CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Friday, March 12, 2010) – A fight between two teenage males today at Churubusco High School may result in charges being filed at the Whitley County Prosecutor’s office against one of the teens, who is reportedly 18 years of age.

According to one of the parents of the teens, he was called to the school after his son was reportedly involved in an altercation with another student. The parent said his son suffered a dislocated shoulder and was knocked unconscious, but the school had not called for medical assistance. It is still unclear as to whether or not a call had been made from school officials to local police for assistance.

*Update: Monday 03/15/2010 10:30 a.m.: According to Churubusco Police Department investigating officer, Melanie Crapser, misdemeanor charges of battery have been filed against the 18-year-old and filed with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s office.

School officials did contact police on the school radio, Crapser said, but did not contact local EMS.

“As I understand it, the boy’s (who was injured) father arrived at the school quickly and said he would transport his son to the hospital,” Crapser said.

The parent reportedly transported his son in his own vehicle to the hospital for treatment, stating his son was “bruised and battered.”

Eerily, on the same day, a DeKalb High School student in Auburn was reported to be in critical condition, and in the intensive care unit of a Fort Wayne hospital after being punched in the head by another student. For more of this story go to Wane TV.

Churubusco High School, part of the Smith-Green School Corporation, has a zero tolerance policy in effect and has said, in the past, that the school will not tolerate violence of any kind.

*Update: Monday 03/15/2010 11:30 p.m.:

The father of the 17-year-old juvenile who was injured in an altercation Friday at Churubusco High School with another CHS student said he was satisfied with an administrator’s promise to continue with a thorough investigation of the matter. An expulsion of the 17-year-old for “bullying” that was to begin tomorrow was temporarily suspended until the investigation is complete.

The boy and his father attended tonight’s school board meeting and were prepared to address the school board, but were asked to remain after the meeting and meet with Smith-Green Superintendent Steve Darnell, instead.

The boy’s father said he thought there had been a rush to judgment, and that he wanted to see the school provide some oversight, and at the same time, allow a thorough investigation that includes parental involvement.

“My son was knocked unconscious and did not fight back, other than to try and fend off blows and protect his face with his hands. His shoulder was dislocated and he was thrown against a locker so hard that the door sprung open,” he said. “The school nurse is not trained to deal with trauma of this sort, and the EMS was not called.”

The father of the 17-year-old arrived shortly after school officials called and told him that his son had been involved in an altercation at the school.

“I took my son to a hospital to be treated for his injuries,” he said, “because the school had not called an EMS.”

The parent added that the school also had neglected to call local police. “When I got there, I told the vice principal that I intended to file charges,” he said. “He said he could take care of that and picked up a school radio and called the local police. My question is, why weren’t they called immediately?”

A school hallway camera caught the entire incident on video. Misdemeanor battery charges have been filed against the 18-year-old who allegedly injured the 17-year-old.

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (March 15, 2010) –Enrollment will once again drop at Smith-Green Community School, according to projections by two of the three school administrators at tonight’s school board meeting.

The elementary school should have just over 70 new students according to numbers received during the recent kindergarten registration, according to Nicole Singer, CES principal. That number is down from years past, she said.

John Davis, middle school principal, projected the middle school numbers will be down, as well. “Overall, we think it may be down by about 9 students,” he said.

The high school principal, Austin Couch, said he would give a report and projects after student scheduling for next year’s classes is completely done, sometime in the next two weeks.

Why is this trend alarming school officials not only in Whitley County, but across the state? Because, in Indiana, the percentage of state funding for local schools is based on the number of students in that district. A declining enrollment means less state funding, plus local budget cuts.

In part the reasoning behind this trend may have something to do with more and more students who are transferring to suburban and charter schools, where enrollments are climbing. Number two – people are just not having babies like they used to.

According to the IES National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in elementary and secondary schools grew rapidly during the 1950s and 1960s (those children are now called baby boomers) and reached a peak in 1971. This enrollment rise was caused by what is known as the “baby boom,” a dramatic increase in births following World War II.

From 1971 to 1984, total elementary and secondary school enrollment decreased every year, reflecting the decline in the school-age population over that period. After these years of decline, enrollment in elementary and secondary schools started increasing in fall 1985, began hitting new record levels in the mid-1990s, and has continued to reach a new record level in each subsequent year.

For more on enrollment trends in public schools, go to the IES National Center for Education statistics.

In other school board news:

• The parent of a student who was involved in an altercation at the school Friday was present at the board meeting, but was asked to wait and speak with administrators privately after the meeting instead of addressing the board at a public meeting. For more of this story see related news story on BuscoVoice.

The following administrative positions at Churubusco Junior-Senior high School were approved for 2010-11:

• Jr-Sr high school office secretary (220 days) – Carisa McCoy;
• Jr-Sr High School attendance secretary (185 days) – Angie Glick;
• Jr-Sr High School guidance secretary (190 days) – Sheryl Dawson;
• Jr-Sr High School treasurer (220 days) – Sharon Byerley.
• Yvonne Bianski was reclassified from deputy treasurer  to human resource assistant.
• Jodi Royer was named corporation treasurer.
• Sharon Byerley was named extracurricular treasurer.
• The contract for technology integration specialist was not renewed. Doug Bratton will be leaving that position at the end of the contract date in June. Superintendent Steve Darnell said Bratton understood that his position was grant-funded, and since the grant was not renewed, Darnell said, “it was in the best interest of the District not to renew his contract.”

• Aimee Karacia and Julia Conner were named middle school boys/girls track assistants, which are classified as extra-curricular positions.

• Darnell reported that the teacher negotiations had ended. “It is wrapped up and back in the hands of the Churubusco Teachers Association and we’ll see what happens,” Darnell said. “Overall, it was a positive experience.”

The Churubusco Rotarians are sponsoring the 17^th annual Community and Scholarship Auction to raise money for scholarships for seniors at Smith-Green Community School and the Churubusco community on Tuesday, March 16.

The fun and festivities start at 6:00 p.m. at the high school cafeteria with a free will donation buffet supper.  The auction immediately follows.  Previous auctions have been very successful and Rotarians are looking forward to another rewarding year.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Some old favorites are back such as the plane ride over Indiana with Jack Green, massages from Biddle Chiropractic, the Purdue football outing, subscriptions to the Churubusco News, and handmade rag rugs.  New items this year include a hot air balloon ride, a handcrafted quilt by Mary Myers,  the famous JA broom rack from the 1970s, a rocking chair crafted by Roger Barnhart, and a Matt Painter autographed basketball.   Below is a full list of items thus far.

Anyone with items still to donate may contact Richard Zollinger at 260-248-2851 or 693-2177.

Churubusco Rotary Auction

—-UPDATED LIST AS OF 03/15/2010—-

40 foot Reelcraft fluorescent light reel

Cloth cooler with picnic items

Riccar vacuum

Carl Erskine autographed baseball and cards

Kings Island Tickets

Cedar Point Tickets

8-week old walker coon hound/boxer mix (male)

Troy-Bilt 4 Cycle 6 tine cultivator

Overnight stay at Indian Springs campground

Roger Barnhart*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Handcrafted rocking chair

Chuck* & Barb Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quilt

Chuck* & Barb Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Quilt rack

Chuck* & Barb Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bear bench made by Chuck

Chuck Jones* . . . . . . . . ..  .. . . . .Famous award winning Junior Achievement broom rack from the 1970s

Churubusco Watch & Jewelry/Jim & Ceil Parker. . . .14k white gold diamond tennis bracelet (.14ct total wgt)

Churubusco Watch & Jewelry/Jim & Ceil Parker.. . . . . Citizen lady’s 2 tone quartz wristwatch with Svarorski crystals

Churubusco Watch & Jewelry/Jim & Ceil Parker. . . Citizen men’s yellow quartz watch

Sycamore Hills Golf Club/Golf Pro Tim Frazier. . . .Threesome of golf at Sycamore Hills with Pro Tim Frazier

G & K Golf Kars. . . . . Signed Purdue Basketball by Coach Matt Painter

Rob* & Jill Mar and Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . .Purdue football outing including 2 game tickets, parking pass & tailgating before and after the game

