Carroll Superintendent John Sayers told school board members he was expecting a $240,000 shortfall in state funding this year. That was at the last board meeting, Jan. 12.

He now has revised that figure upward after the corporation received its first state payment last Friday.

“It now looks like a $300,000 shortfall,” Sayers said. He added that the amount could even be higher after the state recalculates in four months, based on special education enrollment.

He said the reduction in state funding does not apply to all-day kindergarten. It will continue to be fully funded.

Sayers said committees have been developed at both Carroll schools to look at options for cutting back expenses. Serving on the committees are administrators, teachers, secretaries, and custodians.

“We need to find ways to contain our costs,” Sayers said. “Nothing is off the table at this point.”

The corporation is hoping to receive some extra funds through the Race To The Top program, which may give money to the state and schools through the federal stimulus package. School corporations had to sign up for the program, and if they participate, will have to meet certain conditions. Sayers said the school board and Carroll Education Association were in agreement to sign up. He said Carroll is one of 200 school corporations in Indiana that have signed on.

Delays, cancellations

At the board meeting, Sayers reported on the recent implementation of a new system to inform the Carroll school community about school delays and cancellations. The automated phone system will call up to three numbers per family, such as home, work, and cell. Parents are responsible for keeping their numbers up to date by calling school secretaries. Sayers said the new system also will allow for calls to subgroups. For example, team members could be called in case of a game cancellation.

The board changed its first meeting in February from Tuesday, Feb. 2, to Monday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

Quotes for lawn care will be received by Feb. 5 and will be considered at the Feb. 8 meeting.

Bids for mechanical renovations (chiller project) at the junior-senior high school are due by Feb. 9 and will be considered at the board’s second meeting in February.

‘Failure report’

Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School principal Charles Huckstep gave the “failure report” for the end of the nine weeks and end of semester. Students who receive even one failing grade cannot participate in athletics or drive to and from school. The standings can change every four and a half weeks, based on mid-term and nine-weeks grades.

In grades 7-12, only one athlete had a failing grade at the end of the nine weeks and semester. The student who lost eligibility was a seventh grader.

Based on semester final grades, drivers with at least one “F” and losing their driving privileges included six seniors, six juniors, and two sophomores.

Huckstep reported a high number of zeros (assignments not turned in) from the beginning of the school year through the end of the first semester. The high school totals were: seniors, 157 zeros; juniors, 196; sophomores, 187; and freshmen, 26.

Board president Sam Zook said keeping these mid-term and nine-weeks statistics will show if such things as Credit Recovery and extra mentoring are paying off.

Sports GPA rankings

Huckstep also gave the sports GPA rankings for the second nine weeks. At the high school, the girls basketball team was number one with an average GPA of 3.61. Coming in second was boys swim with 3.38, and third were the JV cheerleaders with 3.13. At the junior high, cheerleaders were first with 3.08; eighth grade boys basketball, second, 3.0; and seventh grade boys basketball, third, 2.87.

Huckstep said the Family Resource Network (parent volunteers) improved the looks of the teachers’ lounge by painting it, adding a new couch, and other improvements.

FFA request

Carroll FFA advisors Steve and Melissa Keown asked for the board’s permission for students to partner with agribusinesses to enhance students’ Agri Science Fair projects. They said the business partners could serve as mentors, offer ideas and use of equipment, and allow students to help with already ongoing research. They said financial support would not be the purpose of the partnership, but they didn’t rule out businesses making small donations.

Zook said the corporation has policies on sponsorships and fundraisers. He said the board will need more information to see if the partnership would fall into those categories. The advisors are to report back with a more definite proposal.

Representatives from Carroll and Delphi Community school corporations, along with other community members, are serving on a task force to help more students graduate from high school. Task force members will visit an alternative school in Frankfort today. More information on alternative schools will be presented to the Carroll board at a work session. Roy Hufford is the chairman of the task force.

PRIDE presentation

Elementary teachers Andrea O’Brien and Kevin Flowers talked about their school’s participation in the PRIDE Challenge. PRIDE is an acronym for physical fitness, respect, intelligent decisions, diet, and education.

It started with a convocation at the school last fall, starring the Colts’ mascot, Blue. His “Take PRIDE in Yourself” program launched a larger project and contest, involving creative ways to carry out the five acronym challenges.

The teachers said 75 schools in the state are eligible to take part in the challenge this year. One winner will be named in May, based on a final product submitted. The entry will reflect all the student activities and events related to the project.

The winning school will receive several prizes, including a visit from the Colts cheerleaders and from one or more Colts players, a return visit from Blue, and a Vince Lombardi trophy.

Student books published

Carroll Elementary assistant principal Roy Hufford brought in several hardback books, written and illustrated by CES students. He said in the lower grades, classroom books were published, and in the upper grades, students could each write their own books. There was no cost for the one book per classroom nor for an individual author’s book, but Hufford said families could purchase additional copies.

Elementary principal Carolyn O’Connell reported on Title I tutoring and events. She said the extra help given to the students in language arts and math is designed not only to help them with skills, but also to encourage motivation and goal setting. The students record their own scores on a progress chart and give encouragement and support to each other. Parents are given tips on how they can help their children achieve. A Title I Valentine Dinner Theater, with families invited, is planned for Feb. 16.

At a work session before the board meeting, members heard a presentation on a wind farm study. Sayers said if the school corporation would participate in a Wind Park Project, it would require a fairly significant long-term investment. The board will decide later if it wants to move forward with the project.

A facility use request was approved for Carroll Athletic Boosters to have a Hot Shot Competition Jan. 23 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the high school gym.

Approval was given for the hiring of Jennifer Randle as junior high cheerleading coach.

The board approved six conference trips and one field trip. Conference trips to Utah and Arizona have outside sources to pay all or part of the expenses.

The next board meeting, changed from its regular date, will be Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.