DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2007

6:30 P.M.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

 

An executive session was held at 6:15 p.m. on personnel matters.

 

MINUTES

 

Present:  Harry Fowler, President; Norb Heban, Vice-President; John Adams, Secretary; Lisa Clawson, Member; Steve Hall, Assistant Superintendent and, Patrick W. Mapes, Superintendent.

 

Absent:  Sean Burcham, Member

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

At 6:30 p.m. Superintendent Mapes called the meeting to order.

 

II.               PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.            ORGANIZATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

A.     Superintendent Mapes presided over the meeting for the organization of the Board of Education.  He asked for nominations for Board President. 

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to nominate Harry Fowler as President of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by John Adams to close the nominations for President of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motions were approved three in favor with Harry Fowler abstaining.

 

Board of Education President, Harry Fowler, asked for nominations for Vice-President of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to nominate Norb Heban as Vice President of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to close nominations for Vice President of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motions were approved three in favor with Norb Heban abstaining.

 

Board of Education President, Harry Fowler, asked for nominations for Secretary of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

A motion was made by Lisa Clawson and seconded by Norb Heban to nominate John Adams as Secretary of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to close nominations for Secretary of the Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motions were approved three in favor with John Adams abstaining.

 

B.     A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by John Adams to appoint Tarinna Morris as Corporation Treasurer and Lois Cole as Deputy Treasurer for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to retain Steve Murphy of the DeFur, Voran, LLP Law Firm as the school attorney for the 2007-2008 school year on an as needed basis at the same hourly rate.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

D.     A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to hold regular school board meetings on Tuesdays twice monthly at 6:30 p.m. per the calendar presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The Board of Education will meet at the Administration Office unless otherwise designated.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

E.     A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to set the Board of Education compensation at $83.00 per regular session Board meeting attended and $62.00 for any other meeting attended.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

F.     Board President, Harry Fowler, appointed Norb Heban as the ISBA Legislative Representative.  By consensus of the Board, Board President, Harry Fowler, will serve as the ISBA Delegate.  Both will serve in these positions for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

G.    A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to appoint Pam Huddleston and Kim Kemper (alternate) as recording secretaries at a rate of $35.00 per meeting for the 2007-2008 school year.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

H.    Board President, Harry Fowler, appointed John Adams and Lisa Clawson to serve on the bid opening committee for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

I.       By consensus of the Board, all Board members will serve on the Board of Finance Committee for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

J.      Conflict of Interest Disclosures

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by John Adams to accept the disclosure statements for Sean Burcham, Harry Fowler, and Lisa Clawson as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously

 

IV.             MINUTES

 

A.     A motion was made by Lisa Clawson and seconded by John Adams to approve the minutes of the special board meeting held on Tuesday, June 26, 2007.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

V.                 FINANCE

 

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

 

B.     Purchase over $5,000

 

Custer Electric                               DHS                      GF                      $92,000.00

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Norb Heban to approve the purchase of lighting for the Delta High School football stadium from Custer Electric at a cost of $92,000.00 as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

East Central Service Center        Corp.                     GF                      $  9,542.75

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the membership fee of $9,542.75 for the East Central Service Center as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     Set dollar amount for purchases

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Norb Heban to approve raising the dollar amount for approved purchases from $5,000.00 to $7,500.00 as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

D.     Set dollar amount for fixed assets

 

A motion was made by Lisa Clawson and seconded by Norb Heban to approve raising the dollar amount for fixed assets from $1,000.00 to $7,500.00 as recommended by the State Board of Accounts and presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

VI.             OLD BUSINESS

 

A.     None

 

VII.          COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

 

Ř      Ms. Christie Gadbury spoke to the Board as a concerned parent of a student at Delta High School who has been a player on the Delta Baseball Team.  Her concerns were outlined for the Board and were reiterated by Mr. Gadbury, grandfather of the student and Mrs. Grove, grandmother of the student.

 

Mr. Todd Selvey spoke as a concerned parent and Ms. Clevenger spoke to the student’s character as a family friend.

 

Mr. Harry Fowler, Board President thanked everyone for making their concerns clear to the Board and advised them the Board would take their concerns under advisement.

 

Ř      On behalf of the DCCTA, Mrs. Sheliah Dorton congratulated the new officers of the Delaware Community Schools Board of School Trustees.  Mrs. Dorton informed the Board she had been elected president of the DCCTA for the 2007-2008 school year and she, her newly elected team of officers and all members of the DCCTA look forward to working together with the Board and Administrators this coming year.

