Be it Remembered that a Regular 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, Vigo County, Indiana on the 9th day of April, 2001, at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. The following Board Members were present: Mr. Alferd Hamblen, Mr. Mark May, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Kenneth Schuster, Mr. Michael Tom, Mr. Mel Burks, and Mr. Gene Shike.
Dr. Karen Goeller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Mrs. Brenda Allen introduced Mrs. Lisa Jennings, teacher at Ouabache Elementary School, and four of her third grade students. The students presented a power point overview of the project they recently completed through their involvement in the Hi-Tech and Pilot Professional Development grants.
Mr. Tom moved, and Mr. Schuster seconded, approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Hamblen, Mr. May, Dr. Minnis, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Tom, and Mr. Burks voted “aye.” Mr. Shike voted “no.”
The following consent agenda items were approved:
1. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – March 12, 2001
2. Financial Status Report – Month Ending March 2001
3. Encumbrance Report for Period Ending March 31, 2001
4. Professional Leave Requests
Time Warner Cable
Dr. Goeller reported that Time Warner Cable will be able to begin tape-delay airing of the Vigo County School Board meetings if the Board so desired. Following discussion, President Burks gave Time Warner the Board’s blessing to move forward, and asked that they work out details with the administration.
Mr. Danner reviewed current procedures taken regarding the indoor air quality within the schools in the Vigo County School Corporation, and responded to questions from Board Members.
Revised Policy JO-E (Second Reading)
Mr. Azar reviewed changes that have been made in Policy JO-E since the first reading. Dr. Minnis and Mr. May noted that they appreciate the changes.
Mrs. Brenda Allen summarized the procedure used for the adoption of Elementary Reading and Handwriting series this year, and responded to questions from Board Members.
Dr. Goeller stated that the administration will bring this adoption back at the April 23rd Board Meeting for a vote.
Dr. Goeller reported that the 2001-2002 calendar shows the birthday celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., to be on the 2nd Monday in January. Since the official day for this celebration is the 3rd Monday in January, the calendar will be amended, and information will be sent to parents and media.
Mr. Hamblen
moved, and Mr. Tom seconded, approval to amend the 2001-2002 School Calendar. All Board Members voted “aye.”
Personnel Report
Dr. Gelled presented the Personnel Report for approval
Mr. Shike moved, and Mr. Schuster seconded, approval. All Board Members voted “aye.”
Mr. Bauer, School Board Attorney, recommended that the Vigo County School Corporation hire Attorney Mike Sacopulos, an attorney with the law firm of Sacopulos, Johnson, Carter & Sacopulos, to represent the school corporation regarding the bankruptcy of Vaughan Hankins, d/b/a/ Credit & Collection Enterprises, Inc.
Following discussion, Mr. Shike moved, and Mr. Tom seconded, approval. All Board Members voted “aye.”
(Attachment A)
Mr. Orr noted that the administration recommends the current policy IIAB and IIAB-E be maintained intact, and that any future surveys which could be considered contrary to the policy be brought to the Board for their individual approval and processing. He stated that this action will guarantee the integrity of the policy, and provide prior Board consideration before any applicable survey may be provided to the students of Vigo County.
Mr. Schuster moved, and Mr. Hamblen seconded, approval. Considerable discussion took place. Mr. Orr noted that by doing this, the administration is going more than half way in assuring parental consent, parental information, and also helping to protect student rights. Mr. Bauer replied that rather than voting on this as a separate item, it is his belief that Policy IIAB and IIAB-E should be amended to include this wording.
Mr. Hamblen withdrew his second to the motion, and Mr. Schuster withdrew his motion.
This item was tabled until a future date.
2001 bid for Bleacher Renovation/Replacement
Mr. Danner reported that bids were received and opened on March 15, 2001, and it is recommended that Sightlines, Inc., be awarded contractor for this project. Mr. Danner noted that the Sightlines, Inc., bid is $135,315, and the Capital Projects budget for this work is $160,000.
Mr. Hamblen moved, and Mr. Tom seconded, approval. Mr. Hamblen, Mr. Tom, Mr. Burks, and Mr. Shike voted “aye.” Mr. May, and Dr. Minnis voted “no.” Mr. Schuster “’abstained.”
(Attachment B)
Mrs. Brenda Allen stated that the administration is requesting approval for the Elementary Language Arts Curriculum Guide. She noted that this guide represents a balanced approach to language arts instruction, including guided reading, self-selected reading, phonics, vocabulary, and writing instruction. Mrs. Allen also stated that this guide also reflects the Indiana State Academic Standards for Language Arts 2000.
Mr. Shike moved, and Dr. Minnis seconded, approval. All Board Members voted “aye.”
Dr. Goeller requested approval for a Buddy Mini-Grant entitled “Our Environment, Up Close and Personal” for Fuqua Elementary School. The total amount of the grant requested is $2,660.00.
Mr. Hamblen moved, and Mr. Shike seconded, approval. All Board Members voted “aye.”
Comments were received from Mrs. Cabrina Delarosa, Mrs. Vada Long, Mrs. Robin Plank, Mr. John Garner, Mrs. Beverly Thompson, and Mrs. Kathy Hoffman.
Mr. Shike requested an update report on textbook rental collections.
Mr. May brought up the subject of Board Member salaries for discussion. He said he was not necessarily asking that the Board be given an increase in salary or per diem pay, but noted that $2,000.00 per year for what the Board does is inadequate. Mr. May noted that he felt there were other Board Members who agreed with this. He suggested that perhaps something could be worked out so that in six years the yearly salary of Board Members would be increased.
Dr. Minnis and Mr. Burks stated that they were not interested in changing the salary for Board Members.
Mr. May suggested that an update on how the Trimester scheduling is working out be provided to the Board. Discussion followed among Board Members regarding this issue.
Mr. Burks noted that following Mr. Lisby’s last report on Trimester scheduling, he was going to continue to monitor this, and bring back an update report in several months. Mr. Burks said Trimester scheduling is continuing to be monitored, and Mr. Lisby will provide an update as scheduled.
Monday, April 23, 2001 – 7:00 P.M. – Administration Building
Monday, May 14, 2001 – 7:00 P.M. – Administration Building
ADJOURNMENT: 9:00 P.M.
Approved:
______________________________ President ______________________________
______________________________ Vice Pres. ______________________________
______________________________ Secretary ______________________________
______________________________Dep. Secy.