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castoncomets.org |
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Bylaws, Policies & Administrative Guidelines |
Snippets 2007-08 (Pg. 3)
Snippets Index: The Snippets information is organized by a July through the following June format, generally corresponding to the school year. 1/22/08 Board Meeting Results Including Revised Board Meeting Dates/Times, Time Limitation On Board Member Comments To Be Considered, Number Of Foreign-Exchange Students To Be Limited, ISTEP+ Performance In Relation To Goal And Other Info (1/24/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members (Randy Sommers arrived late), Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principals Douglass and Foster and Corporation Attorney Bob Murray. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $317,882.46 including $693.04 for nine DVDs on various topics for the Agriculture Department; $175.00 Bond Fee (annual expense) for Angela Douglass, Bookstore Mgr/Extra-Curricular Treasurer; $650.00 for two water permits - drinking water & waste water (annual expense); $31,145.00 to Duke Energy (monthly) for heating/cooling/lights/power; $7,855 for two convection ovens; and $2,265.00 for after school tutoring of Elementary students ($525.00 was also paid in November 2007 and for the 2005-06 school year $11,685.00 was paid for tutoring). Several new/revised policies received a second reading and unanimous approval. Most are due to changes in Indiana Code. (Although not unanimous there was consensus, 3 to 1 (Phillips), to prepare a proposed policy revision that will limit an individual Board Member to 5 minutes of comments during Board Comments near the end of the meeting. This proposal will receive a first reading at the February 5th meeting. Additional background information will be found here.) Angela Douglass' request for reimbursement of tuition/text fees for an Ivy Tech class relating to her responsibilities was accepted and tabled pending revisions to the Classified Handbook that are under consideration. The Board was informed that Administrative Guideline 5114, Foreign-Exchange Students will be revised to say that no more than four (4) such students may attend during a school year and this limit will be adhered to. (Currently the Guideline says two (2), however, this school year there are seven (7) attending.) Both principals gave a detailed and informative
report of the ISTEP+ test results from last fall. As shown in the table the
Board established a goal, earlier in this school year, indicating the expected
percent of students to pass the test. Also shown is the "Result," the
percent that actually passed the test.
During Board Comments Phillips mentioned several things: (1) as we look towards employment of a full time superintendent he requested that contract provisions regarding "days off" be on the next agenda for discussion in view of the fact the superintendent signs an annual contract for 260 days, (2) would like to see as soon as possible an executive session for the principals to report on the job performance of staff, (3) asked about the possibility of Mr. Floyd helping to negotiate a new contract with the teachers (the current contract expires December 31, 2008), (4) asked that the Board be updated on the effort that is underway regarding High Ability Students, (5) asked that the Board be updated regarding the efforts of the Technology Committee, and (6) that the Board be updated regarding the student usage of the In-School Suspension/Study Hall program. 2/5/08 Board Meeting Results Including Rescheduled April Board Meeting, Time Limitation On Board Member Comments Receives First Reading, And Other Info (2/6/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principal Douglass, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Judy Burkhart and Randy Head. The January 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $330,901.35 including $3,154.41 for School Board members' health insurance (this is the Corporation's monthly contribution for four Board Members - Ayers, Cress, Phillips, and Zartman; Sommers chooses not to participate; the School Board at its meeting on January 3, 1989 first approved of the Corporation contributing toward the health insurance premium for Board Members); and $18.95 for On-Star (a monthly amount for this service on the Corporation van purchased in 2006). Unanimously approved was the transfer of $53,000.00 of unused and unencumbered monies from the 2007 General Fund to the Rainy Day Fund (as of January 31, 2008 the Rainy Day Fund had a balance of $414,356.71, this Fund is used to meet teacher retirement obligations, the maximum retirement pay per teacher shall not exceed $22,500). A proposed amendment to Bylaw 0166 received a first reading. After discussion and minor changes the proposed amendment reads, "Each Board Member shall be given the opportunity to make comments which shall be limited to five minutes (5) under agenda item Board Comment." All Board Members except Phillips were supportive of this amendment receiving a second reading/action at the next School Board meeting on Thursday, February 28. (Bylaw 0131.1 requires that a 4/5ths vote of the Board is required to amend a Bylaw. In contrast, a policy may be adopted/amended by a majority vote.) Unanimously approved was rescheduling the April 1st Board Meeting for April 3rd. Unanimously approved was the resignation of Bus Driver Linda Garner effective on the close of day, Friday, February 15, 2008. Also, the Board was informed that Cathy Rausch would be filling in during Amber Helt's maternity leave. During "Board Comment" Phillips asked regarding the above mentioned On-Star service, "Is this really something that is needed and that essential to our operation?" Mr. Floyd stated he would do some checking on the matter. 