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Walker to retire and return Sometimes an offer is simply too tempting to pass up - especially if the window of opportunity is not expected to stay open long. Delphi Community School Corp. Superintendent Ralph Walker retired and was re-employed in one vote at the DCSC Board of Trustees meeting held Monday night. Board member Melinda Rossetter was absent. Walker said his decision was prompted by a "loophole" found in Senate Enrolled Act #88. The ruling allows a teacher, which includes the position of superintendent, to collect retirement pay while continuing to work. It also stipulates the person must not work for 90 days before being re-employed. Walker said he carefully considered when would be the best time to be away from his post and chose to 'retire' from Oct. 9 to Jan. 7. Steve Saylor was approved as interim superintendent. He will attend the Oct. 8 board meeting with Walker and hold the position until Dec. 20. Walker said he verified the retirement option with school and state attorneys. Effectively, the offer was too good to refuse. "I would be remiss not to take the state up on their generous offer," he told the Comet after the meeting. "Especially since it may not remain an option for very long." Walker to seek shortfalls The 2008 budget, a threeyear capital projects plan and a 10-year bus replacement plan were approved. As part of the new budget, Walker will petition $127,962 from the Department of Local Government Finance to recover local property tax money owed to the corporation. He said he believed previous administrators never tried to request the difference owed to the schools when property tax collections fell short of estimates. The petition and budget must be filed simultaneously. Walker suggested local property tax collectors should adopt a system to ensure assumed figures are accurate. "Something is wrong with the way things are being calculated in this county," Walker commented. Administrators' contracts Contracts were renewed for school administrators, with the exception two recent hires. Each will receive a three-percent pay increase and a contract extension of one year. Triathlon gets high marks Middle school physical education teacher Theresa Traver presented a synopsis of the middle school triathlon held recently. She said student and community response was tremendous and the event's success could lead to future growth. Literacy Academy Carol Coon's request for DCES to host a 2008 Literacy Academy was approved. She said the conference, to be held June 5 and 6, would meet the needs of teachers heading toward a comprehensive literacy program. The corporation should incur no costs associated with hosting the conference according to Coon. DCSC educators will attend free of charge and a fee would be charged to those from outside the district who choose to attend. Sponsorships and other cost-saving options were also discussed. Walker commented the district could make a profit by hosting the conference. Coon said some kindergarten students who started the school year unable to read were now able to do so due in large part to the Breakthrough to Literacy program teachers utilize. Other business A motion to approve maintenance and improvements to bleachers at the middle school gym and the elementary school was tabled. Walker will provide a more detailed analysis of the project's needs to the board at the next meeting. Claims and payroll in the amount of $511,212.00 were approved. The following were approved for employment: Craig Shaw, high school assistant wrestling coach; Brian Burton, high school assistant swim coach; Michael Atwood, high school volunteer wrestling coach; and Katrina Coghill 7th grade volunteer volleyball coach. Future dates Camden Early Childhood Center will host an open house Sept. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. The next meeting will be Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the corporation office conference room. |
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