Carroll enrollment unofficially down
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Current enrollment in the Carroll School Corporation is down from last year, according to preliminary figures released by Superintendent John Sayers last week.

He reported at the Aug. 19 Carroll School Board meeting that total enrollment is 1,098.5, which is down nine from the enrollment on official count day last year. He said figures could change between now and official count day this year, which is Sept. 12. There are more actual students than the current total reflects because kindergarten students are counted as half. The total also includes 11 Carroll students who go to Twin Lakes, Delphi, and Logansport schools.

The corporation will pay $28,575 for two 100-gallon hot water heaters to replace one deteriorating 650-gallon heater at the elementary school. The board received three quotes and accepted the proposal of Quality Plumbing & Heating of Bunker Hill.

Sayers said the Quality quote was the next to the lowest bid. The low bidder, Goudy Bros. Boiler Co., proposed one replacement heater. Sayers said the reasoning on two heaters is that if there is a problem with one heater, the other can be a back-up, and at times when less hot water is needed, such as in the summer, only one heater would need to be in use.

Cost for the heaters will be paid out of the Capital Projects Fund. They will be installed over fall or Christmas break.

Bob Reef from RME Insurance presented two proposals for Carroll property and liability insurance. He said the quote from Indiana Insurance was $5,714 less than the quote from Hanover Insurance. He also said that the Indiana premium was $11,000 less than the corporation's insurance last year, with a million dollars more in coverage.

Reef recommended adding "crime coverage," which pays up to $25,000 for school losses caused by employee crimes such as forgery, theft, disappearance, destruction, robbery, computer fraud, and dishonesty. The deductible is $500, and the premium is $141.

The board accepted the Indiana quote with crime coverage. Also added was one million dollars worth of earthquake coverage for an additional premium of $700.

Sayers announced the resignation of Charisse Smith, family and consumer sciences teacher. She has taken a position with Western High School in Howard County, and will be leaving Carroll within a month.

The following paid coaching positions were approved: Charisse Smith, JV volleyball (temporary); Tom Allen, JV basketball; Patsy Bosley, varsity cheer; Nick Beaver, freshman boys basketball; Rob Ives, seventh grade boys basketball; Mike McCroskey, girls varsity basketball; Jack Malson, freshman girls basketball; Tom Hedde, seventh grade girls basketball; Steve Pencek, varsity wrestling; Ladd Kitchell, wrestling assistant; Ladd Kitchell, junior high wrestling; Carla Richardson, junior high swim coach; Michelle Strawcutter, junior high swim assistant; Bill Dillon, baseball assistant and ninth grade; Tom Hedde, boys golf; Jerry Reinke, girls tennis; Chad Myers, varsity softball; Larry Henning, varsity assistant track.

The board increased bus drivers' pay for extracurricular and field trips to $8.50 an hour.

Renee McIlrath, Beth Hay- den, Judy McCracken, and Tracy Miller received permission to attend the Student Test Number (STN) Training Conference in Indianapolis. Sayers said every student is assigned an STN and it follows them through school. He said it has nothing to do with a student's Social Security number or birth date.

Family Resource Network's request to sell cookies at athletic events was approved. Proceeds will help fund their activities.

Parents of Carroll football players were given the go-ahead to use the high school cafeteria for a supper for the Fremont team, parents, and others on the night of the Carroll-Fremont game. There is a two-hour traveling time between the two schools. Fremont had a meal for Carroll people last year, and Carroll football parents want to reciprocate the hospitality.

Volunteers were thanked for building a fence between the football practice area and the elementary playground. Other thank-yous went to Carroll County REMC for posthole digging and post setting, and to the Town of Flora for recent work.

The board had an executive session and a work session following its regular meeting. The executive session was held to discuss strategy pertaining to pending litigation. The work session was for the board to discuss the budget, science renovation, and corporation goals.

Sayers said the budget will be presented at the board's next meeting, on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.