Dr. Anthony Etienne will return as the new principal of Claypool Elementary School and the Warsaw Community Schools gifted/talented coordinator, it was announced at Monday's Warsaw School Board meeting.

He fills the Claypool position vacated by Deborah Blatz, who resigned as principal to become the NCI assistant director.

Etienne, who retired in 2001, was the assistant principal for Warsaw Community Schools for 10 years. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Meinrad College, his master's degree from Spalding College and his doctorate from Indiana University.

A public hearing was held to review the proposed 2003 budget. Rande Thorpe presented an overview of key points in the proposal. The proposed budget is $47,384,284, an increase of 2.41 percent over 2002, down from last year's increase of 3.92 percent. The budget will be voted upon at a special meeting Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.

In response to questions about the status of proposed construction at WCHS, it was stated that the proposal was put on hold in March, due to concerns about the state financial crisis, the unknown impact of the "No Child Left Behind" legislation, national financial and economics concerns, state funding and budget and WCS change of personnel.

The board will reevaluate the proposals and proceed with "things left undone." Those items include: an auditorium, weight and wrestling enhancements, outside physical development, technology additions and HVAC upgrades and energy management.

In other personnel changes:

• Instructional contracts were approved for: Rachell Abair, Leesburg; Amanda Bailey, Washington; Ben Barkey, Edgewood; Melissa Blackford, Lincoln; Matt Gratton, assistant band director, WCHS; and Deborah Locke, Lakeview

• Extracurricular contracts were approved for: Melissa Blackford, Lincoln; Scott Erba, WCHS; Gretchen Gearhart, Jefferson; Holly Grossman, Lincoln; Pardee Gunter, Washington; and Elizabeth Irvine, Lakeview.

• Resignations were accepted for extracurricular personnel: Deb Wiley, Silver Lake; Jon Hill, Lakeview; Gary Mohler, Washington; and Sara Robbins, WCHS; and Angela Kleopfer requested a reduction to part time.

In other business, it was announced that:

• The board election filing for Districts 1, 2, 5 and 7 will end at noon Aug. 23 for the fall election.

• Six have expressed interest in the District 4 position vacated by Chuck Sauders: James Eisenbaum, Terry Klondaris, Laurie McCutcheon, Mark Minatel, Keith Piper and Paulette Sauders.

• A community recognition reception open house to honor the retirement of Dr. Lee Harman will be Monday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at WCHS cafeteria.

• Community recognition for advertisements regarding Harmon's open house was given to: Reinholt's Town Square Furniture, Warsaw Community Foundation for Public Education Inc., Lake City Bank, R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Times-Union and Biomet Inc.

• Pepsi was recognized for the donation of a sign board at Lakeview Middle School valued at $4,500.

• Students and staff at Eisenhower Elementary were recognized for their assistance in "Project Eagle," a Red Cross initiative to collect and box items for U.S. Armed Forces personnel.

• The following WCS bus drivers were recognized for a smooth and safe transportation program for students during summer school: Marti Barber, Donna Castle, Jackie Clase, Bob Farrington, Lynn Feldman, Colleen Fritcher, Ken Hampton, Clelda Harreld, Dennis Hoskins, Sally Johnson, Kevin Jones, Leah Jones, Martha Klinger, Sheri Krichbaum, Carol Koenig, Martha Paxton, LuAnn Poling, Mary Jane Prater, Beverly Shaw, Mel Weaver and Connie ice as an aide.

• Cathy Folk was elected vice president of the board.

Other school board members are: Craig Allebach, president, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, James Folk, and Roy Szymanski. The next meeting will be the special meeting Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. to vote on the proposed 2003 budget. [[In-content Ad]]