Delphi elementary school goes wireless

Delphi elementary students will be able to access the Internet without cords and telephone lines when they return to classes in August due to an action by the board of school trustees at a Monday night special meeting.

Technology specialist Scott Gear presented a proposal for $80,511, which was approved unanimously, to "completely make our elementary building wireless." In addition, a portion of the high school campus will receive wireless service for $21,426.80. Board member Melinda Rossetter requested Gear present quotes in the future for the middle school campus to become wireless.

Elementary project

Three additional items were approved for the elementary school summer building project for $65,868. Additions included items needed to complete the video surveillance system at the elementary school and Camden for $54,970, door security which was not part of the original plan for $10,000 and installation of a doorbell/intercom system at the childcare room at the elementary school for $898.

Jason Jeffries of Envoy said with the additional costs $256,000 remained from the approved amount for the project.

Preschool teacher hired

In a split three-to-four vote, history repeated itself when the wife of superintendent Ralph Walker was hired as a pre-school teacher at Camden. Wife of former superintendent John Williams also held an administrator position at Camden for several years during his 14-year tenure.

Jerry Sparks, Bill Trueblood and Rossetter provided the nay votes. Jim Garrison, Nick Cronk and Chris Nipple voted to approve the recommendation to hire Walker. Board president Robert Resler provided the tie breaker to hire Nancy Walker.

According to Early Childhood Center and Curriculum Director Carol Coon, Walker is "highly qualified and has a lot of experience and training for the position."

However Rossetter expressed concern that the person recommended for the job is married to the superintendent.

"I don't think this is an appointment the public would support," she said.

Resler said the corporation "should hire the best candidate" for the position as he cast the deciding vote.

Other business

I-CAN, a series of computerized math remediation programs for $13,296 was approved. Program components included 400 half-year licenses for $8,696, 30 reference text books for $2,100 and one day of training for $2,500.

Text book rental fees were approved. Kindergarten fees will cost $112 per student, first grade $113, second $125, third $116, fourth $112, fifth $109 and sixth through eighth-grades $131 with $13 additional charge for choir students. High school rental is based on each class.

A replacement air handling unit in the high school was approved to purchase for $47,666 plus $2,000 for Siemens engineering services for the project.

FFA members will travel to Cedar Point Amusement Park from July 20-22. The group will attend state FFA camp in Trafalgar from July 6 to 8.

Sparks requested to hear a plan about how the corporation will address issues in the science and business wings at a future board meeting.

Resler explained that, although the recent Indiana State Board of Accounts Audit results for the corporation indicated a former interim superintendent should not have been paid as directed by Resler for work he did not do, the notation would not have been made by different auditors. He reported one of the auditors told him that the reason it was noted was because a patron called attention to the issue prior to the audit. He also said legal counsel Barry Emerson advised the corporation to pay the superintendent. Resler said a letter was sent to SBOA concerning the matter.

The next meeting will be July 13. A budget work session will be at 7 p.m. and the business meeting, at which time the 2010 budget could be approved, will be at 8.

Personnel Employment:

• Middle school principal - Kyle Trebley;

• Middle school dean of students - Ross Striebeck;

• High school science teacher - Dennis Conner with five years experience;

• High school assistant football coach - Kameron Banes;

• High school volunteer track coach - Joel Wagner; and

• School corporation power washer - Josh Pine. Resignations

• Earl Waldrep - Corporation technology; and

• Brad Miller - elementary head custodian.