Resolution approved

Jay School Board during a special meeting Monday approved a resolution allowing superintendent Jeremy Gulley to act on its behalf in regard to the response to the Sept. 22 tornado that hit Jay County Junior-Senior High School.

The resolution deems the aftermath of the tornado as an emergency situation and authorizes Gulley or his designees as purchasing agents for the school corporation.

For any actions that are not required immediately, the superintendent will consult with the school board president. The board is to be updated on any actions no later than its next regular meeting.

The resolution allows Gulley to “take any and all actions as they deem necessary or desirable to address the damages sustained during the Sept. 22 weather event to regain and ensure continuing school function and the safety and well-being of our school community.” It is retroactive to 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

Gulley explained that the resolution is specific to those topics, noting that the reconstruction of the junior high area and IMC (library) will follow a more traditional path with project bidding and board approval of contracts. He also shared fresh photos from the damaged area of the school, with carpeting removed and some walls stripped to the studs.

Board members Ron Laux, Phil Ford, Donna Geesaman, Jason Phillips, Vickie Reitz, Marcie Vormohr and Chip Phillips unanimously approved the resolution without comment on it directly.

Gulley reported to the board that he met with insurance representatives Sept. 25, less than 72 hours after an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 110 miles per hour hit the southeast corner of the school. Those meetings will continue at 9 a.m. each Wednesday as the school corporation goes through the recovery process. Claims adjusters were on site Monday.

Junior-senior high students returned to school Monday, with the damaged area sealed off from the rest of the building and displaced students and teachers utilizing spaces such as the choir room, breezeway and classrooms in which teachers are on their prep periods. Students gathered in the gym at the beginning of the day for an update from administrators and information about changes that were being implemented.

“I read to them what a Patriot was, as defined in the dictionary,” said junior-senior high principal Chad Dodd. “The two words that I stressed to them were ‘boldly support’ — just take care of one another, look out for one another, help one another. … That’s what we want to do.”

“(The students) did well,” he added, noting that counselors and administrators were walking the halls to help direct junior high students where they needed to go. “After lunch, they were getting it. … It went a lot smoother in the afternoon. I think each day will get better.”

Dodd said there will be minor tweaks based on lessons learned Monday, such as making the bus drop-off on the east side of the build more efficient.

Gulley reiterated that he is awaiting approval from the corporation’s insurance firm to bring in mobile classrooms. He said he expects 10 will be needed, adding that where they will be located hasn’t been determined. (He pointed out that access to utilities is needed.)

On the reconstruction front, the superintendent said he expects to utilize architecture firm Barton Coe Vilamaa — the company has handled projects for the school corporation for more than two decades, including the renovation of the area that was damaged by the tornado — to put together plans. He also noted that a construction manager will be needed to oversee the work.

While board members didn’t have questions or comments on the resolution, they offered plenty of praise for school staff that worked to get students back in the junior-senior high building Monday. (Classes throughout the corporation were called off Sept. 23, with the junior-senior high on e-learning the next day and then remote learning Wednesday through Friday.)

“We have a lot of treasure out there, and the real treasure we have out there wasn’t in the building,” said Ford, who preceded Dodd as principal, referencing students. “And the rest of it is just stuff.

“We’re fortunate to have the leadership that we have, from Jeremy to (facilities director) Gary (Cagle) to Chad …

“We’re blessed that it didn’t damage any more than it did. We’re blessed to have the leadership that we have. And we’re most of all blessed that we didn’t have any of our kids get a scratch.” 

Gulley also informed the board that Indiana Department of Education has approved a waiver for the day of school that was canceled Sept. 23 because of the tornado. That day will not need to be made up.