The Washington Community School Board met Thursday evening. During segment for patron statements, Natalie Booth complained about a change in the recent practice of awarding recognition stoles to all seniors who had graduated with a 3.0 average in the academic honors program. This year, the recognition stoles are being awarded only to students graduating in the top ten percent of the Class of 2015. Academic honors graduates will be recognized in the graduation program.
In regular business, the board accepted the retirement of high school history teacher Gary Twomey , and the resignations of Connie Bouchie as secretary at Lena Dunn, Dave Harman as Cross Country Coach, and Erika Tabor as jr. high girls track coach. R.J. Key was approved as dance team coach and Clayton Underhill as a part-time IT assistant. The Board also appointed Julie Lancaster to the Carnegie Public Library Board to replace Gill Smeltzer, who is moving from the community.
In order to stay within Federal guidelines the Board voted to raise the price of adult lunches by thirty cents. Approval was also given for students to attend the National Beta Club Convention and the NJROTC Area Three Leadership Academy this summer.
In other business, the Board conducted a required hearing dealing with issuing bonds to finance renovation of the school corporation’s technology system. Guided by Corporation Attorney Jennifer Johnson, four resolutions authorizing and approving the project and financing were approved. Financial representatives told the Board that refinancing current 4% bonds at today’s 2.75 to 3 % rate, $1 million can be generated. Approximately $ 1.7 million, could be generated by adding an extra year to the life of the bond issue, making them payable in 2030.