Milan School Board praises Muncie Central game
Activities well attended
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Comments at the Monday, February 23, meeting of the Milan Community School Board praised the efforts of Athletic Director Martin J. Layden in organizing the 50-year basketball game at Muncie Central Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 21.

According to Principal Michael Parks, AD Layden deserved a great deal of credit for the success of this event attended by so many Milan students and fans. "He has worked on the organization of the Milan-Muncie Central game for over a year and did an outstanding job keeping everyone updated on what was going on."

In his report, Layden noted that the events began with a school-wide pep session on Friday, February 20, at the high school. He commented on the enthusiasm of the students and the staff and said the state championship game between Milan and Muncie Central along with other activities were broadcast on Saturday by ESPN Classic TV.

"ESPN Classic did a wonderful job of telling the whole Milan '54 story from all perspectives to the public and the nation."

Layden also praised Milan resident Roselyn McKittrick for all she has done and continues to do to promote Milan. "Although the end score was not what we wanted it to be, the number of Milan people attending the game and the show of school spirit made for a great weekend."

Board President Stephanie Baker, Vice President David Voss, Secretary Anita Pitts, and Members Charles Rohlfing and Edward (Ted) Amberger met in the Administration Office board room one week later than the regular meeting time.

Superintendent Donald Swisher welcomed first grader Isabelle Ortt and her teacher Jennifer Block to read Isabelle's story "Valentine's Day under the Volcano" for the board members and the administrators, teachers, and school patrons in attendance.

Introduced by Elementary Principal Jane Rogers, Isabelle sat in the "author's chair," read her story and showed the pictures that accompanied it. She told the board she had "published other books" and wants to be an author when she grows up.

Praising her work, Principal Rogers said this was an example of the good writing taking place at the elementary school. Isabelle's parents Dennis and Kathy Ortt and her younger brother and sister were also in attendance.

Later in the meeting, Board Member Amberger added his congratulations to Isabelle and thanked First Grade Teacher Block and Principal Rogers for "doing good things for the children." He commented that his daughter Alexis is a student in Mrs. Block's class and would rather sit and read with her parents than to play.

Continuing with the efforts of the school board and the town board to work together to solve the school crossing problem at the Milan Middle School, Town Board Member Matthew Huffman spoke to the board members to update them on the town's involvement.

Future plans are to contact INDOT to propose the construction of a sidewalk along the highway and to add a push-button crossing stoplight. He
would also like to work with the board to write grants to submit to the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for funding projects that would provide safety for the students.

In concluding his remarks, Huffman said the two boards must look for long-term solutions and that the school corporation has the town board's commitment to work together to solve the problem.

Under old business, Superintendent Swisher presented insurance specifications and quotes from May 1, 2004, through May 1, 2007. Voss moved and Rohling seconded to approve the specifications as presented. The vote was unanimous.

New business consisted of the board's approval of the Milan Art Club's spring trip to St. Louis to visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Zoo, Laumier Sculpture Park, Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Science Center, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center.

Art Teacher Bob Hunger noted 11 students would make the trip from April 7-10 and will also participate in a workshop at the St. Louis Art Museum. The trip is funded through Art Club projects.

In other business, the board voted unanimously to approve a lease agreement for the Ripley County Red Cross to use the swimming pool on March 1 and March 4 for life-saving classes at no charge;

­ To approve a fundraising request from Zach Wade for the National Junior Honor Society to sell candy from April 12 - 16;

­ To approve a maternity for Kristen Clark beginning on May 17 till the end of the school year;

­ To accept the resignation of Betty Huffman as a middle school custodian and to hire Vincent Holman as her replacement;

­ To accept the resignation of Randy Combs as middle school boys' track coach and Linda Swisher as middle school cross country coach.

Present at the board meeting, Glen Keller and Carl Denman from RQAW spoke concerning possible capital project fund undertakings. The two discussed were parking lots at the elementary and high schools and the possible renovation of the swimming pool at the elementary school.

Discussion on the projects involved best ways for the corporation to go financially. No decisions were made, but board members requested the RQAW representatives to prepare a three-year and a five-year chronological plan for the pool upgrade. When this is completed, Superintendent Swisher will set up a meeting to discuss the plans with the board.

During the "President's Prerogative" part of the agenda, each board member commented on the town's representation at the Muncie Central basketball game, the performance of the basketball team and the student body, and the work of AD Layden in organizing the activities.

Congratulations were extended to Lucas Wall, a Milan sophomore, for receiving a Division I Gold Medal at the State Vocal Contest. It was noted that Lucas was only two points away from a perfect score.

President Baker concluded the meeting by adding comments about the pep session before the Milan-Muncie Central game, the excellent behavior of the Milan students, and the number of Milan residents who attended the game.

Her comments also included praise for the recent Career Day at the Milan Middle School, Lucas Wall, Art Teacher Bob Hunger, and Isabelle Ortt, her parents, teacher, and principal.

Board Member Pitts noted that Muncie had only 1% of their population at the '54 ball game, but Milan had 90%.

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Athletic Director Marty Layden

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