Published: July 09, 2009 01:37 pm      

West Clark Community Schools Board: Work begins on Early Childhood Development Center

West Clark approves extended contract for superintendent

SELLERSBURG — Construction on the new Early Childhood Development Center is officially under way, with the storm sewer being installed, concrete footers being poured and more.

The West Clark Community Schools board heard an update on the project at its meeting Wednesday evening.

The $8.5 million project — which ended up costing nearly $2 million less than projected — is expected to be complete by August 2010, according to R. Mac Dyer, associate superintendent.

Superintendent Monty Schneider said it’s important to get that done, since enrollment is growing and space is limited, especially at Silver Creek Elementary School.

“We’re bursting at the seams over here,” he said of Silver Creek.

For the Henryville Junior-Senior High School renovation project, Larry Timperman, with Michell Timperman Ritz Architects, told the board that only one bid came in for the loose-equipment package, which was budgeted for $207,100. That bid, by Lee Co., was for $133,750.24.

Dyer said the money left over will go toward putting 100 computers in the computer lab and classrooms in the new two-story addition that is being built there. He said that will cost $70,676.19, leaving about $2,600 in the loose-equipment budget.



CONTRACT EXTENDED

The board also approved to extend Schneider’s contract through 2012, keeping his salary the same at $107,363.

They also extended the contracts for Dyer and Denise Bessler, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Both will keep their same salaries.

The board also changed Dyer’s title from assistant superintendent of business to associate superintendent, following Schneider’s recommendation.

Schneider said the change was made to reflect how much work Dyer does for the corporation.



BOARD REORGANIZATION

By unanimous vote, the board members agreed on reorganizing board officers. Brian Hurst was named president; Teresa Guthrie was picked to serve again as vice president; Doug Coffman was chosen to be secretary.

The board decided to keep its normal meeting schedule, which is having board meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the administration building. However, the October meeting will be held in Borden and the April one in Henryville.

The board also specified that any special meetings will be at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. If it’s needed, the board will announce that at its regular meeting the week prior, in addition to advertising it in The Evening News.



IN OTHER BUSINESS

• The board approved a recommendation to buy 150 new computers, costing $80,730.

• Members also agreed to spend $120,820 of stimulus money on Read 180, a reading intervention program.

• The board voted to continue to retain Michael Gillenwater as the school corporation’s attorney.

• The next board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Aug. 13, at the administration building.