Veldhaus sworn in at December meeting at Milan school
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Returning to the Milan Community School Corporation board of trustees after four years, Anthony (Tony) Veldhaus said he was glad to be back, but sad because of the circumstances. Veldhaus replaces Charles Rohlfing, who passed away on October 21.

Corporation Attorney Larry Eaton performed the swearing-in ceremony for Veldhaus at the beginning of the Monday, December 19, meeting with all board members present.

Previously, Veldhaus had served on the Milan school board for a period of four years, but decided not to run for re-election. It was for his position that Charles Rohlfing ran successfully four years ago.

Among the items of new business, board members David Voss, president; Stephanie Baker, Edward Amberger, Anita Pitts, and Veldhaus voted unanimously to approve the retroactive appointment of O. Eugene Pitts as the representative to the Osgood Library Board.

They also agreed to approve a resolution authorizing the corporation treasurer to continue paying 2005 bills from the 2005 appropriations; to encumber appropriations for bills created in 2005 and payable in 2005; and to transfer appropriations from major accounts to balance the 2005 year.

In order to cover expenses due to late receipt of county tax money, the board approved participation in the bond bank. According to Superintendent Swisher, "this hopefully will be the last time that Milan has to participate."

To make up the December 9 snow day, the board voted unanimously to have school in session on Presidents Day, February 20, 2006.

In accordance with contract bus driver agreements, the board approved fuel adjustments in the amount of $4,771.95 to be divided among four owners. The checks to these owners will be held until county tax money is received.

A fund raising request from the sophomore class to hold a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a cornhole tournament on March 11, 2006 met with unanimous approval.

Superintendent Swisher presented a new Title I Parent Involvement Policy written by Title I Coordinator Anne Marie Layden. Elementary Principal Jane Rogers explained that the policy states what is already in practice at the elementary school.

Because having a policy is a requirement of the federal government, the board gave unanimous approval to Corporation Policy #7505.

In his report, Superintendent Swisher said that in all but two areas, Milan students scored higher on the ISTEP+ than the state averages. He thanked the administrators and teachers for their hard work and dedicated effort to make the testing experience successful.

Reports from recent Parent/Teacher Conferences showed the elementary had 94% overall attendance; the middle school had a 91% attendance; and the high school a 60% attendance.

The superintendent noted that in Andrew Jackson's administrative goal, all teachers in grades 2-8 have been trained on how to correlate standards with assignments in PowerGrade. Progress on the standards is reported on each individual report card.

According to the superintendent, Milan is the first school in the area to ave a standards-based report card.

Under personnel items, the board voted favorably upon the recommendation of area superintendents to approve a 2% salary raise for Rick Stork, director of the Alternative School.

To relieve Mr. Jackson of one of his areas of responsibility, the board agreed that the position of Director of Technology would be assigned to someone else. Jackson has recently accepted the position of assistant principal of Milan High School.

Board members gave Jackson permission to complete the interview process for the position and to offer employment to the candidate deemed most qualified. The board will give formal approval at the January meeting although the person will be on the job starting January 1, 2006.

At the beginning of the meeting Bonnie Volz, a former high school cafeteria employee was present and had asked Dawn Porter to read a letter that Volz had composed concerning the high school cafeteria. The letter dealt with practices that led to the ladies' concern over the health and well being of the students.

President Voss thanked the ladies for their concern and said the matter would be taken under consideration.

The meeting ended at 7:40 p.m.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Anthony (Tony) Veldhaus resumes his seat as a member of the Milan Community School Corporation board of trustees after being sworn in by Corporation Attorney Larry Eaton. Board president David Voss is at the right of Veldhaus at the Monday, December 10 meeting. Veldhaus replaces Charles Rohlfing, who passed away October 21.