The monthly meeting of the Montgomery County Retired Teachers Association was held at noon Sept. 11 at the Montgomery County District Library. President Kim Nixon welcomed members and first-time attendee Teresa Kriston. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and Sheila Hodges gave the invocation. September birthdays were recognized. The association provided pizza and salad for lunch. Homemade cookies for dessert were supplied by Kim Nixon. Thank you to Susie Minch, Jerilyn Yerkes and Sheryl Starnes for table decorations.
Following the meal, Vice President Steve Frees introduced the speaker, Dr. Colleen Moran, Superintendent of North Montgomery Schools. Moran gave an excellent update on what’s new with the Indiana Department of Education. Some highlights:
• Indiana is elevating the science of reading. Teachers who obtain literacy endorsements will receive a pay differentiation. By 2025, 95% of third graders must pass IREAD.
• By July 15 each year, each school corporation must post certain curriculum information on their website, including name and publisher of the adopted reading and writing curriculum by grade level.
• STEM is here to stay. A Robotics Competition Program Grant has been established.
• Parents will no longer pay textbook and curriculum fees. The state has allocated $160 million to pay the cost. Will it be enough?
• Rethinking high school: IDOE is looking for ways to make high school diploma requirements more flexible and relevant and to improve access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities.
• In lieu of issuing school letter grades, IDOE has developed a school performance report via the Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard.
• Students will now be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholar Program.
In news specific to North Montgomery schools, Moran reported there are only 113 seniors enrolled this year, although enrollment K-12 is up by 14 students. This is year 15 for the Early Learning Academy. All three elementaries scored above average in ILEARN. Renovation of the locker rooms at NMHS and a new roof on North Ridge Middle School will be happening soon.
Nixon kicked off the business meeting with a few funny stories. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. The treasurer’s report was given by Larry Manlove showed a Sept. 11 balance of $3,218.55. Lynn Robison reported that an audit of the financial books was done and everything was good. Thanks, Treasurer Larry for a good job.
Community service chair Nancy Bowes called to the attention of the membership two opportunities for volunteering. Meals on Wheels is in desperate need of meal packers. Dr. Rex Ryker of the Crawfordsville Community School District is looking for volunteers to read to kindergarten and first graders. More information is available on the school website. Bowes also reminded members of the importance of keeping track of volunteer hours to report by the end of the year. A collection of $150 will be give to the Montgomery County Free Clinic.
There is $1,150 available to grant from our MCCF MCRTA/IRA Foundation fund. We can choose a place to give the funds or let it rollover into next year. Cynda Mellish suggested Isiaah 117 house as a possible recipient. The committee will look into it and report next month.
Membership chair Kathy Steele reported we currently have 76 paid members. Letters of invitation were sent to nine retirees.
Mary Lefebve reported cards of thanks were sent to the outgoing and incoming officers (which are one and the same). Several get-well, sympathy and cheer cards also were sent.
AMBA representative Moran reminded members that October is benefits review time. She also shared information on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s being held on Sept. 30. Members are welcome to join in the fundraiser. The new-member drive will now be a competition between chapters and not individuals. Some nice prizes are available for the chapter getting the most new members.
The question of whether to have catered lunches at our monthly meetings was again discussed. The consensus was to have members bring their own lunch at noon, with the program and business meeting beginning at 12:30 p.m. It was also suggested maybe we could have a catered lunch in December as party of our holiday celebration.
Members were invited by Nixon to attend the PEO holiday market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Crawfordsville High School. Frees encouraged attendees to consider membership with the Montgomery County Historical Society.
Door prizes were distributed.
Darlene Dusek moved and Mary Grimes seconded to adjourn the meeting.
The next meeting will be held Oct. 9, with Carolyn Fisher and Dusek in charge of table decorations. Dusek will also give the invocation. A collection will be taken for the crisis shelter.
