Carroll starts Rainy Day Fund
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Carroll School Board approved the establishment of a Rainy Day Fund at its regular meeting Dec. 18.

Superintendent John Sayers explained that unused or unencumbered funds can be placed into a Rainy Day Fund. Although many school corporations have had such a fund for several years, since it was authorized by the state, this is the first time Carroll has ever had one.

Since transferring of funds from one budget account to another is not allowed, the Rainy Day Fund provides a way for unused funds to be used where the corporation needs it most. School attorney Miriam Robeson said the corporation cannot transfer more than 10 percent of its total appropriations into the special fund in any one year.

Each school corporation designates what its Rainy Day Fund can be used for. The Carroll board has not yet made that determination.

School calendar

The board approved the 2008-2009 school calendar. The original proposed calendar called for Christmas vacation to start Dec. 23. After objections from teachers and the Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School Student Council, the board changed the start date for the vacation. Now, students' last day before vacation will be Friday, Dec. 19, with the end of the semester and records day on Dec. 22. School will resume on Jan. 5. Thanksgiving vacation will be Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 and 28, and spring break will be March 23-27. The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, Aug. 12, and the last day will be May 19. Graduation will be May 23.

ISTEP+ results

Assistant principal Fred Schnarr reported on Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School's ISTEP+ results, and CES principal Carolyn O'Connell reported on results from the elementary school.

Schnarr said the Jr.-Sr. high results were similar to last year's, with a few drops and some improvements, but no major changes either way.

"We're very pleased with the results," he said.

The Class of 2008 took the tests as sixth, eighth, ninth, and tenth graders. Those who didn't pass as tenth graders had the opportunity to re-take the test as juniors and seniors. As sophomores, 68 percent passed in English/language arts and 75 percent passed in math. Schnarr said after 10th grade, another 24 percent passed in language arts, and another 21 percent passed in math. So that means 92 percent of the class has passed in language arts and 96 percent has passed in math. The class has shown marked improvement from their scores as sixth graders. Their pass rate then was 57 percent in language arts and 69 percent in math.

For the Class of 2009, as sophomores, 72 percent passed in language arts, and 80 percent passed in math. Schnarr said since then, another 9 percent has passed in language arts and another 13 percent in math. There will still be opportunities for more students to pass.

Across the board, CJSHS's ISTEP math scores are higher than the language arts scores.

Math results, showing percent that passed at each grade level, are: Seventh grade - 86 percent. Eighth grade - 91 percent. Ninth grade - 81 percent. Tenth grade - 85 percent.

Language arts results are: Seventh grade - 76 percent. Eighth grade - 78 percent. Ninth grade - 74 percent. Tenth grade - 74 percent.

Results for the elementary are listed below, giving the percent that passed the test at each grade level.

Math: Third grade - 72 percent. Fourth grade - 74 percent. Fifth grade - 87 percent. Sixth grade - 89 percent.

Language arts: Third grade - 81 percent. Fourth grade - 77 percent. Fifth grade - 80 percent. Sixth grade - 73 percent.

O'Connell said the teachers look at a breakdown of specific areas of the tests.

"We can identify where our strengths are and where to target our instruction in specific skill areas," she said.

Statewide, in grades three through ten, 71 percent passed the language arts test this year, and 74 percent passed the math test.

In other business, the board approved new benefits for administrators and non-certified personnel. These are comparable to teacher benefits that came through the recent negotiations.

One benefit is a 403b retirement plan, which provides for a matching tax-sheltered annuity. Administrators and non-certified personnel can contribute up to one percent of their pay, and the corporation will match up to one-half of one percent.

The other two benefits are vision insurance for the employees, and a provision for employees to set aside a portion of their pay (pre-tax) to be used for such things as non-reimbursed medical expenses and childcare.

The board approved maternity leave for Carrie Pickard, starting at the end of March.

Julie Eurit was named assistant Junior Class sponsor, and Katie Seward was named assistant varsity/JV softball coach.

Several fundraisers were approved for the FFA Dairy Evaluation team, which will be going to Europe. A request to solicit local agribusinesses and service clubs was denied. All money raised will be held by the Carroll Education Foundation, and distributed when needed.

A conference request was approved for guidance counselor Scot Collins to attend the Careers Conference Jan. 28-30 in Madison, Wis.

Sayers announced that the board will meet Dec. 26 at 1 p.m. for accepting and awarding a general obligation bond bid.

The board will not meet Jan. 1 as regularly scheduled. The next meeting will be Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.