BRC Rubber & Plastics . . . .Weekend use of moonwalk

BRC Rubber & Plastics . . . .Weekend use of moonwalk

K & K Video and Books/Karen Hill. . . . . 52 free rentals

K & K Video and Books/Karen Hill. . . . . 52 free rentals

Whitley County Community Foundation. . . Heffelfinger Water Color

Richard Tuck. . . . Pottery

C & A Tool/Rob Marr*. . . .Roto Tiller

Terry Beeler. . .Scale model steamer launch

Mark* Coonrod/Star Insurance. . . .Garden dump cart

Aquatek Water Treatment. . . .5 bags of 80 lb. solar salt

Ball Furniture/Pat Ball**. . .$100 gift certificate

Parkers Outlet Center. . . . Carhartt jacket

Ultrazone Family Entertainment. . . . . .Certificate for 1 weekday laser tag party for 6

Ultrazone Family Entertainment. . . . .gift certificates buy 1 game get 2^nd game free

Culligan/Columbia City. . . 5-40 # bag of choice of salt

Culligan/Columbia City. . . 5-40 # bag of choice of salt

Culligan/Columbia City. . . 5-40 # bag of choice of salt

Culligan/Columbia City. . .case of bottled water

Culligan/Columbia City. . .case of bottled water

Hayden Honda. . .t-shirt and $20 gift card

Paintball Plex. . . .. Six $20 gift certificates

Papa Murphy’s. . . .four one topping large pizzas

LaOtto Meats. . . .$20 gift card

Jack Green*. . . .One hour flight over Indiana (example—Rochester for breakfast before return flight)

Don Johnson Lawn Service. . .one yard mowing

Jones Greenhouse. . . . 14” dragon wing begonia moss basket

DQ Grill & Chill/Orange Julius. . . Five eight inch ice cream cakes

Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, Inc.. . . . . . .. . . Makita 10.8 v cordless Driver Drill with 65 pc bit set

Huntertown Volunteer Fire Company.. . . five house # plates (Department will place address on)

Peg Perego USA. . . Battery powered John Deere Utility Tractor

Embassy Theatre. . . . Four tickets to the May 9 Buddy Nolan Memorial Organ Concert featuring Mark Herman

Brady’s Auto Service, Inc.. . . . . .$25 gift card

Churubusco News. . . . .Four Busco subscriptions

Sybaris Clubs (Indianapolis). . . .$75 gift certificates towards an overnight getaway

Steve* & Debbie Darnell. . . . .Vera Bradley Riviera Blue Cargo sling purse and matching cosmetic purse

Albright’s Quality Meats. . . .$25 gift certificate

Whitley County Historical Society. . . .one year membership which includes the quarterly bulletin

Memory Lane. . . . $25 gift certificate

Biddle Chiropractic, P.C. . . . . . . .Four one hour massages

Crazy Pinz. . . . .Four one hour lane rental

Holiday World Splashin’ Safari. . . . . . . . . Two general admission tickets

All Occasions Cakery. . . .1/4 sheet cake

New Harmony Inn. . . . . One night stay

The Post & Mail . . . .  . .One year subscription

Hinen Printing/Jeff Hinen**. . . . . .Deluxe PC cleaning kit

Hinen Printing/Jeff Hinen**. . . . . . . Web Office pro keyboard

Rob* & Jill Marr. . . . .Colts collection (helmet magnet, youth football, hat, microraschel throw)

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . . Two juvenile beach chairs with umbrellas

Rustic Hutch . . . .$25 gift certificate

PBS Channel 39  . . . .Six Weeks to an Ultra Mind book, workbook, and CDs

ProFed Credit Union. . . . . . .Basket of Pro Fed Logo items

Gloria Linsley. . . .Knot tied lap quilt

Keystone Aggregates Inc.. . . . . .$100 gift certificate towards landscape gravel or any aggregate material

Bev Zollinger. . . . . .Handpainted bird houses

Kernel Colada’s Snack Shack. . . .Gourmet popcorn gift bakset

Northeastern REMC. . .. .Energy efficient basket

Cohen Orthodontics. . . . . Sonicare Toothbrugh

Frazier House Bed & Breakfast. . . . Spa Basket

Mardell Rhodes. . . .Two rag rugs

First Sales LLC. . . . .Barnes Sump Pump

Gotcha Covered. . . . One adult hooded sweatshirt with Busco design

Gotcha Covered. . . .One youth hooded sweatshirt with Busco design

Cathy Petrie. . . .Brick for the Eagle Garden Walkway

Pro System. . . . basket

Papa John’s Pizza/Columbia City. . . . .Ten large pizzas

CES PTO. . . Eagles stadium blanket

Premier Limo. . . .One hour limo ride

Noble Hawk Golf Links. . . Twosome for 18 hole green fees

Felger Peat Moss. . . .gift certificate

Eagle Glen Golf Course. . . golf passes

Greg* & Julie Veerkamp. . . .Wolfgang Puck Cookware

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . . Barely buoyant Balloon hot air ride

General Credit Union. . . Gift bag

Jack & Mary Myers. . . 1 galloon dill pickles

Jack & Mary Myers. . . .3 hanging baskets of Wave petunias

Jack & Mary Myers. . . Full size quilt (RickRack) made by Mary

Whitley County 4-H Inc.. . . .Family pass for grand stand events

Whitley County 4-H Inc. .. . . Family pass for grand stand events

Whitley County Family YMCA. . . .Family membership

Whitley County Family YMCA.  . workout towel, gym bag

Rosewood Carriages. . . .Carriage ride

Cathy Oberholtzer*. . . . DVD/CD Case with DVD & CDs

Joe & Trudy Dickason.  . .Handcrafted Wooden Bottle Stopper

Joe & Trudy Dickason. . . .Handcrafted “Bloodwood” Desk Set ;  cigar pen, letter opener, magnifier

Farmers & Merchants. . . . .2009 US Mint Proof Set

The Watering Can. . . .one floral arrangement a month for a year

The Watering Can. . . large wreath

Salesman & Sons Trucking Inc. . . .. one triaxle load of top dirt

Salesman & Sons Trucking Inc. . . . .one triaxle load of driveway stone

Churubusco Subway/Pam Shanahan. . . . . Subway Party Platter (serves up to 20)

Busco Ag Plus. .  .bird seed

Busco Ag Plus. . .snow melt

Busco Ag Plus.  .. dog biscuits

Busoc Ag Plus. . .mouse control

Eagle Do It Best/JR Ford. . . . .perfect garden tool

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . . .lube, oil, and filter

Evans Toyota. . .tape measure, pen, pencil

Fort Wayne Tin Caps. . . .exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview Field (up to 10 guests)

Eel River Golf Course. . . Odyssey white hot putter

Eel River Golf Course. . . One foursome 9 holes golf with carts

Eel River Golf Course. . . One foursome 18 hours golf with carts

Kriders Meat Processing Inc./Columbia City. . . .Smoked ham

Precision Sharpening. .  ..$50 gift certificate towards purchase or rental

Bubbles & Barks/Johnston’s Dog Grooming. . . .$25 gift certificate

Bubbles & Barks/Johnston’s Dog Grooming. . . .$25 gift certificate

Magic Wand. . . $50 gift certificate

Gonink Web Design. . . .Free web site

Star Bank/Debbie Lee*, Churubusco Branch Manager. . . Two p rime tickets to the Indianapolis 500

Pit Stop Pizza. . . .one large pizza a month for a year

Cobblestone Golf Course. .. . . four green fee passes

Jill Bontrager. . . .matted painting of a brick house

Girl Scout Troop 10850. . . .Twenty-four boxes of Girl Scout cookies

Nancy Becker*. . .St. Patrick’s Day Luck of the Irish arrangement with lottery tickets

Sheets & Childs’ Funeral Home/Greg & Jeannine Childs. . . (5) $25 DeBrands Fine Chocolates gift certificates

Trudy & Joe Dickason. . . Handcrafted turned “ash” bowls

Matthew Shambaugh*. . .7” LCD digital photo frame

Matthew Shambaugh*. . .game basket

Columbia House Interiors/Columbia City. . .$50 gift certificate, expires 60 days from 3/3/10

Greg* & Julie Veerkamp. . . .Igloo cooler

Shambaugh & Son. . . Channelock ratcheting wrench set

Shambaugh & Son. . .3 pk Wolverine leather work gloves

Mark & Patty Veerkamp. . .32” Magnavox HD LCD TV

Perry’s Country Store. . .Churubusco hooded sweatshirt

Shear Creations. . . gift bag of product

Shear Creations. . .gift bag of product

Ju Jada Handbags/Lisa Fensler.  .  .Ju Jada handbag

Ju Jada Handbags/Lisa Fensler. . . Ju Jada handbag

Andy’s Car Wash. . . car wash tickets

Hilton Fort Wayne. . .overnight stay with breakfast for two

CHS Fine Arts Department. . . Four tickets to spring musical, “Guys & Dolls”

