By HOLLY GASKILL
Renovation and repairs at Bluffton High School may be delayed due to a manufacturing error.
On Monday, Superintendent Brad Yates told the Bluffton-Harrison MSD school board that the project contractors noticed a slight defect in the exterior paneling. He explained, “It’s very difficult to view. When I was speaking with the installers, they said you can only see it (for) about one hour a day when the sun’s coming from the right angle to see the shadow on the panel, but it’s an indentation on the panel.”
Yates said the district is currently in talks to either receive replacement paneling or a discount to use the panels “in a space that would not have any issue to the aesthetics of the building.” There have been otherwise no significant issues in the renovation project, which aimed to address moisture issues in the walls and windows.
Students will also be able to use the middle school pool after fall break next week; the pool was added to current projects after a circuit failure flooded the basement and equipment room. Yates also said Adams Central has experienced an issue with its pool and will hopefully coordinate with BHMSD for practices.
Also during the meeting, Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School counselor Ashley Kilgore announced that BHES has received an Indiana Bronze Star School Counseling Award from the Indiana Department of Education. The school tracked specific data, set goals, and monitored progress through the Carrying the Torch to Student Success counseling program to receive the honor.
“It’s quite a bit of hard work — she went through that (announcement) really quick about the work they did,” Yates quipped.
The district’s enrollment is also growing, with this year’s IDOE county day registering 1,742 students — up 43 from last year.
“This is more than just a number — it’s a reflection of the positive impact our school community is making on families who choose BHMSD for their children’s education,” Yates said. “Since the 2019-2020 school year, our enrollment has increased by 6%, which equals 100 new students.”
Additionally, Yates announced the tentative contract agreement between the district and the Bluffton-Harrison Teachers Association for the 2024-25 school year. The new contract increases the base salary for teachers by 2%, from $45,000 to $45,900, increases the board contribution to health insurance by 2%, increases the board contribution to 401a from 1.75% to 2%, and adds a one-time $750 conditional stipend for all teachers.
The contract is slated for ratification at the board’s Oct. 28 meeting.
Board members Angie Sheets, Julie Thompson, Mike Murray and Preston Kaehr were present Monday; Trent White was absent.
In other updates, the board:
• Heard from Colin Andrews, the district’s attorney, who reported no updates on the bond process for the district. The board approved a $1.1 million bond in September to address a number of building needs, and “No news is good news,” Andrews said. Andrews also recently discussed the consequences of harmful virtual communication, like sexting, with BHS students and will give a similar presentation to middle school students. He commented, “The students were wonderful. They were very receptive.”
• Accepted resignations from Laura Gerber, former payroll specialist, and Alyshah Dunlap, former high school intense intervention instructional assistant.
• Approved 4-0 employment recommendations of: Tanner Lesh as high school health and physical education teacher as well as the diving coach; Alyssa Keipper as Area 18 Career Coach; Keri Baker as accounts manager and deputy treasurer; Tammy Melching as special education clerical support; Shannon Krider as payroll specialist; Mark Owen in the maintenance department; Alyssa Moser, Staci Hunt, Hunter Cunningham, Sarah Moser, Malinah Roush, Jeddy Tudor, Kristi Searles, Tara Longenberger, Lisa Sheets, Amy Rusu, Elizabeth Claghorn, Kemper Amstutz, Cindy Brooks, Marah Hill, Kim Mayer, Steve Abbett, Olivia Fisher, Ashlee Xayyachack, Laura Xayyachack and Clarissia Tijerina as Indiana Learns tutors; Tina Brubaker as a long-term substitute teacher; Ben Burman, Brent Kunkel, Brett Hothast, Clint Renner, Vic Reinhard, Justin Uptgraft, Philip Heer, Trent White and Travis Roush as Future Tigers boys’ basketball coaches; Erin Roush, Marah Hill, Zoey Smith, Gerald Freees, Danielle Kunkel, Felicia McElveen, Jenny Tudor, Kelli Kistler and Chrissy Craig a Future Tigers girls’ basketball coaches; Katlynn Snider as substitute adult childcare supervisor; Addison Minick as substitute teacher; April Crous as substitute teacher; Timothy Nolan as special purpose bus substitute driver; and Aaron Sturgeon and Robert Vanderkolk as middle school boys’ basketball volunteer coaches.
• Approved 3-0 employment recommendations for Wendy Kaehr as a Future Tigers basketball coach; Sheets, Thompson and Murray were in favor, and Preston Kaehr abstained.
• Announced their intent to employ a high school intense intervention instructional assistant and special purpose bus driver.
holly@news-banner.com
