Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Although the vote was not unanimous, the Manchester Community School Board approved the 2005-06 school year calendar Tuesday night at its regular meeting.
"I think we need to take a long hard look at the number of days we take for Christmas break," said board member Todd Speicher. He believes that if Christmas break is shortened, classes can begin later in August.
Speicher also spoke of his concern that the long break was not good for students.
Superintendent Diana Showalter explained that the calendar coincides with that of Heartland Career Center for the 2005-06 school year, but Manchester will have more input in the 2006-07 calendar. There will be more changes in the 2006-07 calendar.
"We do the best we can," said Showalter.
Board president Sally Krouse said she heard concerns from parents about the calendar this year but the parents thought there was nothing they could do.
"We can never please everybody," said board member Thom Frantz.
The calendar was approved 6-1, with Speicher as the lone vote against it.
In other business, the board:
• Received the guaranteed energy performance contract for improvement plans at all school buildings. The board will take action on the contract at its April 12 meeting.
• Approved a wage increase for food service workers for the 2004-05 school year. Employees will receive a 3 percent increase in wages.
• Approved Dustin Westafer as volunteer weight room supervisor for Manchester High School.
• Accepted the resignation of Paige Davidson as vocal music director for Manchester High School and Manchester Junior High School, effective at the end of the 2004-05 school year.
• Approved overnight professional leave for Ryan Good to attend a football clinic in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., March 10-11.
• Approved an overnight field trip for the Science Olympiad Team and Sue Gnagy to attend the Science Olympiad at Indiana University in Bloomington March 18-19. Twenty-three students will be involved in the trip.
• Approved a grant for an after-school study program grant from the Community Foundation of Wabash County for $2,700.
• Approved the minutes from the March 1 meeting.
• Approved a donation from Richard Ihnen and Mrs. Jack McKee to the Laketon Elementary School Music Department.
• Approved prepaid claims dated Feb. 28 and March 15, and regular claims dated March 15.
• Heard presentations and saw projects on books read by five Laketon Elementary School fifth-graders.
• Approved the second portion of NEOLA board policies on its third reading.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Brian Schilling, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrot. Superintendent is Diana Showalter.
