July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Renovations scaled back (5/24/05)
Board agrees to trim project down to $18 million
By By Jack Ronald-
A high school renovation project with an estimated pricetag of $18 million won approval from a divided Jay School Board Monday night on a 4-3 vote.
Absent from the long-debated project are parking lot improvements, a central office area, a proposed auxiliary gymnasium and an estimated $8 million in additional cost.
The compromise proposal was presented by school board president Doug Inman and was brought to the floor through a motion by board member Mike Shannon.
After sometimes contentious debate, Inman and Shannon were joined in supporting the measure by board members Frank Vormohr and Greg Wellman. Opposing the resolution were board members Mike Masters, Bryan Alexander and Jay Halstead.
A hearing on the board’s decision to bond for the improvement project is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 27 in the commons area of Jay County High School.
The project could still face a remonstrance petition from property taxpayers and must clear new standards on school construction projects put in place by the administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Inman indicated the possibility of a remonstrance and tighter state standards were factors in his decision to offer the compromise.
“Do I want it?” said Inman, referring to the proposed auxiliary gym. “Yeah, I do ... But that’s going to be the one issue that gets us a remonstrance.” Since the balance of the project is repair and renovation of the existing high school, Inman said he believes the public will be supportive. He also said the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance would be unlikely to approve the additional gym.
“I believe adding significant square footage to this project is going to kill it” in Indianapolis, he said.
Alexander, arguing on behalf of the entire $26 million project as originally proposed late last year, said he believes a remonstrance is inevitable.
“I think we ought to do the entire thing,” said Alexander. “We need to show some leadership and leave that (the auxiliary gym) in the scope ... The auxiliary space is something that’s been needed in this corporation since day one ... If we don’t do it now, I guarantee you it will never happen.”
Wellman, who has voiced concern about the impact of the project on property taxes, said he would like to see the auxiliary gym question revisited in the future if money can be built up in the cumulative capital improvement fund to take it on.
Several board members expressed a desire to do the entire project now, but also expressed discomfort with the $26 million estimated pricetag which had been developed by architect Kari Vilamaa of Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, Fort Wayne.
“I think with $15.9 (million) we can do (the entire project),” said Alexander.
“I said I wouldn’t vote for anything over $20 million,” said Halstead, who backed the original proposal.
Both Vormohr and Shannon indicated they’d like to see the entire project taken on with a cost ceiling of about $18 million. “I’m with Brian on this,” said Vormohr. “I’m for the whole scope of the project.”
Vilamaa, however, warned against that approach. “If you want to cap it at $18 million and still include the (auxiliary) gym, something’s going to get cut,” he said. “I don’t want you to fool yourself by setting a cap and way over-estimating what can get done.”
“You’re not going to get it done at $18 million by adding in the gym,” echoed Inman, saying he would oppose cuts to spending on academic space in order to pay for additional athletic facilities.
“In my opinion,” said Vormohr earlier in the debate, “sports and extracurriculars are just as important in life as the curriculum.”
Voting to support the scaled-back proposal, Shannon said, “Let’s get realistic. It’s the right thing to do right now ... Rather than down-size (the proposed auxiliary gym), I’d rather table it for now.”
Still unresolved by the board’s action is whether improvements to the high school’s swimming pool can allow for an eight-lane pool rather than a six-lane pool within the limits of the building’s footprint and the $18 million limit on the project. That will be determined after design work is completed and construction bids are received.
Other work included in the project are improvements to the school’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, vocational area, some classrooms and locker rooms.
The original project took shape last fall and was the subject of a heavily-attended public hearing on Dec. 20. “We heard from the community that night,” said Inman. “This was something they weren’t comfortable with.”[[In-content Ad]]Better student performance on state tests and higher attendance rates topped improvement goals for Jay Schools as presented to the school board Monday night.
Indiana’s Public School Accountability Law calls for each school to develop its own plan for improvement on a regular basis, outlining strategies, timelines and systems of measurement.
