Business advertising in sporting arenas and on school grounds can be a potential source of revenue for a school corporation. The Delphi Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees began the process to develop a policy to guide advertising requests at its Monday evening meeting.

Superintendent Ralph Walker distributed a proposed policy. He said he did not expect immediate action on the matter. However, board member Nick Cronk made a motion to approve the policy as presented and Chris Nipple gave a second.

The motion stalled when Jerry Sparks expressed concern about the wording of the proposal.

"We need a little better policy than this," he said. "I think this is too vague."

Board president Robert Resler suggested the board building and grounds committee review the proposed policy and provide recommendations for change at a later date. The motion was tabled. Walker said the board committee will meet in the next two weeks to discuss the matter.

Audit results questioned

School patron Kirk Swarzkopf asked about four points cited in the recently released State Board of Accounts (SBOA) audit results during public comments. He noted the SBOA concluded the school corporation did not pay mileage stipends to school administrators correctly, an interim superintendent was over-paid, the athletic fund was used inappropriately as were corporation credit cards. He requested a work session for board members to explain the issues.

Resler said findings made by the SBOA auditors in the audit results are particular to the individual auditor. He said items noted in the Delphi school corporation audit might not be noted in other school corporation audits by different auditors.

Walker said the corporation will have corrected all findings by July 1. He said other school corporations across the state pay a set amount for mileage, no matter whether the miles are driven, with a stipend. Delphi will discontinue the practice by July 1. He reported the SBOA "understood the payment was part of the interim superintendent's contract.

Resler said more answers will be made available at the special June 29 school board meeting.

Renovation changes

Walker reported that approximately $150,000 could be left from the renovation project at the Camden Early Education Center renovation project. He recommended the money be spent to address heating and cooling system issues in six additional classrooms.

Sparks questioned the figures. He said the same work is being done in six classrooms and the total cost for that is roughly $350,000. He asked how an additional six classrooms work could cost less.

No answers were provided. Walker said he would look at the numbers and explain the costs at the June 29 meeting.

Other business

Walker announced the Web site is going to be updated with a new look in the fall. Resler noted job vacancies are not posted in an easily accessible area. Corporation secretary Shelly Wills said she will address the issue.

It was verified to board member Bill Trueblood that summer school teachers are required to possess a license in the area taught.

Nipple requested a total cost for the new press box at the next meeting.

Sparks clarified that the $2.3 million cash balance re- ported in the statement of funds report distributed to board members includes a $2 million bond.

Cafeteria commodity contracts were awarded to Fox River and Gordon Foods.

In board comments, Trueblood thanked all staff members for everything they did for students during the school year.

Resler said there was a combined 272 years of experience represented at the recent retirement celebration for those leaving the corporation. He said some of the retirees expressed pride in that some of their former students are now school board members. Resler thanked the board members for their work throughout the year. He said each one attempted to do what they thought is best for the students.

He noted the referendum special election is June 16 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The girls basketball team will travel to Vincennes June 21-24.

The next meeting will be June 29 at 7 p.m.

Personnel retirements

•Amanda Woods will retire from the elementary school at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

•Don Brothers will retire for 30 days.

Employment

•Ashley Hensler - 1st grade teacher;

•Connie Brown - Elementary extra curricular treasurer;

•Sara Daly Brosman - High school plays director;

•Erica Cory - High school assistant girls basketball coach;

•Paula Huffer - High school four-hour cafeteria worker; and

•Shane Hyman and Zach Condon - Elementary school painters.

Summer school teachers:

•High school - Linda Tyner and Nancy Rucker, English; John Gasser, math; Randy German, health; Don Brothers, physical education; and Mike Atwood, math remediation.

•Middle school - Cassy Gasser, math; and Tim Conner, English.