A plan to start a credit union branch at Goshen High School was approved Monday by school board members, but not without some debate.
The plan was first introduced to the board last month and received unanimous approval at that meeting.
However, board member Jon Jesse Monday said he “didn’t like it.” He asked if the board was allowing a business to come into the school and offer a service to a captive audience.
Jesse questioned what would be next, whether auto dealers would be allowed to come into Goshen schools to sell to students.
And Jane Troup said she received many comments about whether the Farm Bureau Credit Union would be involved in this financial project.
Greg Moeller, Goshen TCU manager who outlined the program to the board Feb. 11, Monday explained this project is being undertaken for education, rather than profit. The credit union is non-profit, he said.
The project will be a student-run credit union at the high school next year as part of a business curriculum. Students may open savings and checking accounts and learn how to use a debit card.
There was discussion with officials of the Farm Bureau Credit Union and if students prefer to work with that institution, they will be directed to it, the board was told.
Board vice president Cathy Cripe said she at first had mixed emotions, but spoke with Principal Jim Kirkton “who assured me it is used as a financial education. If we are assured that education is the main part, I am in favor of it.”
The board voted 6 to 1 in favor of the credit union branch. Jesse voted against the plan.
Year-round school
The board held a second public hearing on a a plan for a 12-month school calendar instead of expanding classroom space, but there was no discussion.
The board then approved a resolution that year-round school “is not feasible to eliminate the need for construction of additional classroom space,” as the board moves ahead with a plan to build an intermediate (fifth-sixth grades) school at Ind. 119 and Greene Road.
Next the board approved a second resolution confirming an interest to acquire a home and property adjacent to the school site at 21065 Ind. 119.
The owner of the split-level home approached school officials with an offer to sell, said Superintendent Bruce Stahly.
Other business
The administration received the authority to borrow money through tax anticipation warrants for the transportation operating fund, which needs cash to operate before the school receives tax funds. Stahly indicated he hopes to close on the loan in April.
A plan for summer school was outlined to the board Monday. It will run from July 26 to Aug. 6 for elementary students. Staffing will be confirmed in April.
Among personnel items approved was the retirement of Carol Mathia, after 15 years with Goshen schools in Spanish and English as a new language, and resignations of Kristopher Davis, GHS social studies, Scott Snyder, GHS social studies, and Dan Bridges, GMS science teacher.
Bryan Hunter will be freshman baseball coach this season and Tory VandeWey is a volunteer track coach this spring.
The board’s Exploratory Educational Foundation will be discussed at a noon meeting Wednesday at the board room.
The school board confirmed a joint meeting with the Goshen City Council at 7 p.m. March 18 at the administration center.
An executive session of the board is set on March 19 at 5:15 p.m. to interview a possible principal at Waterford Elementary School.
The next full board meeting is March 24 set at Prairie View Elementary School all-purpose room.
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