BOARD MINUTES
Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation
June 12, 2007
The regular session of the Board of School Trustees was held as advertised on June 12, 2007 at 7:20 P.M. in the administration building. Members present were Jamie Bell, Felix Massey III, Corey Potts, Tim Adams, Larry Thayer and Superintendent Stephen Patz. Also present were Keith Majewski, Dave Neff, Sue Hart, Connie Smith, Dennis Carrigan, Bev Carrigan, Larry Bailey, Jason McDaniel, Pam McClure, Matt Markland, Tonya Poling, Mary Jo Rowell, Clayton Lamkin, Danny Bolden, Janie Eldridge, Sue Walcott, Linda Paeth, Candy Southard, Karen Chase, Renee Cole, Debbie McKinley, Bev Eads, Cheryl Jones, and Sandy Dugle.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge was followed with a moment of silence in honor of teacher Cathy Slack who recently lost her battle with cancer.
Members of the Board reviewed minutes from the May 8, 2007 Board meeting. The minutes were approved by signature.
Members of the Board reviewed claims. The claims were approved by signature.
The Superintendent presented a request for maternity leave from Jennifer Mossburger, middle school Language Arts teacher. She is requesting maternity leave from the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year through October 14th. Mr. Patz recommended accepting the request. Upon motion by Tim Adams and seconded by Larry Thayer to accept the recommendations, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Adams, Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Felix Massey III, and Jamie Bell.
Mr. Patz presented a letter of resignation from Jeffrey Smith from his middle school girls’ cross country coaching position. Mr. Patz noted that Mr. Smith has done an outstanding job in that position, but that he has accepted a high school coaching position in Cincinnati. The Superintendent recommended accepting the resignation. Upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Larry Thayer to accept the resignation, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Larry Thayer, Felix Massey III, Jamie Bell, and Tim Adams.
The Superintendent presented a letter of resignation from Lindsey Merica as the middle school girls’ track coach. He noted that Mrs. Merica has always done an excellent job and will be missed. Mr. Patz recommended accepting the resignation. Upon motion by Larry Thayer and seconded by Tim Adams to accept the resignation, members voted as follows: Aye – Larry Thayer, Tim Adams, Jamie Bell, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz presented the recommendations for some of the high school extracurricular positions for the 2007-2008 school year. (List attached) The Superintendent recommended accepting the recommendations. Upon motion by Felix Massey III and seconded by Tim Adams, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Tim Adams, Corey Potts, Jamie Bell, and Larry Thayer.
Mr. Patz recommended a pay increase for the summer league workers. The recommendation was as follows:
Plate Umpires: $25.00 per game
Field Umpires: $15.00 per game
Scorers: $13.00 per game
Mr. Patz noted that this raise reflects a $5.00 increase in all positions, and that there has not been an increase for several years. Upon motion by Larry Thayer and seconded by Corey Potts to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Felix Massey III, Larry Thayer, and Jamie Bell.
The Superintendent recommended that the Board approve Mr. Noel Bostic as the girls’ summer basketball program director. Mr. Bostic is filling this position due to the fact that no one has been hired as girls’ varsity basketball coach for the 2007-2008 school year as of this date. Upon motion by Tim Adams and seconded by Larry Thayer to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Adams, Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Felix Massey III, and Jamie Bell.
Mr. Patz recommended hiring Samantha Walton as assistant girls’ high school soccer coach. He noted that the head coach and athletic director have met with Samantha and are happy with her application. Samantha is also a former soccer player for Rising Sun. Upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Felix Massey III to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Felix Massey, Jamie Bell, Larry Thayer, and Tim Adams.
Dave Neff was present to give an update on the construction project. He stated that in the past month, floors were completed in the elementary kindergarten rooms and art room. The floor and the painting were also completed in the high school lounge. Work has begun on the middle school lockers and on the elementary corridors. Demolition has begun on the high school industrial arts area, the home economics room, and the kitchen. At the elementary, demolition has begun on the unit ventilators. Work on the high school gym roof will begin this week.
The Superintendent presented the OCEMS Student Handbook for its second reading. There was a discussion regarding the athletic policy which allows a student to receive one failing grade on their report card and still participate in sports. The Board expressed concern regarding this policy. Mr. Patz stated that our policy is in line with and is based upon the policy set forth by the Indiana High School Athletic Association. By consensus, the Board asked that it would review a revised athletic policy written next month. Mr. Patz recommended approving the OCEMS Student Handbook with pending possible changes in athletic policy. Upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Tim Adams to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Tim Adams, Felix Massey III, Larry Thayer, and Jamie Bell.
The Superintendent presented the RSHS Student Handbook for its second reading. There was a discussion regarding the athletic policy which states that a student must pass five subjects in order to participate in athletics. The Board expressed concern regarding this policy. Mr. Majewski stated that our policy is taken from the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s guidelines. Mr. Majewski asked that if the current athletic/academic policy were to be changed, it might not take effect until the second semester. This would allow the athletes time to adjust and would not disqualify any student from participating this fall. By consensus, the Board asked that it would review a revised athletic policy written next month. Mr. Patz recommended approving the RSHS Student Handbook with pending a possible change in the athletic policy. Upon motion by Felix Massey III and seconded by Tim Adams to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Tim Adams, Corey Potts, Larry Thayer, and Jamie Bell.
