Warsaw Community School Corporation Superintendent Dave McGuire was present at Monday night's school board meeting, but not for long.

After hearing Warsaw School Board President Ron Yeiter announce that the investigation of McGuire's performance did not involve any criminal matters, McGuire stood up, quietly left the room and did not return.

"The investigation is still pending," said Yeiter during the meeting. "(McGuire's) contract is still pending."

The meeting continued without McGuire and his absence was not discussed by the board or the public.

"I think maybe (McGuire) felt uneasy sitting in on the meeting," said Yeiter after the meeting adjourned. "The investigation is still pending and the negotiations are going on right now. We hope to get this resolved."

Later in the meeting, the board approved the renewal of contracts for 28 administrators through June 30 of 2007. The current contracts expire June 30, 2006. McGuire's name was not on the list for renewal.

One action the board did not approve was the hiring of Barbara Hodge as the Treasurer/Accounting Coordinator. Although Chief Financial Officer Scott recommended Hodge for the position after a screening process and group interviews, board members still had reservations about the hiring when they learned that no current job description exists for the position. They also questioned the point that Hodge's pay would be on the same scale as a person with 26 years experience even though she does not have that amount of experience.

When Deb Wiggins asked if the investigation phone calls had been made, Scott told her no and said that he and others knew Hodge and knew she was qualified.

"I have difficulty supporting the recommendation at this time," said Deb Wiggins. "I'd like to see a job description. ... This is a important position."

Wiggins also said she had a problem with the fact that the investigative phone calls were not made and that the decision seemed to be based on friendship and personal relationships with the applicant.

After much discussion, the board decided not to accept the recommendation until more information is received. Chuck Sauders and Cathy Folk voted in favor of the hiring, while Wiggins, Tammy Dalton, Dan Robinson, Ron Yeiter and Gene England were opposed to the hiring at this time.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the resignations of Kay Kline, first grade teacher, Jefferson Elementary; Katie Young, part-time kindergarten teacher at Leesburg Elementary; Donna Pearson, instrumental band teacher and middle school instrumental music director at Edgewood and Lakeview middle schools; Paula Harris, language arts teacher, Edgewood Middle School; April Boggs and Nicole Brandt, middle school co-team leaders at Lakeview; Jeannie Francalancia, Spell Bowl Team sponsor, Lakeview; Mark McCollom, middle school team leader, Lakeview; Mark Alfano and Dennis Hershberger, seventh grade football coaches, Lakeview; Bill Kovach, spell bowl and film club sponsor, Warsaw Community High School; Mike Helper, assistant varsity baseball coach, WCHS; Scott Freds, varsity women's softball coach, WCHS; Will Shepherd, varsity baseball coach, WCHS; Jamie Gill, varsity assistant volleyball coach, WCHS; and Tanya Kempton, assistant women's varsity softball coach.

• Approved recommendations to hire Dana Kreamer, Title I teacher, Jefferson; Katherine McCollom, preschool teacher, based at Harrison Elementary School; Jason Culver, temporary physical education teacher, Leesburg; Ray Davis, physical education and health, split between Lakeview and Edgewood; Joseph Peloza, instrumental music teacher and middle school instrumental music director split between Lakeview and Edgewood; Kimberly Keyes, language arts teacher, Edgewood; Elise Malter, guidance counselor, WCHS; Anita Wagoner and Kathy McCoy, middle school team leaders, Lakeview; Jamie Gill, freshman volleyball coach, WCHS; Dustin Gill, varsity assistant volleyball coach, WCHS; Betsy Sudhoff, student council advisor, WCHS; Steve Henn, creative writing club, WCHS; Chris Foster, film club and spell bowl sponsor, WCHS; Mike Hepler, head varsity baseball coach, WCHS; Tanya Kempton, varsity women's softball coach, WCHS; Mark Alfano, assistant freshman football coach, WCHS; Dennis Hershberger, freshman football coach, WCHS; Melissa Rees, elementary administrative intern for 2005-06 school year; Vallie Padila, summer school math teacher from July 25 through Aug. 5, WCHS.

• Approved voluntary reductions in contracts for Cathy Abbitt, first grade teacher at Jefferson; and Jeannie Francalancia, special needs teacher, Lakeview.

• Approved a $500 donation from Biomet to purchase books for the Harrison Elementary SWOOP guided literacy program.

• Recognized Warsaw Community Schools Head Nurse Jeanine DeGeeter for being awarded a $5,000 grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation to assist students directly.

• Heard a district accreditation and strategic planning process reported from Sandra Hess. The presentation outlined the process that will be used in the new six-year curriculum and schools evaluation.

• Heard a report from Tony England on the adult education program in Kosciusko County. An English as Second Language student, David Medina, told the board, "This program changed my life. ... I am more confident with my English, my math, my reading - everything has improved. ... The program is great, I learn something everyday."

• Heard construction updates on current building projects from CCI.

• Set a public hearing for the budget for Sept. 6.

• Approved two change orders on building projects. The first, for $1,432, allows a plumbing waste vent from the front of a building to the back. The other, which amounts to zero cost for the school, allows the construction companies to maintain the area around the ticket building at the football stadium. Three construction companies will split the cost of the repair to the grounds.

• Approved a Title I grant application for $702,000.

• Approved administrative contracts for Troy Akers, WCHS Assistant Principal of Student Activities; Dave Anson, WCHS Assistant Principal/Student Affairs; Deb Blatz, Director of Elementary Curriculum; Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS Principal; Dennis Duncan, Jefferson Elementary School Principal; Tony England, Director of Alternative Services; Tony Etienne, Director of Vocational Programming; Steve Ferber, WCHS Assistant Principal/Student Affairs; Marci Franks, Director of Food Services; David Fulkerson, Athletic Director; Chris Gensinger, Eisenhower Elementary Principal; Sandra Hess, Assistant Superintendent/Instruction; Tom Kline, Lakeview Middle Principal; Marv Marino, Lakeview Middle Principal; Jeff Neumann, Madison Elementary Principal; Lin Palmer, Director of Human Resources; Randy Polston, Harrison Elementary Principal; Tom Ray, Washington Elementary Principal; Terry Roe, Director of Assessment; Greg Schroeder, Director of Buildings and Grounds; Kevin Scott, Chief Financial Officer; Jennifer Shepherd, WCHS Assistant Principal of Instruction; Amy Sively, Lakeview Middle Assistant Principal; JoElla Smyth, Edgewood Middle Principal; Cathy Snyder, Lincoln Elementary Principal; Steve Stichter, Assistant Business Manager; Della Swain, Director of Transportation; and Tammy Ummel, Director of Special Services.

Members of the Warsaw Community School Board are Ron Yeiter, president; Tammy Dalton, Deb Wiggins, Dan Robinson, Gene England, Chuck Sauders and Cathy J. Folk. Superintendent is Dr. Dave McGuire. [[In-content Ad]]