BOARD MINUTES
Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation
May 12, 2009
The regular session of the Board of School Trustees was held as advertised on May 12, 2009 at 7:45 P.M. in the administration building. Members present were Felix Massey III, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman and Superintendent Stephen Patz. Also present were Keith Majewski, Gloria Holland, Patty Huff, Daniel Cole, Dolly Cole, Stephanie Kilburn, Terri Kirkpatrick, Ronald Becker, Samantha Niccum, and Kayla Ferreira.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members of the Board reviewed minutes from the April 14, 2009 Board meeting. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to approve the minutes, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
Members of the Board reviewed claims. The claims were approved by signature.Mr. Patz recommended extending the contracts of the Gloria Holland, Patty Huff, Keith Majewski and Noel Bostic by an additional year. Upon motion by Timothy Elbright and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to approve the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Timothy Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Chrisopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz recommended Rick Works for the Bus Mechanic position. It was noted that Mr. Works is currently working in maintenance at OCEMS. Upon motion from Corey Potts and seconded by Timothy Elbright to except the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman, and Felix Massey III.
The Superintendent presented a request from Lindsey Merica to split the Summer Volleyball stipend between Assistant Coach Lori Hayes and herself. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Timothy Elbright approve the request, members voted as follows: Aye- Harlan Holt Hoffman, Timothy Elbright, Corey Potts, Chrisopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz recommended Keith Armstrong as the High School Boys’ Junior Varsity Basketball Coach and Matthew Phillips as the Freshman Boys’ Basketball Coach. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to except the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
The Superintendent presented the recommendation to hire Allison Reynolds as the new High School Special Education Teacher. Current teacher, Rachel Sarikie, will transfer to the K-2 elementary position per her request. Ms. Reynolds has interest in coaching Girls’ and Boys’ H.S. Cross Country and Freshman Girls’ Basketball. Upon motion by Harlan Holt Hoffman and seconded by Corey Potts to except the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz presented the recommendation to approve the AC/DC Participation. The Superintendent noted that the program would be funded by a $20,000 criminal justice grant through the Dearborn/Ohio County Probation Department. A student who receives an out of school suspension for grades 6-12 will be required to attend the Dearborn County Correction Facility to do school assignments, which will count toward their school credits, and work with Community Corrections in the afternoon. Parents will be responsible for student transportation unless the student is able to drive with parent authorization. If the student does not meet the requirements, he/she will then be the responsibility of the probation department and/or the court. After a brief discussion, upon motion by Cory Potts and seconded by Christopher Whitham to approve the recommendation, members voted as follows: Aye – Cory Potts, Christopher Whitham, Timothy Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Majewski presented information on the ISTEP/PL221 and stated that the high school received exemplary status. The category was base on performance and improvement. The high school did not meet AYP due to the graduation rate but improved it’s academic scores to receive the exemplary status.
Ms. Holland presented information on the ISTEP/PL221. The elementary/middle school is listed as on academic watch due to no real change in the test scores. Same as with the high school, the overall score is affected by special education circumstances.
Mr. Patz presented the High School Student Handbook for the 2nd reading. Mr. Majewski noted that changes were made to the modified schedule to meet the state mandate, language for the AC/DC Program, cell phone policy, and personal appearance. Upon motion by Timothy Elbright and seconded by Corey Potts to approve the handbook with the changes, members voted as follows: Aye – Timothy Elbright, Corey Potts, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Christopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
The Superintendent presented the OCEMS Student Handbook for the second reading. Ms. Holland noted that changes were made for the cell phone policy and the AC/DC Program. Ms. Holland stated that due to the handbook being for all elementary/middle school students, there will be a discussion with the middle school students concerning the cell phone policy at the beginning of the new school year. Upon motion by Christopher Whitham and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to approve the student handbook with the changes, members voted as follows: Aye – Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Timothy Elbright, Corey Potts, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz requested permission to proceed with Jerry Firestone of Triangle Design to provide drawings in order to get a project cost on the tiered seating for the softball field. The fee for the design service would be $2,250.00. The project would partially be funded by a grant to create a safer viewing area for fans/parents instead of in the parking lot, dangerously close to traffic. The space would be achieved by moving the backstop in to approximately 25’. After a brief discussion, by consensus, the Board of School Trustees directed the Superintendent to open a dialogue with the city for help on the traffic concerns and possible assistance on the project cost when the design process is complete. Upon motion by Christopher Whitham and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to proceed with the process, members voted as follows: Aye – Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, and Felix Massey III.
The Superintendent presented a resolution for new textbook receipt and invoices to be submitted to the State Board of Accounts for approval (on file). The new forms are the result of the new PowerSchool student software. Upon motion by Timothy Elbright and seconded by Harlan Holt Hoffman to approve the resolution, members voted as follows: Aye – Timothy Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, Corey Potts, Christopher Whitham, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz presented a revised 2009-2010 School Calendar. The revision was due to the changes mandated at the state level. All half days, waivers days due to weather, and senior days have been eliminated (copy included). After a brief discussion, upon motion by Corey Potts and seconded by Christopher Whitham to approve the calendar, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Christopher Whitham, Timothy Elbright, Harlan Holt Hoffman, and Felix Massey III.
Mr. Patz noted that there would be a State Conference Committee meeting on the Budget in June. He will relay any information as it develops.
Upon motion from Corey Potts and seconded by Timothy Elbright to adjourn the meeting, members voted as follows: Aye – Corey Potts, Timothy Elbright, Christopher Whitham, Harlan Holt Hoffman, and Felix Massey III.
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 9:55 P.M.