VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007

 

 

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 August 13, 2007, at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present:  Mr. Mel Burks, Mr. Gene Shike,

Mrs. Jackie Lower, Mr. Guille Cox, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Paul Lockhart, and

Ms. Alpa Patel.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Ms. Holly Pies led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Spotlight

 

Ms. Holly Pies introduced Ms. Diane Songer, and Ms. Jill Brewer, who along with students, presented highlights from the Performing Arts Workshop and the Visual Arts Institute.

 

First Call for Citizens Comments

 

Comments were received from Mr. Donald Hyde.

 

Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Cox moved for approval of the Consent Agenda.  Mr. Lockhart seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

 

            1.            Minutes – Regular Meeting – July 23, 2007

 

            2.            Stipend Authorizations

 

            3.            Professional Leave Requests

 

            4.            Gift – DeVaney Elementary School – Monetary donation of $7,500.00

                        for use in the Jumpstart Summer School Program – Citi Financial/Citi

                        Foundation.

 

Discussion

 

1.         Student Driving/Riding and Parking Policy – First Reading

 

Mr. Lisby reported that the administration has been reviewing the possibility of allowing students to drive and/or ride with another student to off-site approved programs and events.  He noted that the corporation currently allows students to drive or ride with another student to the Astronomy classes at Terre Haute South Vigo, and to the Cosmetology classes at Harrold’s Academy, but does not allow students to drive to other programs.  Mr. Lisby stated that the corporation would continue to offer transportation to students who need transportation to access off site, approved programs.  He said that the proposed Policy change would allow students, with parental approval, to drive to all off site programs.

 

Mr. Lisby responded to questions from Board Members, and the proposed policy will be brought back for “second reading” at the next Board Meeting.

 

2.         VCSC General Diploma Requirements – First Reading

 

Mr. Lisby stated that the Vigo County School Corporation’s present graduation requirement calls for a total of 48 credits to receive a General, Core40, Core40 with Academic Honors, and Core40 with Technical Honors diploma.  He also stated that the focus in the Vigo County School Corporation is on both keeping students in school and increasing the number of graduates, and it is believed we can provide students who now are unable to reach the present 48 credit requirement with a sense of hope in receiving a high school diploma if we come into line with the State of Indiana requirement of 40 credits for the General Diploma.  He noted that this recommendation would not change the Core40, the Core40 with Academic Honors, or the Core40 with Technical Honors diploma.

 

Following discussion, it was decided that this item will be brought back for “second reading” at the next Board Meeting.

 

New Business

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report to the Board.

 

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

 

Benefits Committee Recommendation

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that the Vigo County School Corporation Benefits Committee recommends a four (4) pay premium holiday.  He noted that this refund will be initiated during the months of October and November 2007, and the funding used will come from the protected account held by Anthem for 2006.  In addition he said that the Benefits Committee recommends that the Vigo County School Corporation maintain Anthem as the health insurance carrier with a 7.29% rate increase for 2008.  He noted that the committee also recommends that Health Resources, Inc., continue as the dental carrier with an 11% rate increase with a two-year rate guarantee.

 

Following discussion, Mr. Cox moved for approval.  Dr. Minnis seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Purchase of Career and Technical Education Equipment

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that bids were received and opened on August 3, 2007, for the purchase of Career and Technical Education Equipment, and it is recommended that contracts be awarded to eight (8) vendors for a total cost of $744,842.22.  The committee also recommended that all other bids be rejected.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Request to Name Music Hallway at Terre Haute North in Memory of Tom McCarthy

 

Mr. Tanoos recommended that the music hallway at Terre Haute North Vigo High School be named in memory of Tom McCarthy who died this past January following a short, yet intense, battle with cancer.  He noted that Mr. McCarthy made a positive difference in the lives of so many students at North Vigo during the nearly twenty-three years he served as band director.

 

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

 

Elementary, Middle, and High School Student Handbooks

 

Mr. Tanoos recommended that the Elementary, Middle, and High School Student Handbooks be approved.  He noted that they have been reviewed by Camilla Correll, and C. Mytron Lisby, Executive Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education respectively.

 

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

Grants

 

Mr. Tanoos requested approval for the following Grants:

 

            1.            Non-English Speaking Program Grant for the 2007-2008 School Year in

                        the amount of $21,082.24

 

            2.            Oakley Foundation Grant in the amount of $312,864.00

                        (See Proceedings)

 

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

 

Comments/Correspondence/Information

 

Second Call for Citizen Comments

 

Comments were received from Mr. Donald Hyde

 

Information and Proposals from Board Members and Superintendent Tanoos

 

Mrs. Lower reminded everyone of the Back to School Meeting Tuesday, August 14th at 7:30 a.m.

 

Mr. Tanoos noted that it has been a busy summer and everyone is looking toward the new school year and the Back to School Rally on Tuesday the 14th.

 

Adjournment:  7:48 P.M.

 

 

Approved:

 

______________________________ President   _____________________________

 

______________________________ Vice Pres.  _____________________________

 

______________________________ Secretary   _____________________________

 

______________________________ Dep. Secy.

 

 

 

 

A tape of Board Meeting proceedings is available for review, upon request, in the Superintendent’s Office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vigo County School Corporation Will Equip Students With Lifelong Skills and

Prepare them to Become Productive and Responsible Citizens.