CHS Athletic Department. . .two family sports passes

CHS Football team. . . .signed helmet

CHS Football team . .. sweatshirt

CHS Football team. . .t-shirt

CHS Basketball team. . .sweatshirt

CHS Basketball team. . .t-shirt

CHS Track team. . . sweatshirt

CHS Track team. . .t-shirt

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . .Dr. Seuss read & play basket

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . .Dr. Seuss read & play basket

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . . Longaberger spring bowl basket

Dick* & Cindy Zollinger. . . play dough basket

Chuck Jones*. ..  JA 1982-1983 project Oscar card game played like Old Maid with history of Churubusco

Candice** & Barry Yeakle. . .pint of Yeakle brand pure maple syrup

Candice** & Barry Yeakle. . .pint of Yeakle brand pure maple syrup

Julie Mast/Longaberger consultant, CES media specialist.  .gardening bag including Longaberger pottery pot and seed packets

Julie Mast. . .tatted cross made by Julie

Hair Solutions/Amy Crabill. . .basket of hair products and certificate for haircut and style

Amy Crabill. . . jewelry item

Hit the Floor Dance Studio/Churubusco/Amber Upton. . .one month of dance lessons

McDonalds. . .  donation

Parker Insurance. . .  donation

Churubusco Family Dentistry. . .  donation

Don & Patty Amber. .  donation

Dr. and Mrs. Russell Gilliom. . .

Steel Dynamics Structural & Rail Division. . . . donation

*Churubusco Rotarian

**Rotarian in surrounding community

Smith-Green has hired a new Business Manager. This after recently approved Mary Jane Bartrom submitted a letter of withdrawal stating it was best for her family if she continued with her current position on the State Board of Accounts.

Todd Fleetwood gladly accepted the once-again-available position as the Business Manager at Smith-Green at the meeting on February 15 and will start March 1, 2010.

Fleetwood is an alumnus of Churubusco High School and lives in the area with his family. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana Tech.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is Monday, March 1 at  p.m.

