Schools earn Gold Star recognition

The Indiana Department of Education has named two elementary schools in Brown County as Gold Star Schools.

Helmsburg and Sprunica elementary schools received the designation for the first time for their school counseling networks.

To receive the award, schools go through a process to raise student achievement and improve overall student success by creating a local school-community advisory group. That group reviews student data, sets goals for specific students and commits to maximizing the time and skills of the school counselor, according to the release.

The designation was created in 2004 and has been awarded to almost 300 Indiana elementary, middle and high schools. In 2017, 104 schools received it.

The award presentation will take place in November at the Indiana School Counselor Association fall conference.

Handbook, staff changes approved

The Brown County Schools Board of Trustees approved the following Oct. 5:

The support staff handbook, which had not been updated since 2009. Superintendent Laura Hammack said, it will be reviewed annually in July.

The retirement notice of Brown County Junior High School health assistant Pat Mulryan, effective Nov. 1.

The retirement notice of Brown County Schools special needs bus driver Sandra Taylor, effective Sept. 22.

Separating BCS special needs bus driver Leslie Dras, effective Oct. 13. This was not a termination.

Appointing Brown County Intermediate School media specialist/paraprofessional Suzie Watson, $10.25 per hour, seven hours per day, effective Sept. 25. She is a replacement for Teresa Carson.

Appointing Brown County High School intense intervention paraprofessional Andi Dutschmann Carter, $11 per hour, seven hours per day, effective Oct. 16. This is a new job created due to a significant special needs scenario at the high school, Hammack said.