Harrisburg School Board considers wind storm damage at Taylor Field

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Harrisburg School Board members are considering what steps to take next after a wind storm that damaged Taylor Field last week.

The storm, now being called a microburst with winds around 95 mph, destroyed the press box and scoreboard; damaged the roof on the weightlifting building; sent a shed rolling into someone's yard and damaged their cars; damaged the pole vault and high jump pits; gouged pieces out of the new track; damaged a section of bleachers; and damaged rails and fences.

The middle section of bleachers was damaged when the press box was picked up in the wind and deposited on the bleachers, Smith told board members.

The scoreboard could cost $30,000 to $50,000 to replace. Athletic director Jay Thompson is looking into the best way to replace the scoreboard. The biggest problem, however, is the press box. The building may settle out for about $10,000 after the insurance claim is processed, but most press boxes now are brought in on a crane and set up on pillars rather than affixed to the bleachers like the old press box, Smith said. The cost for replacing the press box will be considerably higher -- perhaps in the neighborhood of $100,000.

Some discussion centered on having supports built, then having a contractor come in and construct a small building on top of the supports.

The board did not reach a decision on how to replace the press box. A special meeting is set for 6 p.m. June 2 to consider damage at the track and, perhaps, other issues. Smith told board members fixing the press box needs to be handled soon.

John Crabb was named assistant principal at Harrisburg Middle School for the 2009-2010 school year. He currently is dean of students, which is a teaching position with a stipend. However, board members have said at past meetings office work is keeping Crabb busy enough to consider creating an administrative position.

The matter initially was taken up in open session, but moved to closed session so the board could discuss specific people -- presumably Crabb.

Judy Cape, at least initially, appeared reluctant to create the position.

"I haven't heard a justification for why we want to morph this into an assistant principal position," Cape said.

Michele Way said if Crabb is doing the work of an administrator and has administrative certification, then perhaps the district should pay him accordingly.

Board members passed a board policy allowing exemptions from high school semester exams for students with few absences. Students with three or fewer absences from a class may skip the semester exams if they have a passing grade in the class. Teachers, however, may give a cumulative exam at the end of the semester.

The semester exam, if given, is 10 percent of a student's final grade.

Cape said she was concerned with the wording "may" rather than "will" in the phrase, "May be exempt from taking semester exams." She argued it should be the teacher's choice whether to give a final exam or not.

Some teachers give a cumulative exam at the end of the semester on a day other than the day set aside for semester exams, HHS teacher Janet Hughes said.

After a great deal of discussion, board members agreed to change "may" to "will" and adopt the policy allowing exemptions. Cape voted no.

Budget

The board adopted a tentative, amended 2008-2009 budget and placed it on display before final ratification at the June 23 meeting.

The budget includes a deficit of $169,500 in the Education Fund, which Smith said is due to not having borrowed money reflected in the finalized budget. It looks worse than it is, Smith said.

The last five general state aid payments have been assigned to the federal government under the American Recovery Act. Bookkeepers are having a hard time with the temporary change because accounting standards are different for federal money, Smith said.

The board is prepared to borrow $300,00 against taxes in August because the state is still behind on aid payments, which could put the school in a temporary bind by the end of summer, Smith said.

Smith hopes this summer is the last time the district borrows money for quite some time, he said.

Summer school

Summer school will be offered again for HHS students who need a credit to catch up or graduate. Two seniors do not have enough credits to graduate, but would be able to make it after summer classes.

The planned class is a practical business class, which will be different from the business class offered last year.

"I am an advocate for summer school. I see the baggage some of our kids bring to the school every day," HHS Principal Karen Crank said.

Cape expressed reservations about summer school, saying the practice often amounts to giving a credit to kids who don't come to class during the school year.

However, Cape voted for establishing a summer school, along with Way, Kevin Dowdy, Debbie Nave and Tom DeNeal; board President Todd Fort voted no.

During the meeting:

-- Board members learned the HHS Booster Club is ceasing activity.

"I think they're having trouble getting new members and getting anyone to do anything," Smith said.

The Booster Club has donated a tremendous amount of money over the years, Smith said.

"They've helped out a lot; I'm sorry to see that group go," board President Todd Fort said.

-- Several bids, such as garbage disposal, bakery products and pest control were approved. One bid, the milk bid, was tabled until June 2. Carolyn Alvey recommended Golden Rod rather than the usual winner, Prairie Farms. Several board members want to know more about Golden Rod before accepting the bid.

-- The resignation of Dan Craig as student council sponsor was accepted; Hilary Ford will take over the position.

-- Glenda Hall was named a half-time early-childhood teacher at West Side. She already teaches half-time, so she is essentially full-time now.

-- Sara DeNeal was named an assistant speech coach.

-- A retirement proposal from HMS Principal Jim Butler was tabled.