CHS Honor Roll 2nd Quarter

Student Name, Grade Level, and Honor Roll Level

Amber, Taylor L 12 Honor Roll

Bankson, Alexis L 12 Honor Roll

Brumbaugh, Amanda R 12 Honor Roll

Brumbaugh, Kathryn Beth 12 Honor Roll

Butler, Alexis N 12 Honor Roll

Crabill, Brittany M 12 Honor Roll

Dodson, Hannah R 12 Honor Roll

Fehring, James D 12 Honor Roll

Geist, Mallory L 12 Honor Roll

Greve, Skylar 12 Honor Roll

Hartmann, Danielle A 12 Honor Roll

Herron, Anthony E 12 Honor Roll

Holloway, Alysa A 12 Honor Roll

Jackson, Anistassia P 12 Honor Roll

Johnson, Amber L 12 Honor Roll

Klaehn, Kelli M 12 Honor Roll

LeFever, Travis E 12 Honor Roll

Lewis, Catelyn A 12 Honor Roll

Martin, Kimberly M 12 Honor Roll

McDowell, Alexander J 12 Honor Roll

Mey, Ryan D 12 Honor Roll

Nicodemus, Jordan J 12 Honor Roll

Owen, Kyle J 12 Honor Roll

Raber, Jacob S 12 Honor Roll

Sade, Zane I 12 Honor Roll

Sanders, Shelby Z 12 Honor Roll

Slagal, Kristi K 12 Honor Roll

Sordelet, Taylor D 12 Honor Roll

Speaker, Ronald J 12 Honor Roll

Tartaglia, Jessica M 12 Honor Roll

Arvola, Dustin A 11 Honor Roll

Bueker, Melissa B 11 Honor Roll

Bundy, Autumn L 11 Honor Roll

Burkhart, Brianne K 11 Honor Roll

Converset, Tori E 11 Honor Roll

Farner, Amanda D 11 Honor Roll

Geiger, Brittany L 11 Honor Roll

Harmon, Alecia K 11 Honor Roll

Haupricht, Heidi E 11 Honor Roll

Hill, Evan P 11 Honor Roll

Hockerman, Michael D 11 Honor Roll

Johnson, Brandon L 11 Honor Roll

Kattau, Chloe S 11 Honor Roll

Kreger, Barbara A 11 Honor Roll

Kuznar, Shannon L 11 Honor Roll

Martinez, Marla M 11 Honor Roll

Norris, Justin E 11 Honor Roll

Owen, Brent M 11 Honor Roll

Petrie, Cassandra L 11 Honor Roll

Pippenger, Erik J 11 Honor Roll

Rollins, Jade N 11 Honor Roll

Schmidt, Sarah E 11 Honor Roll

Shambaugh, Allyson L 11 Honor Roll

Shanabarger, Kelsey N 11 Honor Roll

Snyder, Drew E 11 Honor Roll

Sorg, Crystal M 11 Honor Roll

Turner, Jordan W 11 Honor Roll

Walker, Alexandra Michelle 11 Honor Roll

Wallace, Rhayah D 11 Honor Roll

Wyss, Emily C 11 Honor Roll

Boggess, Adam M 10 Honor Roll

Burch, Victoria L 10 Honor Roll

Butler, Clinton Alan 10 Honor Roll

Eakins, Caitlin K 10 Honor Roll

Fehring, Rachel E 10 Honor Roll

Fry, Taylor M 10 Honor Roll

Fulk, Layne C 10 Honor Roll

Geiger, Kalyn D 10 Honor Roll

Gross, Haleigh L 10 Honor Roll

Henning, Taylor N 10 Honor roll

Herron, Brandi J 10 Honor Roll

Hilsmier, Stuart W 10 Honor Roll

Hockerman, Kaitlyn L 10 Honor Roll

Hoffman, Michaela K 10 Honor Roll

LeFever, Joshua B 10 Honor Roll

Lewellyn, Jana L 10 Honor Roll

Partin, Maranda S 10 Honor Roll

Pope, Robert J 10 Honor Roll

Smallwood, Erika Joleen 10 Honor Roll

Trump, Nicole C 10 Honor Roll

Uecker, Christopher M 10 Honor Roll

Young, Morgan C 10 Honor Roll

Zolman, Alexander R 10 Honor Roll

Beverly, Morgan Dean 9 Honor Roll

Biddle, Andrew T 9 Honor Roll

Blake, Chandler E 9 Honor Roll

Boggess, Austin K 9 Honor Roll

Brown, Chandler A 9 Honor Roll

Folland, Emily 9 Honor Roll

Frericks, Emma R 9 Honor Roll

Geiger, Colton J 9 Honor Roll

Gibson, Kasey L 9 Honor Roll

Gibson, Morgan Nicole 9 Honor Roll

Gouwens, Janelle M 9 Honor Roll

Herendeen, Mariah M 9 Honor Roll

Hunsberger, Sydney R 9 Honor Roll

Jones, Gabrielle L 9 Honor Roll

Keener, Jessica L 9 Honor Roll

Labenz, Savannah E 9 Honor Roll

Lampe, Nicole M 9 Honor Roll

Martin, Amanda N 9 Honor Roll

Miller, Alana M 9 Honor Roll

Nicodemus, Jason S 9 Honor Roll

Petrie, Jay S 9 Honor Roll

Shambaugh, Jennafer A 9 Honor Roll

Shively, Katherine L 9 Honor Roll

Teusch, John Caleb 9 Honor Roll

Tidwell, Amelia A 9 Honor Roll

Uecker, Jenna M 9 Honor Roll

Zumbrun, Joseph W 9 Honor Roll

Adams, Ronald H 12 Honorable Mention

Battenberg, Chantal R 12 Honorable Mention

Combs, Misty J 12 Honorable Mention

Frericks, Elizabeth R 12 Honorable Mention

Hamilton, Jordan R 12 Honorable Mention

Helfrich, Kayla D 12 Honorable Mention

Labenz, Karissa M 12 Honorable Mention

Murphy, Zachary E 12 Honorable Mention

Myers, Mason J 12 Honorable Mention

Polakovic, Noah A 12 Honorable Mention

Royer, Alisha R 12 Honorable Mention

Sakells, Jacob R 12 Honorable Mention

Shively, Bryce Wellington 12 Honorable Mention

Tartaglia, Jessica M 12 Honorable Mention

Teague, Shannon M 12 Honorable Mention

Armstead, Zackery A 11 Honorable Mention

Cornwell, Lindsay A 11 Honorable Mention

Fleming, Elizabeth R 11 Honorable Mention

Forker, Jeremy W 11 Honorable Mention

Geiger, Dylan W 11 Honorable Mention

Herendeen, Dylan C 11 Honorable Mention

Herendeen, Tavin L 11 Honorable Mention

Howk, Michael W 11 Honorable Mention

Keefe, Shelby M 11 Honorable Mention

Kelley, Shawn R 11 Honorable Mention

Lich, Jesse L 11 Honorable Mention

Mathewson, Kyle W 11 Honorable Mention

Murphy, Randie R 11 Honorable Mention

Penley, Chelsey M 11 Honorable Mention

Roehrman, Stacie L 11 Honorable Mention

Ruble, Haley E 11 Honorable Mention

Shelton, Ashlie N 11 Honorable Mention

Siddons, George Braxton 11 Honorable Mention

Wells, Alisha K 11 Honorable Mention

Wheaton, Brianna N 11 Honorable Mention

Witzenman, Stephanie A 11 Honorable Mention

Adams, Zachary T 10 Honorable Mention

Bishop, Colleen 10 Honorable Mention

Brandt, Raquel K 10 Honorable Mention

Carter, Brooke L 10 Honorable Mention

Craig, Maitlin Doyle 10 Honorable Mention

Eyer, Alexandria R 10 Honorable Mention

Gayheart, Brittany M 10 Honorable Mention

Goepfrich, Austin L 10 Honorable Mention

Harris, Victoria R 10 Honorable Mention

Henning, Taylor N 10 Honorable Mention

Hull, Jori S 10 Honorable Mention

Hunsberger, Peyton D 10 Honorable Mention

Johnston, Haleigh N 10 Honorable Mention

Jones, Christopher Aaron 10 Honorable Mention

Jones, Dylan M 10 Honorable Mention

Kelly, Miranda L 10 Honorable Mention

LaVassaur, Amber Marie 10 Honorable Mention

Lehner, Erika R 10 Honorable Mention

Mapes, Rebecca D 10 Honorable Mention

McCormick, Jadene R 10 Honorable Mention

Meinzen, Gretchen R 10 Honorable Mention

Monk, Heather L 10 Honorable Mention

Norris, Kayla N 10 Honorable Mention

Pearson, Theodore Davis 10 Honorable Mention

Robinson, James Thomas 10 Honorable Mention

Roe, Paige B 10 Honorable Mention

Sade, Harrison M 10 Honorable Mention

Schinbeckler, Alyssa M 10 Honorable Mention

Wetzel, Codi Nicole 10 Honorable Mention

Wheeler, Joshua William 10 Honorable Mention

Williams, Austin L 10 Honorable Mention

Wojcik, Haley N 10 Honorable Mention

Barnhart, Gunnar L 9 Honorable Mention

Barrett, Amelia J 9 Honorable Mention

Birk, Broden D 9 Honorable Mention

Buckhardt, Monique J 9 Honorable Mention

Bultemeier, Devin A 9 Honorable Mention

Corson, Korie K 9 Honorable Mention

Crabill, Kelary M 9 Honorable Mention

Faust, Kyle G 9 Honorable Mention

Geiger, Davon T 9 Honorable Mention

Hays, Damon R 9 Honorable Mention

Hively, Emily KE 9 Honorable Mention

Hogeston, Connor J 9 Honorable Mention

Hunsberger, Sierra B 9 Honorable Mention

Keener, Jacey M 9 Honorable Mention

Kuznar, Eric C 9 Honorable Mention

Lenwell, Morgan K 9 Honorable Mention

Miller, Brett J 9 Honorable Mention

Nodine, Karensa J 9 Honorable Mention

Pence, Sara C 9 Honorable Mention

Schaefer, Cody Allen 9 Honorable Mention

Siddons, Samuel John 9 Honorable Mention

Stark, Abby M 9 Honorable Mention

Woodruff, Shelby L 9 Honorable Mention

Zeller, McKenna M 9 Honorable Mention

Honor Roll First Semester 2010

Student Name                                      Grade Level          Level

Amber, Taylor L                                            12              Honor Roll

Bankson, Alexis L                                          12              Honor Roll

Brumbaugh, Amanda R                               12              Honor Roll

Brumbaugh, Kathryn Beth                         12              Honor Roll

Crabill, Brittany M                                         12              Honor Roll

Dodson, Hannah R                                         12              Honor Roll

Fehring, James D                                            12              Honor Roll

Geist, Mallory L                                               12              Honor Roll

Greve, Skylar                                                    12              Honor Roll

Hartmann, Danielle A                                    12             Honor Roll

Herron, Anthony E                                         12             Honor Roll

Holloway, Alysa A                                           12            Honor Roll

Johnson, Amber L                                           12            Honor Roll

Klaehn, Kelli M                                                  12            Honor Roll

LeFever, Travis E                                             12            Honor Roll

Martin, Kimberly M                                         12           Honor Roll

McDowell, Alexander J                                  12           Honor Roll

Nicodemus, Jordan J                                      12           Honor Roll

Raber, Jacob S                                                    12          Honor Roll

Sade, Zane I                                                          12         Honor Roll

Sanders, Shelby Z                                               12         Honor Roll

Slagal, Kristi K                                                      12         Honor Roll

Sordelet, Taylor D                                               12         Honor Roll

Speaker, Ronald J                                                12         Honor Roll

Tartaglia, Jessica M                                             12        Honor Roll

Arvola, Dustin A                                                   11        Honor Roll

Bueker, Melissa B                                                  11        Honor Roll

Burkhart, Brianne K                                             11        Honor Roll

Converset, Tori E                                                  11        Honor Roll

Farner, Amanda D                                                11        Honor Roll

Geiger, Brittany L                                                  11       Honor Roll

Harmon, Alecia K                                                  11       Honor Roll

Haupricht, Heidi E                                                 11      Honor Roll

Hockerman, Michael D                                       11       Honor Roll

Johnson, Brandon L                                            11       Honor Roll

Kattau, Chloe S                                                      11       Honor Roll

Kreger, Barbara A                                                11       Honor Roll

Kuznar, Shannon L                                              11       Honor Roll

Martinez, Marla M                                               11       Honor Roll

Norris, Justin E                                                    11        Honor Roll

Penley, Chelsey M                                               11        Honor Roll

Petrie, Cassandra L                                             11        Honor Roll

Pippenger, Erik J                                                 11        Honor Roll

Rollins, Jade N                                                     11        Honor Roll

Schmidt, Sarah E                                                 11        Honor Roll

Shambaugh, Allyson L                                      11        Honor Roll

Shanabarger, Kelsey N                                     11        Honor Roll

Siddons, George Braxton                                11        Honor Roll

Snyder, Drew E                                                    11        Honor Roll

Sorg, Crystal M                                                    11        Honor Roll

Turner, Jordan W                                               11        Honor Roll

Walker, Alexandra Michelle                          11        Honor Roll

Wallace, Rhayah D                                             11        Honor Roll

Wells, Alisha K                                                    11         Honor Roll

Wyss, Emily C                                                      11        Honor Roll

Boggess, Adam M                                              10        Honor Roll

Butler, Clinton Alan                                          10        Honor Roll

Fehring, Rachel E                                               10        Honor Roll

Fry, Taylor M                                                       10        Honor Roll

Fulk, Layne C                                                       10         Honor Roll

Geiger, Kalyn D                                                   10         Honor Roll

Gross, Haleigh L                                                 10          Honor Roll

Herron, Brandi J                                                10          Honor Roll

Hilsmier, Stuart W                                             10          Honor Roll

Hockerman, Kaitlyn L                                      10          Honor Roll

Hoffman, Michaela K                                        10          Honor Roll

Lewellyn, Jana L                                                10          Honor Roll

Partin, Maranda S                                              10          Honor Roll

Pope, Robert J                                                    10          Honor Roll

Sade, Harrison M                                               10          Honor Roll

Trump, Nicole C                                                 10          Honor Roll

Uecker, Christopher M                                    10          Honor Roll

Young, Morgan C                                               10          Honor Roll

Zolman, Alexander R                                       10          Honor Roll

Beverly, Morgan Dean                                       9           Honor Roll

Blake, Chandler E                                                 9           Honor Roll

