Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Blog Bits


Town Hall Meeting #2
Above is the latest proposal Dr. McKibben presented at Town Hall Meeting #2. If you have any questions or comments for Dr. McKibben, please forward them via email to jhill@plymouth.k12.in.us.


Christmas Break Hours
Our office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during winter break. The office will be closed on Friday December 23rd, Monday December 26th and Monday January 2, 2006, in observance of the holidays.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Town Hall Meetings #3, #4, #5

Three more Town Hall Meetings (Redistricting – A Work in Progress), have been scheduled. On January 16, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. town hall meeting #3 will be held in the Jefferson cafeteria. Later that evening, at 7:30 p.m., town hall meeting #4 will be held in the Menominee cafeteria. On January 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., town hall meeting #5 will be held in the Webster cafeteria. All community members are encouraged to attend one or all of the town hall meetings. These town hall meetings are co-sponsored by PASS.

Based upon the comments at each meeting, Dr. McKibben will update scenarios for future elementary redistricting.

If you have any questions you would like to submit to Dr. McKibben prior to the meetings, please send them to jhill@plymouth.k12.in.us.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Blog Bits

Redistricting Comments
Some have asked why is redistricting of the elementary schools necessary? We currently have elementary schools of four different sizes. One is over 500, one over 400, one in the mid 300s and one in the high 200s.

Next year, all elementaries will be approximately the same size. This alone will require redistricting in order to balance the size of buildings.

Since all students in grades 5-12 will be assigned to the same building, those buildings reflect the makeup of the school district. It is important the elementary buildings students attend reflect the school community. This requires that we redistrict in such a way that the buildings are balanced for socioeconomics and ethnicity.

Town Hall Meeting #2
Dr. McKibben presented his latest proposal for redistricting. Members of the community have made several suggestions. Dr. McKibben will use the input to design new scenarios.

Three future town hall meetings will be scheduled. Two will be held on January 16th and one on January 17th. The exact times and locations will be announced at a later date.

Some have emailed and thought that the maps being presented represented final decisions. This is a work in progress.

It is important, as a community member, that you attend those meetings and share your ideas.


Thank you to PASS and the staff at Washington Elementary for hosting last evening’s meeting.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Blog Bits

Two Hour Delay
Plymouth Community Schools were on a two hour delay this morning. The Marshall County Highway Department and Plymouth City Street Department were out early plowing roads and streets. Both north/south, east/west roads had experienced some drifting and time was needed to complete the plowing for the busses.

Board Highlights
The board met in regular session last evening. In addition to their regular business, the board approved an end of the year resolution to transfer funds and pre-write checks, increase the contribution for bus driver insurance from $2,000 to $3,000, and set the date for the organizational board meeting on January 5, 2006 at 7:00 o’clock p.m. in the board room.

Facility Update
In Plymouth High School multi-purpose room, the classroom, locker rooms, weight room, storage room, restrooms, and the hallway, the ceiling grid and the light fixtures have been installed. During the next two-week period, the same installation will take place in the new lobby. Quarry tile has been installed in the locker room and restrooms. The installation of the flooring surface in the multi-purpose room and weight room will begin during winter break. In the broadcast area, the cabinetry has been installed. During the next two weeks, the vinyl tile will be installed in the studio. In the ensemble and speech area, the cabinetry and the sub floor has been installed. The painting is completed in the ensemble room.

At Jefferson, the block fill is completed. The overhead plumbing and electrical runs are 90% complete. During the next two weeks, the fire alarm will be installed and the faculty restroom will be available for use.

At Riverside, the light poles will be installed as soon as weather permits.

At Webster, Lincoln, and Washington, punch list issues are still being addressed.

At the new Menominee, section A is enclosed. The floor pours will begin. The rebuilding of the exterior walls that were blown down in the windstorm will be completed in two work days, weather permitting. Plumbing and electrical rough-ins continue.

Town Hall Meeting #2 – Redistricting, a Work in Progress
The second town hall meeting will be held at Washington Elementary at 7:00 o’clock p.m. on Monday evening, December 12th. For those who are unable to attend, you can submit comment via the comment section on the blog or an email to jhill@plymouth.k12.in.us. Future town hall meetings will be scheduled after the first of the year.

ISTEP+ Scores
All parents will have received ISTEP scores by next Wednesday. If for some reason a parent has not received a score, please contact the building principal.

Boys Basketball Game
The game with Peru will be played at its scheduled time – GO PILGRIMS!!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Town Hall Meeting - 12-12-05

PASS and Plymouth Community School Corporation will be co-sponsoring Town Hall Meeting #2, Redistricting – A Work In Progress on December 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Washington Elementary cafeteria.

At Town Hall Meeting #1, Dr. McKibben explained the process for developing redistricting maps; offered a base line proposal, and took comments and questions.

Based upon the input from Town Hall Meeting #1, Dr. McKibben will be presenting a revised scenario.

All members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting. If you have a question that you would like to submit to Dr. McKibben prior to the meeting for his response, you can email the question to jhill@plymouth.k12.in.us, subject: redistricting question.