“This is the guts of what we do in the Jay School Corporation,” superintendent Barbara Downing said. “This is about school improvement.”
“We are proud of our plan,” Pennville Elementary School principal Larry Wilson told the board. “It does take the cooperation of parents to make a plan work.”
Improved ISTEP scores, particularly in the area of writing skills, were a focus of most of the schools’ plans.
But attendance is also a key factor in student success, the principals said.
Redkey Elementary School principal Tom Jerles told the board he and Westlawn Elementary School principal Jeff Davis have engaged in a friendly wager to see which school can post the higher attendance rate for the year. As an incentive to students, the two have agreed that the principal of the school with the lower rate will shave off his mustache.
Bloomfield Elementary School principal Dan Hoffman cited an extensive program of incentives and rewards to encourage student attendance and classroom performance. Noting his school’s recognition by the Indiana Department of Education, he said, “It’s tradition. It’s expected. We have a great shot at being a Four-Star School every year.”
That goal is also in reach for Pennville, Wilson said. “We missed being a Four-Star School by a few hundredths of a percent” in the attendance rate, he said.
At Westlawn, Davis said the planning process had helped him understand the concerted effort that has gone into making major improvements in student performance at that school. “It seems like we’re on track and building up a good head of steam,” he added.
Board members unanimously approved the improvement plans as presented.
Complaints about the system in place for substitute bus drivers were aired Monday night, with some saying the current system is unworkable.
Bus driver Kathy Crouch and David Frasher, whose wife Anita, is a driver said the current system requires drivers who are ill to find their own substitutes from a list which has proved to be inadequate.
“I don’t know any other profession that you can’t call your supervisor when you’re sick and need help,” said Crouch.
“I think that a lot of things the bus drivers and support people have said have fallen on deaf ears,” said Frasher. “I think you need to start listening.”
At the recommendation of business manager Brad DeRome, the board unanimously approved the purchase of new auditorium seating at Jay County High School from King School Equipment, Danville, for $113,500.
School system employees will remove the old seats June 7, and King, which was the low bidder, is expected to have the new seats installed by Sept. 2.
The board was divided 6-1, with Brian Alexander dissenting, on DeRome’s proposal to purchase a driver education car rather than leasing cars.
DeRome said leasing cost the school system $6,822 in 2004 and $7,470 in 2003. He proposed spending $12,000 for a small four-door car and expects a payback within two years or less. Funds for the purchase will come from driver education fees.
“This helps us not to have to increase the price of driver education fees,” DeRome said.
Board members were unanimous in giving their approval to a number of fees and student costs. All of the following will stay at their current levels:
•Student lunches for the 2005-06 school year will remain at $1.60 for elementary, $1.70 for middle school, $1.85 for high school, $1.05 for student breakfast, $1.35 for adult breakfast, 40 cents for a la carte milk, and $2.35 for adult lunch. Reduced price breakfast and lunch will stay at 30 cents and 40 cents respectively, as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
•Latch-key prices next school year will remain at $2 per hour for the first child and $1.75 for the second child or more for students paying full lunch prices. For students paying reduced lunch prices, the rate is $1.50 per hour for the first child and $1.25 for the second child or more. For students receiving free lunches, the rate is $1.25 per hour for the first child and $1 per hour for the second or more. There is a $10 registration fee for the first child and a $5 registration fee for each additional child.
•Preschool fees will remain the same at $25 per semester per child.
•Substitute teacher pay will remain at $58 per day.
•The drivers’ education fee will remain at $280.
Board member Mike Masters cast a dissenting vote on after school tutoring and detention hourly rates. Those pay rates will remain at $20 per hour for after school tutors, $15 total for “Thursday school” detention, $50 total for “Friday school” detention and “Saturday school” detention, and $25 for detention at West Jay Middle School. The difference in the detention payment is based upon the number of hours involved, DeRome said.
Board members unanimously agreed to accept new medical, vision and dental insurance quotes from Principal Life and Delta Dental. Specific plan options will be brought back to the board for consideration at a later time.
