Milan School Board approves new fire safety plans
Evacuation noted for each building
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Milan School Board members unanimously approved new fire safety and evacuation plans for each of the school's buildings at the Monday, March 28, meeting in the board room of the Administration Building.

With President David Voss, Vice President Charles Rohlfing, Secretary Stephanie Baker, and members Edward Amberger and Anita Pitts in place for Monday's meeting, Superintendent Donald Swisher presented the new plans, highlighting the changes and the specific persons responsible for various actions.

According to Superintendent Swisher, the Southeastern Career Center had shared information that the state's fire marshal was requiring new procedures in school buildings to insure safety. Andrew Jackson, safety specialist for Milan schools, had worked on the plan along with the superintendent.

In addition to updated fire safety plans, the board approved new bus bid specifications presented by Jackson, who is also the school's transportation director.

The improved replacement plan calls for one bus to be purchased this calendar year. New specifications require a demonstration bus to be available for viewing between April 1 and 15. The body must be guaranteed for 36 months; delivery will not be accepted before December 1 or after December 31; and bids will be opened on April 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Under old business, Superintendent Swisher and Elementary Principal Jane Rogers updated the board on the progress of the pool project. The new system should be ready for testing in the next two weeks and should result in a savings on the electric bill.

Field trips approved by the board included:

* A trip on April 21 to Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati for 45 eighth grade language arts students and teacher Zach Wade to view the Holocaust exhibit;

* A trip for 30 Milan High School SADD members and sponsor Appie Thompson to attend the Orange Ribbon Celebration at Mellencamp Pavillion at Indiana University on April 27.

The resignation of Joanne MacVey as special education student specific aide and junior class sponsor was accepted and Ron Kennett was hired to replace MacVey in the special education position.

Tony Pennington received board approval as the junior varsity baseball coach.

A request was made from sophomore class sponsors Mark Garrett and Rod Snapp for class members to sell candy bars from April 4-15 as a fundraiser for next year's prom, the board gave unanimous approval.

During the superintendent's report, Swisher distributed the 2005 basic grant monthly distribution report from the Division of School Finance to board members. With the reduction of funding, Superintendent Swisher noted there would need to be approximately $200,000 in spending cuts made this year.

He also said the administration team has worked diligently and cooperatively the past several months to identify and implement cost savings programs.

Board Member Pitts noted she and Amberger had attended a legislative briefing session in Indianapolis which presented disturbing and depressing information on programs that were going to be enforced by the state, yet funding for said programs would be cut drastically.

At the beginning of the meeting, Elementary Principal Jane Rogers introduced four student teams that had entered the Destination Imagination Regional Tournament, three of which had progressed to the State Affiliate Finals to be held in Noblesville on April 16.

Team coaches introduced their teams as follows:

* Third/fourth grade team members of "Live! It's Radio DI" included Hayley Zornes, Brooklyn Honnert, Hannah Lohrum, Anna Palastro, Laren Thomas, Ellie Myers, and LeeAnna White. The team was coached by Sherri Zornes, Julie Myers, and Judy White;

* Third/fourth grade team members of "Building Bridges" included Dakota Stites, Cailan Walters, Sara Ollman, Whitney Couch, Garrett Myers, and Michael Elmer. The team coaches were Jeanie Walters, Mrs. Hartwell, and Doug Elmer;

* Third/fourth grade team members of "Dizzy Derby" were Erick Seaver, Lucas Siemer, Patrick Baker, Russell Pitts, Zach Meyer, Eli Seithel, and Kyle Kuntz. Their coaches were Teresa George, Donna Pitts, Mrs. Myers, and Mr. George;

* Middle school team of LeeAnne Siemer, Nicholas Dixon, Travis Nunlist, Shelby Zornes, Eric Seithel, and Robby Shannon. Coach Stephanie Siemer thanked Middle School Principal Connie Nobbe for providing funding for the team and Mr. Siemer for his help with mechanical data.

Also making a presentation at Monday's school board meeting were members of the Milan High School foreign language department. Spanish Teacher Ken Hornbach introduced junior student Daniel Fleming, who spoke to the board in Spanish inviting them to the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5. Hornbach noted he has 166 students in Spanish classes.

German Teacher Linda Hamrick introduced three of her students who were accompanied by their foreign exchange students: Hannah Weston with guest Lena Trappman; Andrea Volz with guest Andre Wenz; and Linsay Roell with guest Ivanka "Ivi" Aspacher.

Hamrick noted that Weston and Volz will be traveling to Germany this summer as part of the exchange program.