2/28/08 Board Meeting Results Including Replacing Computer Lab Work Stations With "Dumb Terminals," Formation Of Coordinated School Health Advisory Council, And Other Info (3/1/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principal Foster, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray and Diana Smith. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $309,924.16 including $1,765.00 for five (5) new trombones; $10,037.09 to replace 18 computer workstations and expand the number to 21 with reduced cost by using "dumb terminals"; and $300.00 for random student drug testing. By a 4 to 1 (Phillips) vote approval was given to amend Bylaw 0166 by adding: "Each Board member shall be given the opportunity to make comments which shall be limited to five (5) minutes under agenda item 'Board Comment'." (In Phillips' opinion this amendment is unnecessary and sends the wrong message.) After a presentation by School Nurse Diana Smith unanimous approval was given to the formation of a Coordinated School Health Advisory Council as required by IC 20-26-9-18. There were no comments during "Public Comment" and "Board Comment." "Scorecard" Posting From 2/28/08 Meeting (3/1/08) 3/4/08 Board Meeting Results Including Treasurer's Report And Other Info (3/6/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd and all Board members except Joyce Zartman. The February 29, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $330,279.72 including $1,697.92 for fifteen DVDs for the Vocational Agriculture Department; $38,677.20 for special education services (this is a monthly amount for 10 months of the year); $449.05 to publish the Annual Performance Report (required by law) in the Logansport Pharos-Tribune; $935.00 to repair the sound board that is used in the Cafeteria for plays, etc.; $3,400.00 for the annual license renewal for the payroll and budgeting software; and $2,722.50 for after school tutoring of Elementary students ($2,790 has previously been paid during the current school year. For the 2005-06 school year $11,685.00 was paid for tutoring.). All other Agenda items were unanimously approved. There were no comments during "Public Comment" and "Board Comment." 3/20/08 Board Meeting Results Including Facility Usage Discussion And Other Info (3/21/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Principals Douglass and Foster, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Melinda Shultz and daughter Madison, Marsha Roberts and Ryan Hartzler. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $255,161.91 including $55.00 for teacher Nicole Monical to attend a conference regarding development of a portfolio as part of the two-year Beginning Teacher Internship program required by the Indiana Department of Education; $124.99 for teacher Cari Butcher to attend an Agricultural Education Conference at Trafalgar, IN; $820.00 for Randy Sommers to attend the Annual Conference of the National School Boards Association being held in Orlando, FL; $5,600 to J.I. Educational Consultants (this is for 14 days of assistance by Interim Superintendent Iran Floyd at $400.00 per day); $445.25 for travel and lodging for two consultants assisting with the superintendent search; $3,966.00 for a replacement copier in the Athletic Office; $2,610.00 for a sound system for the baseball field; $1,400 for the annual licensing of the school database system ("Schoolmaster," there will be an additional fee of about $600.00 later for modules that were added after the initial installation); and $24,382.00 for diesel fuel (this is purchased about 4 times per year; all of our bus fleet are diesel except the smaller activity buses and the school van and pickup). All agenda items intended for action were unanimously approved including: accepting the resignation of Michelle Hines as varsity girls' basketball coach; awarding the Corporation's liability insurance to Patriot Insurance Group for 12 months at a cost of $49,637; establishing the 2008 summer drivers education fee at $335.00; approving mentor (for the Beginning Teacher Internship program) stipends at $600.00 for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years; approval of a Senior Class trip to Cedar Point at Sandusky, OH May 23-25, 2008; approval of Kindergarten Teachers Judy Burkhart and Heidi Rudicel to attend a workshop on June 26 & 27, 2008 in Indianapolis; and adoption of World Languages & English/Language Arts Textbooks. Although not listed on the published agenda Leah Walsh Hinderlider was unanimously approved as the Assistant Softball coach for the 2008 season. Use of Facilities - Current Policy and Administrative Guidelines as well as past