MENTONE - Tippecanoe Valley will add an extended day kindergarten program beginning in September.

Mary Ann Irwin, Burket Elementary School principal and Tippecanoe School Corp. curriculum director, presented information regarding the program to board members Monday.

She said the program is designed to help students who need additional schooling. Cost for the program is $5 per day per student or $25 per week.

"We do not anticipate making a profit on this," Irwin said. "We just want to make our expenses."

She said the program is self-funding and she plans to get sponsorship to help with the costs.

Board members approved the program Monday. Irwin said she anticipates the program will begin Sept. 1.

In other business:

• Justin Warstler, Akron Elementary School, was recognized for being chosen the 2001 winner of the David Deuter Memorial fifthgrade essay contest, sponsored by the Indiana Troopers Association.

Warstler read his essay, "Drug Free, The Way To Be," to board members Monday.

"Justin not only won an award," superintendent Dr. Karen Boling said, "but he received a $500 savings bond from the Indiana Troopers Association."

• Boling reported that the break-in at TVHS during the last week of school has been reported to Crime Stoppers. She said one junior high girl called in to Crime Stoppers with information, but it was information they already knew and have already investigated.

• Brad Hagg, technical adviser for Tippecanoe Valley School Corp., reported information on the school's Internet safety and acceptable use policy. Hagg said he split the policy into two: one for faculty and staff and one for students.

"It is for educational use and the teacher should be managing that use at all times," Haag said of the Internet.

He also said the Internet filter will be updated in September when a new system comes out that will filter out 36 different categories. The filter the school currently uses filters out only eight different categories. Hagg will bring more information to the board next month for approval.

• Board members approved the following resignations: Eric Thompson as a teacher at Burket Elementary School and junior varsity boy's basketball coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School; Sherry Austin as secretary/treasurer for Burket Elementary School; and Todd Burch as I.C.E. coordinator and business teacher at TVHS.

• Board members approved the following: the retirement of Chester Traver as custodian at Mentone Elementary School, and hiring the following at TVHS: Mike Howard as junior varsity volleyball coach, Larry Schuh as a Spanish teacher, Max Sloan as a math teacher and Mariala Hicks as an interpreter.

• Einstein grants were accepted in the total amount of $1,060 for the following: Jenny Baldwin ($100), Sally Bales ($100), Kay Brouyette and Joanna Rice ($200), Debra Miller, ($100), Katie Miller ($100), Miriam Ruppel ($100), and Julie Walker and Lavada Butt ($200), all of Akron; and Kay Garrett ($70) and Diana Shoemaker ($90), TVHS.

• DEKKO awards for teaching excellence were accepted for Lois Ann Buss ($1,000) and Wayne Cumberland ($1,000), both of TVHS.

• Board members accepted a donation of $3,000 from Kosciusko Community Hospital to Akron Elementary School, and approved school lunch prices for the 2001-2002 school year.

Mark Wise, board president, said last year's prices were as follows: elementary schools, $1.30; middle and high schools, $1.35; and adults, $2. Increases were approved for the elementary schools to $1.35, the high school to $1.40 and adults to $2.25.

Wise said there hasn't been an increase in the prices in the last three years.

• Board members elected and approved the following officers for the school board: president Mark Wise, vice president Rod Eaton, secretary Tom Weaver, treasurer Debbie Bumgardner, deputy treasurer Linda Murphy and physician Dr. Francisco Negreros.

• Board members approved meeting times for the board to remain the same: the second Monday of each month at Mentone Elementary School. The meeting time is 7 p.m. from December through March, and 7:30 p.m. for April through November. Board members said they may go to other schools for a few meetings out of the year for special spotlights.

• Upcoming school board meetings are scheduled for Aug. 13 and Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Mentone Elementary School. The public is invited. A budget workshop is set for July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Mentone, and the Indiana School Board Association annual fall conference is Sept. 24 and 25 in Indianapolis.

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