In other business Monday night, the board:
•Heard Downing commend Mindy Weaver, Indiana physics teacher of the year, and Pete Vogler, local Wal-Mart teacher of the year.
•Chose not to renew the teacher contracts of Chandra Bettinger, Dana Brown, Susie DeRome and Lisa Tobe because of budgetary constraints.
•Heard a report on school attendance policy changes which will dovetail with state law. Those changes will be incorporated in student handbooks for next school year which the board will approve later this summer.
•Officially accepted two donations totaling $1,800 by the Redkey PTO for library books and field trips.
•Set the board’s annual organizational meeting for noon on Friday, July 1, at the administrative office building.
•Approved the appointments of Larry Hinshaw as JCHS varsity volleyball coach, Kelly Smeltzer as chair of the JCHS Music Department and Ric VanSkyock as summer band guard sponsor.
•Accepted the resignations of food service worker Sally LeMaster, effective at the end of the school year, and instructional assistant Mildred Yoder effective April 25.
•Granted medical leaves for Michael Mertz, Sue Rager and Sharen Michael through the end of the school year.
•Accepted the extracurricular resignations of Nancy Monroe for Bloomfield intramurals, Nancy Evans as cheer sponsor at General Shanks Elementary School, Rodney Craig as West Jay Middle School athletic director, June Schmit as sponsor of PVE Club, Julie Syzmczak as sponsor of the senior class, G. Michael Smith as seventh grade football coach at East Jay Middle School, Butch Gray as eighth grade football coach at East Jay, and Kelley Fraze as seventh grade girls’ track coach and as honor society sponsor at East Jay. All are effective at the end of the school year.
•Approved a trip by the JCHS football team to Six Flags Amusement Park in Louisville, Ky., on July 20 and 21 and a trip by the WJMS newspaper staff to Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, Ky., on June 9.
•Granted bus use requests which had been submitted by Holy Trinity CYO, the Jay Community Center, Jay County Summer Swim Team, Bright Beginnings Daycare and 4H Horse and Pony Club.
Absent from the long-debated project are parking lot improvements, a central office area, a proposed auxiliary gymnasium and an estimated $8 million in additional cost.
The compromise proposal was presented by school board president Doug Inman and was brought to the floor through a motion by board member Mike Shannon.
After sometimes contentious debate, Inman and Shannon were joined in supporting the measure by board members Frank Vormohr and Greg Wellman. Opposing the resolution were board members Mike Masters, Bryan Alexander and Jay Halstead.
A hearing on the board’s decision to bond for the improvement project is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 27 in the commons area of Jay County High School.
The project could still face a remonstrance petition from property taxpayers and must clear new standards on school construction projects put in place by the administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Inman indicated the possibility of a remonstrance and tighter state standards were factors in his decision to offer the compromise.
“Do I want it?” said Inman, referring to the proposed auxiliary gym. “Yeah, I do ... But that’s going to be the one issue that gets us a remonstrance.” Since the balance of the project is repair and renovation of the existing high school, Inman said he believes the public will be supportive. He also said the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance would be unlikely to approve the additional gym.
“I believe adding significant square footage to this project is going to kill it” in Indianapolis, he said.
Alexander, arguing on behalf of the entire $26 million project as originally proposed late last year, said he believes a remonstrance is inevitable.
“I think we ought to do the entire thing,” said Alexander. “We need to show some leadership and leave that (the auxiliary gym) in the scope ... The auxiliary space is something that’s been needed in this corporation since day one ... If we don’t do it now, I guarantee you it will never happen.”
Wellman, who has voiced concern about the impact of the project on property taxes, said he would like to see the auxiliary gym question revisited in the future if money can be built up in the cumulative capital improvement fund to take it on.
Several board members expressed a desire to do the entire project now, but also expressed discomfort with the $26 million estimated pricetag which had been developed by architect Kari Vilamaa of Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, Fort Wayne.
