Dr. Mehrle accepts board's unanimous vote

Karen Reynolds
Contributing Writer
The South Ripley Community School Board held a regular meeting on March 15. Randy McIntosh made a motion to name Dr. John Mehrle as the next superintendent for the schools with Jim Miller giving the second to the motion. Unanimous approval was given from board members.

Dr. Mehrle thanked the board for their support and Superintendent Ted Ahaus for his stable leadership and mentoring. Board members congratulated Dr. Mehrle on his new position with board president Jim Miller assuring him of the continued support from the school board.

Superintendent Ahaus recognized Abel Everage, high school senior, for receiving the Indiana Career and Technical Education Award for Excellence. Everage was identified as one of only 15 Indiana recipients of this award. He also earned first place in the Skills USA Welding competition. Everage was presented with a certificate of recognition, a pin, and a Raider umbrella.

Two presentations were made at the meeting. Asst. Superintendent Mehrle along with math teachers Melanie Evans, Kelly King and Brenda Slaton, gave a presentation regarding Algebra I and their goals for increasing learning and math test scores. High School Media Specialist Brenda Strimple along with students Cody King, Brian Thomas, and Jake Waldron, presented a CNN project they did recently for Decatur County Hospital. This project showed the capabilities that now exist for South Ripley students to enter the fields of film and/or film media. This is a direct result of the purchase of media equipment during the recent building renovation project.

Under personnel, unanimous approval was given for:

Employment of Andrew Bayne to fill the maternity leave of Lindsey Seabolt through the end of the 2009-2010 school year; Jessica McConnell to fill the maternity leave of Mandy Hite from March 29 to the end of the 2009-2010 school year; Angie Kelly to fill Jessica McConnell’s aide position from March 29 to the end of 2009-2010 school year; Brian Romans as volunteer coach for the boys golf team.

The resignation of Beth Mathes as aide at the elementary school was accepted.

Four retirements were given unanimous approval: Elementary teachers Susan Underwood, Norma Sheets and Carol Holzer will all be effective at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Jim Conley, high school teacher, will be effective also at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

Ahaus noted of the four retirees, “They are quality employees that have worked hard for the corporation and will be missed.”

In other business:

• It was noted that non-renewal letters were sent to temporary employees including those hired with stimulus monies for one year positions.

• The school board approved paying $55.00 toward each golf participant on the 2009-2010 boys golf team, up to 12 golfers.

• Unanimous approval was given for Jolly Brothers Farm to lease the 30.4 acres adjoining the elementary school for the 2010 crop year at $165.00 per acre. Proceeds from this land lease will be utilized by the agriculture department at the high school.

Those attending the March meeting were Robert Garcia, Gil Landwehr, Keith Mathews, Randy McIntosh, Jim Miller, Ralph Miller, and Tim Taylor, all board members. Also in attendance were school superintendent Ted Ahaus and assistant superintendent Dr. John Mehrle, school attorney Merritt Alcorn and business manager Lana Miller.

The next regular school board meeting will be April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the administration office.