South Ripley board approves Tyson lease 5-2
Exit clause protects corporation
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

For the seven members of the South Ripley Community School Corporation Board of Trustees, the saga of Tyson Auditorium continues.

At the Monday, October 18, meeting of the board in the music room of South Ripley Elementary School, Superintendent Ted Ahaus recommended approving the new three-year agreement with LifeTime Housing Group at $26,000 per year until June 2007.

The agreement also calls for the school corporation to assume all additional costs, which Superintendent Ahaus estimated would be approximately $18,000 per year and would include utilities and repairs. "There is an exit clause in the agreement that allows the corporation to leave at any time," the superintendent said.

Prior to the vote to approve the new three-year lease, Superintendent Ahaus presented board members with copies of an engineer's report concerning roofing and sound- proofing of Tyson Auditorium.

"One glaring issue," said the superintendent, " is the air-conditioning/heating units on the flat roof over the two rooms adjoining the stage area. These are causing excessive stress on the roof, which is over stressed now. With snow, it could be more."

He also pointed out that the entire building needs a new roof, but more important is that the two rooms indicated - one being used as the coach's office, the other as a weight room - must be vacated at once. "The auditorium is safe for use...just the rooms on either side of the stage."

His recommendation, which received a 5-2 vote, called for approving the new three-year agreement pending verification of safety of use for the two rooms indicated.

In voting against the superintendent's recommendation, Board Member Jim Miller said, "Since none of this building is being used for academic purposes, I'll be voting against because I see no justification for paying that much money for something that will not benefit all the students."

Board Member Randy McIntosh said he would be voting against also. Those favoring included Robert Garcia, Dan Goris, Keith Mathews, Ralph Miller, and President Barry Lauber.

South Ripley has continued to use Tyson Auditorium for basketball games and for graduation exercises even though LifeTime Housing owns the building.

At the September school board meeting, Superintendent Ahaus noted that LifeTime Housing has made it clear from the onset of discussions that the use of Tyson Auditorium as a basketball facility "is not conducive to their mission in regards to senior housing."

Superintendent Ahaus said he would be meeting with the construction engineers on Tuesday, October 19, concerning the existing problem and the shutting off of the two rooms in question.
Personnel items included approval of homebound instruction for an elementary student from October 11 to December 22 at a rate of seven hours per week. Mrs. Paula Speer will be the instructor.

Board members approved extracurricular positions: Brad Samples as freshman basketball coach; Karen Hafft as volunteer cheerleading sponsor should Sponsor Tammy Hartman be called away; and Lindsey Payne as reserve softball coach. All positions were recommended by Principal Bill Snyder and Athletic Director Debbie Jett.

In other business, the board members unanimously approved:

* Extension of the line of credit with MainSource Bank;

* Two change orders for the paving of the South Ripley Jr.-Sr. High School parking lots totaling $10,261.15;

* Bus specifications and the advertising for a new bus in 2005 as a part of the 10-year bus-replacement plan;
* Field trip for FFA members to attend the FFA National Convention in Louisville from October 25-30. Principal Snyder pointed out that approximately 10-14 students and Adviser Pat Holland would attend, but the students will only be allowed to attend one day each.

* Home School Admission Policy, which designates sites the state has chosen for home school students to take the ISTEP. The first reading of the policy took place at the September meeting.

Under information items, Corporation Treasurer Lana Miller updated the board on the certified 2004 budget; the superintendent informed board members of the possibility of a Semester Exam Elimination Policy; the corporation's committee for noncertified salary/benefits will review Anthem Health Insurance rates, which will be forthcoming on November 4.

Gil Landwehr presented information to the board members and administrators concerning the possibility of obtaining grants for adding softball and soccer fields behind the high school. "We have to have the intent to do this. If we received grants, no tax money would be involved."

To begin the meeting, Sarah Overshiner, a member of the Class of 2005, received a certificate of appreciation for the honor she had received this summer as a page for Senator
Richard Lugar from July 6 through July 23.

Mrs. Nancy Durham, representing the South Ripley Classroom Teachers Association, presented a plaque to Board President Barry Lauber in honor of his election as president of the Indiana School Boards Association.

Joining her to represent SRCTA were teachers Kelly King, Kris Lafary, and Ellen Mulford.