South Ripley Board organizes for the new year
David Eichholz honored
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Jim Miller was voted to remain president of the South Ripley Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees. This decision was made at the regular meeting on January 9 with the following positions being decided as well: Keith Mathews, vice-president; Ralph Miller, secretary; Chris Bradford, Randy McIntosh and Jim Miller serving on the administrative/non-certified salary & benefit committee; Chris Bradford and Ralph Miller, athletic council; and Robert Garcia, Keith Mathews and Jim Miller, negotiation committee. Jim Samples was approved as legislative representative.

The full board will serve as the Board of Finance. All of the decisions were made with unanimous approval. It was established that the meetings for the next year will be the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Office.

Lana Miller was appointed corporation treasurer and Karen Sieverding as deputy treasurer.

Personnel items included:

· An extension of a maternity leave for Mrs. Sara Dennis was granted. This will extend through the end of the 2005-2006 school year. The original request would expire February 10. President Miller noted that he felt there have been several requests of this type and the students suffer when the primary teacher is out of the classroom. Superintendent noted that while the board has received several requests lately, it is not a long term problem.

· Malena Smith was approved to fill the G/T aide position vacated by Amy Linkel. This will be for nine hours per week for the second semester. It was noted that Linkel, who was recently named assistant principal for the elementary school, would continue with remedial work she was doing prior to taking the new position.

In other business:

· The FFA was granted permission to attend the National Farm Machinery Show on February 17, in Louisville, KY.

· The 2006-2007 school calendar was approved.

· Business Manager Lana Miller told the board the corporation audit was scheduled to begin this week. She gave the annual financial report regarding 2005 revenues, expenditures, encumbrances, investments, and transfers.

· Assistant Superintendent Dennis Stockdale gave information about a pre-engineering program, Project Lead The Way. He noted he will bring the program for approval at the February meeting. He also told the board that the first semester on-line health students "did a great job."

Elementary Principal Mark Collier recognized David Eichholz, fourth grader, for being the 2005-2006 Spelling Bee winner. He will represent the school at the district spelling bee in Cincinnati later this month.

Members present for the meeting included: Chris Bradford, Robert Garcia, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller and Jim Samples. Ralph Miller was not present. Superintendent Ted Ahaus and Attorney Merritt Alcorn were present to advise the board.

The next regular meeting of the school board is set for February 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Office.