July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
School options studied (7/19/05)
Board reviews capital improvement plan
By By Jack Ronald-
Jay School Board members reviewed a three-year capital projects plan Monday which calls for about $3 million in work next year on local school facilities.
Board members took no action on the plan, which was presented by school corporation business manager Brad DeRome in connection with developing the 2006 school budget.
DeRome will present a 2006 budget for consideration at the board’s Aug. 8 meeting.
“We’ve tried to be conservative when we put together these plans,” DeRome said, noting that total assessed valuation of county property is expected to drop because of changes in the way farmland is assessed and because of the phase-out of the inventory tax.
He estimates total assessed valuation for the next budget year will be $698 million — down from almost $799 million in 2005.
As outlined by DeRome, the capital projects plan calls for budgeting $341,000 for work at Jay County High School, $145,500 for work at West Jay Middle School, including replacement of the gymnasium floor, $96,000 for work at Bloomfield Elementary School, $85,700 for work at East Elementary, $80,500 for work at East Jay Middle School, $71,400 for work at Redkey Elementary, $64,500 for work at the bus garage, $63,400 for work at Westlawn Elementary, $60,900 for work at General Shanks Elementary, $54,000 for work at Judge Haynes Elementary, and $45,000 for work at Pennville Elementary.
DeRome said the roof replacement at West Jay will be the biggest project in 2007 and 2008, with the job spread over two years. The building still has its original roof which is more than 20 years old.
He said summer work on school facilities is continuing, with several paving projects still to be done before school starts. The old seats have been removed from the auditorium at JCHS and the room has been painted, but the new seats have not yet been installed.
“We think we’re on schedule with that,” DeRome said.
Also Monday, a work ethic certification program recommended by superintendent Barbara Downing won 6-0 approval from the board, with Frank Vormohr absent, despite some skepticism.
The program, which goes into effect next school year, sets a standard so future employers will have a yardstick to measure individual work ethic.
To qualify, graduating seniors will have to meet standards on such items as discipline, attendance, absenteeism and tardiness in addition to academic performance.
Downing said the program has been implemented in Grant and Allen counties, and based upon her work with Jay County Development Corporation and the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce she felt it would be valuable here as well.
One aspect of the program — points for community service — found board member Bryan Alexander dubious.
“It would be hard to argue against the intent,” Alexander said. “The argument against service learning is: Is it really volunteer?”
“I see his point,” said board member Greg Wellman. “Does the program do anything for the kids who don’t have a good work ethic?”
Still, both board members voted to go forward.
“I don’t think it’s perfect, but I like the intent,” said Alexander.
In other business, the board:
•Approved through first reading board policy changes reflecting changes in state law on mentoring programs, the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and a moment of silence.
•Accepted the resignations of elementary teacher Nancy Monroe effective at the end of the next school year, high school math teacher Andy Wilkins effective this month and retiring high school math teacher Ed Bennett at the end of summer school.
•Approved hiring James Aich as a choir and music teacher and Amy Dillon as a special education teacher, both at EJMS, this fall.
•Approved extracurricular contracts for varsity boys soccer coach Alan Bailey and summer assistant band director Pete Vogler.
•Recalled three teachers — Dana Brown, Chandra Bettinger and Susan DeRome — whose jobs were in doubt.
•Approved individual contracts for the coming school year with bus drivers.
•Contracted for services for the next school year with music therapist Trina Pope and Adams Counseling and Assessments.
•Authorized a new agreement with Area 18 Career and Technical Education.
•Approved a grant application for the gifted and talented program.[[In-content Ad]]
Board members took no action on the plan, which was presented by school corporation business manager Brad DeRome in connection with developing the 2006 school budget.
DeRome will present a 2006 budget for consideration at the board’s Aug. 8 meeting.
“We’ve tried to be conservative when we put together these plans,” DeRome said, noting that total assessed valuation of county property is expected to drop because of changes in the way farmland is assessed and because of the phase-out of the inventory tax.
He estimates total assessed valuation for the next budget year will be $698 million — down from almost $799 million in 2005.
As outlined by DeRome, the capital projects plan calls for budgeting $341,000 for work at Jay County High School, $145,500 for work at West Jay Middle School, including replacement of the gymnasium floor, $96,000 for work at Bloomfield Elementary School, $85,700 for work at East Elementary, $80,500 for work at East Jay Middle School, $71,400 for work at Redkey Elementary, $64,500 for work at the bus garage, $63,400 for work at Westlawn Elementary, $60,900 for work at General Shanks Elementary, $54,000 for work at Judge Haynes Elementary, and $45,000 for work at Pennville Elementary.
DeRome said the roof replacement at West Jay will be the biggest project in 2007 and 2008, with the job spread over two years. The building still has its original roof which is more than 20 years old.
He said summer work on school facilities is continuing, with several paving projects still to be done before school starts. The old seats have been removed from the auditorium at JCHS and the room has been painted, but the new seats have not yet been installed.
“We think we’re on schedule with that,” DeRome said.
Also Monday, a work ethic certification program recommended by superintendent Barbara Downing won 6-0 approval from the board, with Frank Vormohr absent, despite some skepticism.
The program, which goes into effect next school year, sets a standard so future employers will have a yardstick to measure individual work ethic.
To qualify, graduating seniors will have to meet standards on such items as discipline, attendance, absenteeism and tardiness in addition to academic performance.
Downing said the program has been implemented in Grant and Allen counties, and based upon her work with Jay County Development Corporation and the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce she felt it would be valuable here as well.
One aspect of the program — points for community service — found board member Bryan Alexander dubious.
“It would be hard to argue against the intent,” Alexander said. “The argument against service learning is: Is it really volunteer?”
“I see his point,” said board member Greg Wellman. “Does the program do anything for the kids who don’t have a good work ethic?”
Still, both board members voted to go forward.
“I don’t think it’s perfect, but I like the intent,” said Alexander.
In other business, the board:
•Approved through first reading board policy changes reflecting changes in state law on mentoring programs, the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and a moment of silence.
•Accepted the resignations of elementary teacher Nancy Monroe effective at the end of the next school year, high school math teacher Andy Wilkins effective this month and retiring high school math teacher Ed Bennett at the end of summer school.
•Approved hiring James Aich as a choir and music teacher and Amy Dillon as a special education teacher, both at EJMS, this fall.
•Approved extracurricular contracts for varsity boys soccer coach Alan Bailey and summer assistant band director Pete Vogler.
•Recalled three teachers — Dana Brown, Chandra Bettinger and Susan DeRome — whose jobs were in doubt.
•Approved individual contracts for the coming school year with bus drivers.
•Contracted for services for the next school year with music therapist Trina Pope and Adams Counseling and Assessments.
•Authorized a new agreement with Area 18 Career and Technical Education.
•Approved a grant application for the gifted and talented program.[[In-content Ad]]
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