VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2003
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
A meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Vigo County School Corporation, Vigo County Indiana, was held at the Administration Building, 686 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana, on the 24th day of November 2003 at 7:00 P.M.
The following Board Members were present: Mr. Kenneth Schuster, Mr. Michael Tom, Mr. Mel Burks, Mr. Gene Shike, Mr. Guille Cox, and Dr. Joseph Minnis.
Pledge of
Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Gene Shike.
Resolution of Memoriam
Mr. Gene Shike presented the Resolution of Memoriam for Mr. Otis Withem, former Vigo County School Corporation employee.
Spotlight
The following Vigo County School Corporation employees were recognized for receiving special awards:
Mrs. Madonna Johnson, Principal at Lost Creek Elementary School was named 2003
District VIII Principal of the Year.
Mrs. Melissa Walker, Mathematics Teacher at West Vigo Middle School was named
2004 Vigo County Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Steve Higham, Mathematics Department Chairperson, and Girls Golf Coach at Terre Haute North Vigo High School was inducted into the Indiana High School Golf Hall of Fame.
First Call for Citizens Comments
(No Comments Were Received)
Consent Agenda
Mr. Burks moved for approval of the Consent Agenda. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The following Consent Agenda items were approved:
1. Minutes Regular Meeting November 10, 2003
2. Financial Status Report Period Ending October 2003
3. Encumbrance Report Period Ending October 31, 2003
4. Permission to Purchase Equipment from Extra-Curricular Funds
5. Payment of Interim Claims in December
6. Accounts Payable Docket November 24, 2003
7. Professional Leave Requests
New Business
Personnel Report
Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report.
Mr. Tom moved for approval of the Personnel Report. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Property/Causality/Workers
Compensation Package 2003-2004
Mr. Orr presented the Property/Causality/Workers Compensation Package for 2003-2004 which has been through the advertisement bid process. He reported that the resulting overall impact to the Corporation for 2003-2004 will be a rate increase of 11.49% or $136,517 for the same insurance package currently in effect. He noted that while a no rate increase or even a reduction in rates will be our ultimate goal, this 11.49% increase is well below the national trend. Mr. Orr stated the over all premium is $1,325,015.
Following discussion, Mr. Tom moved for approval. Mr. Burks seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Permission to Seek a Temporary Loan
Mr. Thornton requested permission to seek a temporary loan to cover the possible deficit in the tax supported operating funds resulting from property tax distribution delays caused by reassessment. He stated that a temporary loan in the form of tax anticipation warrants will be necessary. Mr. Thornton also recommended that the Board approve the notice to bidders and the resolution stating an emergency for borrowing exists for the operating funds.
Mr. Thornton responded to questions from Board Members.
Mr. Shike moved for approval. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Naming of a Portion of the School Campus West Vigo High School
Mr. Tanoos requested permission to allow West Vigo High School to name a small portion of their campus in memory of Mrs. Ruthmarie Newport formerly a teacher at West Vigo High School.
Mr. Burks moved for approval. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Textbook Peer Education
Mr. Tanoos noted that the new textbook for Peer Education needs to be adopted along with Social Studies Textbooks. He requested approval for this textbook as well as the Study Guide to accompany it.
Mr. Tom moved for approval. Dr. Minnis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Grants
Mr. Tanoos requested approval for the Title II, Part A Grant for 2003-2004, and the Title V, Part A Innovative Programs Grant.
Mr. Schuster moved for approval. Mr. Burks seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Comments/Correspondence/Information
Second Call for Citizens Comments
Comments were received from Mr. Dave Chapman, Principal of West Vigo High School.
Information and Proposals from Board Members
Mr. Shike questioned the change order process, specifically regarding the new elementary school construction.
Mr. Thornton noted that when a budget is set for a construction project, the Board normally approves a contingency allowance for construction. Change orders are taken from that line item and the amount in the contingency allowance is approximately 4% of the total construction costs.
Mr. Tanoos and Mr. Thornton concurred that we are still well under the approved maximum amount for the building projects, and well under the contingency allowance amount for change orders.
Discussion followed with a recommendation from Mr. Cox that a threshold for change orders be established for approval by the administration.
It was decided that the administration would bring a report on change orders to the next meeting for Board review and discussion.
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Mr. Burks inquired if we have a proposal regarding the Fayette property from the organization that wanted to purchase it.
Mr. Tanoos responded that he has not heard from the Fayette community in reference to that.
Dr. Minnis mentioned that he talked to them approximately a month ago and they are working on their proposal. He noted he would get back with them.
Adjournment: 8:25 P.M.
Approved:
______________________________President ___________________________
______________________________Vice Pres. ___________________________
______________________________Secretary ___________________________
______________________________Dep. Secy.