SA board members say goodbye (06/14/06)

BERNE — Out with the old and in with the new.

Two board members and an administrator tearfully attended their last public board meeting at South Adams School Board meeting Tuesday, while two new staff members were hired.

Members Denny Affolder and John Crider, who have each served four years on the board, lost the May 2 election. Crider will be replaced by former Jay County teacher John Mann and Affolder will be replaced by Myron Schwartz. Superintendent Connie Bailey announced her retirement in March, effective at the end of the month.

Board president Arlene Amstutz presented Crider and Affolder with plaques of recognition and thanked them for their years of service.

Bailey was honored before teachers and students on the last day of school.

“I consider it a real honor and a privilege to serve,” said Affolder, who attended South Adams and was part of the crew that helped build the new high school.

Crider had similar sentiments.

“I just want to thank everyone (who has) helped me these last four years,” he said.

Also presenting resignations to the board were social studies teacher Michael Moser, first grade teacher Jennifer Snow, industrial technology teacher Herb Bergman and social studies teacher and basketball coach Jason Ridge; all effective this year.

The board approved hiring K-6 physical education teacher and head basketball coach Ryan Biegle, a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University originally from Billings, Mont.

Biegle was previously employed at Lakeview Christian in Marion for one year after spending eight years at Blackford County Community schools.

He was selected by a large committee of teachers and administrators, including Affolder.

“I am very impressed first and foremost with his teaching abilities,” said Affolder.

Biegle and his wife, Amy, are relocating to Adams County.

The board also approved the hiring of a new guidance secretary.

Allison Evans was chosen from a pool of 30 applicants. She has been employed at Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly in Berne for seven years.

“She came highly recommended,” said Bailey.

The board heard an update from South Adams Elementary School principal Jeff Rich about the Title I funds allotted to the district.

Title I is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 that grants extra funds to schools serving underprivileged children.

Rich explained that the allotment the district will receive this year was reduced by 7 percent, or about $50,000.

“The reason for that has not been communicated to me,” he said.

Bailey explained that allotments are refigured in the fall, so there is the possibility that the district will get more money.

Rich said that due to the loss, the school has chosen not to fill the position vacated by Snow.

“At this time we don’t have the funds to fill the position,” said Bailey.

Bailey explained that teachers who are employed under Title I are paid from Title I funds instead of the general fund the district holds. The pay scale is the same, but Title I teachers do not have a homeroom and instead move throughout the school and help students one on one or in small groups.

Bailey added that Katrina Stout, currently employed as a Title I teacher, requested to move in to a classroom position when Snow announced her resignation.

“It worked out well,” said Bailey. “Mrs. Stout had already requested the move to classroom teacher and we had approved it and then we found out we would not be receiving as much from Title I.”

In addition, the board voted to approve changes made to the elementary and middle school handbooks as presented by Rich and South Adams Middle School principal Scott Litwiller.

Litwiller said the changes were mostly in the format, but the attendance policy was also amended.

Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, students who have more than 10 unexcused absences will be reported to Adams County Child Protective Services.

“We believe this is fair and will serve our purposes,” said Litwiller.

Litwiller added that this is consistent with other schools in the area and will help eliminate confusion stemming from not having this measure outlined previously.

In other business the board:

•Approved the 2008-2008 school calendar. Bailey said the calendar was approved by the South Adams Classroom Teachers Association and is consistent with other school districts in the county.

•Approved salaries for administrative and non-certified positions. All administrative and non-certified positions will receive a one percent salary increase and a 2-year contract was approved for all principals and the athletic director at South Adams High School.

•Heard the first reading of South Adams School Board policy #4332 concerning the employment of non-certified employees. The policy was amended to allow two personal days to non-certified employees who have been employed for fewer than 12 months. Previously, employees had to work a full year before receiving personal days.

•Received an update on the high school summer maintenance project at the high school.

Bailey said that construction is currently running ahead of schedule and the board may be presented with an amended timeline at the next meeting indicating that the electrical work will be completed in August instead of September, as originally scheduled.

Bailey added that this development does not change the price of the project.[[In-content Ad]]