VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING

DECEMBER 9, 2002

 

 

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 December 9, 2002 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present:  Mr. Mark May, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Kenneth Schuster, Mr. Michael Tom, Mr. Mel Burks, Mr. Gene Shike, Mr. Alferd Hamblen.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Mr. Michael Tom led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Special Presentations

 

Dr. Minnis presented a plaque to Mr. Mark May for serving as a Member of the Board of School Trustees from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2002.

 

Mr. Tanoos presented a plaque to Dr. Joseph Minnis for serving as President of the Board of School Trustees this past year.

 

Spotlights

 

Booker T. Washington High School

 

Dr. Karen Andrews, principal at Washington High School, along with Mrs. Vicki Walsh, art teacher, presented a brief overview of the after school art program which is offered in addition to the regular art classes at the school.  Mrs. Walsh and her students shared some of the artwork with the Board.

 

Terre Haute Police Department/Vigo County School Corporation

 

Chief of Police James Horrall, Assistant Chief of Police Jerry Arney, and Detective Tim Curley made a presentation regarding the Terre Haute Police Department and the Vigo County School Corporation partnership.

 

Indiana State Teachers Association UniServ Director

 

Mr. Tanoos recognized Mr. George Bakker, retiring Indiana State Teachers Association UniServ Director, for his important role to the district in serving teachers.

 

First Call for Citizen Comments

 

(No Comments Were Received)

 

Consent Agenda

 

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

 

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

 

            1.            Minutes – Regular Meeting – November 25, 2002

            2.            Financial Status Report – Month Ending November 2002

            3.            Encumbrance Report – November 2002

            4.            Payment of Interim Claims in December

            5.            Professional Leave Requests

            6.            Gifts – Hoosier Prairie Elementary School – Playground Equipment                                            ($9,000.00), School Sign ($4,640.00), Teacher Grants ($2,700.00),

                                    and School Assemblies ($2,000.00) – Parent Teacher Organization.

 

Discussion

 

Elementary School Building Project Financing

 

Mr. Lonnie Therber of Therber, Brock and Kramer Financial Advisors, presented financing alternatives for the elementary school building project, and responded to questions from Board Members.

 

Mr. Therber and Mr. Thornton will compile a comprehensive proposal and bring it to the Board for further input at a future Board Meeting.

 

New Business

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report for approval

 

Mr. May moved for approval, and Mr. Tom seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Education Assistant Employee Agreement

 

Mr. Tanoos noted that the Education Assistants of the Vigo County School Corporation met and reached an agreement subject to Board approval regarding all aspects of salary and benefit issues.  He stated that there was an additional adjustment in the Step Increase resulting in a 3.88% total package.

 

Mr. Hamblen moved for approval.  Mr. May seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Emergency Declaration for Terre Haute South Vigo Kitchen

 

Mr. Tanoos noted that immediate remediation of the damage caused from the fire in the kitchen at Terre Haute South Vigo High School was required in order to place the kitchen back in service.  He said that repairs and equipment costs totaled approximately $75,000.00, and there is currently approximately $80,000.00 remaining in the emergency Capital Projects Fund budget.

 

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

 

Construction Documents for Consolidated Elementary School

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to approve the construction documents for Consolidated Elementary School as complete, and approve proceeding with the bidding process.

 

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

 

World History Course Realignment

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to approve the realignment of the World History Course at the tenth grade level.  He noted that the new alignment would comply with the new State Academic Standards for Social Studies and recent Core 40 decisions made by the State Department of Education.

 

Mr. Tom moved for approval.  Mr. Hamblen seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Bid for Cafeteria Supplies and Food

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for cafeteria items 302100 through 703417, for the bid period January 20, 2003 through July 31, 2003 be awarded to the following vendors:  B & B Foods, Bernard Foods, Clark Products, Dakota Gourmet/Sonne, Hillyard, Interstate Brands, Lance, Inc., Linco Coffee, Prairie Farms, and Wabash Coffee, Inc.

 

Mr. May moved for approval.  Mr. Schuster seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Indiana Association of School Business Officials

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for Mrs. Donna Wilson, and Mr. Tom Thornton to serve on the Accounting/Budgeting Committee for the Indiana Association of School Business Officials.

 

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

 

Title II Grant

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for the Vigo County School Corporation to make its Title II, Part A Program decisions based on the School Improvement and Professional Development Plans developed by each of its schools as a requirement of Public Law 221.

 

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

 

Comments/Correspondence/Information

 

Second Call for Citizen Comments

 

(No Comments Were Received)

 

Information and Proposals from Board Members

 

Mr. Burks referred to a handout he distributed to Board Members regarding a teleconference entitled “Closing the Achievement Gap – Improving Educational Outcomes for African American Children” that he attended with Mr. Lisby at Indiana State University.  He asked that material be read and shared with the administration to see if there is something the corporation needs to do.

 

Dr. Minnis remarked that previously they heard something about the southwest quadrant of the county and the southwest quadrant of the city, and possibly using Crawford for the Washington school, and possibility of leasing.  He noted that he hasn’t heard anything back regarding this.

 

Mr. Tanoos commented that the administration was asked to do a step study, with the first study to be of the southwest quadrant of the county.  Mr. Tanoos stated that Step One of Phase One has not been completed.  He noted that the administration is compiling responses to questions asked buy the Board, and will present the study to the Board in January.  If the Board does not accept that proposal, the administration will come back with the proposal for Washington High School.

 

Dr. Minnis recognized students from South Vigo High School in attendance this evening.

 

Adjournment   8:35 P.M.

 

 

Approved:

 

_____________________________President       ______________________________

 

_____________________________Vice Pres.     ______________________________

 

_____________________________Secretary      ______________________________

 

_____________________________Dep. Secy.