DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2007

6:30 P.M.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

 

 

An Executive Session was held at 6:00 p.m. to discuss personnel.

 

MINUTES

 

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

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

At 6:30 p.m. President Sean Burcham called the meeting to order.

 

II.               PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.            AMEND AGENDA

 

A.     A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Harry Fowler to amend the agenda as presented by Superintendent Gookins.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

IV.             MINUTES

 

A.     A motion was made by Harry Fowler and seconded by John Adams to approve the minutes of the executive sessions and business meeting held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

V.                 FINANCE

 

A.     A motion was made by Harry Fowler and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the list of vouchers as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

B.     Request to purchase over $5,000.00.

 

Midwest Transit                Transportation                  BRF                   $65,899.00

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Norb Heban to approve the purchase of a 66-passenger bus from Midwest Transit as presented by Superintendent Gookins.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

VI.             OLD BUSINESS

 

A.     Delta High School Student Handbook – Second Reading

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Harry Fowler to approve the Delta High School Student Handbook as presented by Superintendent Gookins.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

B.     Delta Middle School Student Handbook – Second Reading

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the Delta Middle School Student Handbook as presented by Superintendent Gookins.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     Elementary Rules Folder – Second Reading

 

A motion was made by Harry Fowler and seconded by Norb Heban to approve the Elementary Rules Folder as presented by Superintendent Gookins.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

VII.          COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

 

Boy Scout Troop #28 was present to work on various badges.

 

VIII.      NEW BUSINESS

 

A.     Certified Staff

 

1.      A motion was made by Harry Fowler and seconded by Norb Heban to approve the request for a leave of absence by Beth DeLong effective for the 07-08 school year to return for the 08-09 school year.  Mrs. DeLong will remain under contract and may use her sick leave with documented disability.  The leave is authorized at the end of her temporary disability.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

2.      The Board was informed of the retirement of Diana Bradley as a Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Delta Middle School effective at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

 

3.      The Board was informed of the retirement of Jeanette MacMillan as a Media Specialist at Delta Middle School effective July 1, 2007.

 

B.     Classified Staff

 

1.      The Board was informed of the resignation of Chester Coon as an Athletic Trainer at Delta High School effective at the end of the day on April 20, 2007.

 

2.      A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Harry Fowler to terminate Ms. Kim Wagner as a bus driver from the corporation effective immediately.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

3.      A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to employ Shanna Ashcraft as a four-hour food service employee at Albany Elementary School effective immediately upon completion of all approved paperwork.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     Extra Curricular

 

1.      The Board was informed of the resignation of Glen Stewart as a head girls’ basketball coach at Delta High School.

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to appoint the following ECA positions as presented by Superintendent Gookins:

 

2.      Recommendation to appoint Carless Steven Conway as an assistant baseball coach at Delta High School at ½ pay for the 2007 spring season.

 

3.      Recommendation to appoint Kevin Tabari-Asl as an assistant baseball coach at Delta High School at ½ pay for the 2007 spring season.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

D.     Conference Requests/Field Trips

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Harry Fowler to approve to following Conference Requests and Field Trips as presented by Superintendent Gookins:

 

1.      Sue Paul requests permission to attend the Indiana Wellness in Schools Seminar on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond, IN.

 

2.      Julie Brown requests permission to attend the Indiana PowerSchool Administrator Meeting and Training on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 12-13, 2007 at the Rochester High School in Rochester, IN.

 

3.      Trent Liggett requests permission to take the seventh graders from Delta Middle School to the Eaton Elementary Teams Course from 8:40 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on the following dates:  Tuesday through Thursday, April 17-19; Tuesday, April 24; Thursday, April 26; Tuesday through Thursday, May 1-3 and Tuesday, May 8, 2007.  Rain dates will be as follows:  Tuesday, May 9; Wednesday, May 10; Tuesday, May 15; Wednesday, May 16; and Thursday, May 17, 2007.

 

4.      Tim Cleland requests permission to take the Journalism students from Delta High School to Ball State University on Friday, April 20, 2007 from 8:40 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

 

5.      Pat Ervin requests permission to take the Financial Club and AP Economics students from Delta High School to Chicago on Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 5:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

E.     Information and Proposals

 

1.      Superintendent

 

a.Key Issues Institute

 

Superintendent Gookins informed the Board Deborah Christopher and John Kelly were chosen to attend the Key Issues Institute this summer.  There were ten educators chosen from nearly forty applicants.  We congratulate them on this honor.

 

Also at this time, Superintendent Gookins presented the Board with a plaque from Ball State University in honor of the Outstanding External Organization Award given to Don Harman, Sue Paul and Cindy Vaughn of Delta Middle School.

 

b.2007 ISBA Spring Region Meeting Reservations

 

Superintendent Gookins announced to the Board the 2007 ISBA Spring Regional Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at Welliver’s Smorgasbord in Hagerstown, IN.  Those attending will meet at Central Office at 5:00 p.m. to carpool to Hagerstown.

