Triton Seeks New Superintendent
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Julie Harvey-
At Monday's Triton School Board meeting, former board member and patron Steve Blackford thanked Superintendent Ted Chittum for his excellent career as the corporation's superintendent, adding that it was a pleasure to work with a man with such leadership skills and great guidance abilities.[[In-content Ad]]Chittum has resigned as superintendent to take a new job effective sometime in July. He will continue in his responsibilities until then.
An executive session, which will cover the process in a search for a new superintendent, is scheduled for Feb. 21.
Karin McFarland, Kathy Blackford and Katie Wilging presented the Triton Spotlight at Monday's school board meeting.
They focused on the new preschool and the daily activities and progress that the children were involved in. An extensive slideshow depicted the children in their learning environment participating in hands-on activities.
Wilging indicated the five boys are all challenged with special needs. One is diagnosed with autism. The boys go through a consistent routine daily to promote repetition and structure.
Some of the activities that they focus on are occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. One technique used by staff is "brushing," which is based on the theory of sensory integration; the brushing technique uses a specific method of stimulation to help the brain organize sensory information. The teachers are very pleased with the result and are excited by the huge progress each of the boys are making.
The children also learn a letter and a number per week, as well as working on fine and gross motor skills. Chittum expressed his satisfaction in the program and thanked the teachers for their commitment and dedication.
The board approved several personnel changes, including the additional stipend for Kay Lattimer, assistant principal, who has stepped up to be the interim elementary school principal as a result of Rebecca Dennis' resignation.
The board also approved the resignation of Jeremy Riffle as current sixth-grade teacher, and his hiring as the new assistant principal for the remainder of the school year. Riffle thanked the board for their confidence in him and the opportunity to serve the school in this capacity.
The board approved the resignation of David Dady as school bus driver. They also approved unanimously on the following hires: Shannon Stevens as school bus driver, Kevin Boyer as the junior high golf coach, Marcia Keyser as sixth-grade teacher for the remainder of the school year, and Christine Cook as a member of the steering committee.
Chittum's report included the very real concern with the lost school days due to weather. Triton has experienced six consecutive delays because of the inclement weather. The schedule that Triton would like to implement for the kindergarten children, once all parents are notified, is as follows: Morning kindergarten, 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon kindergarten, 1 to 3:05 p.m. Etna drop off will be at 12:15 p.m. and Tippecanoe drop off at 12:30 p.m.
The board approved the hire of Mark Wager as the school corporation attorney. Wagner is currently the Bremen school attorney as well. He is a partner in the office of Wyland, Humphrey, Wagner, Gifford and Clevenger LLP, Plymouth.
Senior High Principal Mike Chobonov reported to the board that the students would be participating in the science fair within a week. Also, wrestling coach Sam Davis will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Indianapolis Feb. 17. Chobonov and Chittum will be present for the award.
Wrestlers Chad Almer and Blake Hoffman are in the state finals after successes in Merrillville's semi state match.
ISTEP retesting is scheduled for March.
Nine choir students are participating in the upcoming state competition.
The board approved to change the April 14 meeting to April 7.
At Monday's Triton School Board meeting, former board member and patron Steve Blackford thanked Superintendent Ted Chittum for his excellent career as the corporation's superintendent, adding that it was a pleasure to work with a man with such leadership skills and great guidance abilities.[[In-content Ad]]Chittum has resigned as superintendent to take a new job effective sometime in July. He will continue in his responsibilities until then.
An executive session, which will cover the process in a search for a new superintendent, is scheduled for Feb. 21.
Karin McFarland, Kathy Blackford and Katie Wilging presented the Triton Spotlight at Monday's school board meeting.
They focused on the new preschool and the daily activities and progress that the children were involved in. An extensive slideshow depicted the children in their learning environment participating in hands-on activities.
Wilging indicated the five boys are all challenged with special needs. One is diagnosed with autism. The boys go through a consistent routine daily to promote repetition and structure.
Some of the activities that they focus on are occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. One technique used by staff is "brushing," which is based on the theory of sensory integration; the brushing technique uses a specific method of stimulation to help the brain organize sensory information. The teachers are very pleased with the result and are excited by the huge progress each of the boys are making.
The children also learn a letter and a number per week, as well as working on fine and gross motor skills. Chittum expressed his satisfaction in the program and thanked the teachers for their commitment and dedication.
The board approved several personnel changes, including the additional stipend for Kay Lattimer, assistant principal, who has stepped up to be the interim elementary school principal as a result of Rebecca Dennis' resignation.
The board also approved the resignation of Jeremy Riffle as current sixth-grade teacher, and his hiring as the new assistant principal for the remainder of the school year. Riffle thanked the board for their confidence in him and the opportunity to serve the school in this capacity.
The board approved the resignation of David Dady as school bus driver. They also approved unanimously on the following hires: Shannon Stevens as school bus driver, Kevin Boyer as the junior high golf coach, Marcia Keyser as sixth-grade teacher for the remainder of the school year, and Christine Cook as a member of the steering committee.
Chittum's report included the very real concern with the lost school days due to weather. Triton has experienced six consecutive delays because of the inclement weather. The schedule that Triton would like to implement for the kindergarten children, once all parents are notified, is as follows: Morning kindergarten, 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon kindergarten, 1 to 3:05 p.m. Etna drop off will be at 12:15 p.m. and Tippecanoe drop off at 12:30 p.m.
The board approved the hire of Mark Wager as the school corporation attorney. Wagner is currently the Bremen school attorney as well. He is a partner in the office of Wyland, Humphrey, Wagner, Gifford and Clevenger LLP, Plymouth.
Senior High Principal Mike Chobonov reported to the board that the students would be participating in the science fair within a week. Also, wrestling coach Sam Davis will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Indianapolis Feb. 17. Chobonov and Chittum will be present for the award.
Wrestlers Chad Almer and Blake Hoffman are in the state finals after successes in Merrillville's semi state match.
ISTEP retesting is scheduled for March.
Nine choir students are participating in the upcoming state competition.
The board approved to change the April 14 meeting to April 7.
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