Delaware Community Schools

 

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

 

MINUTES

 

Present:  Valerie Alexander, President; Jacob Case, Vice President; John Adams, Secretary; David Grasso, Member; Lance Engle, Member; Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent; and Greg Kile, Superintendent

 

1. CALL TO ORDER

 

At 6:30 p.m. Board President, Valerie Alexander called the meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  (Recess Meeting)

 

President Alexander recessed the regular business meeting to hold a Public Hearing.  Dr. Gullion, Assistant Superintendent, explained the purpose of the hearing and asked for public comments on the following:

 

2026 Budgets

2026-2028 Capital Projects Plan

2026-2037 Bus Replacement Plan

 

No comments were received.

 

President Alexander closed the hearing.

 

Steve Murphy, School Attorney, explained the purpose of the Public Hearing and asked for public comments on the following:

 

Collective Bargaining/Teacher Compensation

 

No comments were received.

 

President Alexander closed the hearing and resumed the regular business meeting.

 

3. AMEND AGENDA

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by David Grasso to amend the agenda, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

No comments were received.

 

5. UPDATES FROM PRINCIPALS /DIRECTORS
    
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION-  Barton Coe Vilamaa

 

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the permission to advertise Eaton Elementary School Project, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve the permission to advertise Delta High School pool and pool roof, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

 

A motion was made by David Grasso and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the following under Consent Agenda:

 

7. MINUTES

 

1. Accepted the minutes of the business meeting held on Monday,                     August 18, 2025.  
    
2. FINANCE
3. Accepted the list of vouchers, as presented.  

 

9. NEW BUSINESS
10. Certified Staff
11. Resignation of Derek Novsek, Teacher at Delta High School, effective September 12, 2025.

 

2. Classified Staff
   1. Resignation of James Day, Bus Driver, effective August 8, 2025.

 

2. Resignation of Ryder Riggin, Latchkey Supervisor at Albany Elementary School, effective September 5, 2025.

 

3. Resignation of Jessica Vetor, Food Service Cook at Delta High School, effective August 20, 2025.

 

4. Recommendation to employ Erin Christofferson as a Latchkey Aide at Royerton Elementary School effective September 3, 2025, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

5. Recommendation to employ Elliott Feeney as a Latchkey Aide at Royerton Elementary School effective September 2, 2025.

 

6. Recommendation to employ Eleanor Pickell as a Latchkey Aide at Royerton Elementary School effective September 3, 2025, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

7. Recommendation to employ Deborah Hall as a Food Service Cook at Albany Elementary School effective September 3, 2025.

 

8. Recommendation to employ Danielle Smith as a Food Service Cook at Delta Middle School effective September 3, 2025.

 

9. Recommendation to transfer Hannah Penrod-Hargis from a Food Service Cook to a Food Service Assistant Manager at Delta High School effective    September 3, 2025.

 

10. Recommendation to increase hours for Jennifer Hobson, Food Service Cook at Delta High School, from 5.75 to 6.50 hours per day effective September 3, 2025.

 

11. Recommendation to transfer Mia Ramsey from a Latchkey Aide to a Latchkey Assistant Supervisor at Albany Elementary School effective September 5, 2025.

 

12. Recommendation to transfer Ryder Riggin from a Latchkey Assistant Supervisor at Albany Elementary School to a Latchkey Sub effective September 4, 2025.

 

3. Extra-Curricular

 

1. Recommendation to employ Joshua Selvey as a 7^th/8^th Grade Head Baseball Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2025-26 school year.

 

2. Recommendation to employ Riley Moulton as an Assistant Swim Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year. 

 

3. Recommendation to employ David Bratton as a Boys’ Golf Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year.

 

4. Recommendation to employ Julie Blakely and Liz Thomas as Class Sponsors at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year.

 

5. Recommendation to appoint Brooklyn Goodsel as a Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

6. Recommendation to appoint Brian Trout as a Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year.

 

7. Recommendation to appoint Cooper Bratton as a Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

 

8. Recommendation to appoint Tyler Gilland as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2025-26 school year.

 

4. Conference Requests/Field Trips

 

1. Christopher Overholt requests permission to attend the 4 Essential Roles of Leadership to be held on August 28, 2025 at the IASP Office in Indianapolis, IN.

 

2. Carrie Clevenger requests permission to attend the WVEC ToR Meeting to be held on September 5, 2025 and May 5, 2026 at the Purdue Technology Center in West Lafayette, IN.

 

3. Lindsey Thompson requests permission to attend the CT02B Meeting to be held on September 12, 2025 at CIESC in Indianapolis, IN.

 

4. Carrie Clevenger requests permission to attend Elevating ML Instruction to be held on September 16, 2025, December 16, 2025, and April 28, 2026 at the Purdue Technology Center in West Lafayette, IN.

 

5. Lindsey Thompson, Lance Brand, and Noah Henry request permission to attend the TLE Cohort Meeting to be held on September 22, 2025 at CIESC in Indianapolis, IN.

 

6. Nancy Kunk, Lynn Calloway, Joey Gossett, James Lodl, Mary May, and Cindy Kunda request permission to attend Early College Collective to be held on October 1, 2025 at the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN.

 

7. Carrie Clevenger requests permission to attend the WVEC 2025 ML Conference to be held from November 5, 2025 through November 6, 2025 in West Lafayette, IN.

 

8. Lindsey Thompson, Noah Henry, and Edwin Dixon request permission to attend the HECC Conference to be held from November 5, 2025 through November 7, 2025 at the Union Station in Indianapolis, IN.

 

9. Rachel Vance requests permission to attend the IASP Assistant Principals Conference to be held from November 20, 2025 through                 November 21, 2025 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.

