MENTONE - Tippecanoe Valley High School vocational agriculture teacher Lisa Paxton is facing a possible reduction in the number of days on her teaching contract.

A public hearing was held Monday to give Paxton a chance to speak to school board members regarding the possible reduction.

Superintendent Dr. Karen S. Boling said Paxton's days would be reduced from a 240-day contract to a 195-day contract, or 9-1/2 months, due to state budget projections and school financial concerns.

Boling said she received the state budget projection approximately one month ago from the Senate, indicating new money received would be 1 percent. She said the board then became concerned with funding.

The 195-day contract "would be a basic contract for her," Boling said. "A normal teacher would have a 185-day contract."

Boling said the reduction would be a "worst-case scenario."

Paxton passed out informational binders to each board member and pamphlets to audience members explaining the agriculture program, including the FFA chapter.

Paxton said three main segments make up the agriculture program in any school: 1. classroom or laboratory - "where we're learning to do things for the whole ag industry"; 2. FFA - where life skills are applied; and 3. Supervised Agricultural Experience - where students learn and apply their skills.

"Basically we're here to learn about knowledge," she said.

When Paxton was hired in 1985, she said, 63 courses were offered in the agriculture department. Now, she said, "we've diversified" into more agriculture industry classes instead of just farm classes.

Paxton explained work and activities she and her students do throughout the year, including summer activities.

After more than hour of activity explanations and agriculture history, board member Tom Weaver asked Paxton to get to the main area of concern - a solution to funding.

"Out of respect to your students (in the audience), let's get to the main part," Weaver said. He said the board understands that Paxton does a lot with her students, but what needed to be discussed Monday was how to resolve the funding issue.

"I feel like I've done to the best of my ability to cut expenses," Paxton said. For example, she said, she obtained her bus driver's license to cut costs of paying a bus driver on their trips.

"I believe that the ag education program is built to a respectable level," Paxton said. "To date, I have 68 days already dedicated to my 55-day contract and I have until June."

Board member Mark Wise asked Paxton if the reduction would keep her from teaching any classes. Paxton said no, but she would like to leave the days available for the students.

"I feel like we're taking the organization that has the most leadership in the school ... ," she said.

"We have to come up with a solution," Weaver said. "What would satisfy you?"

"I feel like it takes more than 195 days," Paxton said. "If we have to go less than (240 days) ... surrounding counties do go less than that."

Paxton suggested signing a one-year contract dropping the days to 215.

"I don't stop at 240 days and say 'I'm done,'" Paxton said.

"We have a lot of good employees," Weaver said. "That's a sign you're a good teacher (working more than the contracted days). I think you've proved tonight with your presentation that you do do a lot."

No decision was made on Paxton's contract. Boling said the board would take Paxton's remarks into consideration and a decision will be made May 14.

Upcoming school board meetings are scheduled for May 14 and June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Mentone Elementary School. Board members also will attend an ISBA spring regional meeting in Plymouth at 6 p.m. May 23.

The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are: president Rod Eaton, David O'Brien, Hal Hoffman, Tom Weaver and Mark Wise. Superintendent is Dr. Karen Boling. [[In-content Ad]]