SR Elem. Assistant Principal resigns
Board members talk consolidation with JCD
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

At the regular meeting of the South Ripley Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees held on December 20, the resignation of Mark Hoffman as elementary assistant principal was given unanimous approval. His term will end at the end of the 2004-2005 contract.

Other personnel changes voted on was the acceptance of the resignation of Cheryl Mathews as corporation bus driver, which was effective December 20. Deb Baldwin was approved as 3 1/2 hour corporation bus driver to be effective December 21.

Board members were thanked for attending a joint executive session meeting with the Jac-Cen-Del School Board at the Southeastern Career Center on December 15. Ahaus noted that the primary focus of the meeting was "to explore all options for improving the quality of education for students, including consolidation." A second meeting has been scheduled for late January.

Superintendent Ted Ahaus recognized outgoing board members Barry Lauber and Dan Goris for their years of service and dedication to the South Ripley School Corporation. Each one was presented a plaque by Ahaus. They will be replaced by Jim Samples and Chris Bradford, who were elected to the school board in the fall election.

The board voted 7-0 to approve paying 2004 bills from 2004 appropriations through the end of 2004 and to encumber appropriations, if necessary, for bills created in 2004 and payable in 2005. It was noted that a list of any necessary transfer of appropriations from one major account to another and explanations of all transactions will be given at the January 2005 meeting.

The January meeting will be changed from January 17, to January 10, due to the State law requiring reorganization by January 15.
In other business:

· Dennis Stockdale shared ISTEP+ scores with the board.

· The trial date for litigation on the elementary roof is set for March 3, 2005.

· Certified staff received a 1.38% decrease on their health plan effective January 1, 2005.

· The winter board academy will be held on January 21, in Indianapolis.

· A thank you note was received from the Jim Franklin family.

All board members were in attendance at the meeting: Robert Garcia, Dan Goris, Barry Lauber, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller and Ralph Miller. School Attorney Merritt Alcorn and Superintendent Ted Ahaus were present to advise