 

Board President, Harry Fowler, thanked Mrs. Dorton and said the Board also looked forward to working with them over this next year.

 

VIII.      NEW BUSINESS

 

A.     Certified Staff

 

1.      A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Norb Heban to employ Katheryn Nunley as a special education teacher at Delta High School effective for the 2007-2008 school year pending completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

2.      A motion was made by Lisa Clawson and seconded by John Adams to employ Kelly Alles as a special education teacher at Albany Elementary School effective for the 2007-2008 school year pending completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

3.      A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to employ Amber Timmons as a teacher at Royerton Elementary School effective for the 2007-2008 school year pending completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

B.     Classified Staff

 

1.      The Board was informed of the retirement of Sharon Ingram as an Instructional Assistant at Eaton Elementary School effective immediately.

 

2.      The Board was informed of the resignation of John Fullenkamp as a regular school bus route driver effective immediately.

 

3.      A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to employ Donna Helfst as the Secretary to the Athletic Director at Delta High School effective immediately pending completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

C.     Extra Curricular

 

1.      The Board was informed of the resignation of Matthew Brown as an assistant boys basketball coach at Delta High School effective immediately.

 

2.      A motion was made by Lisa Clawson and seconded by John Adams to employ Kathryn Nunley as a freshman class sponsor at Delta High School effective for the 2007-2008 school year pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

3.      A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to employ Lance Engle as a varsity girls soccer head coach at Delta High School effective from June of 2007 through December of 2007 pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

D.     Conference Requests/Field Trips

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the following conference requests and field trips as presented by Superintendent Mapes:

 

1.      Jennifer Winkhart along with other newly hired elementary teaching employees request permission to attend the 6 + 1 Crash Course on Monday, August 6, 2007 at the Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.

 

2.      Joe Schmalz requests permission to attend the Indiana School Safety Advanced Training on Monday through Tuesday, October 29-30, 2007 at the Sheraton-Keystone in Indianapolis, IN.

 

3.      Tom Devine requests permission to take the Cross Country Teams from Delta High School to the Brown County State Park on Monday-Thursday, August 6-9, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. with a return time of 3:00 p.m. to prepare for the upcoming cross country season.

 

4.      Jeri Harman, Betty Johnson, Cindy Glaze and Jennifer Conti request permission to take the fifth grade class from DeSoto Elementary School to the Camp Adventure Low Ropes Course on Friday, September 7, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

E.     Information and Proposals

 

1.            Superintendent

 

a.      Cash Tuition

 

Superintendent Mapes presented the Board with a recommended increase in the cash tuition for the 2007-2008 school year based on the calendar year 2007 budget estimate for local property tax support.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the recommended cash tuition increase from $1,350.00 to $1,450.00 per year for the 2007-2008 school year as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

b.      Field Trip request to New York City

 

Superintendent Mapes advised the Board Lance Brand would like to take the National Honor Society from Delta High School to New York City as a cultural and historical enrichment experience.

 

By consensus the Board will allow Mr. Brand to proceed with the planning for this trip to New York City for the National Honor Society from Delta High School from Thursday, April 24, 2008 to Monday, April 28, 2008.  The Board retains the authority to cancel this trip based on current world conditions at that time.

 

c.       Request approval to set Food Service prices for breakfast and lunch for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Superintendent Mapes presented the Board with a recommendation for lunch and breakfast prices at all levels.  Due to increased food costs, the recommendation is for slight increases in all areas as follows:

 

Student Breakfast                      All Schools                                      $1.25

Adult Breakfast                          All Schools                                      $1.30

 

Student Lunch                            Delta Middle/Delta High              $2.00

Student Lunch                            Elementary                                    $1.75

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by John Adams to approve the increases in cost for lunch and breakfast prices to go into effect August 15, 2007 as presented by Superintendent Mapes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

d.      Policy #5250 – First Reading

 

Superintendent Mapes informed the Board updates were needed in order for Policy #5250, Withdrawal from School and Exit Interview, to be in compliance with Indiana law.  The proposal of Policy #5250 presented to the Board makes necessary changes in accordance with these laws.  There were no questions.  Policy #5250 will be brought back for a second reading at the July 24, 2007 meeting of the Board of School Trustees.

 

e.       Midwest Health Strategies

 

Superintendent Mapes presented the Board with a proposed partnership between Midwest Health Strategies and the Delaware Community School Corporation.  By consensus of the Board Superintendent Mapes will pursue more information regarding Midwest Health Strategies’ Proposal.

