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DCSC prepares for future with land purchase

Investment' will require $270,000 from Rainy Day Fund



Delphi Community School Corporation Superintendent Ralph Walker recommended the corporation could be better prepared for school growth if trustees acted on an opportunity to purchase 15 acres of farmland directly south of the high and middle schools. He said he tried to determine how the Delphi area and school would look in the future and believed possibilities supported the acquisition.

“Sometimes it is difficult to get land adjacent to a school corporation,” Walker said. “If Delphi becomes a large city, 15 acres might seem to a school board 30 years from now to be a huge asset for the community.”

Walker cited the possibility that two roads may be added to the area by the city in the near future. One could extend south from an existing drive at the west end of the middle school to a new east/west road from Dayton Rd./CR800W.

Board member Melinda Rossetter agreed the purchase would be a good “investment” because land prices typically increase.

“Even if we don’t use the land, it’s re-sale value alone could be worth it,” she said.

According to Walker, Delphi United Methodist Church will consider the purchase of 25 additional acres of the field adjacent to the land purchased by the corporation. He said the church was “very interested” in working with the school to help children of poverty and possibly take over some care programs.

The board voted to purchase the property for $18,000 per acre. The price is contingent upon getting two appraisals that agree to that value, according to Walker.

The board approved an intra-fund transfer of $400,000 from debt service to the rainy day fund, a portion of which will be used for the land purchase.

Extended Care Program

Delphi Community Elementary School will offer an extended care program for students beginning in the fall. DCES Principal Bill Shidler said parents can pay a fee to drop their children off early before school, pick them up later in the day after school, or both. Details are not completely established.

Board member Jerry Sparks, who voted against the motion, cited administrators’ workloads and financial uncertainty as reasons not to offer the program right away. Walker and Shidler agreed the program would be self-sufficient. Sparks said he would have voted in favor of the motion if he had been provided definite enrollment and income figures.

Administrators’ contracts

Contracts were renewed for Walker and two un-named administrators. Each will receive a 3.5 percent increase in pay.

Activity bus purchased

The board purchased a new activity bus for $67,947 after trade-in. Board president Robert Resler noted that Walker said he believed a bus the board purchased during the May meeting would be the last for the year, but the day after his comment an activity bus engine failed. The old bus’ trade-in value was $4,500.

New walk-in cooler

The purchase of a new walk-in cooler for the middle school cafeteria for just under $40,000 was approved. Construction company Flora, Allen and Arion will provide demolition and re-framing of the area the cooler will be installed for $4,338.98 and Dienhart Refrigerated Specialists will deliver and install the unit for $35,490.

Eight 30-day retirements

The board approved 30-day retirements for eight teachers – Charles Wilson, Elaine Wilson, Dan LePage, Dan Frost, Griffin Anderson, Joe Seurynck, Sandra Cox and Bill Gray.

Other business

Camden Early Childhood Center Principal Carol Coon was approved as DCSC curriculum director.

Cafeteria bids were approved for the following: Bread – Nickles; Dairy – Prairie Farms; and Commodities – Fox River Farms.

2008-09 textbook rental fees were approved.

Tammy Lewellen resigned as middle school student council sponsor.

DCES teachers Susan Freeman and Lorraine Weckerly were approved for retirements after 38 and 26 years in education, respectively.

New computers were purchased for the high school. A cost was not provided at the meeting.

Resler presented outgoing board members Paul Brown and Mike Shoemaker plaques for their service. He extended a welcome to Chris Nipple and William Trueblood, who will join the board next month.

The next meeting will be July 14 at 7 p.m. in the corporation office.


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