapolis.

v Scot Collins, Careers 2007 Conference Jan. 29-31 in Madison, Wis.

Board president Sam Zook announced that an executive session would be held after the meeting to discuss collective bargaining.

The next regular board meeting will be Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.

The meeting adjourned without the usual question posed to the audience, "Is there any other business to come before this board?"

After adjournment, a high school student approached Zook with a question. He said the question related to collective bargaining so could not be discussed.

A larger-than-usual crowd was present at the meeting. Elementary teacher Larry Henning said the extra attendance included 15-20 teachers, their family members, and other people from the community "who wanted to show the board they are interested in what is going on about trying to settle this contract."

The next step in negotiations is expected to be another meeting of both sides with a post factfinding mediator. As of this week, no meeting has yet been set.