All Valley Schools Get Accreditation
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
Angela Miller, curriculum director, said all schools in the corporation were granted accreditation from the North Central Association Commission.
A quality assurance team visited Tippecanoe Valley Schools March 10-12.[[In-content Ad]]The school corporation was commended for the creation of the Burket Alternative Education Center, its use of research-based instructional models, and developing partnerships with local businesses, Miller said.
In terms of areas for improvement, both critiques centered around more and better communication between teachers, students and parents.
A full report can be viewed at www.tvsc.k12.in.us/
Board members listened to a presentation by Brad Lee of Lee Company, Terre Haute, concerning the possible replacement of bleachers in the high school's gym. The current bleachers are nearly 40 years old.
When someone in the audience questioned why the school needed new bleachers, the board was quick to respond.
"You don't want to wait to buy a new car until the one you own is done," said school board member Rod Eaton.
The board explained the current bleachers don't meet new building codes and aren't handicap-accessible.
There are several problems with getting new bleachers.
Lee told the board that the cost of bleachers is escalating due to rising fuel costs. He also explained that due to new regulations, the seat width must go from 15 inches to 18 inches. With that, along with other modifications in building codes, the gym could lose up to 30 percent of its seating capacity.
"I know if that were the case this year we'd have to turn people away for at least two basketball games," said board member Hal Hoffman. "And what about graduation?"
"What you're going through is what every school in the state is going through," Lee said.
The board declined to make a motion concerning bleachers and will continue to review its options.
During the "Spotlight on Valley" portion of the school board's meeting, several retired teachers were recognized.
Kathy Eggleston, Joyce Harmon, Jerry Jackson, Alona Leininger and Ken Murphy all will retire at the end of this year.
The board also recognized members of the Mentone Spell Bowl Team with coach Sally Bales, the Mentone Math Team with coach Vonda Ryman, and the Mentone Elementary School Student Council with sponsor Misty Cripe.
Taylor Trippiedi and Lauren Early were recognized for being the champion and runnerup respectively in the Mentone Elementary School Spelling Bee.
Several perfect ISTEP scores also were recognized by the board.
Alex Komkowski had a perfect score on the third-grade language arts section, and Dylan Warner had a perfect score on the third-grade math section.
Ronnie Wilson, Sidney Schaeffer, Kromkowski, Hunter Early, Alex Craig, Jessica Demske and Gabrielle Michaelson all had a perfect score on the third-grade writing rubric. Aris Long had a perfect score in the fourth-grade writing rubric, while Jordan LaCroix, Trippiedi, Thresa Wilson, Early, Kaitlyn Shilling, Rachel Stanek and Chelsea Kidd all had perfect scores on the fifth-grade writing rubric.
The board also approved the resolution for tax anticipation warrants and the notice to bidders for the tax anticipation warrants.
The board decided to proceed with steps toward improvements at the Burket Educational Center.
The board approved a measure to pursue a grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. They also approved a request to proceed with the development of a request for proposals for facility upgrades.
TVHS Principal Kirk Doehrmann presented information on Project Lead The Way. The project encourages the development of engineering classes in high school, and works with Purdue University to provide college credits to high school students who take these classes.
The cost of developing such classes is made possible through a $15,000 grant through Project Lead The Way.
Board President Mark Wise asked if more money would be needed down the road.
Doehrmann said the grant money down the road is based on the number of students in these classes, and that these classes fit in the vocational department.
In other business the board:
n Approved the minutes of their April 21 meeting.
n Approved the hiring of Wes Backus as a building trades instructor for the high school.
n Approved Joshua Clark as a part-time custodian at the middle school.
n Approved Renee Gagnon as the assistant girls varsity softball coach.
n Accepted the resignations of Jennifer Smith, a teacher at Mentone Elementary, and Alison Larty, a teacher at the middle school and high school. Larty is going to teach in Ecuador for two years.
n Approved a Sunday trip to watch a Fort Wayne Wizards for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
n Approved changes to student handbooks for the 2008-09 school year.