Boggess, Austin K                                                9            Honor Roll

Brown, Chandler A                                              9            Honor Roll

Folland, Emily                                                       9            Honor Roll

Geiger, Colton J                                                     9           Honor Roll

Gibson, Kasey L                                                     9           Honor Roll

Gibson, Morgan Nicole                                       9           Honor Roll

Gouwens, Janelle M                                             9           Honor Roll

Hunsberger, Sydney R                                        9           Honor Roll

Jones, Gabrielle L                                                 9           Honor Roll

Keener, Jessica L                                                  9           Honor Roll

Lampe, Nicole M                                                   9           Honor Roll

Martin, Amanda N                                                9           Honor Roll

Miller, Alana M                                                       9          Honor Roll

Petrie, Jay S                                                             9           Honor Roll

Shambaugh, Jennafer A                                      9           Honor Roll

Shively, Katherine L                                             9           Honor Roll

Teusch, John Caleb                                               9           Honor Roll

Tidwell, Amelia A                                                  9           Honor Roll

Zumbrun, Joseph W                                             9           Honor Roll

Adams, Ronald H                                                 12         Honorable Mention

Battenberg, Chantal R                                        12         Honorable Mention

Berghoff, Robin C                                                 12          Honorable Mention

Butler, Alexis N                                                    12           Honorable Mention

Coe, Seth A                                                             12           Honorable Mention

Dirr, Hayden C                                                      12           Honorable Mention

Dreyer, Kyrie A                                                    12           Honorable Mention

Frericks, Elizabeth R                                          12           Honorable Mention

Hamilton, Jordan R                                            12           Honorable Mention

Helfrich, Kayla D                                                  12           Honorable Mention

Jackson, Anistassia P                                         12           Honorable Mention

Kessinger, Marrisa L                                           12           Honorable Mention

Labenz, Karissa M                                                12           Honorable Mention

Lewis, Catelyn A                                                   12           Honorable Mention

Mey, Ryan D                                                           12           Honorable Mention

Murphy, Zachary E                                             12           Honorable Mention

Myers, Nancy K                                                    12           Honorable Mention

Owen, Kyle J                                                          12            Honorable Mention

Root, Samuel J                                                      12            Honorable Mention

Sakells, Jacob R                                                     12           Honorable Mention

Shively, Bryce Wellington                                12            Honorable Mention

Wietfeldt, Breanna Brooke                               12            Honorable Mention

Armstead, Zackery A                                         11            Honorable Mention

Bering, Shelby L                                                    11           Honorable Mention

Bleich, John A                                                       11            Honorable Mention

Bundy, Autumn L                                                11            Honorable Mention

Diller, Alex C                                                         11            Honorable Mention

Edsall, Alix A                                                        11            Honorable Mention

Fleming, Elizabeth R                                          11            Honorable Mention

Forker, Jeremy W                                               11            Honorable Mention

Geiger, Dylan W                                                   11            Honorable Mention

Herendeen, Dylan C                                           11            Honorable Mention

Herendeen, Tavin L                                           11            Honorable Mention

Hill, Evan P                                                           11            Honorable Mention

Howk, Michael W                                                11            Honorable Mention

Keefe, Shelby M                                                   11            Honorable Mention

Kelley, Shawn R                                                   11            Honorable Mention

Mathewson, Kyle W                                           11            Honorable Mention

Murphy, Randie R                                               11           Honorable Mention

Owen, Brent M                                                     11            Honorable Mention

Owens, Kaitlyn J                                                 11            Honorable Mention

Roehrman, Stacie L                                           11            Honorable Mention

Ruble, Haley E                                                     11            Honorable Mention

Shelton, Ashlie N                                                11           Honorable Mention

Wheaton, Brianna N                                          11           Honorable Mention

Witzenman, Stephanie A                                 11           Honorable Mention

Adams, Zachary T                                             10           Honorable Mention

Bishop, Colleen                                                   10          Honorable Mention

Bloem, Gregory K                                              10          Honorable Mention

Burch, Victoria L                                               10          Honorable Mention

Carter, Brooke L                                                 10          Honorable Mention

Craig, Maitlin Doyle                                          10          Honorable Mention

Eakins, Caitlin K                                                  10          Honorable Mention

Eyer, Alexandria R                                           10           Honorable Mention

Gayheart, Brittany M                                       10          Honorable Mention

Goepfrich, Austin L                                           10         Honorable Mention

Harris, Victoria R                                              10          Honorable Mention

Henning, Taylor N                                             10          Honorable Mention

Hull, Jori S                                                            10          Honorable Mention

Hunsberger, Peyton D                                      10         Honorable Mention

Johnston, Haleigh N                                          10         Honorable Mention

Jones, Christopher Aaron                               10         Honorable Mention

Jones, Dylan L                                                      10         Honorable Mention

Jones, Dylan M                                                     10         Honorable Mention

Kelly, Miranda L                                                   10         Honorable Mention

Kirk, Logan S                                                          10         Honorable Mention

LeFever, Joshua B                                               10          Honorable Mention

Lehner, Erika R                                                      10         Honorable Mention

Mapes, Rebecca D                                                10          Honorable Mention

Martin, Jacob W                                                    10         Honorable Mention

McCormick, Jadene R                                         10         Honorable Mention

Meinzen, Gretchen R                                           10         Honorable Mention

Monk, Heather L                                                    10        Honorable Mention

Norris, Kayla N                                                      10          Honorable Mention

Pearson, Theodore Davis                                  10          Honorable Mention

Reed, Olivia P                                                         10          Honorable Mention

Robinson, James Thomas                                 10           Honorable Mention

Roe, Paige B                                                            10           Honorable Mention

Schinbeckler, Alyssa M                                     10           Honorable Mention

Smallwood, Erika Joleen                                  10            Honorable Mention

Summers, Payton A                                            10            Honorable Mention

Wetzel, Codi Nicole                                             10            Honorable Mention

Williams, Austin L                                                10           Honorable Mention

Wojcik, Haley N                                                    10           Honorable Mention

Barnhart, Gunnar L                                               9            Honorable Mention

Barrett, Amelia J                                                    9            Honorable Mention

Biddle, Andrew T                                                    9           Honorable Mention

Birk, Broden D                                                          9          Honorable Mention

Buckhardt, Monique J                                          9          Honorable Mention

Bultemeier, Devin A                                              9          Honorable Mention

Corson, Korie K                                                       9          Honorable Mention

Crabill, Kelary M                                                     9          Honorable Mention

Faust, Kyle G                                                             9          Honorable Mention

Frericks, Emma R                                                    9          Honorable Mention

Geiger, Davon T                                                        9          Honorable Mention

Herendeen, Mariah M                                            9          Honorable Mention

Hogeston, Connor J                                                9          Honorable Mention

Hunsberger, Sierra B                                              9          Honorable Mention

Keener, Jacey M                                                       9          Honorable Mention

Kuznar, Eric C                                                            9          Honorable Mention

Labenz, Savannah E                                                 9          Honorable Mention

Miller, Brett J                                                             9           Honorable Mention

Mitchell, Kayleen Brianne                                     9          Honorable Mention

Nevil, Tyler A                                                             9           Honorable Mention

Nicodemus, Jason S                                                 9           Honorable Mention

Nodine, Karensa J                                                     9           Honorable Mention

Noyes, Marisa T                                                          9          Honorable Mention

Pence, Sara C                                                                9          Honorable Mention

Schaefer, Cody Allen                                                 9          Honorable Mention

Siddons, Samuel John                                              9          Honorable Mention

Stark, Abby M                                                              9          Honorable Mention

Uecker, Jenna M                                                         9          Honorable Mention

Voght, Chandler Lee                                                  9         Honorable Mention

Woodruff, Shelby L                                                     9         Honorable Mention

Zeller, McKenna M                                                      9         Honorable Mention

Jordan Bates, a 6th grader, was honored at the February 1 school board meeting in the Spotlight on Success. Jordan won the 2009-2010 CMS Spelling Bee and is also active in football, wrestling, and his AWANA group at church. Jordan is the son of Tammy Hoppas and Aaron Bates. Congratulations Jordan!

Rod Strayer was recognized as February's Teacher of the Month.

Continuing the recognition of success, Rod Strayer was recognized as the Teacher of the Month. Strayer has been with Smith-Green for 24 years and had 7 years of experience before that! He sponsors the middle school academic Science team, was the head wrestling coach for 13 years, and served as the associate athletic director in charge of middle school sports for some time. Strayer was also a nominee for the State Teacher of the Year Award.

