VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008

7:00 p.m.

 

 

M I N U T E S

 

 

A meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Vigo County School Corporation was held at the Vigo County School Corporation Administration Building, 686 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present:  Mr. Gene Shike, Mrs. Jackie Lower,

Mr. Guille Cox, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Paul Lockhart, Ms. Alpa Patel, and

Mr. Mel Burks.

 

SPOTLIGHTS

 

1.         Mrs. Cinda Taylor shared program highlights of the Reading Recovery Program,             and introduced six newly certified Reading Recovery teachers.

 

2.         Dr. Karen Goeller introduced Kathy Deal and Janella Knierim, elementary media             specialists, who shared information about this year’s “Battle of the Books.”

 

First Call for Citizens Comments

 

Comments were received from the following:

 

            Mrs. Diana Wright, Vigo County Teachers Association Representative  - Full Day             Kindergarten

 

            Mrs. Beth Jaffri – Full Day Kindergarten

 

Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Burks moved for approval of the Consent Agenda.  Ms. Patel seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

 

            1.            Minutes – Regular Meeting – April 14, 2008

 

            2.            Accounts Payable Docket – April 28, 2008

 

            3.            Financial Status Report – Month Ending March 2008

 

            4.            Stipend Authorization

 

            5.            Encumbrance Report – Period Ending March 31, 2008

 

            6.            Professional Leave Requests

 

            7.            Gift

 

                        a.            Rio Grande Elementary School – Monetary Donation of $300.00

                                    from Alpha Delta Kappa Omicron – To be used for the

                                    Indianapolis Zoo Overnight Field Trip.

 

Discussion – Full Day Kindergarten

 

President Jackie Lower moved to form a Full Day Kindergarten committee open to all Board Members.  The committee will also consist of parents, the Vigo County Teachers Association, and administrative personnel specifically Donna Wilson, Camilla Correll, and Cinda Taylor.  The committee should study all aspects of full day kindergarten and then come together with a cohesive plan. Mr. Lockhart seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Cox stated he wants to be sure that the committee doesn’t cause a problem with our contractual obligation for one on one conversation with the Vigo County Teachers Association.

 

Mr. Tanoos said he has been in contact with Mr. Mark Lee of the Vigo County Teachers Association and a tentative date for the week of May 19th has been set for discussion regarding Full Day Kindergarten.  He further noted President Lower should send a letter to Mr. Lee requesting that he make appointments to the committee.  Following his appointments the Board Committee will be able to meet.

 

Ms. Alpa Patel and Mr. Mel Burks volunteered to serve as co-chairmen of the committee to study full day kindergarten.

 

Mr. Lockhart commented that he felt forming a committee to study full day kindergarten is a very responsible way to approach the issue with so many uncertainties regarding additional costs, staffing, and state funding.  He also said it would be important to work with Legislators about funding for full day kindergarten.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report to the Board of School Trustees.

 

Mrs. Lower moved for approval of the Personnel Report.  Ms. Patel seconded the motion.  Mr. Shike, Mrs. Lower, Mr. Cox, Dr. Minnis, Mr. Lockhart, and Ms. Patel voted “yes”.  Mr. Burks “abstained.”

 

Middle School Curriculum Alignment

 

Mr. Tanoos reported that a committee of middle school teachers selected by the Vigo County Teachers Association, and principals from each of our middle schools met to determine a model schedule alignment to be used to make our middle schools more alike.  He noted that the committee reviewed the current status of our middle school schedules along with the Indiana Department of Education recommendations and requests permission to approve the Middle School alignment as noted in the Board Packet.

 

Mr. Burks moved for approval.  Mr. Lockhart seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

School Achievement and Achievement Plans

 

Mr. Tanoos reported that the Indiana Education Accountability System recognizes and demands that the continuous improvement of student achievement be the primary focus for education in Indiana’s schools.  He noted that to support this, each accredited Indiana school is required to submit a three-year continuous school improvement plan to the Indiana Department of Education.  Mr. Tanoos further stated that information was sent to Board Members in a March 26 update regarding this and requested Board approval.

 

Ms. Patel moved for approval.  Mr. Cox seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Grant

 

Mr. Tanoos requested approval for West Vigo Elementary School to participate in a Professional Development Schools grant in conjunction with Indiana State University.  The grant amount is $4,800.00.

 

Mr. Shike moved for approval.  Mr. Burks seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

COMMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION

 

Second Call for Citizen Comments

 

No comments were received

 

Information and Proposals from Board Members and Superintendent Tanoos

 

Mr. Shike inquired about the heating and cooling system at Terre Town Elementary School.

 

Dr. Minnis requested a follow-up on the Battle of the Books and would like for all schools to be able to participate.

 

Ms. Patel presented an update on the Parent Advisory Council meetings.

 

Mr. Shike commented that there was a good turnout for the Top Notch program and they did a great job for children.

 

Mr. Lockhart commended staff for the recent awards banquets he has recently attended.

 

Mrs. Lower reminded Board Members about the award banquets coming up next week.

 

Mr. Tanoos presented a brief overview of the activities that have taken place during the past two weeks, some of which included the interviews that he, Mr. Burks and Mrs. Roberts had with the Indiana Youth Institute, special dedications at Terre Haute North Vigo and Woodrow Wilson Middle School.  He also noted that he had received a call from Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign announcing they would like to be at Terre Haute South Vigo High School next Thursday at 8:00 P.M.

 

Dr. Minnis reminded Board Members of the Education Foundation Banquet which will be held Wednesday, May 7th.

 

Adjournment:   8:00 P.M.

 

 

Approved:

 

______________________________  President   ______________________________

 

______________________________  Vice Pres.  ______________________________

 

______________________________  Secretary  _______________________________

 

______________________________  Dep. Secy.