Angela Miller, curriculum director, said all schools in the corporation were granted accreditation from the North Central Association Commission.
A quality assurance team visited Tippecanoe Valley Schools March 10-12.[[In-content Ad]]The school corporation was commended for the creation of the Burket Alternative Education Center, its use of research-based instructional models, and developing partnerships with local businesses, Miller said.
In terms of areas for improvement, both critiques centered around more and better communication between teachers, students and parents.
A full report can be viewed at www.tvsc.k12.in.us/
Board members listened to a presentation by Brad Lee of Lee Company, Terre Haute, concerning the possible replacement of bleachers in the high school's gym. The current bleachers are nearly 40 years old.
When someone in the audience questioned why the school needed new bleachers, the board was quick to respond.
"You don't want to wait to buy a new car until the one you own is done," said school board member Rod Eaton.
The board explained the current bleachers don't meet new building codes and aren't handicap-accessible.
There are several problems with getting new bleachers.
Lee told the board that the cost of bleachers is escalating due to rising fuel costs. He also explained that due to new regulations, the seat width must go from 15 inches to 18 inches. With that, along with other modifications in building codes, the gym could lose up to 30 percent of its seating capacity.
"I know if that were the case this year we'd have to turn people away for at least two basketball games," said board member Hal Hoffman. "And what about graduation?"
"What you're going through is what every school in the state is going through," Lee said.
The board declined to make a motion concerning bleachers and will continue to review its options.
During the "Spotlight on Valley" portion of the school board's meeting, several retired teachers were recognized.
Kathy Eggleston, Joyce Harmon, Jerry Jackson, Alona Leininger and Ken Murphy all will retire at the end of this year.
The board also recognized members of the Mentone Spell Bowl Team with coach Sally Bales, the Mentone Math Team with coach Vonda Ryman, and the Mentone Elementary School Student Council with sponsor Misty Cripe.
Taylor Trippiedi and Lauren Early were recognized for being the champion and runnerup respectively in the Mentone Elementary School Spelling Bee.
Several perfect ISTEP scores also were recognized by the board.
Alex Komkowski had a perfect score on the third-grade language arts section, and Dylan Warner had a perfect score on the third-grade math section.
Ronnie Wilson, Sidney Schaeffer, Kromkowski, Hunter Early, Alex Craig, Jessica Demske and Gabrielle Michaelson all had a perfect score on the third-grade writing rubric. Aris Long had a perfect score in the fourth-grade writing rubric, while Jordan LaCroix, Trippiedi, Thresa Wilson, Early, Kaitlyn Shilling, Rachel Stanek and Chelsea Kidd all had perfect scores on the fifth-grade writing rubric.
The board also approved the resolution for tax anticipation warrants and the notice to bidders for the tax anticipation warrants.
The board decided to proceed with steps toward improvements at the Burket Educational Center.
The board approved a measure to pursue a grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. They also approved a request to proceed with the development of a request for proposals for facility upgrades.
TVHS Principal Kirk Doehrmann presented information on Project Lead The Way. The project encourages the development of engineering classes in high school, and works with Purdue University to provide college credits to high school students who take these classes.
The cost of developing such classes is made possible through a $15,000 grant through Project Lead The Way.
Board President Mark Wise asked if more money would be needed down the road.
Doehrmann said the grant money down the road is based on the number of students in these classes, and that these classes fit in the vocational department.
In other business the board:
n Approved the minutes of their April 21 meeting.
n Approved the hiring of Wes Backus as a building trades instructor for the high school.
n Approved Joshua Clark as a part-time custodian at the middle school.
n Approved Renee Gagnon as the assistant girls varsity softball coach.
n Accepted the resignations of Jennifer Smith, a teacher at Mentone Elementary, and Alison Larty, a teacher at the middle school and high school. Larty is going to teach in Ecuador for two years.
n Approved a Sunday trip to watch a Fort Wayne Wizards for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
n Approved changes to student handbooks for the 2008-09 school year.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092