Mr. Patz presented the Student Expulsion Policy for its second reading. The Superintendent recommended accepting the Policy. Upon motion by Felix Massey III and seconded by Larry Thayer to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Jamie Bell, and Tim Adams.
The Superintendent presented new information regarding full-day kindergarten. He stated that there have been some new developments in the past month regarding funding for a full-day kindergarten program. He stated that we have only recently been able to put together the financial side in order to be able to offer fully funded full-day kindergarten to every student in Ohio County for the 2007-2008 school year. He stated that the elementary school conducted a phone poll of parents of this year’s kindergarten students. Of those polled, 31 of the 37 were in favor of a full-day program. Mr. Patz recommended approving a full-day program and asked permission to move forward by advertising for a kindergarten teacher. Upon motion by Felix Massey III & seconded by Larry Thayer to approve all-day kindergarten and advertise for a teacher, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Tim Adams, and Jamie Bell.
Jamie Bell, Board President, stated that while the Wellness Committee report is on the agenda, the person who was going to present the report was not able to attend this month’s meeting. As a result, the report will be presented at the July meeting.
Clayton Lamkin, of the Rising Sun Lion’s Club, was present to ask permission to hold the Fourth of July fireworks on school property and to discuss the summer baseball/softball program. Mr. Lamkin pointed out that the Lion’s Club carries the insurance policy for the fireworks each year, but he did not have a copy of the policy available at the meeting. Mr. Patz recommended approving the fireworks pending the school’s receipt of the insurance policy. Upon motion by Tim Adams and seconded by Felix Massey III to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Adams, Felix Massey III, Jamie Bell, Corey Potts, and Larry Thayer.
Mr. Lamkin stated that the Lion’s Club is interested in helping out more with the summer baseball/softball leagues. The Lion’s Club would like to see a committee set up to help administer the summer program. They would like to be involved with the committee. After a lengthy discussion, the Board decided by consensus to instruct Mr. Patz to work with the Lion’s Club to form a committee to review the summer baseball/softball programs. This committee would include Mr. Patz, Mr. Lamkin, David Brown, Felix Massey III, Jamie Bell, Assistant Principals and possibly other members of the Lion’s Club. This committee will report back to the School Board before any decisions are made or agreements are reached.
The Non Certified Staff Job Evaluation policy was presented for its first reading. A brief discussion was held regarding the policy. No action was taken as this was the first reading.
Renee Cole and Denny Carrigan were present to discuss the Board’s grading policy. They were concerned about the policy which prohibits volunteers from helping the teachers with grading papers. After a great amount of discussion, the Board directed Mr. Patz to hold a discussion session with members of the local teachers’ union in order to review the use of volunteers in the school system. Mr. Patz stated that he will contact Kevin Smith, president of the local teachers’ union, to schedule the discussion session.
The Superintendent requested permission to advertise for the milk and bread bids for the 2007-2008 school year. Upon motion by Larry Thayer and seconded by Tim Adams to grant the request, members voted as follows: Aye – Larry Thayer, Tim Adams, Jamie Bell, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey III.
The Superintendent requested permission to declare replaced student desks and chairs junk due to the construction project. Mr. Patz would like to be able to dispose of old desks and chairs as they are replaced by new furniture. Upon motion by Tim Adams to grant the request and seconded by Larry Thayer, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Adams, Larry Thayer, Jamie Bell, Felix Massey III, and Corey Potts.
Mr. Patz recommended to the Board the list of reading textbooks and workbooks recommended by the textbook adoption committee. Upon motion by Felix Massey III and seconded by Corey Potts to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Corey Potts, Tim Adams, Jamie Bell, and Larry Thayer. Copy Attached.
The Superintendent presented the Title I application for the 2007-2008 school year. Upon motion by Tim Adams and seconded by Larry Thayer to approve the application, members voted as follows: Aye – Tim Adams, Larry Thayer, Corey Potts, Felix Massey III, and Jamie Bell.
Mr. Patz presented to the Board his recommendation for the Driver’s Education fees for the 2007-2008 class. The recommendation was that Driver’s Education cost be reduced to $300.00 for 2007-2008 school year. Mr. Patz noted that this is a $200.00 reduction from the 2006-2007 school year. He also noted that this price decrease is the direct result of the driver’s education teacher pay being switched from the summer salary schedule to the extracurricular salary schedule. Upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Larry Thayer to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Larry Thayer, Felix Massey III, Tim Adams, and Jamie Bell.
Mr. Majewski presented the Rising Sun High School School Improvement Plan to the Board. Mr. Majewski pointed out that this is the same plan that was reviewed last year. He asked that it be officially adopted. The Superintendent recommended adopting the Plan. Upon motion by Larry Thayer and seconded by Tim Adams to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye: Larry Thayer, Tim Adams, Jamie Bell, Felix Massey III, and Corey Potts.
Mr. Patz recommended to the Board that Anthony VanWinkle’s insurance change from partially funded by the Corporation to fully funded by the Corporation beginning August 1, 2007. Upon motion by Felix Massey III and seconded by Tim Adams to accept the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Felix Massey III, Tim Adams, Jamie Bell, Larry Thayer, and Corey Potts.
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.
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 P.M.