Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - The Triton School Board accepted the resignation of Triton Varsity Basketball Coach Mike McBride Monday. McBride did not appear at the meeting.
On Feb. 14, the board suspended McBride from the position for the remainder of the basketball season after several parents and basketball players made complaints, claiming McBride was verbally abusive to players.
Board member Larry Lemler said Monday, "I know things didn't work out the way we wanted to see it, but I think we need to thank him (McBride) for the time he was here."
At a March 1 school board meeting, Gayle Perry, Triton varsity volleyball coach, addressed the board, asking them to rescind McBride's suspension. In her statement, Perry invited the board to help her and her fellow coaches create a committee to deal with coach/parent/player conflicts before they are brought before the school board. Perry said such a committee would provide "due process for coaches."
Monday, board president Steve Blackford said he and other board members have begun working to explore options for the creation of such a committee.
"We have met with Gayle and a few people," Blackford said. "We are gathering information and we are trying to put something together."
Blackford disclosed no details about the committee Monday, but said more information will be available at future board meetings.
In other news, the board approved a resolution to borrow money as the school corporation faces cash flow problems.
Triton Superintendent Ted Chittum said the Indiana State Board of Accounts notified the school system that state funding has been reduced and tax distributions for school corporations in Kosciusko and Marshall counties will not take place until July. Chittum said, as a result, the Triton Schools will have insufficient funds for operating costs until the tax distribution takes place. According to the approved resolution, the total amount borrowed by the school system will not exceed $1.25 million.
Chittum said in preparation for expected state funding cuts, he and school administrators are looking for ways to cut costs. "We're going to have to run on less," Chittum said. "Every school corporation around here is going to have to run on less."
Chittum said, in a recent discussion with the teachers association, he spoke with teachers' representatives about the possibility of cutting a teaching position at Triton Elementary School. He said next year, an additional teacher will be needed in one grade level and two will have to be cut from others. Chittum said the possibility of cutting a teaching position arose last year, but the school corporation was able to make ends meet. This year, he said, he doubts the funding will be sufficient.
"We're all working really hard to see what we can cut, but, the bottom line is we have to educate the kids," he said.
