JACKSON CENTER — Jackson Center Board of Education prepared for the 2017-18 school year by hiring teachers and other fiscal items at its June 19 meeting.
The board approved the hiring of Dawn Luthman as the high school english teacher, Trisha Reichert as certified aide, Rhonda Burch as seventh-grade volleyball coach, Erin Pence as volunteer high school volleyball assistant coach and Jason Huber as high school soccer assistant coach. Board member Brad Wren obstained from voting on Burch, Pence and Huber because he is Pence’s father. The board also accepted Hayley Richard’s resignation.
A 4 percent increase in total wages during the first year of contracts for classified staff was approved, and a 3 percent increase in the second year of their contracts.
The board also accepted $653.57 from an anonymous donor for the athletic fund and a donation of $500.63 from the Jackson Center Community for new library books.
New lunch prices were approved, and will be $2.25 for kindergarten through third-grade and $2.50 for fourth-grade through grade 12. This is an increase of 10 cents for each price. They also approved a meal charge policy for lunches, allowing for up to three charged meals with payment required at a later date.
A discussion on placement and layout of the proposed high school soccer field and track was brought up by Jackson Center resident Gene Markley. He also had questions about plans for sidewalks on the west side of the track, which are part of village planning. Another resident, Brian Hensley, asked the board questions to better understand the layout of the soccer field and track relative to his home, which is on the west edge adjacent to the planned field and track.
Also in attendance were Katelyn Seger, Charity Byers, Dawn Luthman, Stephanie Watercutter, Jeanette Neeley and Jayleynn Curtis. Seger and Watercutter have accepted offers to work as special education teachers at Jackson Center and Byers has accepted an offer to be a hearing impaired interpreter for the school.
There was also a public hearing on the use of Special Education IDEA Part B funds, but there was no one in attendance for this issue. IDEA Part B funding is used to support special education for children ages three to 21.
Revenues and expenditures continue on a pace which, other than transfers made for the building project, would result in a favorable 2017 fiscal year. The board also requested any excess 2003 bond funds be transferred into the permanent improvement fund by the Shelby County Budget Commission. The request is still pending.
The board approved the transfer of up to $60,000 from the general fund to the food service fund, and also approved adjustments to the 2017-2018 appropriations as recommended by the Treasurer Tony Meyer.
Principal Ginger Heuker shared preliminary results of third-grade reading testing in which Jackson Center Local Schools had a 93 percent passage rate which, unofficially, was the highest in the county.
Superintendent Bill Reichert provided an update on the building project. Demolition has begun on the 1965 building as part of the renovation phase in that area and the 1982 athletic complex area. The public auction was successful and a small, secondary auction will be hosted for items, including furniture, that were a part of the administrative offices. Early occupancy into administrative offices in the new building was approved and those moves have been occurring. The two-story building will be a part of demolition to begin in the coming days and bricks will be piled for public consumption as a keepsake.
The next Jackson Center Board of Education meeting is planned for Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m.
