Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - For the second time in less than a year, the Manchester Community School Board of Trustees is looking for a new member.
Tuesday night at the regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Diana Showalter read Thom Frantz's letter of resignation. Frantz and his family are moving out of the state and he will no longer be able to fulfill his duties as a board member.
"It is with regret I bring you this resignation," said Showalter.
"We wish him and his family well with their new endeavors," said board member Todd Speicher. "He brought a wealth of knowledge to the table."
"I thank Mr. Frantz for his years of service," said Showalter. "He will be missed."
Frantz was the representative for the Manchester Town District, and there is one year left in his term on the board. Anyone interested in filling the position should submit a letter to Showalter's attention at P.O. Box 308, North Manchester, IN 46962. For more information about the position, call 260-982-7518.
In other business, the board:
• Heard the Kiwanis will sponsor the Bringing Up Grades program in Manchester and Laketon elementary schools. The program, also known as BUG, encourages students to improve their grades by providing rewards. Students who show grade improvements will receive pencils and certificates to local restaurants for their efforts. The program is fully funded by Kiwanis and does not cost the school anything.
• Approved a motion to remove the playground equipment at Maple Park. The existing equipment is old and does not meet safety standards. The North Manchester Parks Board used to be in charge of the upkeep of the equipment but no longer wants the responsibility. Business Manager Steve Shumaker said the school would rather put money into the equipment at the current elementary schools that will be used. The equipment will be removed and the area will be reseeded for grass.
• Approved hiring Jeff Perry and Andrew Gathany as boys and girls basketball coaches at LES, Mark Spalding as Manchester Junior-Senior High School French teacher, Brian Tonsoni as varsity boys basketball volunteer assistant, Kevin Walter as ECA sponsor for the spelling bee/bowl at MJHS and Martha Bowman as ECA sponsor for geography bee competition.
• Approved a request to divide the ECA fund appropriated for the assistant director of drama between Dennis Unger and Becky Kock.
• Approved a request for a homebound instructor application. A student with a medical condition will be taught by a Manchester Community Schools teacher for five hours each week to comply with state standards.
• Approved professional leave requests for Randy Self to attend the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy; Gwen Mize and junior and senior FFA members to attend Foundations in Reaching Excellence in Trafalgar; and Mize and FFA officers to attend the Leadership Development Workshop/Conference in Trafalger.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Kent Terrill, Brian Schilling, Carlye McLaughlin and Steve Flack. Superintendent is Diana Showalter. Thomas Frantz was not present.
