Several personnel changes made at SR meetings
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

A number of personnel changes were made at the regular meeting and a special called meeting of the South Ripley Community School Corporation Board of Trustees in the month of August. They include:

· Ken Myers was recommended as a seven-hour aide at the high school to replace the vacancy of Natalie Gilpin. The motion carried with a 5-1 vote.

· Mary Ann Geisler was recommended for Special Education Teacher at the elementary school for the 2005-2006 school year. This met with a 6-0 approval vote.

· The resignation of Jeff Bates as a high school teacher was accepted with unanimous approval. This was effective August 1.

· A family medical leave was approved for April Lawson from August 12 until September 26, 2005. Superintendent Ted Ahaus recommended approval of substitute drivers Cheryl Mathews, Retha Bishofberger, and Rose Morton to fill the bus route vacant due to the absence of April Lawson.

· Carol Holcomb was approved to fill the Food Service Clerical position effective 2005-2006 school year.

· Mark Downard was approved 7-0 as Boys Varsity Golf Coach.

· Chris Clements was approved as volunteer coach for the Junior High Soccer Team.

· Jenna Smith was given unanimous approval to be the 7th grade class sponsor.

At the special called meeting on August 2, the recommendation to approve Prairie Farms as the milk supplier for the 2005-2006 school year carried with a 5-1 vote. Prairie Farms was the lowest bidder with a bid of .163 for 2% unflavored milk.

Board members were informed that $800,000 of the $870,000 settlement for the elementary roof litigation law suit was received on August 1. With a 6-0 vote in favor, members approved storing the steel acquired in the settlement at the Industrial Park located South of Versailles, at a cost of $100 per month.

Ahaus shared information from a meeting held with Jennings and Ripley County Farm Bureau agencies about the school being able to use USDA approved vegetables and meats from local farmers.

A letter was received from the Ripley County Soil and Water Conservation District letting the school corporation know that a $50.00 charge for using a straw blower was waived. This was due to the assistance that the South Ripley FFA Chapter provides to the Soil and Water District.

In other business:

· A resolution to establish a Rainy Day Fund for severance and retirement obligations for certified and non-certified staff was approved.

· Ahaus was given authority to advertise the calendar year 2006 budgets with approval of the budget timeline.

· Unanimous approval was given for interest from the Elementary Roof Construction Fund to be posted to the General Fund.

· A permanent 1.1 mile-per-day extension to Route 22 was given unanimous approval. This is due to a new road constructed in the Harvest Ridge Subdivision.

· Business Manager Lana Miller told members that a grant for new high school percussion instruments was received from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation in the amount of $11,655.

· Miller also informed the board that a tax draw from Ripley County for property taxes was received on July 25, for $833,653.50. She further noted that the two collections received represent 49% of the 2005 certified levies.

It was noted that Open House events at both the elementary and high schools were well attended.

All school board members were present for the regular meeting on August 15. They include: Chris Bradford, Robert Garcia, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller, Ralph Miller and Jim Samples. Superintendent Ted Ahaus and School Attorney Merritt Alcorn, were also in attendance. Board member Keith Mathews and Attorney Alcorn were absent for the special meeting on August 2.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the South Ripley School Board of Trustees is set for September 19, in the administration building.