Travis Bolin headed to the big leagues
Saturday, June 11 marked a red-letter day for former Watervliet High School student athlete Travis Bolin as he was drafted in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Bolin, a 2013 graduate of WHS and three-time varsity letter winner in football and basketball and four-time varsity letter winner in baseball, was the overall 969th pick by the Texas Rangers. Bolin just finished his junior year at Davenport University where he earned several honors and led several batting and fielding categories. Bolin was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics First Team All-American at Davenport. The centerfielder also earned Player of the Year accolades from the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference for his 16 home runs, 12 triples, and .412 batting average. Bolin recorded 62 RBIs and 17 stolen bases while playing for Davenport this season. His best game at the plate was against Lindenwood (Illinois) on February 7. He hit a homerun and single and had a .545 batting average. For the 2016 season, Bolin hit 20 doubles, 12 triples, and 16 home runs. He was walked 19 times and struck out only 30 times in 226 at bats. He played 59 games for Davenport and set eight single-season records. Bolin was one of seven outfielders selected by the Rangers in Saturday’s draft. Ken Dietz, Watervliet High School Athletic Director, commented, “I am so excited for Travis!! I am happy that he will get a chance to pursue his lifelong goal and dream of playing in the major leagues.”
Random drug testing for student athletes under discussion by Watervliet Board of Education;
Six retirees honored with Golden Apples; Phase 2 Construction on schedule
By Kristy Noack
June’s regular meeting of the Watervliet School Board on Monday, June 13 proved that although school may be out for the summer, there is plenty of work to be done. The main topic during Monday’s meeting was the approval of the first reading of Interscholastic Athletic Policy 8484. Supertintendent Kevin Schooley presented the board with the policy, in which the practice of requiring students to undergo random drug screening should they choose to participate in a sport is under consideration. Schooley understands that the discussion of drug testing student athletes will be a hot button topic, but said, “I’ve seen a spike (in the number of drug and alcohol related occurrences). I hear from the stakeholders, the parents, other kids in the district that this would be a good thing. The biggest benefit is it gives a kid an out.” Currently, participation in a school sport requires a physical examination, parents/guardians are required to make known any health condition, and health problems require clearance notes signed by a physician. After discussion between the board members, it was clear that there is a fine line between the rights of privacy, teaching the students the value of competition, and protecting both the student and school. Schooley stated, “I know there are strong feelings on this topic on both sides.” Of the perceived increases in the occurrence of drug and alcohol abuses by students, local doctor Andy DeHaven, a local resident and father of former WHS students, said, “We’ve got a problem. We’ve got to get hardcore. There is no easy solution.” DeHaven volunteered to join Board Trustees Troy Boone and Matt Clay and Board Vice-President Bill Spaulding on a subcommittee to review Policy 8484. The board appreciated DeHaven’s offer and will take it under consideration. Watervliet High School Athletic Director Ken Dietz was on hand to answer questions as to the current policy. Also on hand was audience member Nicole Klimkiewicz spoke emphatically about the need for a substance abuse policy for all students involved in extra-curricular activities. “I have five kids in this district. There needs to be harsher penalties (for students using illegal substances). Just because you’re a star student or a start athlete shouldn’t make a damn difference,” she said. The Athletic Handbook was also submitted to the board for first reading. Both Policy 8484 and the handbook were approved for first reading and further review by the board subcommittee. Schooley would like both approved in July as the athletic handbooks and expectations need to be conveyed to the students in August for the upcoming fall sports season. In other business, the board recognized six retiring district staff members. Each retiree was presented with a golden apple in appreciation for their years of service to the district. Staff being honored included Lee Price, a 14-year employee who worked in the transportation garage, Deb McVay, a 20-year paraprofessional, and Shirley Cheshire, a 38-year employee who started as a paraprofessional and became the secretary at North Elementary. Three teachers were honored for their commitment to the students within the district. Deb Iliff retired last year after starting her career at Watervliet in 1996. Jill Peck gave 20-years to the Watervliet district as a teacher and assisted with technology development. Kim Karnes started in 1977 and spent a majority of her time at South Elementary as a special education teacher. Spaulding said, “Thank you folks for your countless contributions to the district.” Schooley echoed the sentiments of appreciation given by the board. “It’s always difficult to see 151 years combined experience walk out the door.” Schooley shared that Phase 2 construction is “on schedule.” He updated the board that the North Elementary roof is currently being removed. Site work for the bus loop and the leveling of the athletic fields has started. Ceilings have been dismantled, and demolition of unit vents in the hallways at the high school has begun. The high school, middle school, and athletic offices have been moved to North Elementary, while Central Administration has been moved to South Elementary. The board approved an administrative contract to Susan Toothman. Toothman will serve as Watervliet’s Director of Curiculum and Special Projects. Toothman has taught English at Watervliet High School for six years. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education from Walden University and her undergrad degree from Western Michigan University. Other items approved by the board included the second reading of the 2016-2017 student handbooks for the South, North, middle, and high schools as well as the WAY program. Parents will see a small increase in the price of lunch, although the price for breakfast will remain unchanged. North and South schools will offer lunch for $2.55. Middle School Tier 1 lunch prices have been set at $2.80 and Tier 2 was unchanged at $3.00 per lunch. The board unanimously approved a recommended 2% increase for the Watervliet Education Support personnel, which includes secretaries, custodians, and paraprofessionals union. The cost to the district will be $15,827.The contract in its entirety will be reviewed in the spring of 2017. Fund Equity Policy 3150 was approved by the board for first reading. The policy provides a way to commit funds for district improvement through the Capital Project Fund. In transportation news, the board approved the purchase of a 2016 Ford F250 from Woodhams Ford to replace the district’s current 1999 truck. The price of the truck will not exceed $25,244. Also getting the green light was the purchase of a 2017 77-passenger bus from Midwest Transit for $83,858. Both Woodhams and Midwest provided the low bids for their respective vehicles. May General Fund expenses of $1,062,994.28 were approved by the board. Of that amount $388,006.97 was related to payroll and $211,334.98 was paid to construction contractor Miller Davis. Another notable item being paid was $26,055.83 to PNC Bank for the track loan. There is only one year left on this loan. The board followed all regular business by moving into closed session for the superintendent evaluation.
