April 19, 2021

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING



MINUTES


Present:  Trent Fox, President; Lance Engle, Vice President; Jacob Case, Secretary;  John Adams, Member; Adam Williams, Member; Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent; Reece Mann, Superintendent



  1. CALL TO ORDER


At 6:30 p.m. Board President, Trent Fox called the meeting to order.



  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE



  1. AMEND THE AGENDA


A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by John Adams to amend the agenda, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.



  1. MINUTES


A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Lance Engle to accept the minutes of the business meeting and executive session held on Monday,         April 5, 2021.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.



  1. FINANCE


  1. A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by John Adams to accept the list of vouchers, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.












  1. Purchases over $7500:


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


  1. Nearpod EDU $10,000.00

(Renewal)


  1. Instructure EDU $13,688.00

(Canvas Cloud Subscription)


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.



  1. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR


Amy Lewman, Royerton Elementary Principal, informed everyone two fifth grade students, Rylan Oliver and Abbie Stewart, will be receiving an award from the Committee of Integrity Enhancement.  She stated all of the fifth grade students write essays and we usually have several students from DelCom who earn some type of award.  She informed everyone this year it had to be livestreamed on Facebook and she’s excited to talk to Rylan and Abbie tomorrow to see how it went.


Chris Conley, Delta High School Principal, informed everyone the Talent Show is this Friday. He stated if you would like to attend, please email Dr. Brand to reserve a ticket because they are limiting seating.  He informed everyone they will begin Bio ILEARN for biology classes the last week of April.  He stated they received ISTEP results and will be mailing those home to parents.  He informed everyone 56.4% of juniors passed Math.  He stated two years ago that was 45%, the first year was 33%, and the State average is 25%.  He stated for English Language Arts, 75.3% passed and 40% passed with a Pass+.  He stated we had more kids pass with a Pass+ than just regular pass.  He stated we’ve always done well in English and the last time we took it, it was almost 69% and the time before that was 65%. He stated now we are up to 75% and the State average is 50%.  He informed everyone they found out we are a Performance Qualified High School again which means we maintained our A Grade.  He stated this is the 4th or 5th year we’ve been Performance Qualified which means we are not under a strict limit to the number of days or minutes we have to meet, which gives us an advantage during finals week.  He stated they can get kids out the door and not worry about their attendance and we can count them if they’ve been there.  He said going back to ISTEP, a couple of feathers in the cap of all our teachers because those results are significant.  He stated these kids missed 9-10 weeks last spring as sophomores when they would have been testing and had a couple of periods of eLearning prior to the testing so they blew it out of the water.  He stated all the juniors took the ASVAB in August and if they had a qualifying score, the ISTEP didn’t mean anything to them because they already met one of their buckets for the Graduation Pathway.  He stated that tells you our kids had the knowledge for the test and even though they had already passed the ASVAB, they did their very best for us.  He stated our staff has done a great job all the way around and he’s proud of our teachers and students.


Haley Cross, Food Service Director, informed everyone they were awarded the Golden Delicious Apple Award from the State of Indiana.  She stated the State wanted to recognize food service departments that were serving during the pandemic.  She stated when we switched to free meals in October, they went to a more lenient nutritional guideline for menu items so we didn’t have to offer as much or as big of a variety of items.  She stated they decided to stick with their normal menu and were hoping to give the kids somewhat of a normal day so they tried to push that out.  She informed everyone they were awarded this based on variety, mixing in fresh fruits and vegetables, and allowing kids hot items, which was a big thing to them.  She stated a lot of schools had to go to sack lunches and send home frozen items.  She is really proud we could keep moving forward with our 4-week rotation of menu items and is proud of her staff for making this work.  She stated she can sit and make the menus all she wants, but when they go to order items and those things don’t come in, that’s pushed on her managers to make that decision and make changes.  She stated there hasn’t been one week they’ve gotten everything they’ve ordered and you’ve probably noticed that in grocery stores because it really hit us big.  She stated even with plastic and paper or you can’t get cups or lids or are running low on gloves. She stated they are constantly making changes and making things work with what they need to happen. She’s really proud of her staff and happy they received this award.




  1. NEW BUSINESS


  1. Mr. Mann informed the Board about Elementary School Rule Folder Changes-1st Reading.


  1. Mr. Mann informed the Board about the Delta Middle School Handbook-      1st Reading.


  1. Mr. Mann informed the Board about the Delta High School Handbook-          1st Reading.


  1. Certified Staff


  1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the recommendation to employ Tilmon Clark as an Athletic Director at Delta High School effective July 1, 2021, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.  The motion was approved        5-0 vote.