Board action and current practices regarding the use of the gyms by basketball groups on Sundays were discussed at some length. Phillips' understanding of the discussion is that there is Board consensus that participants must have complied with the following provisions and be listed by the School Administration as having done so and that children/students will not be allowed to participate or be in the school building during this time. Interim Superintendent Floyd will prepare recommended revisions to Policy and/or Administrative Guidelines to this effect for consideration by the Board at its April 3rd or April 17th meeting. Administrative Guideline 7510A presently reads, in part, "...Groups or persons will not be granted permits when the request is for activities that are limited by closed enrollment...All groups or individuals must have or obtain medical/liability insurance to cover participants with at least $300,000 per person bodily injury liability and $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability limits...Responsibility for enforcement of rules and regulations concerning use of Corporation facilities rests with the user group, and any infractions of the above regulations may be grounds for refusing to grant subsequent requests for the use of Corporation facilities...If a key is required for entry into school facilities the individual from the using group that has been identified as being in charge of supervision will be issued those key(s) by the building principal, Athletic Director, or Supervisor of Maintenance..." Administrative Guideline 7510B presently reads, in part, "...School space and facilities are not to be used by either school or non-school groups on Sundays or holidays unless given specific approval by the Board of School Trustees..." Other relevant information regarding use of facilities: Policy 7510 and Administrative Guideline 7510C There were no comments during "Public Comment" and "Board Comment." 4/3/08 Board Meeting Results Including School Facility Use, Drug Testing Guidelines And Other Info (4/4/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Dan Foster and Assistant Principal Doug Olsson. The March 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $533,552.32 including $12,440.03 that was applied towards teacher salaries/Social Security for those teaching Advanced Placement classes (these are funds received from the State based upon the number of students receiving an Academic Honors Diploma); $20,829.24 for coaching salaries/Social Security for winter sports (this is paid from the General Fund); $768.89 transfer tuition for a student placed at the Kinsey Youth Center in Kokomo, IN; $3,210.60 for an Internet Security Filter; $3,652.26 as an annual maintenance fee for the Internet Security Filter; $38,175.00 for a new activity bus, gas powered, delivered on April 1; and $640.00 for random student drug testing. Superintendent Floyd recommended revisions to Policy 7510, Use Of School Facilities and advised the Board of revisions to Administrative Guideline 7510A. This topic was also discussed at the March 20, 2008 Board Meeting. Recommended revision to Policy 7510: (add following I) "J. resident adult women's and men's basketball program. No school age students are allowed to participate in the adult women's and men's basketball program under any circumstance." Mr. Floyd presented the following revision to Administrative Guideline 7510A: (add following Z) "AA. The person requesting the Use of Facility shall submit to the corporation office a list of participants and a copy of each participant's medical/liability insurance form. Children should not accompany participants to the gym. Outside doors shall be locked at all times and not be propped open. All other use of facility regulations shall be followed." Considerable discussion followed regarding both. There was Board consensus to regard the above Policy revision as a first reading and it will be eligible for final action at the next meeting. The Board unanimously approved changing the start time for the April 17th meeting to 6:30P.M. Mr. Floyd informed the Board that the Administration feels the need to "tighten up" Administrative Guideline 5530.01, Drug-Testing. The sentence, "If a student is unable to produce a sample at the appointed timed, s/he will be asked to provide a sample later in the same day" will be replaced with "All students will remain under supervision until they have produced an adequate urine sample. If unable to or refuses to provide a specimen, the student may be given up to twelve (12) ounces of water. If still unable to or refuses to produce a specimen within one hour, the student will be taken to the principal's office and told he/she is no longer eligible for any extracurricular or co-curricular activity, or be allowed to drive to or from school. The failure or refusal to provide a sample will be treated as a 'positive' test result. In addition, the parents/guardian will be telephoned and informed the student is unable to produce a sample for the testing procedure and that he/she may be tested at a later date to be reinstated for eligibility as specified in the extra-curricular activity guidelines." Since the Board does not formally act on Administrative Guidelines it informally indicated its support of this revision. There were no comments during "Public Comment" and "Board Comment." 