New computers for Carroll business lab
By Jennifer Archibald

Carroll School Board approved the purchase of 29 Dell computers for the junior-senior high school business lab at its meeting Aug. 15. The cost, $23,642.25, will be taken from the Capital Projects Fund.

Superintendent John Sayers said the old computers from the lab will be distributed throughout the building.

Also approved was the Richardson & Son bid of $19,801 for concrete around and extending from the new concession stand.

The board accepted the quote of Indiana Insurance, $84,826, for the school corporation's liability insurance. Sayers said in the future, there may be a consortium of 20 school corporations that would go together for the insurance.

Personnel hired were: Amy Hickson, elementary guidance counselor; Megan Coomler, first grade teacher; Kathy Shuler, reading teacher; Katie Seward, junior-senior high business education; Erika Eller, study hall aide; and Marion Blocher and Jill Meek, bus drivers.

Junior-senior high school principal Charles Huckstep said a college student is serving as a substitute Spanish teacher for two or three weeks. She's Melody Ellis of Noblesville and a junior at Indiana Wesleyan.

"She's had five years of Spanish and is fluent in the language," he said. "She's a good substitute."

Huckstep said if all goes well, her successor will be a teacher from Spain, with an English degree. He said as he understands it, this opportunity is through the Indiana Department of Education and the Spanish Ministry. Candidates are teachers from Spain who want to teach in America.

"If they decide they want to stay, it can be long-term," Huckstep said.

Sayers reported that new administrators in school corporations are assigned mentors. He said for the second year, Camden Elementary principal Debby Williams is serving as a mentor to Carroll Elementary assistant principal Natalie McQuade, and Lewis Cass Jr.-Sr. High School principal William Isaacs is serving as a mentor to Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School assistant principal Fred Schnarr.

"We will receive state reimbursement for the stipends for these mentors," Sayers said.

Board president Sam Zook said the corporation is restarting its "tech" committee.

"We need to get our technology plan up to date," he said, explaining that it encompasses more than computers.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact Sayers or a building principal.

Zook also brought up the topic of student use of supplements.

Sayers said supplements are readily accessible, and young people are using them more and more.

"It's something we're going to address," Zook said. "There's a policy in the works."

He added that the best way an athlete can enhance his skill is through nutrition, rest, and hard work.

The corporation's Sponsorship Policy, which allows sponsorship of school teams and activities, will be voted on at the next meeting.

Elementary principal Carolyn O'Connell announced that her school has received the top rating, "Exemplary Progress," in the Public Law 221 state accountability evaluation.

"This is based on performance and improvement data (from ISTEP+); 35.2 percent of schools in Indiana received this rating, and we were one of them," she said.

O'Connell said this reflects the school's motto of "Great staff, great students, great school, and great expectations."

She also mentioned other positives for her school:

v Cooperation between the school and the Flora library in support of reading.

v After a writing workshop, teachers are ready to go with writing prompts and writing curriculum.

v Three student teachers this year.

v Successful Jump Start program.

Huckstep also reported a successful Jump Start at his school.

The board approved a conference request from Natalie McQuade to attend the IASP Assistant Principals Conference Oct. 16 and 17 in Indianapolis. O'Connell said McQuade helped set up this meeting.

The next board meeting will be Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.