VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2009

7:00 P.M.

M I N U T E S

A meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Vigo County School Corporation was held at the Vigo County School Corporation Administration Building, 686 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

The following Board Members were present: Mr. Guille Cox, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Paul Lockhart.

Ms. Alpa Patel, Mr. Mel Burks, and Mr. Gene Shike. Mrs. Lower was unable to attend the meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Gene Shike led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Resolution of Memoriam

Ms. Alpa Patel presented a Resolution of Memoriam for the following former employees of the Vigo County School Corporation.

1. Mr. Richard Dean – Former Custodian at Terre Haute South Vigo High

School.

2. Ms. Mary Huber – Former Elementary Teacher at Fairbanks Elementary

School and Fuqua Elementary School; Reading Specialist at Washington

Building; Title I Teacher at University School.

3. Ms. Paulette Laycock – Former Cafeteria Manager at Honey Creek

Middle School.

Special Recognition

Dr. Minnis welcomed students from St. Mary of the Woods College and South Vigo High School.

First Call for Citizens Comments

No comments were received.

Consent Agenda

Mr. Burks moved for approval of the Consent Agenda. Mr. Lockhart seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

1. Minutes – Regular Meeting – January 26, 2009

2. Stipend Authorizations

3. Professional Leave Requests

Discussion Item

Mr. Bill Bruce presented the proposed revisions on Policies GBLA and GBLA-R (Computer Ethics). The proposed revisions will be brought back as “second reading” to the February 23, 2009 Board meeting.

New Business

Personnel Report

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report for Board approval. Mr. Burks moved for approval. Ms. Patel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Employee Agreement and Handbook Proposal – Custodial/Maintenance

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to approve the proposed salary and benefits for the Vigo County School Corporation Custodial/Maintenance Association. He noted that the package includes a 3.3% increase for salary and benefits, effective January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

Mr. Shike moved for approval. Mr. Cox seconded the motion. Mr. Cox, Dr. Minnis,

Ms. Patel, Mr. Burks and Mr. Shike voted “yes.” Mr. Lockhart ‘abstained” because he has a family member associated with this group.

Grants

Mr. Tanoos requested approval for the following two Grants:

1. Professional Development Schools Grant for DeVaney Elementary School

2. Professional Development Schools Grant for Terre Haute North Vigo High School

Comments/Correspondence/Information

Second Call for Citizens Comments

Comments were received from Mrs. Leah Myers and Ms. Heather Hindel – Concerned Citizens for Chauncey Rose Middle School.

Committee Reports from Board Members

No reports were received.

Information and Proposals from Board Members and Superintendent Tanoos

Superintendent Tanoos presented a brief overview of meetings and activities that have taken place during the past two weeks which included the HASTI Conference, Congressman Brad Ellsworth’s visit and the Building Trades Program meeting.

Ms. Patel inquired as to why Presidents’ Day was not being used as a snow make-up day. Mr. Tanoos replied that he met with members of all employee groups and they elected not to use Presidents’ Day as a snow make-up day.

Mr. Burks, Dr. Minnis, and Ms. Patel had several questions for Mr. Orr in regard to our substitute teachers and Kelly Services. Mr. Orr responded that Kelly Services are having a fill rate of 99 per cent and are filling the positions in priority terms of license, degree, and 60 hours. He also responded that they do have an evaluation plan in place.

Mr. Cox made comments in regard to the President’s Stimulus Plan and is hopeful that there is not a cut back in education k-12.

Mr. Tanoos stated that the Carmel School Corporation, one of the wealthiest school corporations in the state, will be having to lay-off teachers and teaching assistants. He noted that through planning and Board direction

the Vigo County School Corporation has not had to lay-off employees, and has been able to give salary increases.

Dr. Minnis stated that the Cracker Barrel session would be held Saturday, February 14^th at 10:00 A.M. in the Public Library.

Adjournment: 7:30 P.M.

Approved:

______________________________President ______________________________

______________________________Vice Pres. ______________________________

______________________________Secretary ______________________________

______________________________Dep. Secy.