VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006

 

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 the 14th day of August 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present:  Mr. Gene Shike, Mrs. Jackie Lower, Mr. Guille Cox, Dr. Joseph Minnis, Mr. Paul Lockhart, Mr. Michael Tom, and Mr. Mel Burks.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Superintendent Tanoos led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Resolution of Memoriams

 

Mr. Shike read Resolution of Memoriams for the following former employees:

 

            Ms. Joy Harlan, former teacher at Hoosier Prairie Elementary School and the

            the former Pimento Elementary School.

 

            Ms. Florida Lowry – former physical education teacher and coach at Terre Haute

            North Vigo High School, and the former Gerstmeyer High School.

 

Information from Superintendent Tanoos

 

Mr. Tanoos presented an overview of meetings and activities that took place during the past two weeks.

 

First Call For Citizen Comments

 

No comments were received.

 

Consent Agenda

 

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

 

The following Consent Agenda items were approved:

 

            1.            Minutes – Regular Meeting – July 24, 2006

 

            2.            Stipend Authorizations

 

            3.            Professional Leave Requests

 

Discussion/Action

 

Proposed Changes to Policy KG-R – Third Reading

 

Mr. Danner presented the proposed changes to Policy KG-R as third reading. 

 

Dr. Minnis moved for approval.  Mrs. Lower seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Vocational-Career Education Recommendations

 

Mr. Lisby presented recommendations from the administration based on the following criteria:  (1) meetings with vocational staff at each of our comprehensive high schools; (2) multiple visits and tours of our current facilities; (3) review of recent literature concerning vocational-career education; (4) visits to vocational-career programs in other school corporations; and (5) listening to discussion and comments by the Board of School Trustees, business/industry leaders in our community, and our building and central office administrative staff.

 

Following discussion, Mr. Lockhart moved for approval.  Mr. Tom seconded the motion.  Mr. Shike, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lockhart, Mr. Tom, and Mr. Burks voted “aye”.  Dr. Minnis and Mrs. Lower voted “no”.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

New Business

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report.

 

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

 

Anthem Protected Fund Balance

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that the Benefits Committee met on July 20, 2006 and recommends that the Board of School Trustees approve use of funds in the Anthem Protected Fund balance to eliminate the employees and employers health insurance payment contribution for four (4) periods.

 

Dr. Minnis moved for approval.  Mr. Cox seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Proposed Quit Claim Deed – Old Sheperd School Property

 

Mr. Tanoos recommended that the Board of School Trustees vote to execute a Quit Claim Deed in regard to the Old Sheperd School Property.

 

Dr. Minnis moved for approval.  Mr. Burks seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Purchase of Music Equipment #2

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that Bids were received and opened for the purchase of Music Equipment #2, and recommended that a contract be awarded to five (5) vendors for a total cost of $21,794.15.

 

Mr. Tom moved for approval.  Mrs. Lower seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Naming of New Stage at Meadows Elementary School

 

Mr. Tanoos noted that the Meadows Elementary School community would like to have the new stage named in honor of former principal, Mrs. Audrey Snyder.

 

Dr. Minnis moved for approval.  Mrs. Lower seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Elementary, Middle, and High School Student Handbooks

 

Mr. Tanoos requested approval of the Elementary, Middle, and High School Student Handbooks.

 

Mr. Lockhart moved for approval.  Mr. Tom seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Early Intervention Grant

 

Mr. Tanoos requested approval to accept an Early Intervention Grant Program through the Indiana Department of Education.  He noted that the school corporation has been awarded $127,141.00 that will be distributed to Farrington Grove, Meadows, Fuqua,

and Franklin Elementary Schools.

 

Mr. Cox moved for approval.  Mr. Tom seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Comments/Correspondence/Information

 

Second Call for Citizen Comments

 

No comments were received.

 

Information and Proposals from Board Members

 

Mr. Burks asked Mr. Tanoos what assurance he could give in reference to partnering with the community to remedy the epidemic of minority students dropping out of school.

 

Mr. Tanoos responded that he plans to meet with every parent and student this year that is planning to dropout of school whether it be a minority student or not.  He noted that any student dropping out of school is a tragedy, and he is making it his focus this year

 

Mr. Cox noted that the African American Engineering Club at Rose Hulman realizes the importance of staying in school, and is mentoring students to help in this effort.

 

Mrs. Lower stated that it is good that we are uniting even more to focus on the dropout situation, and thanked Mr. Tanoos and Dr. Suellen Reed for the opportunity to attend the conference in Virginia regarding this issue.

 

Mr. Shike indicated has received many calls about the green space near the new bus parking lot at Woodrow Wilson.  He noted that Mr. Tanoos contacted Hannum Wagle and line Engineering for an evaluation of the area.  Mr. Shike stated that if the safety engineers deem it not best for the safety of our children, he would definitely go along with their findings.

 

Mr. Shike announced that there would be an Executive Session of the Board on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 5:00 in reference to the evaluation of Superintendent Tanoos.

 

Adjournment:  8:15 P.M.

 

Approved:

 

_____________________________President   ____________________________

 

_____________________________Vice Pres. ____________________________

 

_____________________________Secy.        _____________________________

 

_____________________________Dep. Secy.