It was full steam ahead for the Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees as they approved construction bids for renovations at the elementary school and the early childhood education center at a Monday night meeting. Although there will be a savings because the bids received were less than originally expected, the cost for professional services remains the same.

According to Jason Jeffries of the construction management firm Envoy Inc., the question from the county surveyor at the April 6 drainage board meeting about the potential flow from a retention pond into a county drain was resolved and the project can safely proceed. He said it was not understood that a reducer would be installed at the end of the larger drain pipe to restrict additional flow at one time into the county-maintained drain.

Superintendent Ralph Walker reported the corporation could save between $200,000 and $300,000 due to the lower bids.

"The bids were excellent," he said.

Jeffries said because the bids came in lower than expected there would be money which was approved for the project remaining from the original estimate. Additional items were added to the scope of the project as suggestions as to how to utilize the available funds. He said the board could decide to not spend the money.

Technology

Technology coordinator Scott Gear was granted permission to purchase laptop computers for each student, including carts, in grades three and six for roughly $157,000. Gear said the corporation is progressing to a time when every corporation student will have a laptop. Walker announced the high school social studies instructors are considering a request that laptops be purchased instead of books for the classroom next year.

Middle and high school principal Barry Stone said middle school social studies teachers are discussing the same request.

Basic kindergarten

Board members voted to replace the Camden readiness program with a basic or prekindergarten program. Walker said 116 school districts in the state provide the full-day program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten more fully prepared to succeed. He said the corporation would seek to enlist the parents of children who cannot afford preschool for the program.

CEEC Director Carol Coon said the program would work to close the "achievement gap" sooner than is able to be done presently. It was noted the program would cost the school no more than the current readiness program.

Board member Nick Cronk termed the move "hitting a home run."

Other business

The corporation will request a waiver from the Indiana Department of Education to add two additional years to the work study program which will enable students to receive two more credits.

In addition, full-time vocational business and health positions and a part-time Spanish teacher position will be added to the corporation.

Stone and a sixth-grade team reported that a fourweek trial of the Successful Practices Program, which was learned while attending a Washington D.C. conference was successful and insightful. Teachers Wendy Thompson, Jennifer Landis, Donna Shumard and Jeff Hoover described the steps involved in the process. Stone said the team received a visit from a Successful Practices consultant which helped them fully utilize the data gathered.

"This gives us a good look at what students need to learn," Hoover commented.

Extended Childcare Coordinator Sharon Milburn reported the program receipted $5,600 from participants and disbursed $282 for expenses. Nineteen children from 12 homes are enrolled. She said average attendance is between seven and nine children each day. Milburn said a portion of the parents reported in a survey they would like for the program to begin earlier in the day.

Walker was granted permission to submit potential summer school classes to the state for approval. He said not all classes approved would necessarily be offered due to enrollment numbers. No elementary classes will be requested.

Fifteen additional middle school licenses for Read 180, for $9,730, and 10 additional high school licenses, for $6,700, will be purchased. Sixty additional licenses for summer school ICAN for $2,114 were approved. An annual $2,500 to $2,800 upgrade cost for the Read 180 licenses will be necessary to continue to utilize the programs.

A recommendation by Walker to allow athletic director Dan Dawson to employ volunteer coaches without prior board approval was not supported by the board.

The next board meeting will be May 11 at 7 p.m.

Personnel resignations

They include: Karen Hanni, 8th grade team leader; Katherine Volkel, middle school teacher (effective at the end of the school year); and Susan Trapp, CECC teacher (effective at the end of the school year).

Retirements

Both effective at the end of the school year, Ruth Van Matre, CECC teacher, and Tim Alwine, middle school teacher.

30-Day retirements

They include: Joyce Lawton, Kathi Johnson, and Linda Jackson, media specialists; Stu Mathis, high school teacher; Susan Trueblood and Alan McConnell, middle school teachers.

Reassignment

Principal Bill Shidler will be reassigned to an elementary school teaching position beginning with the 2009/2010 school year.

Employment

Kayla Lempke and Leslie Barrett - 2nd grade instructional aides;

Charlene Hart, 2nd grade instructional aide (one-half day);

Kristen Kochert, 2nd grade instructional aide (half-day to full day);

Jim Alexander, CECC head custodian;

Zachary McTigue, corporation technology aide;

Ronnda Smith, substitute bus driver;

Tony Rouhier, high school volunteer softball coach;

Jean Randle, Jamie Houser, Kent Sales and Patti Hudelson, middle school swim coaches;

Scott Kittrell, Tony Wheelock, Larry Logsdon and Nick Young, high school volunteer track coaches;

Allison Cook and Spencer Conner, power washers;

Nick Zink, Shelly Bowlin and Lisa Northrup, bus cleaners;

Vickie Little, supervisor;

Kylee German, Matt Meek, Jenny Maxwell and Brock Farrell, high school painters;

Bob Floyd, Cody Alderman and Braden Atwood - outside painter/maintenance.