School City of Mishawaka Mishawaka, Indiana April 28, 2015 Together, we will equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to excel in a dynamic and evolving world. Beiger Elementary School 1600 East Third Street Mishawaka, IN 46544
Meeting called to order by Board President at 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Jeffery E. Emmons, President Dennis R. Wood, Vice President Holly Parks, Secretary William D. Pemberton, 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
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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 – April 28, 2015 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 – Presley Brugh, Bailey Darnell, Abby Healey, Grayson Dulworth, and Brady Hunsberger 2015 – 64.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA – President Emmons It is recommended that the agenda for the April 28, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board be adopted as presented. Motion by
2015 – 65. 65.1
Stillson
second by
Parks
vote
5-0
RECOGNITION – Dr. Barker BEIGER SCHOOL PRESENTATION Beiger Principal Dean Fecher will begin with a power point presentation on the PTA National School of Excellence Award. He will recognize Beiger PTA officers, Amy Darnell, Mellissa Johnson, Alicia Walker, Karey Bultinck, Naomi Edel and Shannon Buchmann. This will be followed by a presentation about the Beiger Skill Builders Program. The following students will share their experiences in this enrichment program: Bailey Darnell, Abby Healey, Grayson Dulworth, Brady Hunsberger, and Caiden Williams. Mr. Fecher said that he wants to celebrate the good things going on at Beiger. Beiger received a PTA national School of Excellence Award for 2014 – 2016. Beiger is one of only 170 schools in the nation and 2 in the state of Indiana to receive this award. Mr. Fecher introduced and thanked the PTA officers for their great work. Then Mr. Fecher talked about the after school enrichment classes. He thanked Mr. Stan Ross for all of his support, financial and otherwise, for these classes. The students spoke about the classes and presented the Board members with samples of their projects. Mr. Fecher thanked of all of the volunteers who teach these classes. He said that he wants this to be a community event and that education is so much more than academics. President Emmons said that it makes him proud to see things like this happening in our schools. He thanked Mr. Fecher for engaging students and the community in this manner.
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Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015
COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR 2015 – 66. 66.1
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR – President Emmons COMMUNICATION WITH PTA At this time, Dr. Barker reminded everyone that Holly Parks will be receiving the State PTA Advocacy Award in Indianapolis on Sunday, May 3.
66.2
REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
66.3
REPRESENTATIVES OF MISHAWAKA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Jane Wright said that there are many upcoming events to note: PTA/MEF After Hours at Mishawaka High School on May 14 Used instrument and camera drive on May 16 Annual Luncheon on June 10 Mishawaka Promise Walk/Run on September 7
66.4
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. 2015 – 67.
CONSENT AGENDA – President Emmons
67.1
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL14, 2015 MEETING OF THE BOARD It is recommended that the minutes of the April 14, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board be approved as presented.
67.2
BILL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL It is recommended that the bill warrants and payroll in the amount of $1,596,383.07 be approved for payment from the appropriate fund.
67.3
FINANCIAL REPORT It is recommended that the financial report, dated March 2015, be approved as presented.
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Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 67.4
PERSONNEL REPORT It is recommended that the Personnel Report, dated April 28, 2015, be approved. President Emmons thanked and congratulated Pamela von Rähl, Carolyn Freeman, and Rose Mead whose retirements are noted in the personnel report. They each have many years of loyal service to the corporation and will be sadly missed.
Motion by
Wood
second by
Pemberton
vote
2015 – 68.
COMMUNICATION TO SECRETARY OF THE BOARD – Secretary Parks
2015 – 69.
INSTRUCTION
69.1
5-0
Action
69.1a ADOPTION OF SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Towner Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees adopt the attached list of secondary textbooks and materials for Social Studies for the next six-year adoption period. Motion by
Wood
second by
Parks
vote
5-0
69.1b RE-ADOPTION OF ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Towner Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees re-adopt the current textbooks and materials for Elementary Social Studies for the next six-year adoption period. It is further recommended that the Board adopt a new supplemental periodical for grades 4 through 6. By not adopting new textbooks for elementary and only purchasing supplemental periodicals for grades 4 through 6, approximately $129,000.00 will be saved in the textbook rental fund. Mr. Towner thanked the thirty teachers who put time and effort into the adoption process.
Motion by
Stillson
second by
Parks
vote
5-0
69.1c APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MISHAWAKA REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Towner Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the agreement with the City of Mishawaka Redevelopment Commission for funds to support the Project Lead the Way programs. The funding amount is $365,904.00. It is further recommended that the Board President and Secretary be authorized to sign the agreement. The Redevelopment Commission is scheduled to meet on May 18 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 205 at City Hall. Mr. Stillson is a member of the commission. President Emmons and some SCM administrators will also attend to express appreciation to the commission for the generous funding amount.
