DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007

6:30 P.M.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

 

 

An Executive Session was held at 6:00 p.m. on personnel matters

 

 

MINUTES

 

 

Present:  Harry Fowler, President; Norb Heban, Vice-President; John Adams, Secretary; Lisa Clawson, Member; Sean Burcham, Member; Steve Hall, Assistant Superintendent; Pat Mapes, Superintendent

 

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

At 6:30 p.m. Board President Harry Fowler called the meeting to order.

 

II.                PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.             MINUTES

 

A.     A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the minutes of the business meeting and executive sessions held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 as amended.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

IV.              FINANCE

 

A.     A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the list of vouchers as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

B.     Purchase over $7,500

 

Waterford Learning Labs    Elementary Schools      Grant/CP

                  Pearson Digital Learning                            $115,525.00

                  Additional Cost                                             $  10,785.90

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the purchase of Waterford Learning Labs for the Elementary schools at a cost of $115,525.00 and the additional items needed at a cost of $10,785.90 as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

V.                 OLD BUSINESS

 

A.     None

 

VI.              COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

 

None

 

VII.           NEW BUSINESS

 

A.     Certified Staff

 

1.       None

 

B.     Classified Staff

 

A motion was made by Sean Burcham and seconded by Norb Heban to approve the following classified positions and corrections as presented by Superintendent Mapes:

 

1.       Employ Tammy Hahn as a secretary to the Athletic Director for Delta High School effective January 3, 2008 with hourly pay as a substitute prior to January 3rd pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

2.      Correct the hours of three food service positions hired at Delta High School for an additional half (.5) hour per day effective December 5, 2007

 

3.      Employ Harvey Mercer as a contracted school bus driver effective December 18, 2007.

 

4.      Employ Michele Batten as a contracted school bus driver effective December 18, 2007.

 

5.      Transfer Dale Metcalfe as a contracted school bus driver to another route effective December 17, 2007.

 

6.      Approve an additional 30 minutes per day to be added to the Royerton Elementary School’s Food Service Manager’s position effective immediately.

 

7.      Approve an additional 45 minutes per day to two of the current Royerton Elementary School food service positions effective immediately.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     Extra Curricular

 

1.       The Board was informed of the resignation of Seemann Baugh as a seventh and eighth grade assistant swim coach for Delta Middle School effective immediately.

 

2.      The Board was informed of the resignation of Jarrod Smith as an assistant wrestling coach at Delta High School effective December 17, 2007.

 

3.      The Board was informed of the resignation of Josh Smith as a head freshman wrestling coach at Delta High School effective December 17, 2007.

 

A motion was made by Sean Burcham and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the following ECA positions as presented by Superintendent Mapes:

 

4.      Appoint Mary Opel as a sophomore class sponsor for Delta High School for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

5.      Appoint Rebekah Weaver as a musical groups sponsor to the full position for Delta Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

6.      Appoint Jennifer Olfier as a music programs sponsor for Delta Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

7.      Transfer Seemann Baugh from his current extra-curricular coach position to the seventh and eighth grade head swim coach for Delta Middle School effective for the 2007-2008 season.

 

8.     Appoint Erik Johnson as a volunteer wrestling coach for Delta High School effective December 18, 2007 pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

9.      Transfer Josh Smith from his current extra-curricular coach position to an assistant wrestling coach position for Delta High School effective December 18, 2007.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

D.    Conference Requests/Field Trips

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the following conference requests as presented by Superintendent Mapes:

 

1.       Lisa Bradshaw requests permission to attend the Stock Market Game on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at Royerton Elementary School in Muncie, IN.

 

2.      Steve Hall requests permission to attend the Response to Intervention Seminar on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis, IN.

 

3.      Amy Larrabee requests permission to attend the Response to Intervention Seminar on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Radisson Airport Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

E.     Information and Proposals

 

1.             Superintendent

 

a.      Recognition of Administrator

 

Superintendent Mapes informed the Board Don Harman, Principal of Delta Middle School, was honored as the Indiana Association of School Principals “Principal of the Year”.  Superintendent Mapes congratulated Mr. Harman on being chosen as the top middle school principal in district six (6).  Superintendent Mapes attended a banquet where Mr. Harman received a small award.  Mr. Harman has represented our school well.

 

b.      Dollars for Scholars Presentation

 

Superintendent Mapes introduced Mr. Greg Hinshaw, Principal of Delta High School to make a presentation to the Board regarding the scholarship program “Dollars for Scholars”.

 

Mr. Hinshaw presented the Board with the various aspects of the “Dollars for Scholars” program and informed them the program has a $200 dollar initial start-up cost with a dues fee of $150 dollars per year.

