Notes from Rotary Meeting of February 18, 2013
President Deb Varnak called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. Marv Goad offered the prayer. Christina Dougherty introduced Bill Brennan from the South Bend Club as one of her Assistant Governors for next year.
Happy $$ - Mitch Feikes, Glade Montgomery, Deb Varnak, Ted Taylor, Beth Ingram and Mike Sutton.
Sergeant-at-Arms – No sergeant today but Deb fined every not wearing their Rotary pins.
Announcements:
Urban Enterprise Zone announced “Big Idea Contest” - chance to win $500. If you have a good idea for a project, contact Deb Varnak and Rotary can submit our idea.
Spring cleanup for Rotary Gazebo will be coming soon; Jason Day will coordinate.
Sgt. at Arms needed through July 1st. Contact Deb
Greater to take money and track attendance needed for front door for March meetings. Contact Mike Arnett.
Still looking for presenters for Ms. Woods Classroom. Sessions start at 1:45 and last 20 minutes. Feb. 26th Human Resource/Insurance and March 19th Budgets and Retirement,
La Porte County Public Library’s Literacy Center will host an open house on Monday, Mar. 4 from 6 to 7:30 PM at the main location in La Porte.
Program – Mark Francesconi, Assistant Superintendent gave us an update on the La Porte Schools Drug Prevention Task Force. The following 10 actions were identified to initiate beginning in the spring of 2013. Action teams with representatives from the school and the community will be formed to begin the work necessary to implement these actions over the next year.
1. Expand Drug testing to student drivers and extra-curricular activities other than sports.
2. Establish a Health Clinic to provide services for students that are struggling with substance abuse, drug addition, suicidal thoughts, etc.
3. Implement alternatives for suspension and expulsion for drug policy violators.
4. Implement an organized approach to student mentor programs for all grade levels.
5. Implement security presence at secondary schools including the parking lots.
6. Implement a systematic approach to aligning the school corporation policy with the philosophy and interest of the community as it relates to drugs, possession, prevention, student discipline, etc.
7. Increase the number of school security cameras at all buildings.
8. Increase the frequency of drug dog searches at the high school and middle schools – including alternative searches to traditional locker and vehicle searches (book bags, purses, gym lockers, classrooms, etc.
9. Collect longitudinal data on student drug use for both users and non-users. Include gateway drugs for all grades.
10. Implement a consistent curriculum for students who are struggling with life’s challenges.
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Bert Cook, Christina Dougherty, Mitch Feikes, William Hedge, Beth Ingram, Norm Juday, Bonnie Miller, Glade Montgomery, Dale Parkison, Michael Seitz, Vernon Sikora, Mike Sutton, Ted Taylor, Deb Varnak, and Cindy Waelbroeck.