Carroll adopts policy on sports supplements
By Jennifer Archibald

Carroll School Board has established a policy prohibiting the use of performance enhancing supplements.

The policy was approved at the board's Nov. 21 meeting. It states that "use of any supplements, whether or not marketed as 'natural,' is considered to be a 'short-cut' and unapproved method for students to attain their maximum physical and mental potential, as well as posing a serious potential health risk to student athletes."

The school corporation "strongly recommends that all staff, students, student-athletes and their parents/guardians should consult with their physicians before taking any drugs, medications, nutritional supplements or sports supplement products."

The policy states that most of these products are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and may contain harmful ingredients, including (but not limited to) creatine, ephedrine or excessive amounts of caffeine.

According to the policy, "Use of any supplements banned or discouraged by IHSAA and NCAA is prohibited as a health risk to student athletes who are growing and developing during the high school years."

The policy further states, "Students, student-athletes, school personnel (including coaches and any assistant coaches, volunteer coaches or support personnel) should not possess, dispense, recommend or endorse any drug, medication or supplement except in accordance with state regulation and corporation policy. Any such products found on campus or at a school-sponsored event will be confiscated and destroyed. Teachers and coaching personnel will not promote the use of such substances, on or off campus."

Advance tax draw

Superintendent John Sayers said he will ask for an advance tax draw to put the school corporation's General Fund back in the black by the first of December.

"Then we hope to get the regular draw by the end of December," he said.

The board approved the purchase of 105 student desks for the junior-senior high school. Sayers said the cost will be $92 each or a total of just under $10,000, to be paid out of the Capital Projects Fund.

The board adopted a resolution for an additional appropriation if the Department of Local Government Finance approves adding a rate to the Debt Service Fund. Sayers explained that the corporation does not currently have a rate in the fund. He said the resolution gives the board permission to spend $450,000 from the fund. As stated at the last board meeting, the money will be used next year for repairs to

a roof and to the swimming pool.

Pep Club

The board approved the establishment of a Pep Club. Tina Miller will be the sponsor.

Two facility requests were approved. Pat Hickner will use the Carroll Elementary gym on Saturdays for indoor soccer training, and Rick Eller and Darrell Yoder will use the junior senior high school gym (when available) for practices for the seventh and eighth grade girls' basketball feeder program.

Two resignations were read: Mikel Graves as Prime Time teacher assistant and Sarah Hanaway as junior high swim coach.

Julie Eurit was hired as assistant Junior Class sponsor, and the following unpaid positions were approved: Barb Hickner, volunteer assistant seventh grade girls' basketball coach; Paul Kubon, volunteer varsity baseball coach; and Kris Brickhouse, volunteer fifth grade cheerleading coach.

The following conference and field trip requests were approved:

• Megan Coomler, Cluster Grouping & Student Based Differentiation Conference Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Lafayette.

• Cindy Reinke and Susan Shively, Fall Advanced Life Science Foods Institute Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.

• Kelly Hillman and child development class, field trip to St. Joseph Hospital and Wal- Mart Dec. 11.

• Scot Collins, "Mean Girls" seminar Jan. 8 in Indianapolis.

• Nancy Sabatini, Kathy Northcutt, Cathy Ayres, and Jacklyn Williams, Textbook Caravan Jan. 17 in West Lafayette.

• Jana Conn, Nancy Sabatini, and Diane Routt, Indiana Association for the Gifted/Indiana Department of Education Annual Conference March 8 in Indianapolis.

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

An executive session was held after the meeting to discuss collective bargaining.