 

A motion was made by Sean Burcham and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the recommendation of Superintendent Mapes and Delta High School Principal, Greg Hinshaw, to begin a “Dollars for Scholars” Chapter at Delta High School as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

c.       New Course Recommendation

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the addition of Family and Consumer Course, “Fashion and Textiles Foundations” as presented by Superintendent Mapes and Delta High School Principal, Greg Hinshaw.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

d.      Superintendent’s Life Insurance

 

Superintendent Mapes advised the Board it was brought to his attention the Superintendent position has had a $200,000 dollar life insurance policy as a benefit in the past.  The insurance company recommended keeping that policy at that level and not dropping it to $100,000 dollars.

 

Superintendent Mapes also enquired as to the Board’s wishes regarding a Key Man Life policy which would list the Corporation as the beneficiary.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Sean Burcham to approve the additional amount of Life Insurance for the Superintendent’s benefit from $100,000 to $200,000.  A Key Man Life policy is not to be purchased at this time.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

e.      Property and Casualty Insurance

 

Superintendent Mapes informed the Board their letter of intent to join the Educational Service Centers Risk Funding Trust (ESCRFT) signed on June 26, 2007 would need to be addressed prior to January 1, 2008.  Superintendent Mapes advised the Board they would need to decide whether to continue with the intent to join ESCRFT or remain with their current carrier, Hanover Insurance.

 

The Board discussed the various issues related to both options.

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Sean Burcham to stay with Hanover for the workman’s comp. and property and casualty insurance with a three year rate guarantee on the property and casualty for the 2008 year as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

2.            Assistant Superintendent

 

a.      Request to surplus a robot from Delta High School

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by John Adams to approve the request to surplus a robot from Delta High School.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

b.      Request to surplus a van from Transportation

 

A motion was made by Sean Burcham and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the request to surplus a 1992 Ford van from the Transportation Department as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall:  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

c.       ISTEP Report

 

Assistant Superintendent Hall informed the Board ISTEP data has been sent to the schools and the early calculations from each building have been placed in their packets.  Assistant Superintendent Hall reported for the elementary buildings.  The elementary levels are showing some improvement overall.  Math scores are lower, so we will be breaking that down to see where we need to concentrate our efforts to improve.

 

Mr. Don Harman, principal of Delta Middle School, reported the middle school is doing well and they were pleased with their overall scores.  Mr. Greg Hinshaw, principal of Delta High School, reported the high school’s scores were good compared to other school districts.  Math scores for sophomores have improved by thirteen points over two years ago and Language Arts scores remain very good.

 

Superintendent Mapes noted when you look at what we are doing in instruction today, we are light years ahead of where we were even two years ago.

 

VIII.        LETTERS/NOTES

 

A.     None

 

IX.              BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

 

Lisa Clawson – I would like to thank everyone for coming this evening.  Congratulations Mr. Harman on the Principal of the Year in District 6 award.  Congratulations to Eaton on the Title I award and on the box tops award received as well.  Thanks to everyone for the hard work as we make improvements on our ISTEP scores.

 

John Adams – I would concur with my fellow Board member.  I’d like to thank everyone for coming.  The Dollars for Scholars program will be a great asset to our Corporation and is something that has been needed for quite some time.  Lots of good things are going on and I’m looking forward to the New Year.  Mr. Harman, congratulations.  Merry Christmas to everyone.

 

Norb Heban – I would concur with my fellow Board members.  Thank you everyone for coming tonight.  Mr. Hinshaw thanks for the work on the scholarship program.  Dollars for Scholars is a great program for our Corporation.  Merry Christmas to everyone.

 

Sean Burcham – I would concur with my fellow Board members.  Thank you everyone for coming this evening.  Congratulations Mr. Harman.  Merry Christmas everyone.

 

Harry Fowler – I would concur with my fellow Board members.  Thank you all for coming this evening.  Congratulations Mr. Harman on your award.  Dollars for Scholars is long overdue for our schools.  Thank you also to Royerton Elementary School for our Christmas bulletin Board.

 

X.                 FUTURE MEETINGS

 

A.     The next meeting of the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

 

B.     The ISBA Board Member Leadership Seminar will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008 at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

 

C.     The ISBA/IAPSS Collective Bargaining Seminar will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

 

D.    The ISBA Legislative Update will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

 

XI.              ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Sean Burcham and Board President Harry Fowler adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.

 

 

 

HARRY FOWLER                                                                                                                           

 

NORB HEBAN                                                                                                                                

 

JOHN ADAMS                                                                                                                                 

 

LISA CLAWSON                                                                                                                             

 

SEAN BURCHAM