 

f.        Purchasing Quote and Bid Law

 

Superintendent Mapes informed the Board this past legislative session expanded the parameters of when public schools will need to go out for bids or when they will need to get quotes for large purchases.  Superintendent Mapes informed the Board purchases of $150,000.00 or more will now require us to go out for bids.

 

g.      Insurance Rates

 

Superintendent Mapes informed the Board we have the new health insurance rates, which will go into effect October 1, 2007.  The Health Insurance Consortium has allowed us to stay well under national averages with a small 5.5% increase in the health insurance policy rate for the coming year.

 

h.      Budget Schedule

 

Superintendent Mapes presented the Board a possible schedule for preparing and approving the 2008 budget. 

 

By consensus of the Board the schedule will be as follows:

 

August 7, 2007                     Work Session                              5:00 p.m.

August 20, 2007                   First Publication

August 30, 2007                   Second Publication

September 4, 2007              Public Hearing                            6:30 p.m.

September 18, 2007            2008 Budget Adoption              6:30 p.m.

 

2.            Assistant Superintendent

 

a.      A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson to surplus various items from Delta Middle School as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

b.      Fitness Trail Walk Path

 

Assistant Superintendent Hall advised the Board he had received an estimated cost for the fitness trail walk path.  Our Physical Education Classes as well as cross-country teams, adult fitness clubs, and other various fitness groups will utilize the fitness trail as it becomes available.  The trail is to be funded over the next three years as a part of the Ball Wellness Grant.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the fitness trail walk path to be funded over the next three years by the Ball Wellness Grant with work to be completed by Fowler and Sons Excavating as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall.  The motion was approved three in favor with Harry Fowler abstaining.

 

c.       All-weather drive for communication tower

 

Assistant Superintendent Hall presented the Board with a request from the Delaware County 911 Communications Board for the construction of an all-weather drive from County Road 200 East to the communication tower located in the North East corner of the Delta Middle School property.  The Delaware County 911 Communications Board will assume all expense for the project.

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the Delaware County 911 Communications Board to construct an all-weather drive as presented by Assistant Superintendent Hall.  The motion was approved unanimously.  

 

d.      Coordinated School Health Advisory Council

 

A motion was made by Norb Heban and seconded by Lisa Clawson to approve the make-up of the coordinated school health advisory council.  The motion was approved unanimously.

 

Board President, Harry Fowler, appointed Board member, Sean Burcham to be the representative on the Coordinated School Health Advisory Council.

 

3.            Director of Maintenance

 

a.      DHS Phase II Project Update

 

Director of Maintenance, Barry Harris, informed the Board of progress made on Phase II of the Delta High School Project.  Many parts of the project have been completed.  Mr. Harris has asked for an updated schedule for this project.  It appears the project will need to be continued into the academic year.

 

4.            Director of Transportation

 

a.      Director of Transportation, Kim Kemper, informed the Board they will be making a presentation of the new routing software at the next meeting of the Board of School Trustees.

 

IX.             LETTERS/NOTES

 

A.     None

 

X.                 BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

 

Lisa Clawson – I would like to thank everyone for coming and welcome all of our new employees.  Congratulations to my fellow Board members on their election to new offices.

 

John Adams – I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight.  I appreciate the parents coming to bring the baseball issue to our attention and we will take that under advisement.  Mr. Steve Murphy, congratulations on another year as our school attorney.  We are looking forward to a good year for all.

 

Norb Heban – Congratulations to Mrs. Sheliah Dorton on her election as the DCCTA President.  I also appreciate the parents coming on behalf of their son.  We need to remember there are always two sides to every issue.

 

Harry Fowler – I would like to thank everyone for coming and extend my congratulations to Mrs. Sheliah Dorton and Mr. Steve Murphy as well.  I feel the parents here this evening did a nice job of presenting their case.  Thank you all for coming.  Congratulations to my fellow Board members on their new positions.  This will be a challenging year with lots of activities.

 

XI.             FUTURE MEETINGS

 

A.     The next regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

 

B.     The ISBA Board Member Academy will be held on Thursday through Friday, July 12-13, 2007 at the French Lick Springs Resort in French Lick, IN.

 

XII.          ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lisa Clawson and Board President, Harry Fowler adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.

 

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

 

 

 

HARRY FOWLER                                                                                                                             

 

NORB HEBAN                                                                                                                                  

 

JOHN ADAMS                                                                                                                                  

 

LISA CLAWSON                                                                                                                              

 

SEAN BURCHAM