The board approved the leave request of CES Special Education Teacher Amy Pyle for the period of March 1, 2010 through the last day of the 2010-2011 school year.

Paul Sade was also hired as a CMS substitute teacher beginning approximately February 8, 2010 through April 1, 2010 to fill the vacancy created during Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips’ maternity leave.

The board voted 5-0 to direct the Whitley County Community Foundation to use the Paul Muller pass-through account for the purchase of a splash pad and use the remaining funds for annual maintenance.

A 5-0 vote also approved the change in non-resident student transfer cut-off date to August 15.

Lastly, the board approved the 2010 Capital Projects Plan in a vote of 5-0. The plan allocates what projects will receive funds and how much they will receive. The Plan includes, among other things, $30,000 to be spent on cameras for the parking lots, athletic fields, and building access points, $7,500 to be spent soundproofing room 134 as required by the new restructuring, and $1,000 for no smoking signs and outdoor labels that will be necessary since the board passed the new tobacco policy.

Smith-Green Board of Trustees

The following is the agenda for the February 1 school board meeting:

1. Call to Order and Welcome of Visitors – Mrs. Young
2. Pledge of Allegiance & Spotlight on Success – Mr. Davis & Jordan Bates
3. Moment of Meditation – Mrs. Young
4. Student Representatives to Board of School Trustees – Mr. Couch
5. Teachers of the Month – Mr. Davis & Mr. Strayer
6. Action on Consent Agenda – Mrs. Young
     A. Minutes,
          1. Executive Sessions – January 18, 2010 & January 21, 2010
          2. Regular Meeting – January 18, 2010
     B. Claims
7. Comments from Visitors
     A. Community
     B. Administrators
     C. Board
     D. Correspondence to the Board
8. Personnel
     A. Resignations/Retirements
     B. Terminations
     C. Reclassification
     D. Leave Requests (Mrs. Amy Pyle, Parental Leave)
     E. New Hires (Substitute for Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips)
9. Business
     A. Action: Approval of Professional Leaves
     B. Report: Passport to Music – Mrs. Lough, CES
     C. Action: Approval of WCCF Pass-through Account Procedure
     D. Action: Approval of Change in Non-Resident Student Transfer Cut-Off Date
     E. Action: Approval of 2010 Capital Projects Plan
     F. Other
10. Future Agenda Items or Meetings
     A. Strategic Planning Committee Update – February 15
     B. Bus Bids – February 15
     C. Board Visitation of Churubusco Schools – TBD
     D. Future Agenda Requests – Board Members
11. Adjournment – Mrs. Young

The following is the agenda for what will be discussed in the executive session held February 1:

The Board of School Trustees will meet for the following purpose(s) in accordance with IC
5-14-1.5-6.1(b):
     2. For discussion of strategy with respect to any of the following:
Initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been
threatened specifically in writing;
and
     4. To receive information about and interview prospective employees.

Next Regular Board Meeting – Monday, February 15, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.

The library purchased new book bins for the primary/picture books.

The CES library is currently implementing the first stages of the “facelift” or renovations to the primary/picture book section. Such renovations include new book bins which were built just for the library and a wooden table purchased for the area.

CES Librarian Julie Mast and others spent the summer painting this area to resemble a castle. It is used for short plays.

This is only the beginning of the project as CES Librarian Julie Mast aims to build a tree house area for the fiction section of the library as well. Mast hopes to increase children’s enthusiasm for reading and visiting the library by making it a more inviting and fun-filled environment.

Mast hopes to transform the current fiction section of the library into a tree house.

The library will also see the installation of a smart board in the near future thanks to funds raised by the book drive the past couple of years. The smart board has already been purchased and is awaiting assembly and installation at the moment.

With a short budget to work on and seemingly continuous budget cuts at Smith-Green, it has been a long road for the library to get to where it is now. The library has worked very hard to sustain itself and these projects in various ways.

Fourth grader Brein Gross sold eggs and items in a garage sale and donated the $99 she raised to the library for its renovations.

The CES library also received help from a generous student. Fourth grader Brein Gross, daughter of Luke and Kelly Gross, donated $99 to the library. Gross raised the money selling eggs for $1.25 and also selling items in a garage sale. Much of her money went to purchase the table and book bins for the primary/picture book section.

Many students play games on this table during their time in the library.

When asked what made her want to donate her time and money to the libary, Gross said the libary was rather dull before and it is much easier to make the characters come to life with its new decor, which continues to develop. Brein’s favorite part of the library is the castle.

Students can enjoy watching the birds at the new feeding station in the court yard.

Another fun and educational addition to the library is a feeding station for birds located in the court yard next to the library. The station is visible from the library windows and students can watch the birds and try to identify them with the bird watching books provided for them. When warmer weather appears Mast will place a baby monitor outside at the station and inside so the students can hear the birds as well. The feeding station was paid for by a grant by REMC that Mast applied for.

The castle area is many of the students' favorite place in the library.

The castle helps to liven the mood in the library.

850598_thumbs_up

Thumbs Up …

… To the Smith-Green Community School Board for finally moving toward a more smoke free environment!

-A 2010 appreciator of cleaner air

Perhaps the biggest news from the school board meeting held earlier this week is the new tobacco ban that will take effect in the 2010 – 2011 school year.

Smith-Green currently has in place bans on the use or possession of tobacco by students on school property and now it seems that will extend to everyone –students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and to during extracurricular activities.

Though the new complete ban was approved, it was not without hesitation by some board members. Cathy Petrie stated her discomfort with the policy being that it is a legal activity for those over the age of 18 and so it is technically their right. However, in the end she voted for the approval of the policy feeling that it is the right thing for the students to be exposed to a smoke-free environment, especially since it is primarily an institution composed of minors and children.

In response to the question of what prompted the change in policy, Superintendent Steve Darnell said “As a part of the NEOLA policy review, this is one recommended for all school districts throughout the State of Indiana.”  Darnell also stated the new policy will put Smith-Green in line with other districts in the county.

Board member Nick Uecker voted against the policy stating his belief that the ban should be gradually introduced and not forced so suddenly.

In other board news, a grant was accepted to be used for paving the walkway in the proposed Eagle Garden. The garden has not yet been started but is slated to begin when the weather permits.

The interview process has begun to fill the recently vacated positions of Business Manager and Technology Director (Adam Skiles resigned from the previously combined position earlier this month).

In an effort to combat the state cuts to the general fund, the board voted to approve the creation of a rainy day fund; this allows money from the capital projects, transportation and debt services funds to be transferred and used for general fund expenditures.

Darnell had the following to say about the creation of the rainy day fund: “The rainy day fund is a process to use remaining appropriations from other funds for general purposes as allowed by law.  We have cash balances in bus replacement, capital projects and debt services.  These (only allowable by law up to 10% of the appropriation subject to the cash balance within the fund) will be used to support general expenses of the general fund that were lost with the state cuts.  Smith-Green will be cut 5.22% from the general fund – appropriately $414,500.”

What are your thoughts on the new tobacco policy at Smith-Green?

There will be a representative from the IPFW financial aid office at Churubusco High School this Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m.

The representative will be discussing how to correctly fill out the FAFSA form and can answer the questions you may have about college financial aid.

It is recommended that any parent whose child is a senior in high school and plans on attending college should attend the meeting. Take advantage of this great resource. The meeting will be held in the high school library.

Adam Skiles

Adam Skiles is to resign from Smith-Green Community Schools; Skiles has been employed as the Director of Business and Technology at Smith-Green for a few years. It was announced at the Jan. 4th school board meeting that Skiles would be resigning.

Superintendent Steve Darnell had the following comments regarding Skiles resignation: “Mr. Skiles will be missed.  His expertise in technology and managing the business office has been extremely helpful to the district.  It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Skiles.  We all wish him well in his return to Huntington County Community Schools as a network engineer.”

The board also viewed a presentation on the school budget for 2010 at the meeting and took care of the first of the year business including reorganizing the board and selecting representatives for various functions. The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Monday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

Not too long ago, BuscoVoice brought you news of the pending ACLU lawsuit against Smith-Green Community Schools and high school principal Austin Couch. The ACLU filed the suit on behalf of two female athletes at Churubusco High School who were suspended from athletics and all extracurriculars for the entire school year after Couch became aware of racy pictures they posted on their Myspace pages.

The Indiana chapter of the ACLU filed the law suit against Smith-Green in October.

