By By NORMA LERNER / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG – "The first day of school went really well … it went smoothly," Edwardsburg Superintendent of Schools Sherman Ostrander said Wednesday night during a regular school board meeting. New teachers were hired to start the new year that began last Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Ostrander told the board that he was pleased with things that are getting off to a good start especially on Sept. 6 when groundbreaking will be held at 8:30 a.m. for the $11.6 million new performing arts center at the school's campus on Section Street.
The board approved bids for the project except for three categories that had to be rebid because of non-responses in certain areas. The bids were recommended by the construction manager of the project who met with the architect to review the bids for the gymnasium and auditorium.
New teachers hired at the high school were Ryanne McAfee and Jennifer Swisher who will teach English, Robin Bourgeois as teacher consultant and Wendy Sherman as guidance counselor.
Caroline Hueni was hired to teach special education at the middle school.
Barbara Banasik was hired as the district's literacy specialist.
In other business, the board:
Approved the Local 517M AFL-CIO-CLC contract for the maintenance, food service and aide employees.
Accepted the resignation of high school English teacher Amber Quider and teacher consultant Jill Cripe.
Set the daily rate for substitute teachers at $90 per day, the same as last year.
Heard that the report cards for No Child Left Behind for the third year received an A at the high school, a B at the middle school and an A at the elementary schools.
Heard from state Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, that pupils will get $175 more in state aid for 2005-06.
Approved custodial pay from $10.41 to $10.67; clerical from $9.02 to $9.29; food service/aides from $8.57 to $8.79; transportation drivers from $11.94 to $12.30; driver education first year from $17.09 to $17.60; and experienced driver from $20.84 to $21.47.