School City of Mishawaka Mishawaka, Indiana December 9, 2014 Together, we will equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to excel in a dynamic and evolving world. Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees -- 7:00 p.m. Administrative Center 1402 South Main Street Mishawaka, IN 46544 Meeting called to order by Board President at 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Dennis R. Wood, President Jenny McNeil, Vice President Jeffery E. Emmons, Secretary Marci A. Sears, Member Larry E. Stillson, Member Dr. Terry E. Barker, Superintendent Daniel R. Towner, Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction Randy J. Squadroni, Business Manager Gregg A. Hixenbaugh, Executive Director for Human Resources & Legal Counsel OFFICIAL GUESTS: Carolyn Freeman, Coordinator for Assessment and High Ability Programs Pamela L. von Rähl, Executive Director of Joint Services Brad Addison, Principal, Emmons School James Aldrich, Director of Athletics Michael Babcock, Assistant Principal, John J. Young Middle School Rochelle Brandenburg, Principal, Twin Branch School Jerome Calderone, Principal, Mishawaka High School Barton Curtis, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Michael Faulkner, Assistant Director of Athletics Dean Fecher, Principal, Beiger School C. Mike Fisher, Principal, John J. Young Middle School Jenifer Fisher, Attendance Coordinator, Mishawaka High School Ashley Litwin, Assistant Principal, John J. Young Middle School Janine Mabry, Principal, Liberty School Patricia Morris, Program Supervisor, Joint Service Campus Program John Ross, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Dr. Theodore Stevens, Principal, LaSalle School David Troyer, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Matthew Wood, Principal, Battell School Jeffrey Yohe, Principal, Hums School Debbie Fox, PTA Council President Patricia Bellovich, Secretary to the Superintendent Jeanine Reynolds, President, MEA Stephen Bolin, President, AFSCME
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Media Representatives: The School City of Mishawaka appreciates the presence of representatives from the media. Please identify yourselves to Pat Bellovich to have your attendance noted in the Board minutes. Persons who are hearing impaired or deaf and who require an interpreter for this meeting should notify Mr. Gregg A. Hixenbaugh in writing at the School City of Mishawaka, 1402 South Main Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544, or by telephone at (574) 254-4500. Notification must occur by noon on the Friday prior to a Board Meeting.
Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 This meeting is a meeting of the School Board in public for the purpose of conducting the School Corporation business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There will be time for public comment as indicated on the agenda. VISITORS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM Visitors requesting permission to address the Board on a specific agenda item are requested to sign in on the registration form upon arrival at the meeting. Each statement made by a participant on any specific agenda item may be limited at the discretion of the presiding officer. Visitors will be restricted to one appearance per item. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge was dedicated to outgoing Board Members Jenny McNeil and Marci Sears.
2014 – 183.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA – President Wood It is recommended that the agenda for the December 9, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Board be adopted as presented. Motion by
Stillson
second by
McNeil
vote
4-0
COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR 2014 – 184.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR – President Wood
184.1 COMMUNICATION WITH PTA None
184.2 REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES MEA President Jeanine Reynolds thanked Mrs. McNeil and Ms. Sears for their years of dedicated service. She said that it was clear that they always had the best interest of teachers at heart.
184.3 REPRESENTATIVES OF MISHAWAKA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Mrs. Sanders reported that School City has four teams going to the state LEGO competition. Beiger and LaSalle each have one team and Twin Branch has two. She also announced that the M Factor Dinner and Talent Show will take place on February 21, 2015. Lastly, she reported that the MEF is in competition for a $1,500.00 grant. At this point, they are in second place, but people can still vote via Facebook until Thursday.
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Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 184.4 GENERAL PUBLIC No one registered to speak.
Anyone wishing to address the Board on general topics is invited to do so under this item. These individuals must register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon their arrival at the meeting. Each statement made by a participant may be limited at the discretion of the presiding officer. It is requested that names and addresses be stated at the beginning of such comments. Individuals may speak only once during this section of the agenda. As per Board Policy, personnel issues will not be addressed during open sessions of the Board. Concerns about individual employees of the district should be brought to the superintendent or designee. 2014 – 185.
CONSENT AGENDA – President Wood
185.1 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 25, 2014 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD It is recommended that the minutes of the November 25, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Board be approved as presented. 185.2 BILL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL It is recommended that the bill warrants and payroll in the amount of $2,719,487.25 be approved for payment from the appropriate fund. 185.3 FUNDRAISER REQUESTS It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees grant approval for the fundraiser requests as listed and documented. 185.4 FIELD TRIP REQUESTS It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees grant approval for the field trip requests as listed and documented. 185.5 PERSONNEL REPORT It is recommended that the Personnel Report, dated December 9, 2014, be approved. Motion by
McNeil
second by
Sears
vote
4-0
2014 – 186.
COMMUNICATION TO SECRETARY OF THE BOARD – Secretary Emmons
2014 – 187.
