Delaware Community School Corporation

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2023

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

MINUTES

Present:  John Adams, President; Adam Williams, Vice President; Lance Engle, Secretary; Alice Gillis, Member; Valerie Alexander, Member; Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent; and Greg Kile, Superintendent

1. CALL TO ORDER

At 6:31 p.m. Superintendent Kile called the meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. OATH OF OFFICE

       At this time, Steve Murphy, DeFur Voran, swore in the following Board

        Members:

Lance Engle                re-elected

Alice Gillis                  newly elected

Valerie Alexander     newly elected

4. ORGANIZATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION

1. Superintendent Kile presided over the meeting for the organization of the Board of Education.  He asked for nominations for Board President.

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams to nominate John Adams as President of the Board of Education for the year 2023.  A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Adam Williams to close the nominations.  Both motions were approved 5-0 vote.

Board of Education President, John Adams, asked for nominations for      Vice-President of the Board of Education for the year 2023.

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to nominate Adam Williams as Vice President of the Board of Education for the year 2023.  A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Adam Williams to close the nominations.  Both motions were approved 5-0 vote.  

Board of Education President, John Adams, asked for nominations for Secretary of the Board of Education for the year 2023.

A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Valerie Alexander to nominate Lance Engle as Secretary of the Board of Education for the year 2023.  A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Alice Gillis to close nominations.  Both motions were approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams to appoint Cheryl Dominick as Corporation Treasurer and Audra Bowman as Deputy Treasurer for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Lance Engle to retain Steve Murphy of the DeFur, Voran, LLP Law Firm as the School Attorney for the year 2023 on an as needed basis.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Lance Engle to hold regular school board meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for the year 2023.  The Board of Education will meet at the Administration Office unless otherwise designated.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams to set the Board of Education compensation at the rates of $112 per regular meeting and $62 per special session. The motion was approved 5-0 vote. 

6. A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Alice Gillis to appoint the position of Board President as the ISBA Delegate and ISBA Legislative Representative for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Alice Gillis to appoint Janelle Davis as the Board recording secretary and Lori Meadows as the alternate at a rate of $50.00 per meeting for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

8. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Adam Williams to appoint Lance Engle and Alice Gillis to serve on the Bid Opening Committee for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

9. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Lance Engle to appoint all Board members to serve on the Board of Finance Committee for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

10. At this time, the Board Members each shared, if any, conflict of interest disclosures:

John Adams, Board President, stated his cousin Lisa Baker is currently employed with Delaware Community School Corporation.

Lance Engle, Board Secretary, stated he owns Albany Hardware Store and Delaware Community School Corporation may make purchases during the year.

5. AMEND AGENDA

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

6. MINUTES

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams to accept the minutes of the business meeting and executive session held on Monday, December 19, 2022.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. FINANCE

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to accept the list of vouchers as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the IRS mileage rate (65.5 cents), as presented. The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the Resolution to transfer amounts from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund Monthly.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve end of year balancing of all accounts, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. At this time Board President John Adams asked to recess the regular meeting to begin the Board of Finance meeting. 

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to appoint all Board members to serve on the Board of Finance Committee in the same capacity of officers for the Board of Trustees for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.   

2. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams to approve First Merchants and Northwest Bank as the depositories for the year 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.  

3. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion reviewed the Summary of Investments for 2022.

4. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion reviewed the Investment Policy for 2023.

5. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion gave a Fiscal Indicators Review.

At this time Board President John Adams asked for a motion to close the Board of Finance meeting and to resume the regular Board meeting.  A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Alice Gillis to close the Board of Finance meeting and to resume the regular Board meeting.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

6. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve Form 9, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. Purchases over $5000:

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

1. Midwest Tech. Products SLRG $9,048.00

(Ag Department)

2. TK Elevator Bond 2020 $126,600.00

(DHS Elevator)

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following (items H-K):

8. Title I Grant ($357,572.87), as presented.  

9. Title II Grant ($62,493.30), as presented.  

10. Title IV Grant ($28,183.54), as presented.  

11. PLTW Grant ($15,000.00), as presented.  

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

8. UPDATES FROM PRINCIPALS/DIRECTORS

9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

James Lodl, Delta High School Teacher and DCCTA President, thanked Ms. Gillis and Ms. Alexander for their service.  He welcomed them on behalf of the Teacher’s Association and thanked the entire Board.

10. NEW BUSINESS

1. Certified Staff

1. None.

2. Classified Staff

1. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the retirement of Angela Shepherd, Food Service Cook at Albany Elementary School, effective December 20, 2022.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was approved by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the resignation of Sheila Franklin, Custodian at Albany/Eaton Elementary Schools, effective January 6, 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the following (items 3-5):

3. Recommendation to employ David Roane as a Custodian at Delta High School effective immediately, pending successful completion of all         pre-employment testing.

4. Recommendation to employ Nathan Evans as a Custodian at Albany/Eaton Elementary Schools effective immediately, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

5. Recommendation to employ Ricky Bechtold as a School Bus Driver effective immediately, pending successful completion of all                      pre-employment testing.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. Extra-Curricular

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the resignation of Gerald Dixon, 7th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach at Delta Middle School, effective January 13, 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the recommendation to employ Shae Winningham and Mark Stanley as 7th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coaches (split position) at Delta Middle School effective January 13, 2023.

4. Conference Requests/Field Trips

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following (items 1-5):

1. Devin Wilburn and Jacob Van Pelt request permission to attend the IHSBCA Coaches Clinic to be held on January 13, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN.

2. Amanda Lewis and Amy Larrabee request permission to attend How to Serve Your Smaller EL Population Conference to be held on February 21, 2023 at the Wabash Valley Education Center in West Lafayette, IN.

