Construction work OK’d for schools

Muhlenkamp Building Corporation was awarded a $3,461,597 contract Monday to renovate and repurpose portions of Jay County High School as part of a consolidation to a grade 7 through 12, junior-senior high school facility.

Approval came on a 4-0 vote, with board member Krista Muhlenkamp abstaining and Chris Snow unable to attend because of work obligations.

“This bid was under estimate,” said superintendent Jeremy Gulley. “That’s a good thing.”

Muhlenkamp was also the low bidder and was awarded contracts for work this summer at JCHS, Redkey Elementary School, Bloomfield Elementary School and East Jay Middle School.

Also approved on a 4-0 vote were contracts to have Muhlenkamp construct a secure entry at Redkey at a cost of $34,475, similar work on Bloomfield at a cost of $32,512, similar work at East Jay at a cost of $31,327 and secure entry work at JCHS at a cost of $84,380.

Mid States Concrete was awarded a $74,853 contract for work at JCHS to separate the junior and senior high grade levels.

The board voted 5-0 to approve Jason Phillips as the board’s newest member, filling the vacancy of Kristi Betts who resigned this spring.

“What a tough decision,” said Gulley. “A lot of good people were wanting to serve.”

Phillips, a lifelong resident of Jay County and a JCHS graduate, is senior manager of purchasing at FCC (Indiana).

Andrew Schmit was tapped to fill the role of interim principal at East Jay on a contract stretching from July 1 to June 30, 2020 for $84,976. 

Gulley noted that the role is interim because after the 2019-2020 school year, East Jay will be eliminated due to consolidation.

Schmit has served as assistant principal for several years.

In another move related to consolidation, the board authorized the hiring of “high need instructional assistants” to help on a one-year interim basis to fill staffing gaps related to attrition. 

Once consolidation is complete, those temporary positions in elementary art, computers, physical education and remediation will be eliminated.

Business manager Tarinna Morris informed the board that the projected year-end red ink in the education fund has been reduced to $28,440. That’s $91,334 lower than had been projected in April.

Gulley said he’s optimistic. “I think there’s a real good chance we can end the year in the black,” he said.

Student enrollment at the end of the school year was unchanged from September. For the past six years, enrollment has dropped each year by an average of 33 students.

“This year was flat,” said Gulley. “Flat is good.”

The board backed a teacher-driven proposal for a change in reading textbooks at the elementary level next year. 

Textbook rental fees will rise as a result, but the switch had enthusiastic support elementary teachers.

“It’s what’s best for kids,” said board member Donna Geesaman, a retired teacher. “We need to make sure they read. … I think that’s our responsibility.”

The shift will boost rental fees by $22 to $39.

In other business, the board:

•Heard Gulley report that he is still working with local law enforcement on hiring a full-time school resource officer. “We’re trying to find what makes the best sense for all concerned,” he said. 

•Authorized Morris to advertise for bids on diesel fuel and gasoline.

•Hired Todd Farr as a special education teacher, Bridget Yowell as a third grade teacher and Jillian Atkinson as a fifth grade teacher.

•Approved the retirements of teachers Rod Wolford and Jeff Hess and guidance director Vickie Reitz.

•Accepted the resignations of book Jane Fraley, instructional assistant Cindy Fifer, history teacher Lydia Elsea, physical education teacher Travis Theurer, bus driver Richard Jones and guidance counselor Amy Reinhard.

•Contracted with Signature Therapy Services LLC and Hillside Therapy Services LLC for occupational therapy services.

•Approved extra-curricular assignments for Brian Carr as JCHS boys’ assistant basketball coach, Krista Wellman as assistant student council adviser at JCHS, Mitchell James as JCHS freshman football coach, Amber Yadon as JCHS student council adviser and Brea Burcham as cheer coach at West Jay Middle School.

•Accepted the extra-curricular resignations of Holly Farr as intramural basketball coach at Westlawn Elementary School, Amy Dillon as sixth grade volleyball coach at East Jay, Lauren Runkle as intramural track coach at Redkey, Katie Clark as assistant sponsor of JCHS student council and Jacquelin Analco as sponsor of JCHS student council and art club.

•Approved field trips by the JCHS girls’ basketball teach and eighth graders from East Jay and West Jay.

•Amended the dress code in the elementary school student handbook to specify that “flip flops and slides are not to be worn to school.”