 

c.       Trip to France

 

Superintendent Gookins introduced Mr. Greg Hinshaw, principal of Delta High School, to share information regarding the French students recent trip to France.  Mr. Hinshaw shared Mrs. Lisa Ferguson did an outstanding job of preparing her students for this trip.  Our students were encouraged to communicate in French as much as possible and several of our students commented their use of the French language had improved considerably.  Mr. Hinshaw commented the trip was a very positive experience for all who went and it was very enjoyable as well.

 

d.Date to tour YOC

 

Superintendent Gookins informed the Board at the last meeting a tour of the YOC was suggested.  The priority school was contacted and will try to accommodate us.  The Board will discuss a date they will all be available to tour the site.

 

e.       DHS Gym Floor Update

 

Superintendent Gookins informed the Board as of today, the floor is about 90% complete.  Crews began putting the stencils on today.  Superintendent Gookins anticipates the work on the floor will be completed sometime on Thursday with an anticipated date to reopen being April 11th or 12th, 2007.

 

2.      Steve Hall, Assistant Superintendent

 

a.      I Love to Read Challenge

 

Assistant Superintendent Steve Hall congratulated Susie Haggard for her part with a classroom at Eaton Elementary School being a winner in the I Love to Read Challenge.  The reading contest is sponsored by WISH TV 8 with area schools and classes encouraged to participate.  Ms. Haggard organized and promoted this year’s efforts as a part of Eaton Elementary’s encouragement to read program.

 

b.      A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve posting the Jump Start positions as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

3.      Pat Mapes, Assistant Superintendent

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Harry Fowler to approve the following building usage requests as presented by Assistant Superintendent Mapes:

 

a.      Rebecca Dixon requests permission to use the cafeteria at Royerton Elementary School for a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

b.      Tim Cleland requests permission to use the tennis courts at Delta High School for the 12th annual Tim Cleland Tennis Camp on Monday through Friday, June 25-29, July 9-13, and July 16-20, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

 

c.       Tim Cleland requests permission to use the tennis courts at Delta High School for a Middle School Tennis Clinic on ten selected evenings in April and May.

 

d.      Tim Cleland requests permission to use the tennis courts at Delta High School for the Sixth Annual Penguin Classic Tennis Tournament on Tuesday through Sunday, June 19-24, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

4.      Director of Maintenance

 

a.      DHS Exterior Wall Phase II Project

 

Director of Maintenance, Barry Harris informed the Board there was a construction meeting at Delta High School today.  Pictures were shown to the Board to depict some of the problems construction workers have discovered.  The work continues to move forward.

 

b.      DeSoto Water

 

Director of Maintenance, Barry Harris informed the Board with the use of a well at DeSoto elementary school water quality is becoming more and more of an important issue.  The rules governing water testing for those operating a well are becoming more stringent.

 

A discussion followed with the Board on our responsibilities with the water quality in those buildings operating with a well.

 

5.      Director of Transportation

 

a.      Transfinder Report

 

Director of Transportation, Kim Kemper was unable to be at the meeting.  Controller, Donnie Williams informed the Board Transfinder software has been installed and they are in the process of inputting all necessary data.  All of the students have been identified on the map and they are making good progress.

 

IX.             LETTERS/NOTES

 

A.     None

 

X.                 BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

 

Harry Fowler – I’d like to thank everyone for coming.  I used to be a scout, so I appreciate the scouts attending the meeting.  Thank you everyone for the reports.

 

Norb Heban – I’d like to thank the scouts for coming this evening.  I hope you all were able to get something out of the evening and at least learn a little about the process.  Board meetings are community events.  I’d also like to congratulate Debbie Christopher and John Kelly on being chosen to attend the Key Issues Institute this summer and Susie Haggard on the class award for Eaton Elementary School in the I Love to Read Challenge.

 

Lisa Clawson – I would like to concur with my fellow Board members.  I’d also like to mention the scouts were very well-behaved during the meeting.

 

John Adams – I would like to concur with my fellow Board members.  Thank you also to Mr. Hinshaw for taking your spring break to go with our students to France.  I was hesitant about a foreign trip in this world’s current climate.  I’m glad it went so well.  It is good to see our administrators here during the meeting.  Barry Harris and Donnie Williams, keep up the good work.

 

Sean Burcham – I would like to concur with my fellow Board members.  Welcome to the scout group who is here tonight.  It is good to see the administrators here.  Thank you to everyone for coming.

 

XI.             FUTURE MEETINGS

 

A.     The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

 

B.     The ISBA regional meeting will be held at Welliver’s Restaurant in Hagerstown on Thursday, May 10, 2007.

 

C.     The IAPSS/IASBO/ISBA School Budgeting Seminar will be held on Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Hilton North in Indianapolis, IN.

 

XII.          ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Harry Fowler and seconded by Norb Heban and Board President, Sean Burcham adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m.

 

XIII.      An executive session followed the business meeting on personnel matters.

 

 

 

SEAN BURCHAM                                                                                                                            

 

HARRY FOWLER                                                                                                                             

 

NORB HEBAN                                                                                                                                  

 

JOHN ADAMS                                                                                                                                  

 

LISA CLAWSON