  1. Classified Staff


A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (item 1):


  1. Retirement of Kim Kemper, Transportation Director, effective                May 31, 2021.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Adam Williams to approve the following (items 2-3):


  1. Resignation of Chantel Turner, Instructional Assistant at Eaton Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.


  1. Resignation of Britney Dunsmore, Security Officer, effective immediately.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by John Adams to approve the following (items 4-8):


  1. Recommendation to employ Sam Terhune as a Security Officer effective immediately, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.


  1. Recommendation to transfer Heather Crow from a Latchkey Assistant Supervisor to a Food Service Cook at Eaton Elementary School effective April 19, 2021, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.


  1. Recommendation to employ the following Summer Food Service Cooks:


Brandy Sorrell

Angela Shepherd

Jennifer Klontz

Karen Starks

Tracy Bullock

Heather Crow

Tracey Murphy

Melissa Haney

Amanda Stotler

April Lear


7. Recommendation to employ Morghan Pugh as a Latchkey Assistant 

     effective immediately, pending successful completion of all 

    pre-employment testing.



8. Recommendation to employ Natalie Anderson as a Latchkey Assistant 

    effective immediately, pending successful completion of all

    pre-employment testing.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


  1. Extra-Curricular


A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Adam Williams to approve the following (item 1):


  1. Resignation of Lindsay Roberts, 6th Grade Volleyball Coach at Delta Middle School, effective immediately.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (item 2):


  1. Recommendation to employ Camryn Campbell as an Assistant Volleyball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2021-22 school year.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


  1. Conference Requests/Field Trips


A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the following (items 1-3):


  1. Brandi Starrett requests permission to attend the SBOA ECA Workshop to be held virtually on April 22, 2021.


  1. Cheryl Dominick requests permission to attend the IASBO Governance and Operational Relationships Seminar to be held virtually on                May 4, 2021.


  1. Curt Grams requests permission to attend PLTW Training to be held online from June 21, 2021 through July 16, 2021.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.











  1. Information and Proposals


  1. Superintendent


  1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Adam Williams to approve the request for an unpaid leave of absence, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


  1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the Delta Boys’ Basketball Camp, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


  1. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Adam Williams to approve the permission to post DHS Summer School positions (5), as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


  1. Superintendent Mann informed the Board about the following fundraisers:


  1. Brytany Pope and Amanda Lewis, DMS Special Education Department, request permission to have a Coffee Cart Express from April 9, 2021 through June 1, 2021, as presented.  Proceeds go towards classroom supplies, community based instruction, and restocking the cart.

 

  1. Mark Detweiler, DHS Boys’ Basketball, requests permission to hold a golf outing on August 21, 2021 at the Albany Golf Course, as presented.  Proceeds go towards equipment and fees.


  1. Assistant Superintendent


  1. Use Of Facilities:


A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (item 1):


  1. Lance Engle, Indiana Dingers 12A USSSA Travel Baseball Team, requests permission to use the Senior League, Rookie League, and Softball fields as needed to hold practice, as presented.

The motion was approved four in favor with Lance Engle abstaining.


  1. Donations:


A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Adam Williams to approve the following (items 1-3):


  1. Request for Delta Middle School to accept a donation in the amount of $40.00 from The Andersons, as presented.


  1. Request for Delta Middle School to accept a donation in the amount of $200.00 from Annette and Brent Downing, as presented.


  1. Request for Delta High School to accept a donation in the amount of $200.00 from J. Demaree Construction, as presented.


The motion was approved 5-0 vote.


c.  A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve Enrollment Capacities and Priority Date for Transfer Applications.   The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

 

d.  A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the request for the IT Department to surplus items, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.




  1. LETTERS/NOTES



  1. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS


Adam Williams – Mr. Williams thanked everyone for attending.  He congratulated Mr. Clark and appreciates him wanting to come to DelCom and bringing all of what he has to offer.  He stated Mr. Clark, and all those who apply for positions, have choices and he appreciates their decisions to choose us and want to join our family.  He wished him well and appreciates the dedication Mr. Clark will be showing.  He stated if he does his math correctly we are in the second half of the fourth quarter of the school year so that is 1/8th left, so we are close to wrapping up.  He hopes all teachers and staff can charge through this last bit and as odd as this year has been, we made it.  He appreciates all the hard work it’s taken to get to this point and is excited about things rolling out for a successful school year.  He commented sports are active and people are participating, watching, crowds are cheering, and it’s fun to get back to as close as we can to normal.  He appreciates all the hard work that goes into making that happen and all the hard work it took to get to that point and appreciates everyone involved in that.  He thanked Mrs. Cross for sharing about the Golden Delicious Apple Award. He stated they sometimes forget how special we do things here and how much effort everyone is putting in that they don’t see.  He stated they are thankful for what her crew does and appreciate them, even if they don’t always mention it.  He stated she’s a part of this well-oiled machine that keeps running and makes it look effortless and sometimes it doesn’t get recognition.  He stated that goes for the whole group of people involved with DelCom.  He commented the donations are fantastic and amazing.  He thanked Mr. Conley for sharing and stated he loves when kids get a chance to do something different and bring themselves together as a community and cheer each other on.  He thanked Mrs. Lewman for sharing about the Integrity Awards. He stated sometimes the kids feel a little cheated in this time of Covid and livestreaming when their fellow students can’t watch.  He informed Mrs. Lewman to congratulate them.


