February 3, 2025

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

MINUTES

Present:  Valerie Alexander, President; John Adams, Secretary; Dave Grasso, Member; Lance Engle, Member; and Greg Kile, Superintendent

Absent:  Jacob Case, Vice President and Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent

  1. CALL TO ORDER

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

  1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  1. AMEND AGENDA

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Lance Engle to amend the agenda, as presented.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

No comments were received.

  1. UPDATES FROM PRINCIPALS /DIRECTORS

CONSENT AGENDA

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

  1. MINUTES

  1. Accepted the minutes of the business meeting held on Monday,   January 20, 2025.  

  1. FINANCE

  1. Accepted the list of vouchers, as presented.  

  1. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Certified Staff

  1. None.

  1. Classified Staff

  1. Resignation of Rhea Lankford, Instructional Assistant at Eaton Elementary School, effective February 14, 2025.

  1. Recommendation to employ Madison Guimond as an Instructional Assistant at Delta Middle School effective February 5, 2025, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

  1. Recommendation to employ Dena Smith as a Custodian at Delta High School effective immediately, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

  1. Recommendation to employ Landon Ratts as a Custodian at Delta High School effective immediately, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

  1. Recommendation to employ Christian Hirst, Christopher Rench, and Daelynn Keller as Student Custodians effective immediately, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

  1. Extra-Curricular

  1. Resignation of Joel Van Pelt, Girls’ Golf Coach at Delta Middle School, effective immediately.

  1. Recommendation to employ Carl Bratton as a Boys’ Golf Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2024-25 school year.

  1. Recommendation to employ Jason Wray as a Boys’ Assistant Track Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2024-25 school year.

  1. Recommendation to employ Sam Carlton as a Girls’ Assistant Track Coach (1/2 position) at Delta High School effective for the 2024-25 school year.

  1. Recommendation to appoint Tyler Gilland as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2024-25 school year.

  1. Recommendation to appoint Brady Edwards as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2024-25 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

  1. Conference Requests/Field Trips

  1. Lance Brand requests permission to attend HECC meetings/conferences to be held on January 24, 2025, February 20-21, 2025, September 5, 2025, and November 4-7, 2025 at the Crowne Plaza in Indianapolis, IN.

  1. Chyenne Wilder and Ryan Parrott request permission to attend Textbook Caravan to be held on January 30, 2025 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, IN.

  1. Jen Detweiler requests permission to attend the GLATA Meeting to be held from March 13, 2025 through March 15, 2025 at the Westin Chicago in Chicago, IL.

  1. Julie Blakely requests permission to attend America in WWII to be held on March 18, 2025 at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum in Indianapolis, IN.

  1. Greg Kile, Darin Gullion, and Cheryl Dominick request permission to attend the IASBO Annual Conference to be held from May 7, 2025 through May 9, 2025 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN.

  1. Use of Facilities

  1. Joyce Hamilton, Town of Albany, requests permission to use the Albany Elementary rear parking lot every 4th Tuesday of each month to hold Second Harvest Mobile Market, as presented.

The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

AGENDA

  1. FINANCE

  1. Purchases over $5000:

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

  1. CPG EDU $24,939.60

(copy paper)

The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Dave Grasso to approve the following (item 2):

  1. JG Bowers Construction Construction $39,899.31

(DHS Preschool room remodel)

The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Certified Staff

  1. None.

  1. Classified Staff

  1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by John Adams to approve the retirement of Judy Triplett, Food Service Manager at Royerton Elementary School, effective January 31, 2025.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. Information and Proposals

  1. Superintendent

  1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Dave Grasso to approve the DHS Band Trip, as presented.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Dave Grasso to approve the unpaid suspension of non-certified personnel, as presented.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by John Adams to approve the Mississinewa MOU, as presented.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Dave Grasso to approve Architectural Services, as presented.  The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

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

  1. Kaysi Lampton, Best Buddies, requests permission to sell shirts from January 14, 2025 through February 14, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards meetings for Best Buddies.

  1. Brad Lagpacan, EES Robotics, requests permission to hold a hat day on January 24, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the Robotics ECA account.

