Cathy May, Contributing Writer

At the regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del School Board held July 8, which was the organizational meeting for the year, school attorney Tim Day administered the oath of office to Paul C. Hardy and William Roberts, recently elected board members. Board President Charles Hughes turned the reins of office over to Hardy, who was elected president for the coming year. It was Hughes’ last meeting as a board member. Superintendent Bill Narwold presented Hughes with a plaque in appreciation of his 16 years of service as president. Hughes thanked the board for their support. He stated it was a pleasure serving with all the members throughout the years.

John Billman was elected vice-president of the board and Kathleen Dickman will be the secretary. Ruth Ann Peetz was appointed treasurer and Pam Comer, deputy treasurer. Deanna Young will serve as the legislative representative as delegate to the ISBA Fall Conference.

The board changed the date of its regular meetings to the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at either the elementary library or the high school cafeteria. Special meetings will be held for the budget.

The entire board will serve as the financial committee to approve budgets and other financial matters for 2008-2009 fiscal year. Board members will receive a compensation of $2,000 per year, as well as a supplement of $50.00 per meeting, not to exceed $2,600 per year.

Superintendent Narwold was appointed to serve as the member of the Board of Managers for the Southeastern Career Center. It was also recommended the superintendent be appointed as the contact person representing the corporation for Title IX (sexual harassment and discrimination) for 2008-2009 and to serve as the corporation’s section 504 coordinator.

Attorney Tim Day will continue to serve as legal counsel for fiscal year 2008-2009. Conflict of Interest statements will be filed for Ruth Ann Peetz, corporation treasurer; William Narwold, superintendent; Paul C. Hardy, president; and John E. Billman, vice president.

Superintendent Narwold advised the board of the receipt of the 2008 budget order reporting the cuts that were made. The general fund was cut by $56,000 and the Capitol Projects Fund was cut by $155,000. Narwold said the school must be conservative in its spending this year.

Narwold updated the board on the request for a loan and read a letter to MainSource Bank advising of the need to make a $500,000 draw on the line of credit. The school was one of the few that did not have to borrow money last year, but if no funds are received from the county by August 8 it will be necessary to borrow funds to keep the school running.

Johnny Budd, jr./sr. high school principal, updated the board on the process of retention for the 7th and 8th grade students. He will be meeting with teachers to make plans to improve ISTEP scores, one of the goals of the school. Summer recreation programs are coming to an end with a very good year and it was announced that the summer bus crew is ahead of schedule.

Budd also updated the board on the beginning of school 2008-09 schedule. He advised of repairs and maintenance, which are being completed at the high school in preparing for the new school year. He acknowledged Brandon Gehl on his accomplishments playing baseball in the North/South All-Star game and Matt Gehl, who played basketball in the Junior All Star game.

Spencer Huffmeyer and Lucas Grow reported to the board on their most recent trip to the State FFA Convention. They advised they qualified for the nationals in engineering and that Katie Comer also qualified. They said the four-day event was a lot of fun and they were kept busy.

Superintendent Narwold said he had been appointed to the Ripley County Echo Advisory Board Committee. Due to this ECHO grant there is approximately $900,000 designated for Ripley County. This grant is to help educate students to get into the work environment.

Two grants were awarded: science teacher Andrew O’Gray received $2,444.98 from the Reynolds Foundation for geography technology and Principal Leanna Phillippe received $25,000 from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for mobile labs. The board accepted the donation of two wheel chairs from Margaret Mary Community Hospital with an estimated value of $900.00.

The board accepted the resignation of Kelly Sprague, Spanish teacher and approved the employment of William Fogle for the next year for that position. Courtney Hughes was hired for the certified teaching position at the elementary school. Gayla Crowell, who had been a bus driver for more than 30 years, retired.

The board approved Resolution of Appropriation of the Rainy Day fund for severance/retirement payments in the amount of $37,010.50 as presented. The board granted permission to the superintendent or treasurer to reduce appropriations in any fund as needed for the 2009 budget.
The next regular meeting of the Jac-Cen-Del Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, August 20 in the elementary school library at 6:00 p.m.