John Adams – Mr. Adams stated he’s been on this Board a long time and just about every board meeting we accept donations from patrons and families and that’s outstanding.  He knows that doesn’t happen at all schools, but it certainly happens here.  He stated we are so grateful we have a business or family members giving donations and it is greatly appreciated from the Board’s perspective.  He stated whether it’s to the music, art, or athletic department; it doesn’t matter, those people took the time to give their money and we are glad they did. He stated the Integrity Award is a big deal and he’s glad we had a couple students participate and be a part of that.  He stated he doesn’t know much about Bio ILEARN, but it sounds interesting, especially if Dr. Brand has anything to do with it.  He stated all those things take work, time, and effort to put in and do and it doesn’t go unnoticed.  He stated the results Mr. Conley shared about our students with Math and English is a testament to the kids, teachers, administrators, and families.  He welcomed Mr. Clark.  He congratulated Mrs. Cross and her crew on the Golden Delicious Apple Award and thanked them for going above and beyond.  He commented Mrs. Kemper is an all-around individual who does a lot of things.  He stated when he first started here she worked up front then went from Human Resources to Transportation Director then back to Human Resources and then back to Transportation Director.  He stated she’s a quality individual and thanked her for the time she’s been here.  


Jacob Case – Mr. Case thanked everyone for coming.  He concurred with Mr. Williams and Mr. Adams.  He welcomed Mr. Clark to the DelCom family and congratulated Mrs. Cross on her Golden Delicious Apple Award.  He thanked everyone for their donations.  


Lance Engle – Mr. Engle stated there are a lot of great things going on at DelCom.  He stated hearing all the great things happening and the ISTEP scores from Mr. Conley is a great testament to staff and students.  He thinks it starts at the top with Mr. Conley and he greatly appreciates him and his staff for what they continue to bring to the table each year.  He stated they had a couple students from Royerton and one from Albany for the Integrity Awards and congratulated them.  He welcomed Mr. Clark and stated he’s excited to see what he brings to DelCom and Delta High School.  He stated it’s an exciting time of year compared to last year with spring sports, concerts, dances, performances, and graduation. He commented it’s a great time to be a student at DelCom and to be able to do all these things.










Trent Fox – Mr. Fox congratulated Mr. Clark and is looking forward to his time here.  He hopes he will lead us in a positive direction and will bring things to us we didn’t realize we could do and he’s looking forward to that.  He gave a shout-out to the interview committee because they gave up a lot of time and effort to go through applications and interview the candidates.  He stated there’s not a lot of glory in that when you have to do it, but it’s appreciated because it has to be done to get us the best candidate.  He stated everyone feels strongly they did that and are very excited and so is he.  He informed everyone the high school had a few for the Integrity Awards as well and thinks all of the schools may have had students and that’s exciting.  He stated he was able to go to the play and they did an outstanding job.  He stated they spent a lot of time on this play to get ready and then three days before they lost one of their actors so they had to have a substitute.  He stated you would have never known he was a substitute and did a great job filling in.  He commented it’s a testament to the kids because they love theatre and he loves to go and watch them.  He stated it’s exciting for them to be able to do that and he’s thankful it finally happened for them and we allowed people to come in and watch.  Mr. Fox is also excited to be able to watch spring sports.  He stated it’s a little bit different, but at least they are getting to compete compared to last spring when they didn’t get to do anything.  He stated he’s looking forward to the month of May with a lot of big things coming up for the high school kids.  He stated they have opportunities to get out and do things socially and he’s excited about that.  He’s looking forward to graduation, more so than any other because this is his last one.  He hopes we finish strong and appreciates everyone’s time and effort to get us through the rest of this year. 



  1. FUTURE MEETINGS


  1. A regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.



  1. ADJOURNMENT


A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Jacob Case and Board President, Trent Fox, adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.














  

April 19, 2021



TRENT FOX              


LANCE ENGLE 


JACOB CASE



JOHN ADAMS


ADAM WILLIAMS