Delphi Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees met in executive session with members of Delphi United Methodist Church before the regularly scheduled Monday night meeting. When the vote came at the public meeting to decide whether to proceed with a land purchase it was three in favor of the purchase and three against. Board president Robert Resler cast the deciding vote to proceed with the project.

Jim Garrison made the motion to purchase the 15 acres for no more than $15,500 per acre, Nick Cronk and Melinda Rossetter voted to proceed.

In a follow-up interview, Resler said church representatives said they would offer the land for sale to the school corporation for $16,000 per acre. He said he assumed that would be the motion, not the one for $15,500.

Board member Jerry Sparks, who voted against the proposed land deal, said other corporation needs were more pressing than purchasing 15 acres. He said he placed education first.

"I've heard tonight that we have needs for education and additional staff," he said.

Bill Trueblood, who also opposed the motion, said the purchase was not needed at the present time. Chris Nipple provided the third nay vote.

Resler stated there were no plans "on the drawing board" for use of the land. He said the church would provide an access drive from US421, which could eventually become a city street.

Drug testing

Middle and high school principal Barry Stone reported drug testing would commence Oct. 15 in the high school. He said each month a pool of 15 students would be selected from those who possess driving privileges or who participate in extra-curricular activities.

Stone explained the program was designed to provide each student with another opportunity to say "no" to drugs, not to punish them. Parents will be required to sign permission forms for testing their children. Failure to give permission would result in the student losing driving privileges and/or the privilege to participate in outside activities.

According to a representative from the company that will administer it, the test will gauge usage of alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, THC, barbiturates, methadone and other drugs. It will test for metabolites which indicate the body has metabolized the drug. The representative said there was no way for the test to produce a false-positive result.

Proposed renovation

Board members voted, in a five-toone vote, to proceed with a public hearing to determine how to proceed with the proposed renovation project at the middle and high schools. Trueblood voted against the action.

When the project was first proposed earlier this year, opponents launched a remonstrance against the cost of the project, which stalled progress. The board decided to table the issue.

A new law became effective July 1 which could put the final decision to proceed to registered voters in the school district in the form of a referendum that could lead to a special election. The cost for the election to taxpayers was not known.

A work session will be held Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. for board members and the public to learn about the process.

Other business

Energy saving devices will be installed on school corporation equipment by the end of October. Predicted corporation cost savings are $62,089.08.

A public hearing for the 2009 budget was held. Superintendent Ralph Walker said the tax rate would be reduced by approximately 48.7 percent due to state intervention and debt retirement by the corporation.

A resolution to approve the extension of the term of multipurpose bonds, used to fund an addition to the elementary school in 1994, for two years at the same tax rate, was approved in a four-to-two vote. Nipple and Trueblood voted against the extension. Money generated will be used for upgrades at the elementary and early childhood development center buildings.

Indian Trails Education Cooperative will be allowed to build a building on corporation grounds for an administrative center.

Middle school physical education teacher Teresa Travers provided a detailed report about the recent triathlon which was held at Walker's lakefront home on Lake Shafer in White County. She said the event "did what it was intended to do."

"The most exciting thing was seeing the participants come across the finish line," she said.

A note of thanks was issued to custodians who provided assistance with the on-site setup for the event.

Each school administrator provided an update concerning 2008 curricula at their respective schools. Stone said $162,000 grant funding for equipment was added to both buildings. Delphi Elementary Principal Bill Shidler said the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program at the elementary school is one of three in the state. Early Childhood Development Center Coordinator Carol Coons said her staff was refining skills and procedures for continued programming from last year.

Employment:

• Anthony Wheelock - Parttime Spanish teacher and parttime remediation aide.

Non-certified staff:

• Robin Coyner - High school part-time career aide;

• Peter Broedel - High school study hall aide;

• Laura Cediel - Middle and elementary school ESL aide;

• Jennifer Calloni - CECC prime time aide;

• Jodi Emmitt, Barb Heath, Julie Price, Elaine Hall and Sara Fritz - Elementary school prime time aides;

• Tracy Bradshaw and Shelly Bowlin - Bus drivers;

• Kyle Trebley - Middle school JH head football coach;

• Tony Wheelock - Middle school JH assistant football coach;

• P.J. Austin - High school volunteer assistant tennis coach;

• Sue Condon - High school JV volleyball coach;

• Andy Venters - Middle school assistant football coach; and

• Jennifer Barngrover - Middle school volleyball coach.

Resignations/retirements:

• Dick VanSickle and Jeff Shuler - Middle school JH football coaches;

• Lisa Ringer - High school JV volleyball coach;

• Lindsey Sickler - Elementary school prime time aide; and

• Kim Widner - Bus driver.

The next meeting will be Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. following the 6 p.m. work session concerning remonstrance and special election management for the proposed building renovation project.