School, community face big decisions
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Patrons of Delphi Community School Corporation may have just a couple months to chime in with their thoughts on proposed facility upgrades. Decisions made during upcoming Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees meetings will determine how the corporation can improve upon its assets and how much the taxpaying public is willing to chip in.

During the regular meeting held Monday night, Envoy President Larry Dawson presented a condensed version of district-wide renovation needs and desires. The list was assembled with assistance from building administrators.

The board voted to hold public work sessions Oct. 22, Nov. 5, 19 and 26, and Dec. 3, 10 and 17 to receive input about how to proceed with renovations.

DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker said he was hopeful a bond hearing could take place this year. He said a bond issue would be a safer method to pay for renovations than spending out of capital projects each year.

Board president Robert Resler added that the majority of projects on the renovation list were necessary.

"I hope we can get across to the community that some of this just has to be done," Resler said.

Dawson said priorities considered when creating the list were current conditions, needs and options.

Dawson also requested the board appoint a bond counsel to help the board work toward a bond hearing. Walker recommended the board approve Barnes & Thornburg as bond counsel, and the request was approved.

Copies can be requested from the corporation office.

Gifted and talented

Camden Early Childhood Center Principal Carol Coon said the high ability program, formerly known as gifted and talented, will receive a boost with help from Purdue University and a grant. She said the state expanded the program to include kindergarten and first grade and funding was increased.

Purdue will use part of a grant it received to fund program developments at DCSC. Coon said Indiana Code now demands that all K-12 schools identify and serve high ability students.

"Sometimes if they (high ability students) aren't challenged, they become at risk or drop out when they're actually gifted," Coon stated.

She said Purdue will offer help identifying high ability students, will pay for Super Saturday and Super Summer programs, and will provide professional development free of charge.

Coon asked for a volunteer from the board to be part of a broad-based planning committee, for which member Paul Brown extended his services.

Board member Melinda Rossetter remarked she was happy to see gifted and talented programs being pursued because the betterment of that program was a selling point to her during school re-alignment.

Coon agreed and noted that the accelerated math course at CECC was approved by the Indiana Department of Education for high ability students.

Sailor set to man the helm

Walker introduced Steve Sailor, who will act as interim superintendent beginning today, Wednesday. Walker retired for 90 days and will return in early January.

Sailor will work two days a week, but a set schedule has yet to be determined.

Other business

The high school physics class will take its annual trip to Argonne National Lab and Fermilab in Chicago on Nov. 20.R

esignations were approved for: Mark Livingston, middle school custodian; and Norene Finn, special education bus driver.

Board member Jerry Sparks offered appreciation to Finn for her 15 years of service to the corporation.

Employment was approved for: Angela Bieghler, middle school student council cosponsor; Charlie Harris, boys' intramural basketball supervisor; Ty Sutton, girls' intramural basketball supervisor; Grant Davidson, high school assistant wrestling coach; Ted Lynde, high school volunteer wrestling coach.

The next meeting, originally scheduled for Nov. 12, has been tentatively re-scheduled for Nov. 5 to coincide with a public work session.