Minerva BOE members object to principle of principal rehire

Email To A Friend
Printer Friendly
Comments

---

By DENISE R. FREELAND

News Leader Staff Writer

The Minerva Local School District Board of Education voted three to two, at its April 21 meeting, to approve a resolution of intent to rehire Minerva High School Principal Carl Michael at its May meeting.

Board members Jan Kishman and Jeff Evans voted against the resolution, with Kishman stating, prior to the vote, "My vote has nothing to do with Carl Michael as a person. It has to do with a personal opinion on double dipping."

Kishman then read from a recent editorial by Harry Klide, retired Stark County Court of Common Pleas judge, which said "double dipping," the practice of civil servants collecting their pensions while working in similar jobs, denies other individuals the opportunity to further their careers and appears to the public to be motivated by greed.

Kishman also read a passage that stated that double dipping is sometimes acceptable and necessary if a retiree possesses unique skills and knowledge not available elsewhere.

Board President Robert Foltz said that, although he agreed with most of Kisman's statements, he believes Michael is uniquely suited to lead the high school through the construction project due to his knowledge of the building.

"He also does not fall into the greedy category," Foltz said. "If you know Carl, he gives a lot back."

Rick Lutz of Hammond Construction presented the color palette for the new elementary building, explaining it is based on the "wayfinding" concept. The main wall color will be consistent throughout the building, but different accent colors will be used in different areas of the building to help children know where they are.

The color scheme of the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten areas will be purple-based. The first- and second-grade areas will have blue accents, and the third- through fifth-grade areas, green. In the hallways a band of color appropriate to each area will be placed at a lower height for the younger children, and higher for the older students.

The media center will contain all three color schemes and the art rooms will have accent floor tiles in the colors of the rainbow.

The board approved a resolution to place the levy renewal on the Aug. 5 ballot. The emergency operating levy, which generates $1,110,000 is "absolutely essential for the district's ongoing success," said Treasurer Michael Pence.

The board also approved a resolution accepting the amounts and rates from the Budget Commission. The commission certified 39.7 mills, generating $5,474,926, as compared to last year's 45.1 mills, generating $6,472,316. The difference, Pence said, is the removal of the emergency levy that is up for renewal, as it cannot be certified.

In other business, the board:

* ENTERED into an executive session lasting one hour and 25 minutes to discuss personnel.

* HEARD Marrah state that, due to increases in the cost of diesel fuel and food prices, the district may need to charge mileage for extra trips and increase lunch prices next year.

* APPROVED revisions to the Minerva High School student handbook as presented by Assistant Principal Mike Riley at the February meeting.

* APPROVED the following summer school offerings: At the high school - two physical education courses and Nova NET; at the elementary school - the summer reading program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

* APPROVED the list of 148 graduating seniors, subject to completion of requirements.

* APPROVED the annual senior trip to Cedar Point on Friday, May 23, with all costs covered by the senior class.

* APPROVED early release for the senior class, with its final day being Friday, May 23. Graduation will be Sunday, May 25, with baccalaureate at 1 p.m. and commencement at 3 p.m.

* APPROVED the following administrative contracts: John Admonius, one-year contract as Food Services/Business Operations manager; Michael Riley, one-year contract as assistant principal for grades nine and ten; Gary Chaddock, three-year contract as elementary principal at West Elementary.

* ACCEPTED the following retirements: Diana Richeson, Karen Schonauer, Linda Beckley, Nina Mock, Gerald Newell, Richard Crawford, and Priscilla Lytle.

* NON-RENEWED the following personnel contracts: Sandra Romano, Ray Leatherberry, Kevin Russell, Robert Carle, Kimberly Shipbaugh, Jon McCully, Joni Anderson, Lindsay Mann, Jennifer Furey, Erica Hubble, Amanda McVay, Mikka Ray, Katrina Timmerman, Susan Zifer, Michelle Deem, Kelly Flanigan, Darlene Janson, and Sheri Rodgers.

* AWARDED one-year contracts to Leanne Barnett, vocal music; Aimee Davis, psychologist; Allison Carroll, language arts; Danna Casto, intervention specialist; Tracy McFerren, language arts; Janice Nieto, consumer science; Stacey Peters, science; Lance Willison, social studies; Jennifer Marrah, kindergarten; and Christy Yeagley, elementary teacher.

* AWARDED two-year contracts to Jennifer Jones, two-hour aide; John Williams, custodian; Damin Clapper, custodian; Michele Lewis-Fritz, four-hour cafeteria worker; and Amanda Fenstemaker, two-hour aide.

* AWARDED Derrick Maxey, instrumental music, a three-year contract.

* AWARDED five-year contracts to Elizabeth Ray, gifted; Shelda Johnston, intervention; Mike Waller, science; Cathleen Harp, speech and language pathologist; and Tammy Hoffman, Lynda Jones, Carole Meiroff, Victoria Stafford and Christy VanArsdale, elementary teachers.

* AWARDED continuing contracts to Nicole Blazer, social studies; Scott Keister, Latin; Kara Kirkpatrick, language arts; David Kochan, industrial technology; Catherine Brown and Rebecca Dowell, middle-school teachers; Diana Tilton and Bonnie Eyer, four-hour cafeteria workers; Douglas Grindstaff, custodian; and Darlene Sutton, two-hour cafeteria worker.

* AWARDED Sherri Imler a one-year Title I tutor contract.

* HIRED Troy Haught as head girls volleyball coach for the 2008-2009 school year.