Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - North Manchester School Board members Tuesday approved participating in a joint feasibility study program.
Assistant Superintendent Kim Thurston said cost for the study is approximately $6,000. Thurston said he spoke to Dr. Robert Boyd from Indiana State University concerning the components and details of the feasibility study.
"It will allow us to look at, examine and explore how to maximize the use of our facility," Thurston said.
He also said the study will be billed in the 2002 calendar school year and will come from the capital projects fund under fees for professional services.
After recommendation from Thurston, school board members approved participating in the study.
In other business, board members:
• Appointed Thurston as the acting superintendent until a superintendent for the school corporation is hired. Thurston said he is not a candidate for the position.
• Heard a report from Thurston regarding selection of a vendor for the 403B retirement plan between the school corporation and Manchester Teachers Association. Thurston said the insurance committee recommended Metlife as the vendor. Valic was the other insurance company considered.
Board member Thom Frantz requested more information on both companies, including prices.
"This does not tell us as a school corporation what it's going to cost us to administer the fund," Frantz said of the presentation/recommendation.
Frantz said he wants to know the costs for both companies and he wants to make sure it's not going to cost the corporation more than it should.
"I agree with Thom," board member Kent Trickle said.
• Heard an update on the superintendent search from board member Brad Perrott.
Perrott said a search team is putting together a brochure on the school corporation to send to prospective candidates for superintendent of Manchester Community Schools.
"Hopefully by Aug. 11 we will have a rough draft to bring before the school board," Perrott said.
The packet/brochure will include information on the schools and community and will be "something we could have on file at all times to pass out as well as for the search," Perrott said.
• Approved the following: a Wabash County Hospital sports medicine contract; donations to the Manchester Academic Excellence Program totaling $2,145; a gifted/talented grant for the 2001-2002 school year totaling $16,979; and a facility use request during FunFest (Aug. 9-12).
• Approved the following appointments: Kevin Watson as athletic trainer for the 2001-02 school year; and Sandra J. Calaway as a part-time Spanish teacher at Manchester High School and part-time Gemini Spanish teacher at Laketon Elementary School.
• Approved the following resignations: Kristin Rentschler as social studies teacher at Manchester High School and Ivan Lance as a bus driver for the school corporation.
• Approved the following appointments at Manchester Junior High School: James Sparks as seventh grade social studies teacher; Ryan Good as seventh grade assistant football coach; Tara Eads as volunteer cheerleading sponsor; and Matt Webb as seventh grade girls basketball coach.
• Approved the following appointments at Manchester High School: Greg Carter as girls golf coach; Lang Bungitak as volunteer assistant girls golf coach; Derek Ring, Mark Heiden and Stephanie Hostetler as volunteer assistant tennis coaches; Cara Broderick as junior varsity volleyball coach; and Terri Mathais and Heather Emerick as part-time cooks.
• The next school board meeting is July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the board meeting room at Maple Park, North Manchester. The meeting is open to the public.
Manchester Community Schools Board of Trustees members are: president Sally Krouse, vice president Virginia Gunter, secretary Brad Perrott, Thom Frantz, Larry Miller, Todd Speicher and Kent Trickle. Assistant superintendent and acting superintendent is Kim Thurston. School corporation attorney is Al Schlitt.
