Carroll board, students hold annual joint meeting
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

A dozen students asked questions at the annual joint meeting of the Carroll School Board and the Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School Student Council.

"This is always my favorite meeting of the year," said board president Sam Zook.

The meeting was March 18 in the high school media center during school hours.

Students asked about such topics as school defibrillators, a new outdoor sign, school delays, the school nurse's schedule, and various sports-related issues.

For the last few years, students have brought up the need for automated external defibrillators (AED's) at the schools. Kristen Arnett had hand-outs for the board at the joint meeting, and was prepared to once again state the case for the devices at school. However, as part of the agenda for the regular board meeting held just prior to the joint meeting, the board had already addressed the subject.

Superintendent John Sayers said the corporation, through the Carroll Education Foundation, has applied for a grant for school AED's. If the grant is received, Greater Lafayette Health Services will provide one to three devices and will provide the initial training for their use.

Kristen asked why the board was receptive to getting AED's now and wasn't in prior years.

Zook explained that the biggest obstacles in the past were liability and funding.

"With improvement in technology, AED's are now more userfriendly so there is less liability," Zook said. He added that the grant opportunity now makes a difference in the cost.

Sayers said three defibrillators are needed - one for each school and one for outside.

Board member Barb Payne said if this grant for the AED's doesn't come through, the board would look for other grants.

Leann Hazelgrove asked about the possibility of getting a new outside sign for the junior-senior high school. The subject also was brought up last year, and the Student Council said then that it would give $2,000 to the cause.

Sayers said the corporation has a 10-year plan, and the sign installation is designated for the year 2010.

Junior-senior high principal Charles Huckstep said a twosided electronic sign will cost $25,000 to $27,000, not including brick and electrical work.

Sayers stated they also want to wait until plans are completed for the science renovation project because the new facilities might affect the location of the sign.

Two students asked about the formula for calling school delays and early dismissal for hot and humid weather.

Sayers said several factors go into the consideration, and there is no "formula."

He said one of the questions he asks in very cold weather is "Is it going to warm up?"

"Delays buy you time," he said.

He added that anything below zero with any wind is cause for concern.

"Under five degrees, there is concern about the diesel engines on the buses starting," Sayers said.

Concerning early dismissal for hot and humid weather, Sayers said when the temperature is above 90 degrees, it makes a difference if it's just for one day or sustained for a period of time so that the building doesn't cool down overnight.

A student asked if he would ever consider not canceling classes in the elementary school, which is air-conditioned, but canceling at the junior-senior high school, which is mostly not airconditioned.

Sayers said there has been some discussion about that. He also said no matter what the weather, he tries to make a decision about cancellation a day in advance because of so many plans that have to be changed.

Sayers said there are fewer and fewer school buildings that are not air-conditioned. Air conditioning the whole junior-senior high school is part of the corporation's 10-year plan, and should be accomplished in a few years.

Kaitlin Kennedy asked about the school nurse's schedule. Sayers said there is a school nurse at the elementary school and she serves as needed at the high school. New this year is a nurse supervisor, with a bachelor's degree, who spends 10 hours a week at the high school. Sayers said this is 10 more hours of coverage than last year.

Several sports-related questions were asked.

Sean Smith said he was speaking for the athletes in asking why the school couldn't have a fulltime trainer, to be available for all sports.

Zook said the reasons are both fiscal constraint and availability of a trainer.

Sayers added that the corporation would be in favor of a trainer spending more time at Carroll, but most trainers have another occupation, which limits their time.

"There is a real shortage of trainers right now," he added.

Huckstep said the big schools get the full-time trainers. He said he felt fortunate to get a trainer even for minimal time. One year, Carroll didn't have a trainer at all.

Several students wanted clarification about the new edict on strictly blue and white team apparel. They said there have been red accents on letter jackets for years. Some said they've been told that team members can't even wear red sweatpants to events.

Sayers said the school colors are blue and white, so why would students want to wear any other color? He said Athletic Boosters contribute to school uniforms and they have indicated that they won't contribute to new uniforms that don't adhere strictly to the school colors.

In response to questions about sports fundraisers and who decides how Athletic Department money is spent, Sayers said there is a Fundraising Policy.

"Money can't be raised for a specific sport," he said. "It all goes into the Athletic Department Fund." He said the athletic director decides on disbursement.

In response to a question related to random drug testing, Sayers said CDL licensed drivers in the corporation are tested, but not activity bus drivers.

Zook concluded the meeting with a challenge to the Student Council. He asked members to try to determine why Carroll's graduation rate is falling.