Motion by
Wood
second by 4
Pemberton
vote
5-0
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 69.2
Discussion Items
69.3
Reports – Mr. Towner •
Formation of SCM Technology Task Force
Mr. Towner reported that the formation of the task force is the result of earlier discussions. They are beginning the process of developing an in-depth strategic purchasing plan. Mr. Towner and Mr. Hanks are co-chairing the group and they will present the Board with a report in late fall. One of their strategies is to check out what other districts are doing. Some of them are going to Penn for a seminar. Last week SCM hosted a forum put on by Edmentum and attended by tech people from other schools.. Mr. Towner said that he is pleased to have the task force up and running.
2015 – 70. 70.1
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS Action
70.1a TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK PROCLAMATION – Dr. Barker Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees adopt the Teacher Appreciation Week Proclamation recognizing and celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week during the week of May 3 – 9, 2015. It is a time to celebrate teachers and their commitment to creating a lifetime of learning for each of their students. The proclamation will be posted on the SCM website.
Motion by
Wood
second by
Pemberton
vote
5-0
70.1b 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. $532.00 – Royal Excursion to Battell for field trip to Notre Dame $20.00 – Jennifer Witmer for Book Fair purchase for Twin Branch student Motion by
Stillson
second by
Parks
vote
5-0
70.1c ACCEPTANCE OF ATHLETICS GRANT TO MISHAWAKA HIGH SCHOOL – Dr. Barker Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees accept the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant to Mishawaka High School. The grant, in the amount of $1,000.00, will be used by Coach Ryan Watson to purchase equipment and new uniforms for the varsity basketball team. Jeanine presented the check to Coach Watson. She said that it was well-deserved.
Motion by
Stillson
second by 5
Parks
vote 5-0
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 70.1d APPROVAL OF LETTER OF INTENT WITH KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the letter of intent with KeyBanc Capital Markets (KBCM) regarding the series 2006 and 2006B First Mortgage Refunding Bonds. As an underwriter, KBCM may provide advice to the issuer on the structure, timing, terms and other similar matters concerning the bonds. The earliest call date for the 2006 series is October 2015. The earliest call date for the 2006B series is October 2017. Interest rates are being evaluated.
Motion by
Parks
second by
Stillson
vote
5-0
70.1e APPROVAL TO SUBMIT PETITION TO MISHAWAKA COMMON COUNCIL AND MISHAWAKA PLAN COMMISSION TO VACATE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY AND UNDERLYING UTILITY EASEMENT AT HUMS PARK – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the submitted petition to vacate the public right of way and underlying utility easement lying south of Norland Park and north of Harrison Street. It is further recommended that the Business Manager be authorized to sign the petition. This will increase the value of the property.
Motion by
Stillson
second by
Pemberton
vote
70.1f APPROVAL TO INCREASE SCHOOL LUNCH PRICES – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the recommended school lunch prices per the attached list for the 2015 – 2016 school year. Elementary Lunch – $2.00 to $2.10 Secondary Lunch – $2.10 to $2.20 Elementary Breakfast – $1.25 to $1.30 Secondary Breakfast – $1.50 to $1.60 Adult Breakfast – $2.00 to $2.25 Adult Lunch – $3.00 to $3.25 Milk – $.40 (Same) The increase in lunch prices is due to a requirement of the Hunger Free Act of 2010. We are increasing the prices gradually each year until the mandated amount is reached.
Motion by
Wood
second by
6
Stillson
vote
5-0
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 70.1g APPROVAL TO SIGN WAIVER FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTED TAXES – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the waiver from the implementation of protected taxes under I.C. 6-1.120.6-9.8. Protected taxes are designed to ensure sufficient tax collections in a taxing unit’s debt service funds in order to meet debt service obligations. In order to protect the debt service funds, the circuit breaker credits attributable to the tax rate for the debt service funds are applied against a taxing unit’s unprotected or non-debt funds. Under IC 6-1.1-20-6-9.8, a school corporation with a loss of 10% or higher of the transportation levy is eligible to waive the implementation of protected taxes. This means debt service funds will be allowed to experience a loss associated with 1%, 2%, 3% circuit breaker credits for those school corporations that are eligible for and timely request the waiver, due May 1, 2015. It is further recommended that the Board President be authorized to sign the waiver. SCM qualifies for this waiver due to the circuit breaker loss. The impact on taxpayers will be small. It is .025 per $100,000.00, or about $6.00 per year for a home valued at $88,000.00.
Motion by
Parks
second by
Stillson
vote 5-0
70.1h PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR RAINY DAY FUND – Dr. Barker – Submitted by Mr. Squadroni Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees conduct a public hearing on an additional appropriation for the Rainy Day Fund. The additional appropriation of $140,000.00 is to pay for the new chiller for Liberty Elementary School. Following the public hearing, it is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the attached resolution regarding the additional appropriation. President Emmons opened the public meeting. No one wished to speak at the meeting. The meeting was closed. After the meeting was closed, a motion was made to approve the additional appropriation for the Rainy Day Fund.
