Board: No borrowing

No more borrowing right now, even at one percent interest, the majority of the Jay School Board said Monday night.

On a 3-4 vote, a proposal to borrow $275,000 from the state's Common School Fund was rejected by the board after concerns were raised about the level of indebtedness.

Board members Jay Halstead, Mike Masters, Jim Sanders, and Bryan Alexander voted against the proposal, while Larry Paxson, Mike Shannon, and Greg Wellman supported it.

Business manager Brad DeRome and superintendent Tim Long told the board the loan, if approved, would relieve some pressure on the school system's capital projects fund.

"It allows us to expand our budgets," said Long. "Is it serviceable debt? Yes, it is."

Under questioning from board members, DeRome acknowledged that the school corporation is already carrying about $1 million in loans from the Common School Fund.

"I'm not saying it's wrong to do pay-as-you-go if that's what the board wants to do," said Long, but he added later that he will continue to bring Common School Fund opportunities to the board for consideration in the future because circumstances may change.

DeRome told the board he does not expect to have to borrow for general fund cash flow needs in 2009 so long as there are no delays in the state's payments of its basic grants for school support. He noted that because of national economy interest earnings in 2009 will be down $120,000 from 2008 levels.

Adoption of the 2010 school budget is tentatively set for Sept. 14. A public hearing on the budget Monday drew no comment.

Board members unanimously approved holding an auction at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the old bus garage near East Jay Middle School to dispose of old equipment and surplus property.

In other business:

•Long noted that a delegation of six educators from Taiwan will be visiting Jay Schools on Sept. 18.

•The board approved a renewed agreement with John Jay Center for Learning to pay 25 percent of the salary of executive director Rob Weaver and secretary Betsy Toschlog for a total of $24,848. Under the agreement, John Jay provides administrative services for the school corporation's adult education program.

•The board hired Carol Knarr as a drama and English teacher at JCHS, Deonna Ramseyer as a math teacher at JCHS, Donna Revolt as an instructional assistant for the hearing impaired at JCHS, Celeste Tetrault as an instructional assistant for the visually impaired at JCHS, Lisa Weitzel as an instructional assistant at Judge Haynes Elementary School, Abby Whetsel as a special education instructional assistant at the Pennville alternative program, Jane Ferguson as an instructional assistant at Pennville, Westlawn, and Redkey elementaries, Jill Wells as an autistic instructional assistant at Westlawn and the pre-school annex, Sarah Holmes as a physical therapist, Cassie Fugiett as a part-time physical education teacher, Abby Champ as a part-time physical education teacher, Treva Jane Fraley as a part-time driver and cook, Cassandra Byrum as a part-time cook, Karen Robbins as a part-time cook, Kristy Ainsworth as a part-time cook, and Dana McClung, Gary Tarr, John Ferguson, and Dan Orr as adult education teachers at John Jay.

•The board accepted the resignations of Joe May as a custodian at General Shanks Elementary School, Cathy Mock as an instructional assistant at Judge Haynes, Tim Hower as a math teacher at JCHS, and Susan Huffman as an instructional assistant at Westlawn.

•Board president Bryan Alexander asked that future board meetings include an update on the student drug testing program and a discussion of property and casualty insurance.

•The board approved leaves of absence for Carrie Byrum, Cassie Fugiett, and Claire Smith.

•Extra-curricular assignments were approved for Kristin Millspaugh as volunteer gymnastics coach at JCHS, Marc Bogenschutz as assistant girls' basketball coach, Trina Sommers as academic competition adviser at JCHS, Carol Knarr as drama and musical director at JCHS, James Roberts III as seventh grade football coach at West Jay Middle School, Tracy Muhlenkamp as assistant girls' soccer coach at JCHS, Joni Penrod as assistant cheer coach at JCHS, Lora Schlosser as head gymnastics coach at JCHS, Christy Shauver as Just Say No sponsor at East Elementary School, Shawna Davis as yearbook sponsor and cheer coach at Redkey, Cathy Franks as student council sponsor at Redkey, and Jane Prescott as Just Say No sponsor at Redkey.

•Extra-curricular resignations were accepted from Kim Haffner as Earth Watch Club sponsor at JCHS, Gary Tarr as English academic team adviser at JCHS, and Tim Hower as junior varsity baseball coach at JCHS.[[In-content Ad]]