PIERCETON -ÊEmotions ran high at the Whitko School Board meeting Monday in Pierceton.

Former and current teachers, staff and parents crowded the Whitko administration building to show their support for school nurse Sharon Lee, who was recommended for termination.

"We want Sharon Lee to be here for our kids," said Tracey Rhoades, a Whitko bus driver and teacher's aide. "This is not just a job for Sharon Lee, she loves what she does. She loves the children."

"I was a secretary at South Whitley Elementary and worked with Sharon Lee," said Patty Smith. "She was always there for me, we had a mutual respect. It didn't matter to her whether a child was dirty or clean, she loved them all the same. Kids are a priority with her."

"Sharon's office is right across from my study hall room," said Jerry Gidley, an 18-year staff member at Whitko High School. "I think you guys are getting fed a lot of bull. I have seen Sharon Lee bring bags of clothes for kids who didn't have clothes. She has brought shoes for them. She makes hospital visits, she goes to the funeral homes. She is always there for those kids. She's there for students and teachers both."

"The bottom line is that our kids have to be safe," said Whitko bus driver Martha Trier. "And our kids are safe with Nurse Lee."

"I worked one-on-one with Nurse Lee through the ICE program at Whitko High School," said Crista Jackson. "I don't think you realize how much running and how much paperwork she has to do. It's too much work for one person to take care of four buildings."

"Sharon came to me on the last day of school for the students and told me what was going on," said David Jessie, president of the Whitko Classroom Teachers Association. "She was not concerned about losing her job. Her primary concern was what was going to happen to the kids. That's how she is. She always puts the kids first."

"Look at all the eggs in the basket," said Whitko parent Cindy Riemersma, "not just what's being told to you. I have never had a problem with Nurse Lee in the seven years that I have known her."

"We elected you to make decisions for us on an informed basis," said Jon Gidley, a member of the Whitko community. "Use your wisdom and look into this matter, investigate for yourselves. Everyone deserves due process. Don't just take what you are handed."

In all, 17 members of the public voiced their support for Lee and their opposition to her termination.

A petition with more than 500 signatures was presented to the school board at the meeting, and board members decided to table the decision on Lee's termination until a later meeting.

In other business, the school board:

• Approved the funds report. The school corporation has $100,669.66 in checking at National City Bank; $2,878.29 in investments at Lake City Bank; $2,006,741.22 in checking and $2,387,024.67 in investments at Star Financial Bank; and $34,347.05 in checking at First Federal Bank. The total amount in all four financial institutions is $4,531,660.89.

• Approved the administrator/supervisor salary and contract recommendations and non-certified employee wage scales. A 1 percent per year increase will be added to the administrator salaries. Bus drivers forextra curricular activities will receive a 25-cent-per-hour increase, making their wage $8 per hour.

• Approved the board meeting schedule for the 2003-04 school year. The meetings will remain on the third Monday of the month but will be scheduled at different schools in the district to be more accessible to everyone in the school district.

• Bid farewell to both Dr. William Worl, superintendent, and Dr. Diana Showalter, director of curriculum. It was the last Whitko School Board meeting for both.

The board will meet July 14 at 7:30 p.m. for a reorganization of the board and board of finance meeting. On July 21, there will be a budget review meeting at 7 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Whitko school board members are Pete Mitchell, E. Marie Trump, Hal Trump, Dave Tranter and Michael Braddock. [[In-content Ad]]