At times, it seemed like more of an old-fashioned pep rally for the Dugger Union Community School Corp. than it was an informational meeting Sunday.
A positive atmosphere permeated a crowded Dugger Community Center, spurred by the announcement of enrollment reaching 300 students and introduction of the school’s first three teachers hired.
“The right people connected,” DUCSC school co-leader Kevin Davis stated. “Indiana Cyber Charter School has come in here and worked cooperatively with the community to bring an actual bricks and mortar setting into their cyber school curriculum.”
DUCSC and ICCS are still on target for August 25 — three weeks from today — as the first day of class in a school that will replace Dugger Elementary and Union Junior/Senior High schools after they closed in May.
The trio of teachers hired, according to DUCSC board president Kyle Foli, are Dan Tieken, Brandi Gentry and Kristin Crabb. Tieken will also serve as the school’s co-leader. All three talked briefly to the audience.
“Three (teachers) are at the place where we can announce them,” Davis said. “We’re offering contracts to several others.” A full teaching staff, at this point a minimum of 10, according to Davis, is expected to be under contract by Tuesday.
“(Ten is) a fluid number right now, possibly going up, because the enrollment is going up and we want to meet the needs of all the students,” Davis noted.
The first training session for new teachers is scheduled for Aug. 11, with iPads expected to be distributed to students on the first day of school.
As for the bricks and mortar, assuming physical possession of the buildings is a high priority.
“Northeast School Corp. placed them on the state registry for unused buildings on Aug. 1,” DUCSC director Greg Ellis said. “Within two hours, a letter was sent by our attorney stating that we want the schools. We’re waiting on the Department of Education. They are expediting our request, which they’ve said they will.
“When that happens, all that will be left is to pay $1 and sign a purchase agreement with (NESC),” he added. “It will be just like buying a house.”
Transportation, at this point in time, is nonexistent, Ellis confirmed. He said inquiries have made to businesses such as Peabody, Indiana Rail Road, and Bluebird, with a goal of having two buses. If that is not finalized by Aug. 25, a community carpool system could be used.
School lunches will be furnished at the outset by Sullivan County Community Hospital, who have agreed to provide this service for six months. It was noted, a similar arranged was used by Rural Community Academy — a charter school in Graysville — when it started 10 years ago.
When possession of the buildings occurs, several repairs will be needed. Some of the repairs listed are to a chimney, grinding down sidewalk joints and an exposed gas line. Assistance from the community was requested for clean up of the building interiors.
“We’d like to get groups of individuals involved with each of them cleaning up a classroom,” Ellis said.
Athletics was touched on as well, with athletic director Steve Hall introducing head coaches and their staffs. All, including Hall, are volunteers. Each of the fall sports, football and volleyball, have about 25 participants at this time.
School officials and board members stressed to the community to expect growing pains, especially during the first year.
“There’s going to be bumps in the road,” Davis admitted. “As I’ve said many times, every charter school that opens is a challenge. We’re going to have those same challenges here, and maybe some additional ones. Maybe one of the tougher ones. But, we are ready and we have the capacity and infrastructure to make it successful.
“Everyone’s goal is not only saving the school, but it’s creating a better, stronger opportunity for all these kids here in the community,” he added.
Copyright Kelk Publishing