FFA field trips approved
Milan school board hires technology director
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

In a meeting that lasted only 25 minutes, the Milan Community School Corporation Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Brian Sturgeon as the new director of technology.

Sturgeon replaces Andrew Jackson, now Milan High School assistant principal and director of transportation. It was Jackson's recommendation to hire Sturgeon who began his duties immediately.

The Monday, January 16, meeting of the Milan school board also included the unanimous approval of two field trip requests from FFA Advisor Anita Boggs. Board members agreed that 25 FFA members could attend the National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull on February 15 in Louisville, Kentucky.

They also agreed that the four-member horse judging team - something new to FFA - could attend an overnight horse judging camp at Purdue on Saturday and Sunday, February 11-12.

Board president David Voss, along with members Stephanie Baker, Edward Amberger, Anita Pitts, and Anthony Veldhaus, heard an explanation from Superintendent Don Swisher concerning the state's payment schedule for the year.

Noting that he appreciated the governor's effort to get money that is owed to the schools, Superintendent Swisher explained that the schools would not be getting additional money.

Instead of receiving five state support payments in the first half of the year, the corporation would receive five-and-one-half payments. Then from July to December, there will be six-and-one-half payments.

Also in his report, Superintendent Swisher congratulated the wrestling team for winning the Southern Indiana conference title. With Josh Yatsko, Heath Meinders, and Darren Hess as individual conference champions, Milan ended the meet with 244 points to the second place team's 164 points.

During the early part of the meeting, board member Anita Pitts was elected vice president to replace Charles Rohlfing, whose death created a vacancy in officers.

Later in the meeting Pitts announced she is completing 12 years on the Milan school board and does not intend to run for re-election in May. She wanted the public to be aware of this so that someone qualified to serve the educational community would file for the position.

In other business, the school board:

* Approved a lease agreement request from the Ripley County Chapter of the American Red Cross to use the pool for a life guarding class;

* Approved a lease agreement from SADD Sponsor Jean Stoddard to use the elementary school for a Kid's Night Out on February 16 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.;

* Appointed a high school miscellaneous category textbook adoption committee: teachers, Robert Hunger, Tresa Patz, Anita Boggs, Stefani Bedel, and Dara Stutler; parents, Valerie Huff, Paul Anderson, Linda Craig, and Dawn Disney; and students, Amanda Holland and Christian Exposito;

* Approved a raise in salary for Karen Hunter to $27,500;

* Authorized contracting Bob Moore for $40.00 per hour for technical support as needed.

* Accepted the resignation of Dawn Evans as high school SADD co-sponsor.

During the president's prerogatives section of the agenda, President Voss noted that a quick meeting was a sign that everything was going fine and it was a tribute to the staff and the students.

Along with Voss, the board member thanked those in attendance - mostly senior students - and congratulated the wrestling team on the conference championship.