  1. Julie Blakely and Whitney Freeman, DHS Student Council, request permission to hold a pet food drive from              February 10, 2025 through February 14, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards ARF and Muncie Animal Shelter.

  1. Julie Blakely and Whitney Freeman, DHS Student Council, request permission to sell Delta umbrellas and ponchos from February 2025 through March 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards Student Council.

  1. Meghan Frey, DHS Sophomore Class, requests permission to hold a Sweetheart’s Dance on February 15, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the Sophomore Class.

  1. Shane Conley, DHS Track, requests permission to hold a Snap fundraiser from March 7, 2025 through April 3, 2025, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the ECA account.

  1. Assistant Superintendent

  1. Donations:

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

  1. Request for Eaton Elementary School to accept the donation of clothing from Dean Miers, as presented.

  2. Request for Delta High School to accept a donation in the amount of $40.00 from Andy Lewman, as presented.

  3. Request for the Food Service Department to accept a donation in the amount of $1,500.00 from AMVETS Post #12, as presented.

The motion was approved 4-0 vote.

  1. LETTERS/NOTES

  1. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Lance Engle – Mr. Engle thanked Ms. Triplett for her service to DelCom the last 30+ years and appreciates all that she’s done for our schools and kids.  He wished her nothing but the best on her retirement.  He thanked Mississinewa Schools and their willingness to work with us and our new football coach.  He stated it’s great for him and for the kids so it’s a win all around.  He informed everyone that at our last home basketball game against Pendleton, Mr. Clark counted 250 students who participated in some fashion before, during, or after the game.  Mr. Engle wanted to point out basketball games aren’t just for the players; the band, choir, color guard, and cheerleaders are all involved.  He stated it’s not just a basketball game, it’s an event for our kids to showcase their talent and a wonderful evening for our kids.  

Dave Grasso – Dr. Grasso concurred with his fellow board member.  He thanked the AMVETS for their donation to food service and stated that’s very impressive and well received.  

John Adams – Mr. Adams concurred with his fellow board members.  He gave a shout-out to the sports teams who are moving on and wished them good luck.  He informed everyone we had a former board member who passed away.  Mr. Adams stated he was fortunate enough to serve on here with Mr. Fowler for a few years and he appreciated his time and efforts back in the day.  He gave condolences to the family and stated Mr. Fowler was a great man.  He thanked Mr. Parrott for coming tonight and informing them about Spelling Bees and Science Fairs.  He stated Ms. Gillis, who has passed, loved all that and stated she helped out a lot with the Science Fairs, that was her love and passion.  He knows she would have been excited talking about all of that if she were still here today.  He thanked all new employees for coming to DelCom and all the employees leaving for their time.  He thanked Ms. Triplett for her 30+ years here and stated that’s a great testament to her and greatly appreciated.  He thanked Mr. Bohlender for coming and helping them with the projects.  He thanked AMVETS, Mr. Miers, and Mr. Lewman for their donations.  He stated he had someone contact him regarding Senior Ball and they couldn’t speak highly enough about our students and how they acted.  They informed Mr. Adams our students were respectful and sought Mr. Adams out to make a point to let him know.  Mr. Adams appreciates them reaching out.  

Valerie Alexander – Ms. Alexander concurred with her fellow board members.  She stated the basketball game Mr. Engle referenced, she was also there and the choir sounded great and the color guard was out there doing their thing.  She commented it was a showcase of all the different areas coming together and she was happy to see Mr. Clark’s comment about that.  She stated it was nice to see the Athletic Director notice and recognize the different ways kids participate.  She thanked everyone for their donations.  She appreciates new employees coming on board and helping DelCom be better.  She thanked those leaving for their years of service and helping us get here.  She thanked Mr. Parrott and appreciates his staff for making the construction process look easy.  

  1. FUTURE MEETINGS

  1. A Preliminary Determination Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday,          February 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Eaton Elementary School.

  1. A regular meeting for the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025 immediately following the Determination Hearing.

  1. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Lance Engle and seconded by Dave Grasso and Board President, Valerie Alexander, adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.

February 3, 2025

VALERIE ALEXANDER               


JACOB CASE


JOHN ADAMS 



DAVE GRASSO


LANCE ENGLE