“I think with $15.9 (million) we can do (the entire project),” said Alexander.
“I said I wouldn’t vote for anything over $20 million,” said Halstead, who backed the original proposal.
Both Vormohr and Shannon indicated they’d like to see the entire project taken on with a cost ceiling of about $18 million. “I’m with Brian on this,” said Vormohr. “I’m for the whole scope of the project.”
Vilamaa, however, warned against that approach. “If you want to cap it at $18 million and still include the (auxiliary) gym, something’s going to get cut,” he said. “I don’t want you to fool yourself by setting a cap and way over-estimating what can get done.”
“You’re not going to get it done at $18 million by adding in the gym,” echoed Inman, saying he would oppose cuts to spending on academic space in order to pay for additional athletic facilities.
“In my opinion,” said Vormohr earlier in the debate, “sports and extracurriculars are just as important in life as the curriculum.”
Voting to support the scaled-back proposal, Shannon said, “Let’s get realistic. It’s the right thing to do right now ... Rather than down-size (the proposed auxiliary gym), I’d rather table it for now.”
Still unresolved by the board’s action is whether improvements to the high school’s swimming pool can allow for an eight-lane pool rather than a six-lane pool within the limits of the building’s footprint and the $18 million limit on the project. That will be determined after design work is completed and construction bids are received.
Other work included in the project are improvements to the school’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, vocational area, some classrooms and locker rooms.
The original project took shape last fall and was the subject of a heavily-attended public hearing on Dec. 20. “We heard from the community that night,” said Inman. “This was something they weren’t comfortable with.”[[In-content Ad]]Better student performance on state tests and higher attendance rates topped improvement goals for Jay Schools as presented to the school board Monday night.
Indiana’s Public School Accountability Law calls for each school to develop its own plan for improvement on a regular basis, outlining strategies, timelines and systems of measurement.
“This is the guts of what we do in the Jay School Corporation,” superintendent Barbara Downing said. “This is about school improvement.”
“We are proud of our plan,” Pennville Elementary School principal Larry Wilson told the board. “It does take the cooperation of parents to make a plan work.”
Improved ISTEP scores, particularly in the area of writing skills, were a focus of most of the schools’ plans.
But attendance is also a key factor in student success, the principals said.
Redkey Elementary School principal Tom Jerles told the board he and Westlawn Elementary School principal Jeff Davis have engaged in a friendly wager to see which school can post the higher attendance rate for the year. As an incentive to students, the two have agreed that the principal of the school with the lower rate will shave off his mustache.
Bloomfield Elementary School principal Dan Hoffman cited an extensive program of incentives and rewards to encourage student attendance and classroom performance. Noting his school’s recognition by the Indiana Department of Education, he said, “It’s tradition. It’s expected. We have a great shot at being a Four-Star School every year.”
That goal is also in reach for Pennville, Wilson said. “We missed being a Four-Star School by a few hundredths of a percent” in the attendance rate, he said.
At Westlawn, Davis said the planning process had helped him understand the concerted effort that has gone into making major improvements in student performance at that school. “It seems like we’re on track and building up a good head of steam,” he added.
Board members unanimously approved the improvement plans as presented.
Complaints about the system in place for substitute bus drivers were aired Monday night, with some saying the current system is unworkable.
Bus driver Kathy Crouch and David Frasher, whose wife Anita, is a driver said the current system requires drivers who are ill to find their own substitutes from a list which has proved to be inadequate.
“I don’t know any other profession that you can’t call your supervisor when you’re sick and need help,” said Crouch.
“I think that a lot of things the bus drivers and support people have said have fallen on deaf ears,” said Frasher. “I think you need to start listening.”
At the recommendation of business manager Brad DeRome, the board unanimously approved the purchase of new auditorium seating at Jay County High School from King School Equipment, Danville, for $113,500.
School system employees will remove the old seats June 7, and King, which was the low bidder, is expected to have the new seats installed by Sept. 2.