The two sophomore girls had taken the pictures at a sleepover over the summer and posted them in an album on Myspace set so that only their friends could view them. After another child’s parent discovered them, they reported them to Couch who promptly suspended the girls from all activities for the school year. After appealing to Couch, he reduced their sentence by 25 percent once they attended three counseling sessions and apologized to the CHS Athletic Board, an all-male group comprised of the varsity coaches.

According to an article published Dec. 18 in the Journal Gazette, the ACLU would like to have the suit classified as class action on behalf of all students participating in extracurricular activities at Smith-Green. In recent court filings, the school district does not think the suit should be classified as such because it is the first case in school history of this sort.

The Gazette also stated attorneys for Smith-Green are now alleging the actions comprise the behavior of “potential child pornographers.” Attorneys for the district also state that the pictures are child pornography and they are not constitutionally protected speech. A tentative trial date is set for April 2011.

For more  go to the Journal Gazette Smith-Green alleges photos obscene…

Beginning the 2010-2011 school year, Churubusco High School will be no more. It will become Churubusco Junior-Senior High School.

Churubusco High School will now be known as Churubusco Junior-Senior High School.

At a special meeting  held Wednesday, Dec. 16, the school board voted 4-1 to approve the reconfiguration of Smith-Green into two buildings: K-5 and 6-12. The original proposal called for the sixth graders to be moved to the elementary; the proposal was amended to allow the sixth graders to remain in the secondary setting for at least next school year pending further review of the plan.

High school principal Austin Couch will be reassigned to be educational leader for grades 6-12 and current middle school principal John Davis will be reassigned to the position of assistant principal responsible for student services for the junior-senior high school. The plan also demands the creation of another administrative position, that of the elementary assistant principal.

Board president Tanya Young stated her support for the plan but also expressed her desire to see the plan move at a slower pace. Regardless, the board voted 4-1 to approve the plan with board member Cathy Petrie voting against the plan. Petrie cited her concern over the possibility of a decrease in the general fund (due to statewide cuts) and the creation of the administrative position as reasons for her vote. Petrie added that she did not feel the timing was right.

In other news, the board approved the hire of Amy Jagger as the director of the high school musical and also extended CES teacher Cindy Bartlett’s professional leave until February 26, 2010.

By Kayla Crance, assistant editor, Buscovoice.com

By Kayla Crance

Assistant Editor, Buscovoice.com

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – If you are interested in whether or not the Smith-Green Community Schools’ board of directors will vote to move forward with the proposal to reconfigure Smith-Green, you will not have to wait much longer.

The administration held two parent meetings to discuss the reconfiguration proposal.

The board plans to vote on the proposal at a special meeting scheduled this Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in the CHS/CMS library.

At the Dec. 7 school board meeting, Smith-Green Schools’ administration presented the proposal to the board in hopes the board would approve it and they could move forward with the plan; instead, the board tabled the decision pending receiving more information.

Those who feel strongly about the plan, one way or the other, should contact the board members before Wednesday in order for the thoughts to be taken into consideration. To quote SGCS Superintendent Steve Darnell, “We want what you want.” Tell the school board members what you want to happen.

Let us here at Buscovoice know, as well. And remember, you heard it first at Buscovoice.com.

School board members include:

• Tanya Young – Young.Tanya@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-2969;
• Nick Uecker – Uecker.Nick@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-2357;
• Cathy Petrie – Petrie.Cathy@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-636-3522;
• Rick Trump – Trump.Rick@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-9877;
• Mike Sturgis – Sturgis.Michael@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-0015.

SPECIAL MEETING, Wednesday, Dec. 16, CHS/CMS Library at 7 p.m.

• 1. Call to Order & Welcome of Visitors- Mrs. Young
• 2. Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Couch
• 3. Moment of Meditation – Mrs. Young
• 4. Action on Consent Agenda – Mrs. Young
  • A. Minutes, Executive Session & Regular Meeting – December 7, 2009
  • B. Claims
• 5. Comments from Visitors
  • A. Community
  • B. Administrators
  • C. Board Comments
  • D. Correspondence to Board (Churubusco Park)
• 6. Personnel
  • A. Resignations/Retirements
  • B. Terminations
  • C. Reclassifications
  • D. Leave Requests
  • E. New Hires (Approval of Lay Position, CHS Spring Musical Director)
• 7. Business
  • A. Action: Approval of Professional Leaves
  • B. Action: Approval of K-6/7-12 Restructuring
  • C. Other
• 8. Adjournment – Mrs. Young

Next Regular Board Meeting – Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the CHS/CMS Media Center, 1 Eagle Drive, Churubusco IN 46723

A plan is currently in the works at Smith-Green Community Schools to uproot the entire sixth grade and transplant it into the elementary, thus creating a kindergarten through sixth grade elementary school and a junior-senior high school. But is the plan really going to solve the issues it is aimed at?

After corresponding with the superintendent via email and attending the second parent meeting regarding the reconfiguration plan at Smith-Green I have to say that I do not think the plan adds up. While I believe the intentions are right, I think other options need to be considered.

Kayla Crance

What was gathered to be the administration’s main point during the meeting was that approximately 20 percent of students leave the sixth grade failing. However, it was then stated that this 20 percent typically enters the sixth grade failing. This makes it appear that the structure of the middle school has nothing to do with the problem. So my question is – how is this plan really going to resolve the issue?

Additionally, why is this 20 percent not being addressed until it reaches the sixth grade? Moreover, the current system is working for 80 percent of the students; going forward with the proposal means the minority is dictating the direction of the school. I am not suggesting that those struggling students do not matter. If there is anyone that understands and supports the importance of education and equality, it is me. I feel the school does need to reach out to that struggling 20 percent, but I do not think this plan is the way to do it. The simple fact that they enter the grade failing demonstrates the real issue takes place before the sixth grade.

Is the transition from fifth to sixth grade difficult? Yes, of course. However, moving the sixth grade to the elementary only delays the transition one year. Another concern of the administration was the fact that the current setup requires middle school students (including sixth graders) to interact with high school students at times. This proposal would allegedly solve this problem as well. But will it really fix that problem? According to elementary principal, Nicole Singer, what is now being used as the study hall room would be converted into computer labs for elementary students. In order for those elementary students to get to the computer labs they will have to go directly through the high school commons; this will put them in direct contact with high school students at certain times of the day.

The superintendent stated the estimated cost of the project (remodeling the rooms etc.) is $20,000. In reality, this sum would be closer to $100,000 due to the hiring of an assistant principal for the elementary school ( … should the proposal be approved there will be too many students for the principal to handle alone). The cost of an assistant principal is one that will be continuous as it will require an annual salary. Didn’t the school recently terminate the assistant principal positions in order to save money? Furthermore, Smith-Green was, at one time, organized in the junior-senior high school format and it was changed to the current system. I am guessing it was changed for a reason.

There are numerous gaps in the plan as the administration does not want to expend the effort to produce a complete plan unless the school board votes to approve the reconfiguration. While wanting to save time and effort is understandable, wanting the board to vote on a plan without knowing the specifics is not; I firmly believe the school board should not be making decisions without knowing exactly what they are voting for. I believe that is the reason the school has had many issues in the past; the school board made decisions that they did not investigate fully. Each and every board member was elected to their position and it is their duty to know exactly what they are voting for. As a person who interviewed to fill a position on the school board, I can say that I would never vote for a plan if all of the details were not ironed out, especially a plan of such magnitude.

I do applaud the administration’s interest in parent input, and sincerely hope the school board takes the parents’ concerns into consideration. The superintendent stated that the school wants what the parents want. In order for that to be true, the school needs to hear the parents’ opinions.

But time is short – the school board will be voting whether to go forward with the reconfiguration at Monday’s (Dec. 7) school board meeting. I encourage parents to voice their concerns and opinions to the school board members before that meeting – speaking at the meeting will be too late.

Let the school board members hear your voice and while you are at it, let us here at BuscoVoice.com know what you think.

As for me, I remain skeptical and hope the school board rejects the proposal.

By Kayla Crance, Associate Editor, Buscovoice.com

Post your comments below

The administration held two parent meetings to discuss the reconfiguration proposal.

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Sun. Dec. 6) — Recently, a proposal to reconfigure Smith-Green Community Schools into a kindergarten through sixth grade elementary and a junior-senior high school has been blazing its way towards becoming reality. How soon may we expect to see the plan come to fruition? Perhaps, sooner than we think.

