Carroll School Corporation has something in common with the Boy Scouts. They both adhere to the motto, "Be Prepared."

To that end, the corporation is taking steps to be prepared in case of an emergency.

At the Jan. 13 Carroll School Board meeting, superintendent John Sayers announced that three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been purchased for the schools. Two will be kept at the high school and one at the elementary.

Sayers said the staff will be trained in the use of these particular AEDs.

"About 15-20 staff members are CPR certified and are already trained in the use of AEDs," Sayers said. He added that all bus drivers also are trained because they are CPR certified.

For several years now, at the annual joint meeting between students and the school board, students have pushed for the purchase of defibrillators.

Total cost for the recent AED purchase was $4,954. Sayers said the purchase includes small pads for small children.

The corporation has two school safety specialists - junior-senior high school assistant principal Fred Schnarr and Flora Town Marshal Paul Redmon. Both have had special training for their school safety positions.

Schnarr said that almost all classrooms now have a flip chart that is a quick reference for what to do in case of an emergency. He said he hopes to get a school safety committee organized.

Also in the interest of child safety, the corporation scheduled two programs. One was held in December, with the topic, "Cyber Bullying." The next one will be Jan. 26 and 27, on "Body Safety," preventing and identifying child molestation. The Jan. 26 program is for parents and the community, and the Jan. 27 program is for students. (See related story.)

In other business, the board approved an additional appropriation of $1,040,000 for the Debt Service Fund. Sayers said this is for paying off the 2009 bond issue. He said money had already been built into the budget for repaying the loan, but the Department of Local Government Finance requires this additional appropriation.

The board appointed Ed Johnson as a community member on the Common Construction Wage Committee for the piping/air conditioning project at the junior-senior high school. Also serving will be board member Michelle Simmons and Sayers. The superintendent said such a committee is required when a project cost is more than $1 million.

Vearl Turnpaugh was appointed to the corporation's technology committee.

Junior-senior high school head custodian Mike Johnson has been dismissed from his position. The action was by recommendation of principal Charles Huckstep, approval by the superintendent, and unanimous vote by the board.

Huckstep announced the winners in the winter sports GPA competition as follows: High school - first place, girls basketball, 3.387; second, ninth grade boys basketball, 3.093; third, boys swim, 3.079. Junior high - first, eighth grade boys basketball, 3.242; second, cheerleaders, 2.999; third, seventh grade boys basketball, 2.869.

The board approved the junior-senior high school social studies textbook adoption committee as follows: Teachers, Mike Miller, Ed Geheb, Glen Dillman, and Jon Baker, and parents, Tracy Miller, Cindy Tussinger, Kris Yoder, Cindy Caldwell, Michelle Strawcutter, Julie Bush, Susan Eldridge, and Michelle Turnpaugh.

Huckstep announced that the Carroll Guidance Department has two interns from Purdue University. Julie Rhoads and Micki Cocanower are both first-year graduate students. They will intern at the school every Tuesday through May.

Upon recommendation of technology director Angie Veach, various old computers and monitors were declared as surplus. Sayers said a recycling company will pick them up and dispose of them.

Schnarr reported on ISTEP+ and SAT results. (See related story.)

The board changed its next meeting from Jan. 20 to Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.