The board was divided 6-1, with Brian Alexander dissenting, on DeRome’s proposal to purchase a driver education car rather than leasing cars.
DeRome said leasing cost the school system $6,822 in 2004 and $7,470 in 2003. He proposed spending $12,000 for a small four-door car and expects a payback within two years or less. Funds for the purchase will come from driver education fees.
“This helps us not to have to increase the price of driver education fees,” DeRome said.
Board members were unanimous in giving their approval to a number of fees and student costs. All of the following will stay at their current levels:
•Student lunches for the 2005-06 school year will remain at $1.60 for elementary, $1.70 for middle school, $1.85 for high school, $1.05 for student breakfast, $1.35 for adult breakfast, 40 cents for a la carte milk, and $2.35 for adult lunch. Reduced price breakfast and lunch will stay at 30 cents and 40 cents respectively, as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
•Latch-key prices next school year will remain at $2 per hour for the first child and $1.75 for the second child or more for students paying full lunch prices. For students paying reduced lunch prices, the rate is $1.50 per hour for the first child and $1.25 for the second child or more. For students receiving free lunches, the rate is $1.25 per hour for the first child and $1 per hour for the second or more. There is a $10 registration fee for the first child and a $5 registration fee for each additional child.
•Preschool fees will remain the same at $25 per semester per child.
•Substitute teacher pay will remain at $58 per day.
•The drivers’ education fee will remain at $280.
Board member Mike Masters cast a dissenting vote on after school tutoring and detention hourly rates. Those pay rates will remain at $20 per hour for after school tutors, $15 total for “Thursday school” detention, $50 total for “Friday school” detention and “Saturday school” detention, and $25 for detention at West Jay Middle School. The difference in the detention payment is based upon the number of hours involved, DeRome said.
Board members unanimously agreed to accept new medical, vision and dental insurance quotes from Principal Life and Delta Dental. Specific plan options will be brought back to the board for consideration at a later time.
In other business Monday night, the board:
•Heard Downing commend Mindy Weaver, Indiana physics teacher of the year, and Pete Vogler, local Wal-Mart teacher of the year.
•Chose not to renew the teacher contracts of Chandra Bettinger, Dana Brown, Susie DeRome and Lisa Tobe because of budgetary constraints.
•Heard a report on school attendance policy changes which will dovetail with state law. Those changes will be incorporated in student handbooks for next school year which the board will approve later this summer.
•Officially accepted two donations totaling $1,800 by the Redkey PTO for library books and field trips.
•Set the board’s annual organizational meeting for noon on Friday, July 1, at the administrative office building.
•Approved the appointments of Larry Hinshaw as JCHS varsity volleyball coach, Kelly Smeltzer as chair of the JCHS Music Department and Ric VanSkyock as summer band guard sponsor.
•Accepted the resignations of food service worker Sally LeMaster, effective at the end of the school year, and instructional assistant Mildred Yoder effective April 25.
•Granted medical leaves for Michael Mertz, Sue Rager and Sharen Michael through the end of the school year.
•Accepted the extracurricular resignations of Nancy Monroe for Bloomfield intramurals, Nancy Evans as cheer sponsor at General Shanks Elementary School, Rodney Craig as West Jay Middle School athletic director, June Schmit as sponsor of PVE Club, Julie Syzmczak as sponsor of the senior class, G. Michael Smith as seventh grade football coach at East Jay Middle School, Butch Gray as eighth grade football coach at East Jay, and Kelley Fraze as seventh grade girls’ track coach and as honor society sponsor at East Jay. All are effective at the end of the school year.
•Approved a trip by the JCHS football team to Six Flags Amusement Park in Louisville, Ky., on July 20 and 21 and a trip by the WJMS newspaper staff to Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, Ky., on June 9.
•Granted bus use requests which had been submitted by Holy Trinity CYO, the Jay Community Center, Jay County Summer Swim Team, Bright Beginnings Daycare and 4H Horse and Pony Club.
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