AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley board members debated whether Tippecanoe Valley Middle School cheerleaders should be allowed to attend a winter classic cheer competition that will be held on a Sunday because the school bylaws do not permit students to attend school activities on Sundays.

During the Tippecanoe Valley School board meeting on Monday, Dec. 12, board member Stan Miller stated he did not think TVMS students should attend the cheer competition. Miller mentioned the TVS bylaws indicate there are to be no school events on Sundays. The policy had been changed two years ago from school activities not being permitted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, to no school activities being allowed at all on Sundays.

“That to me is family day … it’s the Lord’s day,” said Miller.

The policy became more strict two years ago due to several suicides in the community and area schools. At the time, the board felt students needed to spend more time with their families because of the tragedies.

Miller continued to say even though he thought this was a great opportunity for TVMS cheerleaders, he was not willing to vote in favor of the motion.

“I feel like it’s gonna be a big can,” said Miller, meaning if they let students attend one event on a Sunday, it would become a regular occurrence.

Board member Tom Craft stated that while he appreciated the coach offering to take students to this event, he still supported denying a motion to allow the participation by saying, “I think we need to accept our bylaws.”

Board member Bryan Murphy did not agree with Miller and Craft, “This being a one time thing, I don’t have a problem with it.”

Murphy made a motion to accept the participation of the TVMS cheerleaders participation in the competition. Board member David O’ Brien seconded the motion. Miller, Craft and board member Todd Hoffman voted against the motion. The motion was denied.

The board approved the hiring of Angela Lee Kirby, custodian at Mentone Elementary. The board accepted the resignations of Anne Stoneburner, instructional assistant at Akron Elementary, and Mark Wilcox, assistant track coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School. The board accepted the maternity leave request for Melody Rockhill, special education teacher at Akron Elementary.

During the meeting, Sheila Kindig, a computer lab instructor at Akron Elementary School, and Samantha Bradford, secretary at Akron Elementary School, were given the Tippecanoe Valley Pillar Award for outstanding support staff.

Kindig began as a substitute teacher at Akron Elementary School 20 years ago. She has since become a computer lab instructor. Bradford began as an instructional assistant at Akron Elementary 19 years ago. She is now the secretary for the school.

Assistant superintendent Blaine Conley stated hiring Brandford as a secretary was, “One of the best decisions I ever made.”

The board also recognized Karla Hayden, a reading interventionist at Mentone Elementary School, as the recipient of the Tippecanoe Valley World Class Teacher Award.

This was the last meeting O’Brien and Craft will serve as board members. Both members received a plaque for their years of service. Both members stated they have enjoyed their years on the board.

“I appreciate the Tippecanoe Valley Community,” said O’Brien.