Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

The Board of School Trustees of the Milan Community School Corporation met in regular session on Monday, April 17. All members were present.

Elementary school principal Jane Rogers introduced fourth grade Sudoku champion, Gavin Detraz, in attendance with his mother, Amy. Rogers explained that Superintendent Swisher had begun instructing fourth graders in January in mathematical logic and had introduced the Japanese puzzle game of Sudoku.

In March, teachers hosted a “March Madness” Sudoku tournament. The field was narrowed to two finalists from each fourth grade room and those eight students competed in front of their classmates using overhead projectors in the gymnasium. Gavin said that it was weird because he was used to doing them on paper. He stated that Mr. Swisher stressed there was to be no guessing, one must look for clues in order to eliminate numbers that had already been used. He ended by saying that his grandmother had bought a book of Sudoku puzzles, but she and his mom weren’t as good at it as he was! Rogers noted that Gavin completed his championship puzzle in under 30 minutes. The entire Board congratulated Gavin on his win.

Marty Layden, Athletic Director, presented academic award plaques to the following student athletes for straight A’s during the second nine weeks: Kendra Walker, Lacee Alloway, Kelly Stutler, Sarah Mills and Kim Atwell. Josh Holland received straight A’s during the third nine weeks. Finally, awards were given for both the second and third nine weeks for straight A’s to Amanda Walter, Tyler Mills, Deborah Fryer and Josh Yatsko. Layden also mentioned that Josh Yatsko is a Lilly Scholarship candidate.

Due to a snow day the last student day of the 2005-06 school year is May 25 and teacher’s record day will be May 26.

Stephanie Baker motioned to approve a lease agreement for the MIST summer swim team to hold a movie night at the elementary school Friday, May 5 from 5-9:00 p.m. at no charge to the group. Seconded by Edward Amberger, motion carried 5-0.

Anthony Veldaus motioned to approve a field trip request from Todd Yates to take members of the National Honor Society to Dave & Buster’s in Cincinnati on April 29. Seconded by Stephanie Baker, motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Swisher reported on Ripley County Community Foundation monies. Anita Pitts motioned to withdraw $3,896.88 from the Foundation. Some will be used for class of 2006 scholarships, and the remainder will be deposited in the Milan Scholarship Foundation account. Seconded by Stephanie Baker, motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Rogers reported that 78 students signed up for the 2006-07 kindergarten class during the Kindergarten Round-Up.

In personnel matters, Swisher presented the Board with Deborah Bovard’s letter of intent to retire at the end of the 2005-06 school year. He stated that Mrs. Bovard will be missed and commended her. Anita Pitts commented that she regretted Mrs. Bovard’s leaving and that “she is a joyful person who is always bubbly and good to the kids.”

Anthony Veldhaus motioned to approve the resignation of Nathan Uribe as a custodian at the middle school and Cynthia Uribe as substitute until a replacement can be named.

David Voss wished the candidates for school board good luck at the May primary election. He invited everyone to attend the elementary PTO carnival on Friday, April 28 from 5-8:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.