Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - Triton School Board of Trustees and Triton Elementary School Principal Tom Bowers are pleased with the turnout of students taking advantage of the swimming lessons offered this summer at the YMCA in Warsaw. But in the future, both would like to see a larger turnout.
"We could potentially service 50 children," Bowers said. Thirty-one students took part in the swimming lessons offered this summer, which ran for two weeks. Bowers said the YMCA limits the number of participants to 25 students each week.
"I thought Mrs. Watkins did an excellent job (of facilitating the program)," Bowers said. "There needed to be an adult to supervise."
P.J. Watkins reported to the board of trustees that the lifeguards at the YMCA would "be happy to make room for us any time."
The summer swimming program was offered during the school year in the past. "It was a school year activity for several years," superintendent Rex Roth said. "We took it out because it was not a curriculum activity."
Bowers said the program had a larger turnout during the school year because of a "captive audience" when all children were present. This is the first summer the program has been offered. "It's an excellent beginning," Bowers said. "It offers savings for any family with a second-grade child. We just need to get more children."
In other business:
• Ted Chittum, Triton High School principal, and Glenn Weidner, assistant principal, reported Monday they are both "looking forward to the students tomorrow." School begins today for Triton school corporation.
Bowers also reported that a staff meeting was held Monday morning at the elementary school to prepare for classes today. "It was a great start to our school year," Bowers said. "We're looking forward to it."
• School board president Dave Shively said many parents have had questions regarding the payment schedule for book fees.
"They can set up any payment schedule as long as it's reasonable," Roth said, "which means it has to have a pay-off date. We're quite willing to work with people."
"And it's a schedule that they develop," Chittum said. "The school doesn't dictate it."
• Roth reported that the new carpet in the elementary school has been laid and is ready for students. He also said the football field lights have been completed and the new bus garage site work began Monday afternoon.
Roth said design manager Steve Brettin, Ziolkowski Construction Inc., South Bend, submitted information on the cost of heating. Board members decided to go with infrared heaters. Cost is approximately $1,500. "That's about half of what conventional heaters would have been," Roth said. Cost for conventional unit heaters is approximately $3,000. Michiana Contracting and Koontz and King were chose at the last meeting to complete work on the garage.
• Board members approved a list of 2000-2001 fund-raisers. "This list was compiled at the end of last school year," Roth said, "so it would be ready to do tonight."
The list included pizza and candle sales sponsored by the cheerleaders, magazine sales sponsored by the junior class, brochure sales sponsored by band and chicken sales sponsored by the Art Club, among several other sales and sponsors.
• Board members approved hiring Jason Hunter as the junior high football coach; Brandon Schmitt as the freshman football coach; Art Blackmer as the assistant boys tennis coach; Jason Groves as the junior-varsity boys basketball coach; Mary Carlson as a substitute bus driver; Jill Jenkins as the sixth-grade volleyball coach; and Sharon Bules as the Little Hoosier sponsor. Board members also approved a medical leave for Jo Stackhouse from Monday to Oct. 19.
• A budget hearing will be held Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in a regular meeting.
Triton School Board members include: president Dave Shively, vice president Steve Blackford, secretary Steve Feldman, Larry Lemler and Kevin Boyer.
