Greater Jasper School Board meeting August 26
The Greater Jasper School Board opened and closed a hearing on the 2014 budget, heard an update on the successful athletics program at Jasper High School from Andy Noblitt, got its first report from new Curriculum Director Kim Strobel, fielded a building and maintenance update from Stenftenagel Groups’ Scott Stenftenagel, passed a NEOLA policy update along with a Teacher Evaluation policy update, and listened as Dr. Lorey announced the next Elementary School Feasibility Study and new gymnasium ribbon cutting ceremony.
-No one from the public came forward to speak on the 2014 budget. Adoption of the budget will be in the September meeting.
-Andy Noblitt presented the Jasper High School athletic budget to the board and reports that things are going well. He reports that without the community support he could not keep a balanced budget going and keep the program growing. He said, “one of my big points to the board is that we do have a great community following both at our athletic events and the willingness to pay $3 and $5 to come see our kids participate.”
Noblitt also said that his coaching staff puts in extra hours to help keep the need for administrative support and the costs associated with it to a minimum.
-Strobel reported on the writers workshop initiative for K-12 that encourages teachers to “make writing a priority in the classroom on a daily basis.” She said that every teacher is launching the writers workshop in all of the Jasper schools.
-Scott Stenftenagel reported that software that they have installed to monitor the school buildings maintenance systems is producing requests from the school maintenance personnel for repairs that need to be made. He says that implementing the system is allowing schools to band together to get better prices from contractors on work that needs to be done.
-The NEOLA updates were minor – reflecting only little changes at the State level. The Teacher Evaluation system is in place – even though it is a hybrid system and could change in the coming months. The board passed the approval of both updates.
-Dr. Lorey reported when the next Elementary School Feasibility public meeting will be held by saying, “our next public board work session is going to be on Wednesday, September 11th beginning at 5:30 pm.” She said that the session has been moved to the Jasper High School Community Room which is on the south side of the High School Complex.
-She also announced the Jasper High School gymnasium ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, September 20th at 6:30 p.m. and members of the community are invited.
-Dr. Lorey said that the administration has received a letter from Dubois County Sheriff Donny Lampert who expressed concern about 500 West, that runs along the west side of Ireland Elementary.
He said that backed up traffic is becoming a problem due to the dropping off and picking up of school kids.
Lampert is concerned for the safety of everyone involved. So is Lorey, who said it “causes concern regarding the ability of emergency personnel to navigate through there in the event that they would need to.”
Lorey says that they have asked Gibraltar Design – the same company that is handling the Elementary School feasibility study – to design some options to help resolve the problem.
