Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - As part of the reduction in force policy, the Triton School Board approved the cancellation of Heather Lichty's contract effective at the conclusion of the school year.
On April 4, Lichty was given notice of the consideration of the cancellation of her contract. At that time she could have requested a hearing within 15 days, which she did not.
Also included in the reduction in force policy were contracts of Adam Heckamann, Linda Bowdler, Jill Finley and Susan Mullin.
Chittum said, "These cancellations were strictly because of lack of funding by the state of Indiana to support these positions, they had nothing to do with their teaching performances."
He also said he fully anticipated three of the four being called back in the future, if not all of them.
Students and parents attending the board meeting Monday expressed concerns that students involved with the Destination Imagination program will miss final exams.
The competition is in Knoxville, Tenn., and takes place May 23-28.
Destination Imagination is a program that builds participants' creativity, problem solving and teamwork.
Teams of up to seven members work together under the direction of a team manager to apply creativity, critical thinking and their particular talents to solve an open-ended team challenge. Lisa Eiser is Triton's team manager.
The board concluded the teachers who have students involved in the DI program would be notified and asked if they could administer DI student's finals early. The board also approved a request to use the Triton mini-buses for transportation to Knoxville. All expenses involved in the program were raised by the students.
Last week at the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy graduation, Triton juniors Brittney Mason and Audrey Spiker were elected to return as senior representatives of Triton. This is the school's third consecutive year receiving this recognition.
Teacher Michelle Waymouth was awarded the Jessie ABCD Teaching Award.
The United Way Charity Organization presented Triton School Corp. with their highest level of achievement award for faculty/staff-based contributions. Triton school had the highest per-capita contributions, which are based on monies given by all personnel divisions across the board.
The board approved the changes in the new 2006-2007 K-12 student handbook. Elementary Assistant Principal Kay Lattimer said the majority of the changes in the elementary handbook were in reference to suspension and expulsion. She said, "Unfortunately, these issues that were formerly seen mostly at a high school level have now become an elementary school potential." The handbook added two pages of disciplinary consequences and items and activities prohibited.
The changes in the high school handbook also involved student misconduct, but mostly the 10-day absent rule. Bob Ross, assistant high school principal, said the old handbook placed an undue burden on parents and student regarding doctor's notes.
Superintendent Ted Chittum reported the federally funded emergency tower was erected, and they are only waiting for a few ground components to mark its completion. The tower is enclosed in a fence for safety reasons.
The board also approved the textbook adoption program, which consists of a recommended list of books compiled by the state. Teachers are not required to use only the books on the list, they do have the option to fill out a waiver form, sent to the state, explaining their reasons of wanting to adopt a book not included on the list. Adoption cycles are six years, leaving some classroom books as old as 12 years old in the art and music departments. Chittum said they try to stay as current as possible in technological subjects due to the rapid changes in technology.
The board accepted the retirement resolution of Marcia R. Keyser, effective May 25.
Several personnel motions were presented to the board, including the resignation of Jan Woudema, the junior high girls track coach, and approved hiring Justina Faulkner as the new coach. Dinah Schoolman was hired as the assistant musical director.
The board approved the drivers education instructors, Sam Davis, Glenn Weidner, Curt Kreft and Bob King.
The board approved the resolution that the Indiana Bond Bank provide the school the ability to continue to conservatively borrow as necessary for the remainder of the 2006 calendar year.
Board members present were: Steve Blackford, Debbie Shively, Dick Trowbridge, Kris Glingle and Larry Lemler.
