VIGO COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 686 WABASH AVENUE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008

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, December 8, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

The following Board Members were present:  Ms. Alpa Patel, Mr. Mel Burks,

Mr. Gene Shike, Mrs. Jackie Lower, Mr. Guille Cox, Dr. Joseph Minnis, and

Mr. Paul Lockhart.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

President Jackie Lower led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Resolution of Memoriam

 

Ms. Alpa Patel presented a Resolution of Memoriam for Mr. Mark LaGrange, former mathematics teacher and coach at Honey Creek Junior High School and South Vigo High School.

 

First Call for Citizens Comments

 

No comments were received.

 

Consent Agenda

 

Mr. Shike 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 24, 2008

 

            2.         Payment of Interim Claims in December

 

            3.         Year End Transfers of Appropriations – General and Transportation Funds

 

            4.         Year End Transfers for Capital Projects Fund Projects

 

            5.         Stipend Authorizations

 

            6.         Professional Leave Requests

 

            7.         Gift – Woodrow Wilson Middle School – Monetary Gift of $808.75 to the

                        Woodrow Wilson Middle School Library Media Center for the purchase

                        of library materials, quizzes, supplies, and/or furniture.

 

Discussion/Action

 

Proposed Policy JECB – Transfer Students (Third Reading)

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the proposed Policy JECB which included all suggestions made from Board members during the previous two readings.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

New Business

 

Personnel Report

 

Mr. Tanoos presented the Personnel Report for approval.

 

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

 

(See proceedings)

 

Football Practice Field for West Vigo High School

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that bids were received and opened on December 2, 2008 for the football practice field at West Vigo High School and recommended that a contract be awarded to CDI, Inc., in the amount of $122,900.00.  He noted that it is also recommended that all other bids be rejected.

 

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

 

(See proceedings)

 

 

Proposed Reallocation of Bond Refinancing Funds

 

Mr. Tanoos stated that on September 22, 2008, the Board of School Trustees approved the use of up to $425,000 of bond refinancing funds for the West Vigo High School football practice field construction.  He noted that the total construction cost is now anticipated to be less than $225,000 and requested permission to reallocate the remaining $200,000 to be used to address various maintenance issues.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

2008 Bus Bid Recommendations

 

Mr. Tanoos noted that bids were received and opened on November 10 and November 24, 2008, regarding the 2008 Bus Bid recommendation, and recommended that a contract be awarded to Midwest Transit in the total amount of $1,857,033.00.  He also recommended that all other bids be rejected.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Workforce Development Proposal

 

Mr. Tanoos recommended approval of the Workforce Development Proposal for the Region #7 Workforce Board created by the Vigo County School Corporation Adult Education Program.

 

Discussion ensued which included cost of the program, employee cost, if there is a minimum number that would need to be enrolled and where classes would be held.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

 

West Vigo Middle School Renovation Project Phase II

 

Mr. Tanoos requested permission to advertise for Requests for Qualifications for a Performance Based Energy/Operating Cost Reduction Program at West Vigo Middle School.

 

Discussion ensued which included questions from Board Members about what will be included in the plan, if an architectural drawing of the plans would be made available and a request that specific architectural drawings of each area be presented to Board Members.

 

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

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Grants

 

Mr. Tanoos requested approval of the following grants:

 

            1.         Professional Development Schools Grant – Terre Haute South Vigo High

                        School and Fuqua Elementary School

 

            2.         Title I 1003(g) Improvement Grant

 

            3.         Title II, Part A Grant

 

            4.         DWD/First Robotics Grant – Terre Haute South Vigo High School

 

            5.         NASA/First Robotics Grant – Terre Haute South Vigo High School

 

            6.         Indiana Department of Education Tech Plan Grant

 

Ms. Patel moved for approval of the Grants.  Mrs. Lower seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(See Proceedings)

 

Special Presentation

 

Deb Kunce, Schmidt Associates, presented a summary of the Community Taskforce meeting held earlier this evening and presented handouts of the information on building capacity and options for discussion to Board members.  She noted that the next Community Taskforce meeting will be at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, January 12th in the Conference Room of the Administration Building.

 

Comments/Correspondence/Information

 

Second Call for Citizen Comments

 

Mr. Bernard Ridens, Executive Director of the Vigo County Taxpayers Association, presented the 42nd Edition of the Taxpayers Association Annual Report to Board Members.

 

Committee Reports from Board Members

 

No Reports were given.

 

Information and proposals from Board Members and Superintendent Tanoos

 

Mr. Burks inquired as to the number of student crossing guards that the corporation has helping students and requested that the corporation look into getting them florissant vests like the adult crossing guards have instead of cross belts.

 

Mrs. Lower asked about the Fuqua crossing at Margaret Avenue as that seems like a very busy area.

 

Mr. Tanoos presented an overview of happenings that have taken place during the past two weeks, including his attendance at the Indiana Youth Institute meeting in Indianapolis.  He noted that the Vigo County School Corporation was recognized for their increase in graduation rate for African Americans.

 

Mrs. Lower closed the meeting with the Vigo County School Corporation Mission Statement.

 

Adjournment:  7:40 P.M.

 

 

Approved:

 

______________________________President    ______________________________

 

______________________________Vice Pres.  ______________________________

 

______________________________Secretary   ______________________________

 

______________________________Dep. Secy.