3. Debbie Carmichael, Robyn Brown, Rae McGuire, and Emily Tinkle request permission to attend Kindergarten Round-up to be held from                 April 25, 2023 through April 26, 2023 at Royerton Elementary.

4. Darin Gullion and Cheryl Dominick request permission to attend the IASBO Annual Meeting to be held from May 10, 2023 through                 May 12, 2023 at the Ft. Wayne Center in Ft. Wayne, IN.

5. Julia Blakely requests permission to attend U.S. Intelligence and the Making of the Modern World to be held from July 16, 2023 through      July 19, 2023 at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. Information and Proposals

1. Superintendent

1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the request for a leave of absence, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. Superintendent Kile informed the Board about the DHS Wrestling Trip, as presented.  

3. A motion was made by Adam Williams and seconded by Lance Engle to approve the Custer Electric Contract, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the authority to pay claims and hire, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. Board Policy Updates/Revisions- 1st Reading:

• F275 Gifts and Donations

• H125 Corporation-Support Organizations

• C425 Student Suicide Prevention and Awareness

• C525 Medical Needs at School

• D525 No Distracted Driving

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

1. Chase Criswell, DMS Athletics, requests permission to collect sponsorship donations from February 1, 2023 through September 1, 2023, as presented.  Proceeds go towards DMS athletics.

1. Assistant Superintendent

1. Use Of Facilities:

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

1. Justin Brown, Eaton Baseball and Softball Association, requests permission to use the Eaton baseball/softball fields from April 2023 through November 2023 to hold baseball/softball league, pending Certificate of Liability Insurance Form.

2. Nick Pipito, Delta Little League, requests permission to use the Royerton baseball fields from January 2023 through December 2023 to hold baseball league, as presented. 

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. Donations:

A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following (item 1):

1. Request for Delta High School to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000.00 from the Navient Community Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation- Wilmington, DE, as presented.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

11. LETTERS/NOTES

12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Valerie Alexander – Ms. Alexander stated she’s excited to work with everyone and thanked everyone for the warm welcome.  She’s happy to have a great crew to work with and she’s sure they will help her get up to speed on anything she needs help with.  She stated she’s happy to see donations and it sounds like a lot of fun things are happening at Albany and the middle school.  She stated she’s looking forward to working with everyone.

Alice Gillis – Ms. Gillis stated she’s excited to be back and appreciates all the help she got to somewhat get up to speed today and hopes to do better next time.  She is very excited to be back and involved in the schools.  She recognized everyone in the corporation who are involved in the Grants and stated they’ve done a nice job and she appreciates that.  She wished good luck to the basketball teams with County coming up.  She’s excited for the Science Fair at Albany coming up this month and will be glad to help anyone else who needs her help.  She is glad to be back and thanked everyone for welcoming her.  She welcomed Ms. Alexander to the Board.

Lance Engle – Mr. Engle welcomed Ms. Alexander and thanked her for volunteering and being willing to put in the effort and stated it’s appreciated.  He welcomed Ms. Gillis back and is glad to have her back. He looks forward to working with both of them the next 4 years.  He thanked Dr. Gullion for his financial review and appreciates the hard work him and his team do to put that together to make sure they are set for the year financially.  He knows a lot of effort goes into that and thanked everyone involved on behalf of the Board.  He hopes everyone had a good winter break.  He stated this is kind of the meat and potatoes of the school year and a lot of things are going on and he looks forward to another great year.  

Adam Williams – Mr. Williams welcomed Ms. Alexander to the Board and Ms. Gillis back on.  He appreciates them stepping up to serve.  He thanked Dr. Gullion for the financial review and for going through that process.  He wished all the employees resigning well and welcomed all new employees to the DelCom family.  He highlighted extra-curricular activities and stated many academic teams are starting and science fairs are coming up, which is wonderful.  He appreciates the teachers stepping in to fill those roles because without them that couldn’t happen.  He stated we have such a wide variety of talents and interests for our kids and loves that they can have those opportunities.  He stated it doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s such a huge part of their education.  He appreciates those people stepping in.  He thanked everyone for their donations and definitely appreciates those.  

John Adams – Mr. Adams concurred with his fellow board members.  He welcomed Ms. Alexander and Ms. Gillis to the Board and looks forward to working with them.  He’s sure they will enjoy it and knows Ms. Gillis did the last time she served.  He stated it’s neat when you get to sit here and help make things hopefully better for the school corporation and benefit our kids.  He informed everyone they had an issue at Eaton on Christmas Day and had people take time out from their holiday to respond and be part of that.  He stated it’s unfortunate, but those things do happen and thanked all involved who went up there.  He stated that doesn’t go unnoticed and he hates they had to take away from their families to do that and is glad it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  He stated Coach Detweiler and Coach Cleland have been represented here lately with Detweiler on 100 wins and Cleland on 30 consecutive sectionals.  He gave a big shout- out to those gentlemen for their accomplishments.  He stated extra-curricular activities are important in schools and gives the kids opportunities to do different things and focus on not just school work, but other things.  He greatly appreciates everyone’s time and effort who are involved with those.  He thanked Mr. Murphy for coming tonight and getting everyone sworn in.  He thanked Dr. Gullion for the finance review and greatly appreciates that.  He knows our finances are in good hands with his knowledge and all that he has been doing for them on that side of it.  He welcomed all new employees.  He stated employees who have retired and/or resigned have benefited our kids in one way or another and he greatly appreciates that.  He commented donations are very important to our school corporation and he’s glad there are entities out there thinking of us and donating to our kids.  

13. FUTURE MEETINGS

1. A regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Monday, February 6, 2023 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

14. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Adam Williams and Board President, John Adams, adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

January 9, 2023

JOHN ADAMS               

ADAM WILLIAMS

LANCE ENGLE 

ALICE GILLIS

VALERIE ALEXANDER