Milan school board votes to make payments on fitness equipment
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Faced with the dilemma of what to do about the L.I.F.T. America fitness equipment in the middle school, Milan Community School Corporation Board of Directors voted to make payments for the remainder of the 2004 calendar year with future year payments to be determined when budgets are presented in September.

According to Superintendent Donald Swisher in a discussion with board members Stephanie Baker, president; Edward Amberger, Charles Rohlfing, and David Voss, the funding foundation has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, affecting hundreds of schools across the nation.

Superintendent Swisher recommended the corporation continue making payments to Wells Fargo since the program has become a useful and integral part of the physical education program and also a number of people in the community use the equipment.

Monthly installments of $6,409.51 will come from the Middle School Capital Projects Fund. The superintendent noted that what has been installed and used as a part of the curriculum is excellent equipment and repairs would be done at no cost to the corporation.

In his recommendation, the superintendent noted that 50-60 members of the community were paying membership fees; the students would be paying a lab fee in 2004-2005; it has made a difference in the physical well being of those involved, including the detection of some health problems.
He also told board members that if the foundation starts to operate again, the Milan Corporation will be in line to receive money.

In answer to a query concerning a lawsuit against the foundation, Board Member Rohlfing said technically the foundation did nothing against the law. "When we entered into the agreement, we knew that if the foundation didn't pay, we would have to."

President Stephanie Baker told board members that the fitness program is now a part of the curriculum, and the corporation must pay the price to keep the equipment.

A motion by Rohlfing with a second by Amberger approved using middle school CPF funds to make payments on the fitness equipment for the remainder of the 2004 calendar year. The motion received a 4-0 vote.
Board Member Anita Pitts was not present because she was attending a ceremony where her husband Gene Pitts was receiving an award.

Other old business included:

* Approval of a proposal from Nu-Tee Roofing Construction to repair the common area roof of the middle school/high school at a cost of $75,800;

* Approval of a proposal from RQAW to oversee the elementary pool dehumidification project at a cost of $11,000;

* The setting of Monday, July 12, at 6:00 p.m. for the reorganization meeting, then the regular meeting.

Under new business, the board:

* Voted unanimously to let the Southeastern Career Center use the 2000 van to take 18 students to Kansas City, Missouri, from June 21-26;

* Agreed to a recommendation by Middle School Principal Connie Nobbe to purchase Northwest Evaluation Association testing program for grades 2-12;

* Approved the 2004-05 athletic handbook with changes;

* Agreed to let the Milan Sesquicentennial Committee to use corporation facilities from June 14 through July 5 for various activities.;

* Approved a lease agreement for St. Nicholas Parochial School to use the elementary gym for their home volleyball games several dates in September and one in October at a cost of a $1.00 if Milan patrons sports passes are honored;

* Approved a field trip request from Appie Thompson to take nine members of the high school SADD chapter to the Indiana Teen Institute at Vincennes University from July 18-23.

* Also approved Stefani Bedel's request for a high school band trip to a Cincinnati Reds ball game on July 16 and a band outing at the Versailles State Park on June 28 for new and returning members.

* Approved changes in the middle school and high school course fees.

Personnel items included the acceptance of Mrs. Janet Sagester's request to retire after 33 years of teaching in the elementary school. Noting how much the corporation will miss Mrs. Sagester, Superintendent Swisher said she had informed him several months ago of her decision, but requested that he not divulge it until now.

Board members approved the hiring of Rex Parker, Sean Custer, Nathan Hampton, Jerrid McDonald and Brandon Welti as summer help.

A recommendation by the superintendent that the board approve ROD's addition of a severe classroom for the middle school received a 4-0 vote. Superintendent Swisher said ROD would pay for the teacher, aide and supplies.

Michael Myers received the board's approval as middle school cross country coach.

Athletic Director Mary Layden presented April student-of-the-month awards to Sarah Kraushar from the track team and Adam Hooker from the golf team and May student-of-the-month awards to Beth McIntosh from the volleyball team and Josh Schwanholt from the basketball and football teams.

The spring J. Martin Layden Award went to the girls' track team with an average grade point average of 3.54.

Comments during the President's Prerogative part of the agenda concerned the successful school year, the student-athlete accomplishments, the fitness center, the Powerschool program that allows parents to access their children's school records and students to access their class work; the difficult financial year; and the counseling services at the high school.

Board Member Ted Amberger commended the school for the graduation program and the fact that almost 50 members of the graduating class had received some kind of monetary scholarship.

President Baker remarked that the board is looking forward to another great school year and congratulated the student athletes, noting that she is pleased that the athletes maintain an "academics first" attitude.