Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - Allegations of verbal and physical abuse at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School were fired at the school board by parents Monday.
One parent accused the school system of passing judgment on the children without fair treatment or bothering to find out the facts before acting.
Several parents expressed concern about using expulsion as a disciplinary tool. They said they felt kicking kids out of school just compounds the problem by allowing them the freedom to roam the streets without supervision. One father said he was fed up with the way the kids were being handled and said something needs to be done before the school finds itself facing a lawsuit.
Bonnie Pletcher, a Mentone High School alumna who has lived in Phoenix, Ariz., for 12 years, called the expulsion procedure asinine. Pletcher, who said she fought gangs and drugs in connection with the schools and police department in Phoenix, said the incidents being related by parents are real horror stories.
Superintendent Karen Boling refused to discuss the incidents for the protection of the children. She said private meetings were arranged to discuss the matters but the parents didn't show up. The parents claimed they were never informed of the meetings.
TVMS principal Ted Straiger declined to comment on individual cases but said all of the incidents have been handled correctly and by board policy.
In other business, the board voted to let the decision to add black to Valley's school colors rest in the hands of the athletic director. Last month AD Duane Burkhart asked that black be added to Valley's green and gold uniforms as an accent color. The request caused some controversy within the community and was tabled for further study.
Burkhart said a survey shows that 70 percent of the student body and athletes favor the addition. He said the school colors will remain highly visible and will not be replaced.
In another matter, Diana Yarian asked the board to clarify its position on teachers evaluating administrators, a decision that was agreed upon by the board last June, according to board member Mark Wise.
Yarian said she had understood the evaluations were to be used as feedback only, not as punitive measures.
Bruce Andrews objected to the term "evaluation," saying that indicated to him the board was being asked to place a value on employees.
"I can't step into every kitchen to see that the biscuits are done right," he said. "Our job is to hire good people who will, in turn, hire good people."
Andrews said there is a need to build a two-way communication between teachers, principals and the superintendent. He said his door is open for employees who have taken their concerns to the principals and the superintendent without getting satisfaction and that the process has to be free of potential retribution.
"We have to remember that the students are the reason we are here," he said.
The board voted not to let teachers evaluate administrators, with an amendment by Mark Wise that the decision not be open-ended but be voted on again after proper evaluation forms are obtained.
Dan Heaton and Bart York presented an update on the Mentone Elementary building project. Heaton said he has begun the first round of meetings with the teachers to begin interior schematic designs.
York, construction manager for the project, told the board not to be alarmed that the budget he presented is higher than the one used for the 1028 hearing. He said the original figures include a design contingency that is greater than the amount the project is over budget and the cuts will come later.
In other business, the board:
• Announced the building trades open house will be from 1 to 4 p.m. May 18. The home, owned by Blake and April Myers, is located at Ind. 19 and east CR 100N.
• Approved raising the fee for driver education to $155 per student. Instructor salaries were increased to $18 per hour.
The next regular board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. April 14.
