Delphi School Corporation Board of School Trustees halted a deal to purchase 15 acres of land to the south of the campus at Monday night's meeting after learning the outcome of two independent appraisals of the land. Both declared the value of the land to be less than the price tag.

The board granted permission to pursue the purchase for $18,000 per acre at an earlier meeting. According to DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker, state law dictates that two independent appraisals must be done. The cost of the land can not exceed the average of the combined cost of the appraisals. The land was appraised at $17,000 and $15,000 per acre, thereby prohibiting the school board from spending more than $16,500 per acre.

"It's over," Walker said. "We cannot go any further legally. We cannot purchase the land."

Given the new information, the board voted unanimously to rescind the decision to proceed with the land purchase. Board president Robert Resler said the board could decide to purchase the land at a later date if the price was reduced.

Athletic department

Athletic director Dan Dawson explained a financial report containing a significant drop in department income since the beginning of 2008. He said he was organizing a "new kind of booster club" to support the department. Dawson said there was no clear problem discovered but stated he would continue to research the situation.

"We're going to be fine," he said.

Dawson said he was going to restrict the amount of money paid to outside entities to perform certain functions for the department.

"We're going to get more people involved here," he explained.

Dawson was granted permission to purchase weight lifting, body building equipment and flooring for the weight room for $39,118.84. He said the new equipment would meet the department's needs "for a long time."

The purchase of a new press box at the baseball field, not to exceed $12,981, was approved. Jim Garrison encouraged Dawson to solicit bids from local small-structure builders before making a purchase outside of the county.

The capital projects fund will finance both purchases.

Budget

After listening to the explanation of the proposed 2009 budget at a meeting prior to the regular board meeting (announced Friday afternoon), board members voted to advertise the budget. A public hearing was scheduled for Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. for public comment. Total appropriation for instruction is $5,318,933 and $377,082 for support serv- ices. The total amount for 2009 budget appropriations to be advertised is $16,590,823.

Walker said it was desirable for the corporation to achieve a positive cash reserve to allow it to borrow against itself rather than from a lending institution when tax revenues were not received in a timely fashion.a

Other business

Drug testing will begin in September.

An electric energy amperage reduction mechanism will be tested at the corporation to assess cost savings. According to Walker, Tippecanoe County School Corporation is using the device and realizing significant energy savings.

The preparation of engineered construction documents to detail enhanced security at the Early Childhood Center and the elementary school was approved.

Resignations

High school: Mark Back, study hall aid; and Shawn Means, science teacher.

Bus driver: Beth Brakel.

Medical leave:

Elementary school: Kathy Miller, first-grade teacher.

Certified staff hired:

Elementary: Patricia Hudelson, first-grade teacher; and Melissa Gill, fourth-grade teacher.

High school: Kathy Davis, science teacher; Gayle Conner, ENL teacher; and Michael Lewis, science teacher (with a temporary teaching license).

Non-certified staff hired:

Sharon Milburn, extended care program supervisor; Lisa Ringer, JV girls volleyball coach; Katrina Coghill, eighthgrade volunteer volleyball coach; Kyle Trebley, middle school assistant football coach; and Dave Knott, middle school volunteer assistant football coach.

Former Athletic Director Bob Blaydes, who died Sunday, was remembered.

The next board meeting will be Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.