Loogootee debates football games

By Isaac Daniel, Times-Herald Intern

July 21, 2008 10:52 pm

— LOOGOOTEE — The Loogootee Community School Board initiated their Monday evening meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Silence left the room when “Item 5: Patron Input” began.
Audrey Robinson, treasurer for the Martin County Youth Football League, opened the floor with a request to allow the league to have four home games on the Loogootee Jr./ Sr. High School track.
“We will be building a football field out on the 4-H grounds,” said Robinson, “But at this time, we will not have it done yet for this football season.”
Board member Eric Ackerman’s main concern was safety.
“I was always under the impression that field was not big enough for a football field,” Ackerman said.
Robinson replied that without certain modifications, the field inside the track is not suitable for a high school football program.
“We’re a quad-county football league,” Robinson said. “We’re not operating a football high school program.”
The two then talked about liability. Robinson said the league has proper insurance. No proof of insurance from the league was given to the board at the meeting.
“We can’t assume our liability,” said Ackerman. “If something happens, trust me, we will get sued.”
The board decided that a request like Robinson’s needs to go through the athletic department.
The board moved on to item six on the agenda, bread bids.
Sara Lee Corporation gave the lowest bid. Their bread buns are 10 cents less than the other bidders.
The lowest bid increased 9.4 percent from last year. The outcome is $1.05 for a dozen buns.
The board voted to accept Sara Lee Corporation’s bid with a 3-0 decision. Board members not present were Larry Gates and David Lingenfelter.
Item seven on the agenda was the milk bids.
There was only one bid, from Prairie Farms Dairy. Typically in the past, a set price was decided.
This year, the dairy company wants the ability to change the prices of its dairy each month. The reason is because of gas prices, the board said. The cost of delivery will determine the amount a student will pay for milk.
The board accepted the bid 3-0.
Cafeteria prices were next on the agenda. The board decided, 3-0, to raise the prices after two years of no change.
All meals are raised 10 cents with the exception of adult lunches by 15 cents.