 

10. Joey Gossett, Ryan Parrott, and Amy Lewman request permission to attend the Fall Professionals Conference to be held from November 23, 2025 through November 25, 2025 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.

 

5. Use of Facilities

 

1. Whitney Freeman, DHS Student Council, requests permission to use the wrestling room/indoor track on September 27, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. to hold a Homecoming Dance, as presented.

 

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

AGENDA

 

10. FINANCE

 

1. Purchases over $10,000:

 

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the following (items 1-2):

 

1. Educational Furniture Construction $33,151.70

(AES furniture)

 

2.  Wright Way OP $13,215.00

(snow blade and salt spreader)

 

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

B.  A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by David Grasso to approve the following Adopt Resolutions:

 

Resolution to Reduce Appropriations for 2025 Budgets

Resolution to Transfer to Rainy Day Fund

Resolution Expenditure of Rainy Day Funds

Resolution Rainy Day Fund

 

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

C.   A motion was made by David Grasso and seconded by Lance Engle to approve SA5’s, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

D.   Dr. Gullion, Assistant Superintendent, gave a monthly finance review.

 

11. NEW BUSINESS

 

1. Certified Staff

 

1. None.

 

2. Classified Staff

 

1. None.

 

3. Information and Proposals

 

1. Superintendent

 

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by David Grasso to approve the DMS Kings Island Trip, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

2. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve the DMS/DHS ECA pay scale, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

3. Superintendent Kile informed the Board about the following fundraisers:

 

1. Ashley Hughes, DMS, requests permission to hold a fundraiser in August 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards St. Judes and/or Stand Up To Cancer.

 

2. Whitney Freeman, DHS Student Council, requests permission to sell Homecoming shirts from September 3, 2025 through September 26, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards student council.

 

3. Nancy Kunk, DHS FFA, requests permission to hold a Bingo fundraiser from September 17, 2025 through October 1, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the FFA ECA account.

 

4. Whitney Freeman, DHS Student Council, requests permission to hold a Homecoming Dance on September 27, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the ECA account.

 

5. Teresa Schwer, RES Student Council, requests permission to collect food donations throughout the year, as presented.  Proceeds go towards local food pantries.

 

6. Chelsea Williams, DMS, requests permission to hold a Scholastic Book Fair from October 27, 2025 through October 31, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the ECA account.

 

7. Nakkia Patrick, DMS Secret Families, requests permission to collect donations from November 13, 2025 through November 24, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards Secret Families.

 

8. Teresa Schwer, RES Student Council, requests permission to sell Smencils and pretzels from February 9, 2026 through February 13, 2026, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the student fund.

 

9. Nakkia Patrick, DJHS, requests permission to sell candy grams from February 4, 2026 through February 11, 2026, as presented.  Proceeds go towards DJHS.

 

10. Nakkia Patrick, DMS, requests permission to hold an 8^th grade semi-formal dance on May 8, 2026, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the yearbook fund.

 

1. Assistant Superintendent

 

1. Donations:

 

1. None.

b.   A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by David Grasso to approve the request for the Food Service Department to surplus items, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

12. LETTERS/NOTES

 

13. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

 

Lance Engle – Mr. Engle thanked Barton Coe for presenting and is excited about the changes that will be taking place at Eaton Elementary and the high school pool. He is pretty excited the changes will be bringing us up to standards for our students, teachers, and staff. He stated he is excited about bringing back the homecoming dance and he is hoping the students come out and participate. He thanked Ms. Gossett and the Student Council for coming together to bring it back.  

 

David Grasso – Dr. Grasso appreciates the comments from Ms. Wilder, Eaton Principal, and gave a shout-out to the Special Education team for working together and transitioning to the new Special Education program. He mentioned Ms. Wilder stated it was not easy, but the team has been working hard to learn the new system and working out the bugs. He stated they have been putting in long hours even past the regular school days. Dr. Grasso thanked them for their hard work.
 

John Adams – Mr. Adams concurred with his fellow board members. He appreciates Barton Coe presenting and is looking forward to wrapping some of these projects up for the betterment of our schools. He thanked Ms. Wilder for informing them about NWEA testing and teachers working hard to concentrate on students’ individual needs. He gave a shout-out to the Special Education Department.  He thanked all new hires and the ones who are leaving for the time they invested in our students. He thinks we are off to a good start and stated that’s always good to hear. He commented that’s a testament to all the administrators, grounds, transportation, etc. for working so hard to have a smooth opening.

 

Jacob Case – Mr. Case concurred with his fellow board members. He thinks we’ve had a smooth beginning and is happy to see all extra-curricular activities are up and running. He hopes everyone keeps great sportsmanship like they have seen so far. He thanked Barton Coe for coming and for all their hard work on the plans for a successful remodel.

 

Valerie Alexander – Ms. Alexander thanked everyone for all the fundraisers and the staff for the time it takes to run the fundraisers. She commented it shows there is a lot of support out there for our students and she appreciates that. She thanked Barton Coe and commented on Albany’s remodel.  She stated at the last board meeting, they took a little tour of the building and were able to take a peek around and see all the progress that was being made and it looked so nice. She is excited for the staff to have their building whole again.  She stated sports have been fun.  She informed everyone the tennis team toured Culver Military Academy last week and stated they are hard at work.  She commented there are lots of good sports things going on.

 

14. FUTURE MEETINGS

 

1. A regular meeting for the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

 

15. ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by David Grasso and Board President, Valerie Alexander, adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.

 

September 2, 2025

 

VALERIE ALEXANDER               

 

JACOB CASE

 

JOHN ADAMS 

 

DAVID GRASSO

 

LANCE ENGLE