4/17/08 Board Meeting Results Including School Facility Use, Drug Testing Guidelines And Other Info (4/19/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Principals Douglass and Foster, Teacher Connie Terpstra, several foreign exchange students and host families, and Jeff Jones, a vendor for copier machines. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $309,048.05 including $5,777.52 for substitute teacher pay (this amount is for one month and includes a long-term substitute on the teacher salary schedule; the daily rate is $50.00 to $75.00 depending on degree and whether long term without a teaching license); $6521.20 for annual license renewal regarding NWEA testing; and $82,605.00 for a 78 passenger school bus. All Agenda items, including the 2008-09 school calendar and revised Policy 7510, were unanimously approved. It should be noted that 2008 summer school will be for 10 days (Agenda says 9) and will be from July 28 through August 8 (Agenda says August 7). During "Public Comment" Jeff Jones shared some remarks. There were no comments during "Board Comment." 5/6/08 Board Meeting Results Including Superintendent Search Suspended, Full Day Kindergarten Approved, Amber Helt To Assist In Library And Other Info (5/7/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Principals Douglass and Foster, Assistant Principal Doug Olsson and teacher Amber Helt. The April 30, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $383,489.84 including $4,239.20 for Library books, videos and DVDs; $1,313.12 for travel, meals and lodging for Randy Sommers to attend the NSBA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL (previously $820.00 for registration was approved); $1,437.32 to repair cafeteria equipment; $4,008.09 for three additional security cameras to be used on the premises; $1,050 annual licensing fee for the Elementary database system; $257.33 to complete the school year with the automated calling system; $1,117.50 to pay Elementary teachers for Extended Learning Program, i.e. after school tutoring; and $555.00 for random student drug testing. Mary Nell Smith, Media Specialist (i.e. Librarian), is planning to retire at the end of next school year. Paulletta Shafer, Library Aide, is retiring at the end of the current school year. Mr. Floyd recommended that Amber Helt, Jr. High English teacher, be transferred to the Aide position for next school year, however, she would be paid on the teacher salary schedule. The intent is that upon Mrs. Smith's retirement Mrs. Helt would then move into the position of Media Specialist. The difference between what Mrs. Helt would be paid as a teacher and what a first year aide would be paid is about $16,000. Although Phillips understands some of the advantages in this recommendation including the transition to different personnel overseeing the Library he expressed being "somewhat uneasy" due to the cost and wanting to be prudent with "taxpayer dollars." After further discussion a motion to make the transfer was unanimously approved. The Elementary and Jr.-Sr. High School Handbooks for the 2008-09 school year were unanimously approved as presented. Unanimous approval was given to providing Full Day Kindergarten for all students beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. All items on the published Agenda received unanimous approval. There were no comments during "Public Comment." During "Board Comment" President Cress announced, "The Caston School Board has suspended its search for a superintendent, therefore, Iran Floyd will continue as the Interim Superintendent until further notice." 5/22/08 Board Meeting Results Including Retirement, Resignation, Jr. High Washington, D.C. Trip, H.S. Math Course Change, June 3 Bd. Mtg. Changed To June 5, First Reading Of New/Revised/Replacement Policies And Other Info (5/24/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Principal Foster, Assistant Principal Olsson and Teachers Kathy Zentz, Mike Buczkowski and Bob Uhrich. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $299,777.65 including $3,221.86 for Library books; $1,620.00 for maintenance of equipment at Century Career Center (a 6 month assessment); $9,737.87 to run electrical lines to new pole building at water treatment plant; $1,197.67 for five new trumpets; $11,727to replace copier in Jr.-Sr. H.S. Office; $695.00 for annual renewal of software license for Food Service Program; $977.60 for 2 1/2 hours of professional development by Dr. Rebecca Pierce, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Dr. Cheryll Adams, Dir. of the Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development (both of Ball State University) for Jr.