School Board Minutes
School Board Minutes
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July 14, 2009
Board Meeting Synopsis!!!
(This is a brief description of what occurred during the meeting and in no way are the “items of interest” finalized until the School Board has had the proper time for consideration and approval.)
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
Bonnie Fancher presented a petition in opposition of the 4 year math requirement for graduation. Following several comments from the audience, Mr. Massey deferred the issue to Mr. Patz and the building administrators for further review and study.
Alan Althoff was approved to fill the vacant custodial position.
Mr. Patz was granted the latitude to review and hire the person for the Title I Teacher/Teacher Aide position. Confirmation of the individual will occur at the next meeting.
Jack Lillie presented the new student management system. Power School is web-based enabling administrators, teachers, parents, and students access to up to date student data including classroom grades through the school web-site. The program also has the capability for parents and teachers to communicate student concerns. Mr. Lillie stated that parents would be given a password to access the student data. This information will be kept on file in the building office.
Mr. Patz presented information on NEOLA, which is a company that provides a service to schools to update the school policy handbook. The present handbook was developed in 1994 and has served it’s purpose but is in need of updating. NEOLA works with the Indiana School Board Association as well as the policies being reviewed by an attorney of a large Indianapolis law firm. There would be several meetings with the appropriate personnel and a review of the present policies. By consensus, the Board of School Trustees instructed the Superintendent to contact NEOLA and move forward with the process with NEOLA to develop new policies and administrative guidelines. It was noted that the process will take approximately one year.
The bids for fuel, bread and milk were opened and approved as follows:
1) Fuel – Laughery Valley Ag Co-op
2) Bread – Interstate Brands (Butternut)
3) Milk – Trauth Dairy
The backstop/seating project for the softball field to help with the pedestrian/traffic problem was put on hold. Mr. Patz is to continue a dialogue with the mayor and city officials to address the safety concerns of the softball area.
The 2009-2010 Teacher Handbook was approved.
The 2009-2010 Bus Driver Handbook.
The 2009-2010 Textbook Fees were approved.
Safe Hiring Solutions was approved to perform the expanded criminal history checks. The cost will be approximately $28.00 per search at the expense of the applicant.
Mr. Patz presented a revised policy for Criminal History Information. Mr. Patz noted that the policy change is to cover the expanded criminal history check as required by law for new hires. It was noted that a limited criminal check would still be used for volunteers. This was the first reading so not action was taken.
The OCEMS Professional Development and School Improvement Plans were approved.
The Rising Sun-High School Improvement Plan was approved.
Change in the OCEMS Student Athletic Rules to use the nine weeks grades to determine eligibility for middle school athletics was approved.
Mr. Patz requested members to check their calendars for a meeting be scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2009 for 7:00 P.M. to approve further new hires if necessary.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.