INSTRUCTION 3
Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 187.1 Action 187.1a APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH PLATO FOR ON-LINE CURRICULUM – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Towner Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the agreement between School City of Mishawaka and Plato for on-line curriculum services. This agreement will begin on January 1, 2015, and shall be effective through December 31, 2017. It is further recommended that the Board President be authorized to sign the agreement. Motion by
Stillson
second by
McNeil
vote
4-0
187.1b ACCEPTANCE OF ACCESSIONS TO THE HANNAH LINDAHL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM DURING 2014 – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Towner Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees accept the 2014 list of accessions to the Hannah Lindahl Children’s Museum. Motion by
McNeil
second by
Sears
vote
4-0
187.2 Discussion Items 187.3 Reports – Mr. Towner •
2014 – 188.
Plato Online Curriculum Usage Report Mr. Towner presented the statistics from October 2013 through October 2014. Plato is used in grades six through twelve. Our license allows it to be accessed at school or from home. During this period 2,060 students spent 281,202.41 hours on task and completed 6,442 assignments. Plato is used for homebound instruction, high ability programs, special education, and remediation. It is also used in some expulsion cases. The threeyear agreement will save approximately $23,000.00.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
188.1a ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS – Dr. Barker Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees accept the following donations as listed and documented. Books (Value $409.77) – Kelli Dipert to Hums School $80.00 – Hums PTA; $40.00 for Student Council, $40.00 for PBIS Incentives $400.00 – Twin Branch PTA for LEGO Robotics Team $10,064.94 – Jordan Kapson Charitable Lead Unitrust for MHS Scholarship Motion by
Stillson
second by
4
McNeil
vote
4-0
Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 188.1b APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEE VISION INSURANCE – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the agreement for vision insurance with VSP. The renewal agreement will start on February 1, 2015 and expire on January 31, 2017. It is further recommended that the Board President be authorized to sign the agreement. Motion by
Stillson
second by
McNeil
vote
4-1
188.1c REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS AND WARRANTS PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2015 – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the School City of Mishawaka Treasurer be authorized to pay all necessary bills and warrants due before January 1, 2015 and that they be presented for approval at the January 13, 2015 meeting of the Board of School Trustees. Motion by
Sears
second by
McNeil
vote
4-0
188.1d AWARD OF BID FOR THE SALE OF TAX ANTICIPATION WARRANT – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the bids for the Sale of Tax Anticipation Warrant for School City of Mishawaka, received and opened at 10:00 a.m. on December 8, 2014, be awarded per the attached sheet. It is further recommended that the Board of School Trustees President and Secretary be authorized to sign the Temporary Loan Warrant Agreement for the General Fund on behalf of the School Corporation. Centier was the lowest bidder at .85%.
Motion by
Stillson
second by
McNeil
vote
4-0
188.1e APPROVAL OF BIDS FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the bids for office supplies per the attached bid sheets. Bids are in effect from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015. Motion by
McNeil
second by
Sears
vote
4-0
188.1f APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH SWANK UNIFORM RENTAL, INC. – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the agreement with Swank Uniform Rental, Inc. for the rental of mats and dust mops. It is further recommended that the Board President be authorized to sign the agreement. Motion by
Stillson
second by
5
McNeil
vote
4-0
Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 188.1g APPROVAL OF SECTION 125 FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN WITH AMERICAN FIDELITY – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the School City of Mishawaka Board of School Trustees approve the renewal of Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan with American Fidelity Assurance Co. The renewal will begin on September 1, 2014 and end on August 31, 2015. It is further recommended that the Business Manager be authorized to sign the agreement. Motion by
Sears
second by
McNeil
vote
4-0
188.2 Discussion Items 188.3 Reports Beverage Contract Update: Mishawaka High School has been in negotiations with beverage vendors since October, 2014. The process has been completed and we will be bringing a contract between MHS and Coca-Cola to the Board with a request for approval. 2014 – 189.
INFORMATION TO THE BOARD SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS – Dr. Barker
2014 – 190.
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LaSalle Elementary Intervention teacher, Mrs. Lisa Pietrzak, has been awarded a grant by Toshiba of America. The grant title is “Climbing the Number Sense Ladder: An Innovative Approach to Mathematics Mastery”. The award amount is $1,000.00. The money will be used to purchase three new “On Cloud Nine” kits that are to be used for comprehensive mathematics instruction for small groups of students that are academically at risk in mathematics.
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Parents and interested patrons are reminded that schools will be closed for winter break beginning Monday, December 22, 2014 and classes will resume at the regularly scheduled time on Monday, January 5, 2015. Mishawaka High School offices and the Administrative Center offices will be open during their regular hours on December 22, 23, 26, 29, and 30, 2014, and on January 2, 2015.
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The next Regular and Re-organizational Meetings of the Board of School Trustees will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 1402 South Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana.
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Dr. Barker announced that the corporation received performance award money from the state. They are working with the MEA to determine the distribution of these funds to teachers. Dr. Barker said that he is very proud of our teachers.
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Dr. Barker and Board members thanked Ms. Sears and Mrs. McNeil for their service and wished them well in the future.
ADJOURNMENT - McNeil
Adjournment Time: 7:30 p.m. 6
Regular Meeting of the Board – December 9, 2014 MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES South Bend Tribune Mishawaka Enterprise WHME Newsroom
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