-Sr. H.S. staff on differentiated instruction; and $600.00 for random student drug testing. Unanimously approved were the following: effective the end of the 2007-08 school year the retirement of Patricia Lowe and the resignation of Steven Curtis, both teachers; the Jr. High Washington, D.C. trip for May 31-June 4, 2009 with an estimated cost per student of $635.00; replacing a one semester Trigonometry course and one semester Probability and Statistics course with a full year Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry course and changing the June 3rd Board Meeting to June 5th. A first reading for fourteen new/revised/replacement policies occurred (see policy titles on Agenda). Included is policy titled "Whistleblower Protection" that reads, in part: "It is the responsibility of an employee who is aware of conduct on the part of any Board member or employee that possibly violates Federal or State law, or Board policy, to call this conduct to the attention of his/her immediate supervisor." All Agenda items eligible for final action were unanimously approved. 6/10/08 Board Meeting Results Including Employment Of Melissa Brown, Policy Adoption Including "Whistleblower Protection" And Other Info (6/11/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Principals Douglass and Foster, Teacher Christy Skinner and Cafeteria Manager Kathy Ward. The May 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $692,612.30 including $10,825.00 for spring coaching by teachers and $7,110.00 for spring coaching by non-teachers; $139,107.50 for a semi-annual lease rental payment when the large courtyard between the two schools was enclosed for classroom and guidance office space; $2,018.40 for repairs on the dishwasher; $1,375.56 for repair to the walk-in cooler and fryer; $169,166.54 for the spring contract payment for the energy savings contract (completed air conditioning of building, new lights and window glass, etc.); $6,177.23 for annual software license renewal for Accelerated Reading & Math Programs as well as Star Early Literacy Program; $4,954.00 for aluminum bleachers for softball field; $1,548.00 to continue for the 2008-09 school year the automated calling system to parents; and $31,054.14 for diesel fuel for the school bus fleet (this purchase is made 3 or 4 times a year). All Agenda items, except as noted below, eligible for final action were unanimously approved. Unanimously approved were the employment of Melissa Brown as Jr. High English Teacher with the start of the 2008-09 school year and a two and one-half percent increase in the Support Staff Salary Schedule for 2008-09. Approved 4 to 1 (Ayers) were policies 1200, 1214, 1231, 3231, 3430.01, 4430.01, 6150, 6520, 8310, 8900 and 9800 (see Agenda for policy titles). Three policies (1411, 3211 and 4211), "Whistleblower Protection," were approved 4 to 1 (Phillips). The protection aspect of these policies is supported by Phillips. However, the policies also include, "It is the responsibility of an employee who is aware of conduct on the part of any Board member or employee that possibly violates Federal or State law, or Board policy, to call this conduct to the attention of his/her immediate supervisor...employees are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, if they are aware of a violation of Federal, State, or local law that the Board has the authority to correct and they do not make a report confirmed in writing to their immediate supervisor..." Phillips believes this portion of the policy is impractical and unreasonable. (There are three policies because one is for Administration, one for Professional Staff and one for Support Staff.) 6/19/08 Board Meeting Results Including Employment Of Stephanie Watts, Discussion Of Possibility (No Action Taken) Of Increasing Debt Service Rate, And Other Info (6/21/08) - Attending this meeting were Interim Superintendent Floyd, all Board members, Principals Douglass and Foster, Assistant Principal Olsson and Deb Smith, Administrative Associate - Finance. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $396,266.97 including $1,572.00 for membership by the three building administrators in their state and national principals' associations; $4,000.00 for painting of several areas (back hallway, Director of Technology office, portions of the Guidance Suite and several classrooms); $6,406.16 for fencing the water treatment plant; $2,945.44 for second installment of putting Policy and Administrative Guidelines online as well as updates; and $300.00 for random student drug testing. All Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved including the employment, effective with the 2008-09 school year, of Stephanie Watts to teach math in the Jr.-Sr. High School. Review of initial budget concepts were discussed (no action was taken). Due to projected 2008 Capital Project Funds (CPF) being cut by the State discussion ensued regarding various options. It was CPF that were to be used for enlarging the Kindergarten area. This discussion included the possibility (no action was taken) of increasing the Debt Service rate if it is decided to proceed with this expansion project. There was also additional discussion that could result in an increased Debt Service rate. It is Phillips understanding that this will receive further discussion at the July 1st meeting that will include the first budget work session. The School Board Retreat will be held Wednesday, June 25th from
8:00A.M. until 4:00P.M. in the Elementary Library Classroom. This Retreat will
be conducted in public. The purpose of the Retreat is for School Board Training
and to discuss goals, etc. |
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