The plan suggests moving the sixth graders to the elementary school in hopes of assisting a struggling 20 percent of students. According to comments made at a recent parent meeting by Churubusco High School Principal Austin Couch, “that 20 percent does poorly upon entering the sixth grade as well as leaving it.”

The administration has held two community meetings in order to gather parent input and answer questions regarding the proposal. The majority of parents voicing their opinion have spoken out against the plan.

Despite parents being told at the recent public meeting that school officials were unsure when the plan would come before the school board for a vote, it will happen at Monday’s meeting, Dec. 7, according to the agenda released Thursday by the school (see below.)

Those planning to speak on the issue during the community portion of the school board meeting should contact school board members prior to the meeting if they want to ensure that the board takes what they have to say into consideration.

School board members include:

• Tanya Young – Young.Tanya@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-2969;
• Nick Eucker – Uecker.Nick@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-2357;
• Kathy Petrie – Petrie.Cathy@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-636-3522;
• Rick Trump – Trump.Rick@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-9877;
• Mike Sturgis – Sturgis.Michael@sgcs.k12.in.us or 260-693-0015.

Executive Session, 6:00 p.m., Churubusco Middle School office/conference room

The Board of School Trustees will meet for the following purpose(s) in accordance with IC5-14-1.5-6(b):

• To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to a discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.

Regular school board meeting, CHS/CMS Media Center at 7 p.m.
1. Call to Order and Welcome of Visitors – Mrs. Young
2. Pledge of Allegiance & Spotlight on Success – Mr. Couch & Zane Sade
3. Moment of Meditation – Mrs. Young
4. Teacher of the Month – Mr. Couch & Mr. Folland
5. Action on Consent Agenda – Mrs. Young
A. Minutes, Executive Session & Regular Meeting – November 16, 2009
B. Claims
6. Comments from Visitors
A. Community
B. Administrators
C. Board
D. Correspondence to the Board
7. Personnel
A. Resignations/Retirements (Ms. Borg)
B. Terminations
C. Reclassification
D. Leave Requests
E. New Hires (Approval of Winter Lay Coaches)
8. Business
A. Action: Approval of Professional Leaves
B. Action: Acceptance of Celebrating Diversity Grant
C. Action: Approval of Temporary Loans
D. Action: Approval of New CHS Courses
E. Action: Approval of K-6, 7-12 Restructuring
F. Report: Alternative Programs
G. Report: Maintenance, Grounds & Buildings
H. Report: Exit Interviews
I. Report: Memorial Garden Planning
J. Other
9. Future Agenda Items or Meetings
A. Approval of Extracurricular Fund Listing by Board – January 4
B. Appointment of Members to School-Based Committees – January 4
C. Board Organizational Meeting and Appointments – January 4
D. 2010 Budget Report – January 4
E. Board/Administrator Retreat – January 21
F. Future Agenda Requests – Board Members
10. NEOLA Work Session: Update of Selected Policies (8640, 6320, 7434, Exit Interview)
11. Adjournment – Mrs. Young
Next Regular Board Meeting – Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the HS/MS Media Center, 1 Eagle Drive, Churubusco IN 46723

A meeting of the proposal to reconfigure the schools at Smith-Green was held 10 days ago.

Letter to the Community:

Last week I attended the parent meeting at Smith-Green Community Schools’ cafeteria. it was there the SGCS administration presented its reconfiguration plan for the 6th grade to be moved back to elementary.

The administration states this plan is necessary because our sixth graders have such a hard time transitioning into junior high. They state that roughly 20% of our sixth graders are failing when coming into 6th grade, continue to fail, and eventually drop out. The “plan” is to move the sixth grade from the middle school to the west hallway of the elementary which now houses the third grade. The third grade would be moved to the hallway with the Kindergarten, fourth and fifth grades. John Davis would no longer be administration, stepping down as the Middle School principle and become a counselor focused on the lower 20% of students helping them to improve grades and stay in school. The Middle School would cease to exsist and SGCS would then consist of k-6 and 7-12 buildings. A second administrator in the elementary would be hired to assist Nicole Singer with the extra load of students. Two elementary computer labs and the elementary teachers’ lounge will be moved to the high school, as well as moving a sixth grade science lab and sound-proofing the new computer labs next to the HS music rooms. Mr. Darnell thinks the physical move will cost “approximately $20,000.”

Smith-Green Superintendent Steve Darnell listens to parents' concerns at the recent reconfiguration meeting.

So, essentually we will have half of the student body crammed into one third of the building. The sixth graders will no longer be roaming the halls with seniors, but our first graders will. We weren’t told exactly what would happen to the classrooms vacated by the sixth graders because we were only given half a map. The administration doesn’t even know what gym the sixth graders will use. So if they need to use the MS gym , they’ll have to make quite a trek. And I have yet to speak to an elementary or middle school teacher that is 100% behind this.

Do I think the sixth graders need some more TLC for their transition? Yes. My sixth grade son had a rude awakening this year. Do I think SGCS needs to do something about the graduation rate? Definately. Should John Davis be allowed to do what he is best at–counseling? Absolutely. Should we have to reconfigure the entire school to make that happen? Absolutely not. I am asking the school board to vote NO when this is presented to them at the December 7 meeting. There has to be other options, and I feel none other has even been considered. Please contact the school board members and let them know your opinion on this important matter. Please note that at the December 7 meeting you will be able to give opinions, but this is not a question/answer session. If you want to make your opinion known, you need to do so before Monday.

Richelle Bock
Churubusco, Ind.

By Kayla Crance for buscovoice.com

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Nov. 25, 2009) – School officials stressed that  a proposal for reconfiguring the school structure was not a done deal at a community meeting held Tuesday night, although a vote on the issue could come before the school board as early as Dec. 7.

It was the second such meeting regarding the reconfiguration and about about thirty people were in attendance, not including the administrators.

Steve Darnell, Smith-Green Schools Superintendent, began the meeting by introducing the proposal. Basically, the idea is to move the sixth graders to the elementary school.

Darnell stated that the program in place now is working for about 80 percent of the middle school students, but the other 20 percent seem to be falling through the cracks. After saying that 20 percent of the students who enter and leave the middle school are failing, a parent asked why we are focusing on the sixth grade and middle school when it should be addressed before the students even reach middle school.

Superintendent Steve Darnell listens to a parent's question on the proposed school reconfiguration.

Austin Couch, high school principal, then spoke on his reasons for being behind the plan. Couch believes that “artificial boundaries” have been placed on the students, that there are a lot of excuses, but not a lot of solutions as far as the school is concerned. He stated that there are two upstairs rooms in the high school that will no longer be ADA compatible so the high school will lose those classroom spaces.

Nicole Singer, elementary principal, explained a map given to those in attendance; the map showed what the elementary would look like after the reconfiguration. A room that is currently a computer lab would be transformed into another classroom for first graders. The sixth graders would be put in what used to be third grade classrooms; “this way they are off by themselves and somewhat isolated from the rest of the elementary school”, she said.

The high school study hall room would then be converted into computer labs for the elementary. In order for this to work, however, the choir room, band room, and possibly the auditorium would have to be soundproofed which the administrators stated could be done at “nominal cost.”

A parent suggested that altogether, this plan could cost about $100,000; that cost coming from converting the rooms and the hiring of an assistant principal for the elementary school.

John Davis, middle school principal, voiced his support for the plan and stated that he just does not have the time with the current setup to assist the 20 percent who are failing or that need help. The question was then raised as to why the school could not hire an assistant principal for the middle school to assist Davis.

“Why do we need to take such big steps, when we could take some baby steps first?” one parent asked.

Another asked if the administrators had considered any other options and how the teachers feel about reconfiguration. She stated that she has yet to speak to a teacher who is for the plan though the administrators stated otherwise.

Another question was whether or not the proposal would be ready by the first of the year for the school board to vote on; the concern being that there is not sufficient time to get the plan up and running should it be passed. The superintendent stated that the school board would be voting on whether or not to go forward with the restructuring as they do not want to waste the effort of coming up with the plan if it is not going to go through.

“This is not a done deal,” says Darnell, “We want what you want.”

At this point in time, there are no more meetings scheduled to discuss the proposal, but a vote on the configuration could be on the agenda for the school board meeting Dec. 7.

Story by Kayla Crance; Video, photos by Viv Sade

What do you think of the school’s reconfiguration plan? Email Kayla or Viv at editor@buscovoice.com or post your comments to this story below.