Eight teachers re-hired (7/22/03)

Eight teachers from the Jay School Corporation received good news this week, as they were recalled from the list of RIFed teachers and reinstated in their jobs.

“They’re good people,” school board president Duane Starr said, after the board approved the recall by a 5-0 vote. “There’s some names on that list I’m glad to see coming back.”

The teachers recalled were: Rex Pinkerton, Greg Hemmelgarn, Jennifer DeHoff, Jane Prescott, Laurie Holloway, Teri Mast, Kelly Brandenburg, and Kimberly Hyatt.

The teaching staff was originally reduced because of staff realignment, program reductions, and financial reasons. Since the original group was RIFed, 10 non-RIFed teachers have submitted resignations, retirements, or leaves of absence for the 2003-2004 school year.

In addition to the vacancies, the corporation received the Title II, Part A Grant from the state. A large amount of that grant is planned for the hired teachers as part of the class size reduction grant, and Jay Schools Supt. Barbara Downing plans to submit the paperwork for grant this week. The state has allocated $178,240 for the Jay School Corporation.

The recall involved consideration of valid teaching licensure and seniority. Some teachers will be filling regular contract positions, and others will fill temporary contract positions.

Board member Ted Champ was absent.

In other action Monday, the board:

•Unanimously approved the support staff reduction of Carla Blakenship.

•Approved the resignations of David Bye, technical and network support analyst, effective Aug. 1; Alice Crane, Pennville Elementary teacher, effective July 21; Keith Rahn, industrial technology teacher, East Jay Middle School, effective July 21.

•Unanimously approved the hiring of Tammy Velasco, guidance counselor, EJMS, effective at the start of the 2003-2004 school year.

•Approved the hiring of Ed Geesaman, eighth grade volleyball coach, EJMS, for 2003-2004 season.

•Voted to accept the adult education contracts of Jessie Mangus and Dana McClung, ABE/GED Summer 2003 program teacher contracts.

•Unanimously voted to approve the leave request of Jan Crump, special education teacher, EJMS, for the 2003-2004 school year.

•Voted to extend contract services to: Trina Pope, music therapy, starting June 22 until June 1, 2004; Midwest Health Strategies, rehabilitation therapy, from Aug. 1 until July 31, 2004.

•Accepted the field trip request for the Jay County High School football team, to visit Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, on July 24, 2003.

•Unanimously permitted use of the school corporation’s bus for the Jay County 4-H Club Wabash Cannonballs, to the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 9, 2003.

•Voted unanimously to approve revisions to the math curriculum as recommended by a team of teachers and principals who spent last year working on the curriculum to comply with the Indiana Academic Standards and content necessary for the students.

•Approved a donation of $200 from the Jay County Medical Society for the purchase of library books.

•Voted to keep the Jay School Corporation Lunch Fee Program at the same prices for the 2003-2004 school year. Lunch prices are as follows: Elementary lunch, $1.55; middle school lunch, $1.65; high school lunch, $1.80; adult lunch, $2.30; student breakfast, $1; adult breakfast, $1.30; reduced lunch, 40 cents; reduced breakfast, 30 cents; ala carte milk/recess milk, 35 cents.

•Approved the 2003-2004 Latch Key fees. The rates will remain the same as last year.

•Voted 3-2, with Starr and Bryan Alexander opposed, to accept the Child Nutrition Resolution. The resolution allows free meals for all children with family income below 185 percent of poverty.

•Voted unanimously to approve the conflict of interest statements.[[In-content Ad]]