VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEETING

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008

700 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, November 24, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present: Mr. Paul Lockhart, Ms. Alpa Patel,

Mr. Mel Burks, Mr. Gene Shike, Mrs. Jackie Lower, Mr. Guille Cox, and

Dr. Joseph Minnis.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Mr. Gene Shike led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

President Lower presented the Vigo County School Corporation Mission Statement.

 

Mr. Tanoos expressed appreciation to Mr. Doug Dillion and Mr. John Newport for the beautiful framed picture of our Mission Statement that is now displayed in the Board Room of the Administration Building.

 

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 – November 10, 2008

 

            2.         Financial Status Report

 

            3.         Stipend Authorizations

 

            4.         Encumbrance Report

 

            5.         Accounts Payable Docket

 

            6.         Professional Leave Requests

 

Discussion

 

Feasibility Study Update

 

 

Ms. Deb Kunce and staff of Schmidt Associates presented a power point and final report of the Educational Taskforce and responded to questions from Board Members.

 

Ms. Kunce announced that the next meeting of the Community Taskforce will be on Monday, December 8th at 5:00 P.M. in the Conference Room of the Administration Building.  She also noted that there will be a Community Forum regarding the Feasibility study on December 1st at 6:00 P.M. in the auditorium at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.

 

Proposed Policy JECB Revision (Second Reading)

 

 

Mr. Azar presented proposed Policy JECB with the recommended changes suggested at the November 10th Board meeting.  Following discussion, it was determined that this proposed policy would be brought back for “Third Reading” at the December 8th Board Meeting with the effective date of January 1, 2009 added.

 

New Business

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report for Board approval.

 

Mr. Shike moved for approval of the Personnel Report.  Ms. Patel seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Employment Agreement and Handbook Proposals

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for approval of the proposed salary and handbook for the Education Assistant Employees.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Property/Casualty Policy Renewal

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to renew Property/Casualty Insurance policy with Indiana Insurance and Forrest Sherer as a three year renewal (12/01/08 – 12/01/11)

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Renewal and Submission of 401(a), 403(b), and 457 Tax Sheltered Plans

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to approve the 401(a) resolution and plan, 403(b) resolution and plan, and the 457 resolution and plan.  He noted that these three plans, with approval from the Board of School Trustees, would take effect December 1, 2008, and will be subject to future IRS rule changes and corporation modification.

 

Following discussion, Mr. Cox moved for approval.  Mr. Shike seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Adult Community Education

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to modify the Adult Community Education Program effective for the Spring 2009 semester.  A copy of the report is in the Board Packet and pertains to the Community Education portion of the report, pages 14-16.

 

Considerable discussion took place including the request for population comparison of students in adult education this year, last year, and the spring January enrollment,

number of students needed to offer a class, and if a plan was in order to offer courses just for employees.

 

Ms. Patel moved for approval.  Dr. Minnis seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

Broad Based Planning Committed 2008-2009

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for a Broad Based Planning Committee to provide input for gifted education.  He noted that as part of Indiana statute, the Broad Based Planning Committee serves as a sounding board for gifted/talented education.

 

Ms. Patel moved for approval.  Dr. Minnis seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

 

Grants

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission for the following Grants:

 

            1.         Lumina Foundation Grant – North Vigo, South Vigo, and West Vigo High

                        Schools

 

            2.         Union hospital Foundation Grant – Risk Management Department of the

                        Vigo County School Corporation

 

Mr. Cox moved for approval of the Grants.  Mrs. Lower seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Comments/Correspondence/Information

 

Second Call for Citizens Comments

 

Mr. Guell commented that he approves of the morning athletic practice schedule recently set by the Athletic Council.

 

Committee Reports from Board Members

 

No reports were given.

 

Information and Proposals from Board members and Superintendent Tanoos

 

Dr. Minnis inquired about the count difference regarding males and females receiving free and reduced lunches.

 

Mr. Cox noted he is pleased with the graduation rate increase.

 

Mrs. Lower stated that there will be an Indiana School Boards Association School Law Seminar on Friday, December the 12th and encouraged Board Members to attend.

 

Mr. Tanoos commended Dr. Goeller and her staff on the Curriculum Guide and noted that there were only 2 out of 10 school corporations who met the adequate yearly progress and they were Vigo County School Corporation and Carmel School Corporation.  He also noted that we continue to work with the Children’s Museum, and recent meetings attended included the Unity meeting , Vigo County Teachers Association meeting and Business and Bagels.

 

Adjournment:    9:50 P.M.

 

 

Approved:

 

______________________________President   _____________________________

 

______________________________Vice Pres. _____________________________

 

______________________________Secretary  _____________________________

 

______________________________Dep. Secy.