Rebuilding a school system's educational status and finances takes hard work with attention to countless details. However, positive results are worth the effort and even sweeter when quality people and resources are utilized without having to raise patrons' taxes to make changes feasible.

Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met for a budget discussion work session prior to the regular meeting Monday night. The board and DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker used the time to clarify details regarding the corporation's short-term financial concerns.

Walker said next year's tax rate should rise between four to 10 cents, average for the area in recent years.

"That's typical for yearly growth," he explained.

He said the budget should allow for positive changes without having to further burden the local public.

Following the work session, the board approved Walker's request to advertise the corporation budget and tax rates that are found on page 5B of today's edition of the Comet.

The board will hear public input regarding the budget at the next regular meeting Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in the corporation office conference room. A vote to accept the budget will be held during the Sept. 10 regular meeting. Teachers' contract partially approved

The board voted to approve the teachers' contract with the exception of the insurance component. Details of the in- surance plan have not been agreed upon.

Teachers and extracurricular staff will receive three-percent pay increases for the upcoming year, followed by three and a half and four percent jumps the next two years.

Other areas negotiated were buy-out contributions, summer school, formation of committees, paid holidays, vacancies and the addition of four new extracurricular salary positions.

Walker said the three-year deal should be satisfactory.

"I think we have a very good agreement with both sides," he commented.

Bussing update requested

Board member Jerry Sparks asked Walker for an update on the bussing system.

Walker said new route-finding software allowed the corporation to cut three bus routes, making up most of the difference for three additional fullsize buses and a smaller activity bus needed to transport kindergarten students. Kindergarteners will ride only with children from their grade.

He said students should ride for less than one hour, but asked for patience from the community while kinks are worked out the first few days of school. He explained the corporation underwent more changes than any other in the state during the past year and it would take time for everything to run smoothly.

He explained patience and

teamwork would be vital to ensure students' success.

"Safety is number one," Walker reminded the board and public. "If you're not on time the next couple days, don't worry about it, we'll be fine. My goal is to see all 250 members of the staff work together to make the changes work." Salary increase schedule changed

The board approved Walker's request to change the salary increase schedule for bus drivers and aides. To pay the increases now instead of in January will create much less paperwork and help smooth the system, according to Walker.

Other business

Resignations were accepted from aide Jan Back and high school science teacher Jeremy Hale. Hale is the second science teacher to be hired and resign this summer.

Danielle Dunbar, the third of four teachers to be cut from DCSC staff earlier this year, was re-employed by the school. All four teachers to be let go are now gainfully employed, said Walker.

Other certified staff employed were: Ashley Cook, high school Spanish teacher and dance instructor; Shawn Means, high school science teacher and junior varisty basketball coach; and Gayle Conner, volunteer physical education teacher at Camden.

Classified staff approved were: Tina Isaacs, custodian at Delphi Elementary; Michael Lewis, high school career and remediation aide; Craig Shaw, full-time high school substitute teacher; Jessica Jones and Lisa Ringer, eighth-grade volleyball coaches; Don Currie and Margaret Mose, middle school cross country coaches; Jeff Shuler, eighth-grade football coach; Chip Dale, middle school head football coach; Chuck Kent, seventh-grade football coach; Joe Fassnacht, high school assistant wrestling coach; Jennifer Gear, Camden ESL aide; Kate Ebert, middle school ESL aide; Karen Brannan, Sue Brown, Patty Hudelson, Gail Burton and Nina German, kindergarten aides; Jennifer Calloni, volunteer co-director of Camden lending library; Tess Walker, middle school volunteer assistant cheerleading coach; Mimi Lynde, high school volunteer varsity and junior varsity volleyball coach; and Marsha Baker, volunteer sixth-grade volleyball coach.

The next regular meeting will

be Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in the corporation office conference room.