In a meeting designed to allow school patrons to express support for, and concern about, Delphi Community School Corporation's proposed $13 million renovation project, patrons did attend and four of them spoke. Most of those who addressed the board referred to written notes to express the concerns and general support for the proposed project as well as the content of the resolution. No community member spoke in favor of the cost of the project. After they had their say, the course of the proposed project changed.

The public hearing before possible adoption of a resolution to progress toward securing funding for the project, as required by law, was held prior to the Monday night regular business meeting of the board of school trustees.

Board members were reminded by one speaker they voted earlier in the year to not raise the tax rate to pay for the project. When it came time to vote to proceed or not with the project, the board took a step to the side. They voted to table the matter until "a later date" to allow for further discussion of the resolution and understanding of the taxing implications.

Everett Snoeberger of Camden said the school board was unable to maintain the same set of renovation goals in the past five years. Given that, he questioned the reasoning behind a 15-year bond commitment. He suggested the board adopt very specific goals with a shorter indebtedness period. He recommended emphasis should be placed on students' educational needs when developing a plan.

Kevin Kremer of Delphi said he was in favor of a renovation project as a whole, but had reservations about a 15-year loan. He did not support the bond issue. He likened the board situation to a patient being taken to a doctor for a tetanus shot but neglecting to remove the rusty nail from the board that caused the need for the tetanus shot. He recommended the board set guidelines for a renovation project and not decide to do something and "hope it would work out" financially.

Kirk Schwarzkopf of Camden clarified that, according to the proposed resolution, the tax rate could increase from the current rate of roughly 51 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation to approximately 55 cents. He reminded the board they previously voted to not raise taxes for the project.

It was revealed during discussion when the board voted to not raise taxes it was closer to 54 cents rather than 51.

Schwarzkopf also received clarification that board members, not the superintendent, would be the entity to make renovation project decisions.

Max Sullivan of Delphi urged board members to consider all financial issues facing taxpayers at the current time. He recommended completing smaller projects rather than one large one that would involve a long duration of bond repayment.

Financial advisor Lonnie Thurber explained the reason the tax rate could increase was debt repayment was based on a 20-year repayment period and lower interest rates. When the repayment time was shortened, a need was created for the same amount of money in a shorter period of time. He also advised the numbers proposed were "worst case scenarios" and might possibly not reach the point of a tax rate increase.

"There are no guarantees," he said.

Board members agreed to honor their promise to not raise the tax rate for the project. It was unanimously decided to work through issues in work sessions before proceeding with a formal resolution for a renovation project.

Melinda Rossetter noted she was disappointed at the lack of progress to proceed. She said it was the right course of action given that a tax increase as a result from the proposed resolution adoption was not widely understood by board members prior to the meeting.

Business meeting

Early Childhood Education Coordinator Carol Coons provided a wrap-up of the first Literacy Academy held for teachers last summer. She said the two-day event was "a huge success" and enjoyed the support of 22 sponsors and 37 Delphi Community School Corporation employees. She reported income for the event exceeded expenses by more than $400.

Coons said the 13 speakers "offered quite a bit of information" to Kindergarten to eighth-grade teachers. She said it was perhaps the largest academy in the state.

A second event was previously approved by the board for June 10 and 11, 2009.

Student drivers will be allowed to passenger other students to Indian Trails Cooperative classes, with parental permission. High and middle school principal Barry Stone said students with the same destination were experiencing a need to carpool to save fuel costs but were not allowed to travel together under the current policy.

Superintendent Ralph Walker announced three gates will be installed in the fence around the playground at the Early Childhood Education Center for safer access to the playground equipment by neighborhood children when school is out of session.

Field trips on Oct. 4 by the cross country team to Carmel and Oct. 8 by the high school art class to Chicago were approved by the board. During comments near the end of the meeting, board member Bill Trueblood questioned the liability of the school corporation not approving field trips prior to students' departure. Attorney Barry Emerson said there would be no liability issue as long as the superintendent gave permission. However he said it was desirable for the board to approve the trips at the next board meeting.

Claims and payroll for $827,606.30 were approved.

Employment:

Jennifer Barngrover - 6th grade volleyball coach and high school assistant girls basketball coach; Lisa Ringer - 7th grade girls volleyball coach; Andy Venters, Charlie Harris and Charles Barngrover - high school assistant boys basketball coaches; John Curts and Kyle Stonebraker - high school volunteer boys basketball coaches; Jay Dawson - 7th grade boys basketball coach; Dave Hawn - 6th grade volunteer boys basketball coach; Kayla Yates - high school assistant girls basketball coach; Brian Garrison - 8th grade girls basketball coach; Rainey Jones - 7th grade girls basketball coach; Dan LePage - 6th grade girls basketball coach; and Charlene Hart - elementary school Mother's Club leader.

Fall break will be Oct. 24 and 25.

The next board meeting will be Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.