BOARD MINUTES

Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation

July 14, 2009

The regular session of the Board of School Trustees was held as advertised on July 14, 2009 at 7:12 P.M. in the administration building. Members present were Felix Massey III, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman and Superintendent Stephen Patz. Also present were Keith Majewski, Gloria Holland, Patty Huff, Robert White, Jack Lillie, Tim Hillman, Myron & Stephanie Kilburn, Monica Ramsey, Kristin & Ron Becker, Angie Lange, Dave & Debbie Munchen, Andrea & John Hopkins, Connie Smith, Tom Baxter, Terry Bruns, Dan, Dolly and Sarah Cole, Terry Kirkpatrick, Bonnie Fancher, Kenny Ashcraft, and Debbie Stegemiller.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members of the Board reviewed minutes from the June 9, 2009 Board meeting. The minutes were approved by signature.

Bonnie Fancher presented a petition (on file) for the board to address the present 4 year math requirement and respect the rights of students with individual education plans to have the right to the general diploma and student without IEP’s to have the choice to have the Core 40 Diploma as written by the State with three years of required math. Several parents voiced their concerns of hardship the 4-year math program presents along with students having to drop out of other activities such as band and vocational school. Mr. Massey, III stated that scheduling for the 2009-2010 has been completed and would be impossible to reschedule at this time. Mr. Massey also deferred the issue to Mr. Patz and the building administrators for further review and study.

Members of the Board reviewed claims. After a brief discussion, claims were approved by signature.

The Superintendent presented the recommendation of Alan Althoff to fill the vacant custodial position. Upon motion by Tim Elbright and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey III Nay – Chris Whitham

Mr. Patz requested the latitude to review and hire the person for the Title I Teacher/Teacher Aide position along with a presentation to the board for confirmation at the next meeting. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to approve the request, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Tim Elbright, Chris Whitham, and Felix Massey, III.

Jack Lillie presented information on the new student management system. Power School is web-based enabling administrators, teachers, parents, and students’ access to up to date student data through the school web site. The program also has the capability for parents and teachers to communicate student concerns. Mr. Lillie stated that parents would be given a password to access the student data. This information will be kept on file in the building office.

Mr. Patz presented NEOLA as a service to update the school policy handbook. The present handbook was developed in 1994 and has serviced it purpose but is in need of updating. NEOLA works with the Indiana School Board Association as will as the policies being reviewed by an attorney of a large Indianapolis law firm. There would be several meetings with the appropriate personnel and a review of the present policies. There was a discussion as to the cost of $7600 for the policy development and $7600 for the administrative guideline with a support fee once the manual is in place to update revisions and additions. By consensus, the Board of School Trustees instructed the Superintendent to contact NEOLA and move forward with the process.

Mr. Patz presented the bids for fuel, bread and milk to be opened and reviewed (on file). There was only one bid for each category as follows:

Fuel – Laughery Valley Ag Co-op

Bread – Interstate Brands (Butternut)

Milk – Trauth Dairy

Upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Tim Elbright to accept the bids as presented, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Tim Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Chris Whitham, and Felix Massey, III.

The Superintendent presented a quote from McAlister Excavating for a backstop/seating area for the Softball field to help with the pedestrian/traffic problem. Mr. Patz noted that the quote was higher than anticipated and to address the issue at a later date. There was a discussion as to a shelter being built on the concrete pad already in place to offer additional seating area but the view of the ball field is somewhat restricted. By consensus, the board agreed that a dialogue with the mayor and city officials is necessary to address the safety concerns of the softball area.

Mr. Patz presented the 2009-2010 Teacher Handbook for the second reading. Mr. Patz noted that changes were in italics with attention brought to the drivers of a school bus or special purpose bus must make a visual inspection to insure no students are left on the bus and the change to the criminal history checks. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to approve the handbook, members voted as follows: Aye- Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Chris Whitham, Tim Elbright, and Felix Massey, III.

Mr. Patz presented the 2009-2010 Bus Driver Handbook for the second reading. Mr. Patz noted, as in the Teacher Handbook, the major changes were due to the visual inspection of all buses to insure no students are left on the bus and to the criminal history check. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Chris Whitham to approve the handbook, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Chris Whitham, Tim Elbright, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey, III.

The Superintendent presented a handout (on file) and gave a brief review of the functions of the R.O.D. organization (Ripley, Ohio, Dearborn). R.O.D. was formed in the 1970’s to help area schools best meet the requirements of federal and state special education laws as will as the needs of students with individual student plans and keep cost as low as possible. After a brief discussion on the funding of the program and services available, it was requested by the board members to have the R.O.D. Director attend a future school board meeting.

Mr. Patz presented the 2009-2010 Textbook Fees (copies included). After a brief discussion on changes in cost, upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Tim Elbright, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Tim Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Chris Whitham, and Felix Massey, III.

The Superintendent presented three companies that can perform the expanded criminal history checks with the recommendation of approving Safe Hiring Solutions. L-1 Identity Solutions requires finger printing which would take place in Lawrenceburg at a cost of $45.00. First Advantage is located in Dallas, Texas and would have a similar price and structure as Safe Hiring Solutions. Safe Hiring Solutions is located in Indiana and has several large Indiana school districts as clients. The cost would be approximately $28.00 at the expense of the applicant. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Tim Elbright, Chris Whitham, and Felix Massey, III.

Mr. Patz presented the revised policy for Criminal History Information. Mr. Patz noted that the policy change is to cover the expanded criminal history check as required by law for new hires. It was noted that a limited criminal check would still be used for volunteers. This was the first reading so not action was taken.

Ms. Holland gave a presentation of the OCEMS Professional Development and School Improvement Plans. Changes to the plans were necessary due to no early release days to use as staff development. There was a brief discussion on the use of substitutes to cover classes in the absence of teachers for required professional development and funding that would be used. Upon motion by Tim Elbright and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to approve the plans, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Chris Whitham, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey, III.

Mr. Majewski gave a presentation of the Rising Sun-High School Improvement Plan. Mr. Majewski noted updates needed for attendance and graduation rate under AYP but waiting for more direction for the state. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Chris Whitham to approve the plan, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Chris Whitham, Tim Elbright, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey, III.

Patty Huff presented a change in the OCEMS Student Athletic Rules. The change would be to use the nine weeks grades to determine eligibility for middle school athletic. After a brief discussion, upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to approve the change members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Tim Elbright, Chris Whitham, and Felix Massey, III.

Board President, Felix Massey, III recognized Robert White to address the board. Mr. White presented a concern for the board members to attend a joint commissioners/council meeting on July 29, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. at the Ohio County Fairgrounds. He expressed interest in a request for reconsideration on how the endowment money is disbursed and an increase in funding due to economy and decrease in state funding for the school. Mr. Patz noted that the county was paying for 4 additional aides at the buildings. By consensus, the members agreed to be placed on the agenda.

Mr. Patz requested members to check their calendars for a meeting to be scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2009 for 7:00 P.M.

The Board of School Trustees of the Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation did not discuss any subject matter in executive session other than the topic specified in the public notice.