Motion by
Wood
second by
Parks
vote
5-0
71.1i ESTABLISHEMENT OF NEW TRANSFER STUDENT ENROLLMENT CAPACITY FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR – Dr. Barker Background: Consistent with the terms of I.C. 20-26-11-32, the Board of School Trustees must annually establish the number of new transfer students the school corporation has the capacity to accept in each grade level. After consulting with the building principals and reviewing other relevant factors, SCM administration would recommend that the school corporation accept new transfer students for the 2015-2016 school year, as follows: Kindergarten • Battell Elementary School • Emmons Elementary School • Hums Elementary School • Liberty Elementary School • Twin Branch Elementary School 7
50 Students 22 8 8 7 5
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 1st Grade • Emmons Elementary School • Hums Elementary School • Liberty Elementary School • Twin Branch Elementary School
28 Students 8 8 7 5
2nd Grade • Battell Elementary School • Beiger Elementary School • LaSalle Elementary School • Twin Branch Elementary School
55 Students 16 14 12 13
3rd Grade • Beiger Elementary School • Twin Branch Elementary School
29 Students 10 19
4th Grade • Battell Elementary School • Beiger Elementary School • Emmons Elementary School • Twin Branch Elementary School
45 Students 15 5 9 16
5th Grade • Battell Elementary School • Beiger Elementary School • Liberty Elementary School
41 Students 19 11 11
6th Grade • Beiger Elementary School • Emmons Elementary School
19 Students 11 8
High Ability Program 20 Students • Liberty Elementary School 14 o 1/2 Split: 4 o 3/4 Split: 4 o 5/6 Split: 6 • Twin Branch Elementary School 6 o 1/2 Split: 3 o 3/4 Split: 3 • Note: transfer students seeking to enroll in the High Ability Program must meet the same eligibility criteria required of all students who enroll in the program. Grades 7-12
0 Students
Total New Transfer Student Capacity 8
287 Students
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 Pursuant to the terms of Indiana law, should the number of new requests to transfer into SCM for the 2015-2016 school year exceed the capacity established for the school corporation, the Board of School Trustees will be required to determine which students will be admitted as transfer students by a random drawing at a public meeting. Superintendent’s Recommendation: It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees approve the establishment of new transfer student enrollment capacity for the 2015-2016 school year, as presented. It is further recommended that the Board establish September 1, 2015, as the date by which new requests to transfer into the school corporation must be received. This is another recommendation that came from the summer study group. For the current school year, there were 450 nonresident transfers approved. Mr. Hixenbaugh said that it would be in the best interest of the corporation to open enrollment for grades kindergarten through six. This year, there were six split classes and with the potential of as many as 287additional nonresident students we would be able to reduce the number of splits by 60%. If approved, it would be necessary to add three new teachers, but the cost would be more than offset by the added funding from the additional student count. Mr. Hixenbaugh added that we would need to undertake targeted marketing and aggressive advertising to maximize potential. He then pointed out that the potential splits in High Ability classrooms are by design, and not due to student numbers.
Motion by
Parks
second by
70.2
Discussion Items – Dr. Barker
70.3
Reports
2015 – 71.
Pemberton
•
Special Education reorganization and staffing for 2015 – 2016
•
Standard and Poor’s rating for 2005 Bond Refinancing
vote
5-0
Mrs. von Rähl reported that steps have been taken to prepare for the dissolution of Joint Services. They have worked through all of the issues with Penn regarding severance pay and benefits. Preschool will continue at Beiger and LaSalle and there will be a new Young Adult Program at John Young. We will continue to contract for physical therapy. The materials and equipment will stay where they are. Mrs. von Rähl also stressed that they will be staffed efficiently. There will be less demand to serve private school students and fewer legal issues. We are going down from twenty-seven schools to nine. Students will continue to be served in their schools. At the student and family level, there will be no changes; people will not feel any ripple. When asked, Mr. Squadroni said that at this point, it would be difficult to predict what type of cost savings to expect. Some of the saving will indirect. Dr. Barker praised Mrs. Mrs. von Rähl, saying that she was crucial in providing a smooth dissolution.
School corporations can apply for two different bond ratings and School City of Mishawaka applied for both. They received two very good ratings: AA+/Stable on the Long Term rating, and A/Stable on the Underlying Rating for Credit Program. Some of the strengths considered were stabilizing enrollment, fiscal practices and strong cash reserves. The advantage of a higher bond rating is that it lowers the interest rate.
INFORMATION TO THE BOARD 9
Regular Meeting of the Board – April 28, 2015 SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS – Dr. Barker
2015 – 72.
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The 2015 Teacher Recognition Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. and the 2015 School City of Mishawaka Teacher of the Year will be announced at that time. The School City of Mishawaka extends congratulations to each of our outstanding professional educators being recognized in 2015.
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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at Mishawaka High School, 1202 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka, Indiana.
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Dr. Barker offered congratulations to Holly Parks for her PTA award and to Deb Fox for being named President Elect of the State PTA.
ADJOURNMENT - Stillson Adjournment Time: 8:30 p.m.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES South Bend Tribune Mishawaka Enterprise WHME Newsroom
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WNDU TV WSBT TV WSJV TV
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ABC 57
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U 93
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WGTC
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WSBT
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WRBR
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FOX 28 WFRN
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