GOLDEN APPLES GIVEN TO 2016 DISTRICT RETIREES… The Watervliet Board of Education honored six retirees at the June regular meeting by presenting them with Golden Apples in appreciation for their combined 151 years of service to the Watervliet public schools district. Pictured (from the left): Deb Iliff, Kim Karnes, Jill Peck, Deb McVay, Shirley Cheshire, and Superintendent Kevin Schooley. Unavailable for photo was retiree Lee Price. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)
Bainbridge moves forward with Special Assessment District
By Angela Stair
The Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees passed a motion to move forward with the Special Assessment District for Pipestone Lake. The Pipestone Lake Association had approached the Board some time ago about improving the roads by the lake. Township Supervisor Jerry Jollay explained that the roads are private and they would have to pay for the improvements. Legal process was followed to reach the point of approving a Special Assessment District to pay for the road work. The Township has agreed to loan the money to the Association and it is to be repaid over a five year period by the leveling of a special tax. Supervisor Jollay said that with the approval of the motion to draw up the Special Assessment District, it will be drawn up and a public meeting will be held for approval. Each person that will be in the District will be receiving a letter notifying them of the public meeting and giving other information. At the hearing the names of parcel owners with the total they will be charged will be available for review. The date of the public hearing is not set yet. Pipestone Lake Drive In the matter of ownership of Pipestone Lake Drive and the boat launch at the end of it, Supervisor Jollay said their Attorney and the Berrien County Road Commission have found the Drive to be a public road and will be the responsibility of the Road Commission to keep it repaired. While it is true Mr. Merkel owns the land under the road, the road belongs to the public. The Road Commission recommends that Mr. Merkel give the land under the road to the Commission in a quick claim deed. Some government funds that would be used for the road and launch repair could not be used if the Road Commission did not own the land. Supervisor Jollay reported that at this point the Berrien County Road Commission is evaluating the road and ramp to determine what it would cost to repair them. Sunday alcohol sales , Moonrise License, Coloma Athletic Boosters Dennis Hauch requested the Board to lift the ban on selling alcohol on Sunday mornings at his business. He said others in the area can and he loses business by not being able to sell alcohol before noon on Sundays. Bill Hodge, who was in the audience, said that big business and the rest of the county approved the selling of alcohol before noon and by denying Hauch his rights, it was hurting his small business. Supervisor Jollay said the Board had been thinking along the same lines and agreed with Hodge. The Board rescinded the 2010 restriction of Hauch’s license. Tom Zabedal owner of Moonrise L.L.C. asked the Board for a small winemaker’s license. The business is located on Hill Road. The Board unanimously approved the license. Supervisor Jollay said the Coloma Athletic Boosters requested permission to run a 10 K race on October 15. Part of their path would be in Bainbridge Township. After some discussion, the Board gave unanimous approval.
Police report and other business
Deputy Hampton of the Berrien County Sheriff Department addressed the Board with the Bainbridge Township activities for April. There were 26 complaints worked, six tickets issued and no arrests made. In the complaints were six accidents-traffic, one assault, one aggravated-felonious assault, and one burglary-forced entry. The Board approved the payment of bills in the amount of $40,595.81, liabilities $1,762.20, payroll in the amount of $7,721.71 for a total of $50,079.72. Supervisor Jollay said he had been given some information that M-140 will be resurfaced some time in 2017. He said it would be the 5.4 miles by Bainbridge Township that has never been resurfaced as the rest of M-140 has been. One spot he noted had been done not once, but twice. The World War II monument stone has been completed after two years of gathering information and was delivered to the Township. A dedication ceremony will be held at a future date that the Board is considering and notice will be given.
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