Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON -ÊThe possibility of random drug searches on school property was discussed Wednesday at the Triton School Board meeting.
Marshall County Sheriff's Department contacted Rick Dehne, Triton Jr./Sr. High School's assistant principal, about any interest in a K-9 unit's drug sniff.
According to Dehne, officers would search students' lockers and, if time permitted, cars in the school's parking lot. Officers would have the K-9 smell a student's car if that car was under suspicion.
Dehne, who has been at Triton only a year, said the practice was "readily accepted" at his school in Argos, where he was last employed.
Before any searches began, he brought the option to the school board for community opinion on the issue.
The school board said it is interested in the searches but took no official action.
The sheriff's department would not charge for the searches, according to superintendent Ted Chittum.
In other business, the school board:
• Heard from Margo Lemler, an advocate for children with learning disabilities, commending the school system and its teachers for their "frustrating" work with the children.
"I want to bottle the teachers' enthusiasm and put it in the water," said Lemler. She said her son has benefited from the attention.
• Approved: Cynthia Stichter to teach junior high mathematics; Julie Lopez as cafeteria supervisor; Reghan Kreft as junior high boys' track coach; Jan Woudema as junior high girls' track coach; Jenny Reichert, Abby Mangun, Sisteen Christian and Frank Yankovich as volunteers with the junior high and senior high boys' and girls' track; and Kevin Dunham as a substitute bus driver.
• Announced the 2001-02 DARE graduation Monday at 7 p.m. at Triton Elementary School gymnasium. The ceremony will recognize these students' pledge "to stay and remain drug free."
• Read a letter from Mike Byron about the Triton Athletic Booster Club's $1,500 donation to the athletic department. A formal donation presentation to the department will be Friday at the boys' basketball game.
Triton School Board members are: president Kevin Boyer, vice president Steve Feldman, secretary/treasurer Larry Lemler, Dave Shively and Steve Blackford. Corporation treasurer is Janet Barker. Superintendent is Ted Chittum.
