DCSC board prepares for potential land purchase
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

To ready funds for the potential to purchase a parcel of land from Delphi United Methodist Church, Delphi Community School Board of Trustees transferred $400,000 from the debt service fund into the Rainy Day fund at the June board of school trustees meeting. Board members also voted to proceed with the purchase of 15 acres of land, directly south of the practice football field behind the secondary schools, from the Delphi United Methodist Church at a cost not to exceed $18,000 per acre.

That meeting was the last meeting for outgoing board members Michael Shoemaker and Paul Brown.

At the July 14 meeting, board members, including new members Chris Nipple and Bill Trueblood, approved an additional appropriation for the same amount out of the Rainy Day Fund in further preparation for the land purchase. However the decision was not unanimous. Trueblood voted against the additional appropriation. Nick Cronk was absent from the meeting.

"I am not in favor of spending that money for that purchase at this time," Trueblood said Tuesday. "We have more pressing needs."

According to board president Robert Resler, before the land sale could happen, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) must approve the additional appropriation. In addition two appraisals, which average $18,000 per acre, have to be completed on the parcel and board members must then vote to spend the additional appropriation for the land.

Board members questioned church representative Gary Duff Monday night about a rumor that the church was only paying $15,000 per acre but charging the school corporation $18,000 in the re-sale transaction. Duff said the present landowners agreed to sell 42 acres to the church, all of which is located south of the school corporation grounds on Armory Road. Some of the land enjoys US421 frontage acreage.

Duff said the cost of the land to the church is $15,000 per acre, plus $75,000 added to the total cost for the frontage land. He said the sellers believe the frontage land is more valuable than the other acreage.

Duff explained the church estimated that by adding in the additional $75,000 to the cost per acre to them, they would be paying an average of slightly less than $16,800 per acre.

School board members said they received calls from patrons concerned about the higher cost per acre to the school. Jim Garrison said he was asked why the corporation would be paying for frontage property but not purchasing frontage property.

Other business

Early kindergarten dismissal times for the 2008-2009 school year were debated, although the measure was previously approved with the prior approval of the student handbook. Camden Early Childhood Development Center Principal Carol Coon said students would be leaving the school earlier in the day and bus routes also run earlier for those students.

"Their day will be 50 minutes shorter," said Melinda Rossetter.

Coon said the extended care program at the elementary school would accommodate participating students early. The program would also manage students who would be without adult or sibling supervision at home until the other grades dismissed for the day.

Garrison suggested aides keep the kindergartners at the Camden site until the other students there are dismissed to alleviate additional bussing.

Coon said parents were told about the schedule change at kindergarten round-up and she had heard only positive feedback about it. She said the early dismissal time would provide an opportunity for teachers to group for daily collaboration exercises. Walker said the top schools in the nation all provide time for teachers to collaborate on a regular basis.

The corporation will purchase 60 units of "Read 180" for $50,600, which includes a one-time base price of $47,800 and an annual $2,800 fee for software upgrades in addition to unlimited technical support. High school principal Barry Stone said 60 students, who need assistance to achieve grade-reading success in middle and high school, will be targeted for the program. He said higher ISTEP scores are expected from using the program.

"We've got to make some changes," Walker said. "If we do the same things, we will get the same results."

A 14-passenger activity bus will be purchased from Kerlin for $72,447 minus $4,500 for a trade-in.

Girls soccer was approved with a shortened junior varsity schedule the first year. Two varsity events will be planned the first year.

Reorganization meeting

The annual reorganization meeting was held prior to the regular board meeting. Resler was elected president for the year, Garrison, vice president, and Jerry Sparks, secretary.

The board will continue to meet on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. unless two meetings in one month are necessary, at which time they will meet on the second and fourth Mondays. Annual school board salary was set at $2,000. The law firm of Emerson and Manahan will continue to represent the corporation.

The maximum credit limit on the credit card for Stone was increased from $1,000 to $4,000 after discussion. Walker and Stone explained Stone has had to borrow the corporation credit card because the one issued to the high school was many times charged to the maximum amount using the $1,000 limit when he charged purchases to acquire the best prices.

Sparks said he was "shocked" to learn about the credit card situation, given he reviews claims and credit card services reports. Walker agreed to provide a monthly credit card activity report.

"I'm just stunned about what Barry (Stone) told us," he said. "I'd feel more comfortable with a monthly report."

Other reorganization matters

• Sherry Handlin was named corporation treasurer and Debbie Farrell, assistant treasurer;

• Shanel Randle and Shannon Rader were named corporation extra-curricular treasurers for the high and middle schools, respectively, Brenda Kauffman for the elementary school and Mary Lou Rude for Camden's Early Childhood Center;

• Handlin was authorized to prepay regular monthly bills, i.e. utility bills, prior to approval;

• Dan Dawson was named attendance and hearing officer;

• Resler was named ISBA and ISBA legislative liaison; Nick Cronk, DEEP committee representative; Trueblood, technology committee representative; Sparks, Garrison and Nipple, construction liaisons; Rossetter, policy committee representative; and Sparks and Rossetter, finance representatives.

• Kyle Trebley was named middle school assistant principal;

• Dave Gilbert was named high school social studies teacher; and

• Beatriz Leal was announced as a J. William Fulbright Exchange Teacher in the elementary school.

Resignations from middle school principal Robert De- LaRosa, high school social studies teacher Aaron Fezzey and elementary teacher Danielle Dunbar were accepted.

The next meeting will be Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

Special July 9 meeting

A short board meeting was held July 9, prior to an executive session, to approve 30-day retirements for elementary literary consultant Sharon Brothers and physical education teacher Cheryl Natterman.