April 21, 2020 at 5:12 p.m.
JC shifts grad date, requirements
Jay Schools
JC shifts grad date, requirements
The date for Jay County High School’s commencement has been changed, and graduation requirements for the COVID-19 impacted Class of 2020 have been adjusted.
Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley, who has been working with this year’s seniors on a drive-in commencement in the face of the pandemic, told Jay School Board on Monday he’s moving the event one day earlier.
Originally set for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, JCHS commencement will instead be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6.
The change, Gulley noted, allows flexibility in the event of bad weather. If there’s severe weather Saturday, commencement will be held Sunday. His intent was to avoid the need to reschedule the event on a weekday.
Board members Phil Ford, Krista Muhlenkamp, Ron Laux, Chris Snow, Donna Geesaman, Mike Shannon and Jason Phillips, unanimously approved adjustments in graduation requirements as a result of the COVID-19-related closing of school.
“This pertains only to the senior class,” said JCHS principal Chad Dodd. “This is only for the Class of 2020.”
Under Dodd’s recommendations, which were based on guidance from the state department of education, the number of required credits will be reduced from 46 to the state required minimum of 40. Senior service learning, public meeting requirements for government students and the swim test for physical education credit will be waived.
Students will have the option of completing course work on-line or taking an incomplete in a course. Any F’s will be changed to incomplete.
Both Dodd and Gulley urged students to complete the course work, noting that an incomplete could have repercussions in the future.
“My best advice for seniors is to finish all course work,” said Dodd.
“We’d like you to stay on board until you finish,” said Gulley.
Gulley praised Jay Schools staff, parents and teachers for their handling of the changes that the pandemic has thrust upon the school corporation.
“As of this week,” he said, “we’ve served 83,000 meals to Jay County kids since the schools were closed. … It’s working very successfully.”
Gulley also put out a request for a donor to step forward with a $1,860 contribution to pay for yard signs from Display Craft for every graduating member of the Class of 2020. That changed this morning, as Jay Schools announced via Facebook that Gulley had decided to make the donation himself.
“He is asking any individual, organization or business to match or exceed the donation so more good can be done,” the post said. “Any contribution (regardless of amount) is welcome. ... Make checks payable to the ‘Jay County High School Class of 2020 Fund’ and mail them to Jay County High School 2072 IN-67, Portland, IN 47371, attention Linda Gray. Donations will support items and activities for our seniors.”
E-learning has been working as well, Gulley said during the meeting.
“We are being resilient and adaptive, creative and innovative,” said Gulley.
School corporation technical staff members are working with families who have limited or no internet access, and Gulley said he is considering allowing students to keep Chromebooks over the summer.
Coronavirus could also have an impact on school finances.
While property taxes are still due May 12, penalties for late payment have been extended by the state until summer. That could interrupt the flow of cash into the school corporation’s coffers.
“To ensure we have a positive cash balance in the operation fund, I am requesting permission to apply for a tax anticipation loan with the Indiana Bond Bank,” business manager Tarinna Morris told the board in a memo. “This loan would be paid back prior to Dec. 31, 2020.”
Board members approved the tax anticipation warrants unanimously.
In other business, board members:
•Approved a continuous learning plan as required by the Indiana Department of Education.
•Approved the retirement of fourth grade teacher Susan Lechlitner.
•Accepted the resignation of second grade teacher Cori Sieg.
•Approved an extracurricular contract for Marcie Vormohr as middle school swim coach.
Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley, who has been working with this year’s seniors on a drive-in commencement in the face of the pandemic, told Jay School Board on Monday he’s moving the event one day earlier.
Originally set for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, JCHS commencement will instead be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6.
The change, Gulley noted, allows flexibility in the event of bad weather. If there’s severe weather Saturday, commencement will be held Sunday. His intent was to avoid the need to reschedule the event on a weekday.
Board members Phil Ford, Krista Muhlenkamp, Ron Laux, Chris Snow, Donna Geesaman, Mike Shannon and Jason Phillips, unanimously approved adjustments in graduation requirements as a result of the COVID-19-related closing of school.
“This pertains only to the senior class,” said JCHS principal Chad Dodd. “This is only for the Class of 2020.”
Under Dodd’s recommendations, which were based on guidance from the state department of education, the number of required credits will be reduced from 46 to the state required minimum of 40. Senior service learning, public meeting requirements for government students and the swim test for physical education credit will be waived.
Students will have the option of completing course work on-line or taking an incomplete in a course. Any F’s will be changed to incomplete.
Both Dodd and Gulley urged students to complete the course work, noting that an incomplete could have repercussions in the future.
“My best advice for seniors is to finish all course work,” said Dodd.
“We’d like you to stay on board until you finish,” said Gulley.
Gulley praised Jay Schools staff, parents and teachers for their handling of the changes that the pandemic has thrust upon the school corporation.
“As of this week,” he said, “we’ve served 83,000 meals to Jay County kids since the schools were closed. … It’s working very successfully.”
Gulley also put out a request for a donor to step forward with a $1,860 contribution to pay for yard signs from Display Craft for every graduating member of the Class of 2020. That changed this morning, as Jay Schools announced via Facebook that Gulley had decided to make the donation himself.
“He is asking any individual, organization or business to match or exceed the donation so more good can be done,” the post said. “Any contribution (regardless of amount) is welcome. ... Make checks payable to the ‘Jay County High School Class of 2020 Fund’ and mail them to Jay County High School 2072 IN-67, Portland, IN 47371, attention Linda Gray. Donations will support items and activities for our seniors.”
E-learning has been working as well, Gulley said during the meeting.
“We are being resilient and adaptive, creative and innovative,” said Gulley.
School corporation technical staff members are working with families who have limited or no internet access, and Gulley said he is considering allowing students to keep Chromebooks over the summer.
Coronavirus could also have an impact on school finances.
While property taxes are still due May 12, penalties for late payment have been extended by the state until summer. That could interrupt the flow of cash into the school corporation’s coffers.
“To ensure we have a positive cash balance in the operation fund, I am requesting permission to apply for a tax anticipation loan with the Indiana Bond Bank,” business manager Tarinna Morris told the board in a memo. “This loan would be paid back prior to Dec. 31, 2020.”
Board members approved the tax anticipation warrants unanimously.
In other business, board members:
•Approved a continuous learning plan as required by the Indiana Department of Education.
•Approved the retirement of fourth grade teacher Susan Lechlitner.
•Accepted the resignation of second grade teacher Cori Sieg.
•Approved an extracurricular contract for Marcie Vormohr as middle school swim coach.
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