Good News, Bad News On Building ProjectChief Financial Officer Kevin Scott gave the Warsaw School Board some good news on the school construction projects Monday night.
The budget estimate for the projects totaled $59,160,000. The cost included $43,124,600 for construction costs. Additional costs included such things as acquiring land and professional services.
At the end of the project, Scott said they estimate to have left $3,170,263.
"We're coming to the end of a very successful project," Scott said.
At the end of the 2003-04 school year, Warsaw Schools closed Silver Lake, Atwood and Claypool elementaries. In 2008, Warsaw Community Schools decided to reopen, renovate and expand Claypool; build new Madison and Leesburg schools; and renovate and expand Jefferson Elementary. The new schools projects are expected to be ready for the 2010-11 school year.
The board Monday night approved for the renewal of administrative contracts.
Hintz asked that the board renew the contracts for 2010-11, and as part of that recommendation, the board consider a $500 stipend be paid on the second pay period in 2011, with administrative contract salaries being the same as the 2009-10 school year.
WCS administrators are under contract from July 1 through June 30 of each year for a specified number of working days. Each administrator is evaluated.
All administrative contracts were set to expire June 30, with the exception of Jacob Hoag's, Madison principal, whose contract expires June 30, 2011, and Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz's, whose contract expires June 30, 2012.
One of Warsaw Community High School's best hidden secrets is its Super Mileage Team, according to Principal Troy Akers Monday night.
During the school board meeting, the team's advisor, Joe Bryan, and two of the 2009-10 student participants, Tory Stouder and Beth Facemire, talked about the competition and the trophy they received.
The trophy was the Sportsmanship Award for helping other teams during the competition. Their Unlimited car also was able to get 775 miles per gallon, placing them as the state runner-up.
Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Alliance sponsors the challenge every year. This year, the contest was held April 25-26. The objective is to design and build a car that gets the most miles per gallon.
WCHS raced three vehicles this year.
Bryan said they had a lot of sponsorship help. Students put in a lot of research, time and elbow grease to compete.
Facemire drove the vehicle in the competition. She said 15 cars ran at a time on the Indianapolis track. She had to take 10 laps in 25 minutes, and couldn't go over the time limit.
While the Unlimited got 775 mpg, the diesel got about 450 mpg, Bryan said. The first-place car got more than 1,000 mpg, while third place got 450.
"We did real well," Bryan said.
Student Trevor Rouse created a Web site for the racing team at www.bengalracingonline.com
In other business, the school board:
n Announced school board seats for districts 1, 2, 5 and 7 will be on the ballot for the fall 2010 election. The current board members holding those seats include Gene England, Tammy Dalton, Delores Hearn and Ron Yeiter. Because they have reached their term limits, England and Yeiter can not seek re-election.
The board election filing period begins July 21 and ends at noon Aug. 20.
n Heard an open house for the new and renovated schools will be Aug. 8 for Jefferson; Aug. 12 for Madison; and Aug. 1 for Leesburg. Claypool held its open house June 15.
n Approved the 2010-11 textbook rental charges. While fees for the middle and high schools depends on the classes a student takes, the elementary fees are: kindergarten, $79; first grade, $119; second grade, $126; third grade, $145; fourth grade, $139; fifth grade, $155; and sixth grade, $162.
n Approved a two-year joint services agreement for the Warsaw Area Career Center.
n Approved the purchase of three 66-passenger 2010 buses and one 66-passenger 2011 Thomas/Freightliner school bus, all with Cummins ISB 240H diesel engines, from Kerlin Bus Sales for $393,874.
n Approved three change orders for the school projects: $138,902.52 for Claypool; $93,174 for Jefferson; and $119,894 for Madison and Leesburg minus $22,117 that Board Vice President Dan Robinson will approve later on behalf of the school board after further review.
n Approved the Title I Part C Migrant Education School Year Grant. The grant provides additional instructional services to migrant students.
