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Bylaws, Policies & Administrative Guidelines |
Snippets 2008-09 (Pg. 1)
Snippets Index: The Snippets information is organized by a July through the following June format, generally corresponding to the school year. 7/1/08 Board Meeting Results Including Foster Hired As Superintendent, Olsson Hired As Jr.-Sr. High School Principal, Cress Re-Elected Board President And Other Info (7/2/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principal Foster, Assistant Principal Olsson, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Deb Smith, Rachel Foster, Ella Foster and Melissa Soria of the Logansport Pharos~Tribune. The June 30, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $306,281.55 including $600.00 for a Rochester Community Schools teacher to serve as a mentor for a beginning Caston teacher and another $600.00 for an Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation's teacher to serve as a mentor for another beginning Caston teacher; $19,980.00 (semi-annual payment) for Caston students to attend the Century Career Center; $38,677.20 (10 payments during year) for Caston students to receive special education services; $500.00 bond premium for Cozy Grable (Corporation treasurer) and Anna Mae Kinzie (Cafeteria Cashier); $1,620.00 (semi-annual payment) for equipment repair for Caston students attending Century Career Center; $2,500.00 (quarterly payment) for $100,000 interest free loan used for the energy savings project; $1,581.80 for pre-school special education services; and $1,938.00 for after school tutoring of Elementary students. Unanimously re-elected as Board President was Bruce Cress, as Vice-President was James Ayers and as Secretary was Randy Sommers. By a 4 to 1 (Phillips) vote Dan Foster was employed as Superintendent effective August 7, 2008 through June 30, 2011. Phillips commented, "...this goes back to several months ago when the Board interviewed three different individuals, one being Mr. Foster. One of the other individuals was my top choice for the position of superintendent. However, I have considerable respect for Mr. Foster and look forward to working with him." By a 4 to 1 (Phillips) vote Doug Olsson was employed as Jr.-Sr. High School Principal effective August 7, 2008 through June 30, 2010. Phillips said, "Hiring Mr. Olsson as Principal is intertwined with the timeline of hiring Mr. Foster tonight. It should be noted that the Board did not during 2008 publicize the Jr.-Sr. High School Principalship Vacancy or conduct interviews for it. However, I also look forward to working with Mr. Olsson." By a 4 to 1 (Phillips) vote the contracts of Elementary Principal Cindy Douglass and Athletic Director Debb Stevens were extended through June 30, 2010. Phillips remarked, "...my opposing the contract extensions of Mrs. Douglass and Miss Stevens has nothing to do with their job performance. The law does not require, at this time, that these contracts be extended through June 2010 and I do not believe we should extend contracts beyond what the law requires due to the inherent financial liability in doing so." All other Agenda items were unanimously approved as presented with the exception of Tara Hubenthal, who withdrew her name, as 2008-09 Junior High Cheer Coach. "Scorecard" Posting From 7/1/08 Meeting (7/2/08) 7/24/08 Board Meeting Results Including Employment Of Chad Carlson, Consideration Of Field Trip Fee Due To Fuel Cost Increase, Possibility Of Eliminating One Bus Route And Other Info (7/26/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principals Douglass & Foster, Assistant Principal Olsson, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Deb Smith, Bob Skinner, Terry Ulerick, Dick Arthur and Chad Carlson. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $323,896.01 including $3,600.00 for coaches conducting Summer Camps, Weight Training, Open Gym, etc; $837 registration cost for three teachers attending "Camp Kindergarten;" $615.31 for fuel for drivers' training vehicle; $500.00 for Robert Poffenbarger who facilitated School Board Retreat; $963.54 for registration, lodging and meals for Dan Foster, Bruce Cress and Russell Phillips to attend the ISBA Summer Academy in Indianapolis; $13,711.05 for an additional 18 video projectors and $1,200.00 for ten recapped tires to be used on rear of buses. Unanimously approved was the employment of Chad Carlson on a two-year contract (205 days per school year) as Caston Jr.-Sr. High School Assistant Principal at a salary of $56,000 for the first year. Due to the significant increase in fuel cost during recent months Mr. Floyd recommended that the number of field trips and extra-curricular trips be limited and that a fee be assessed the students to defray the cost of fuel. Considerable discussion followed. In response to a question from Cress Mr. Floyd stated we may have to be "a little more selective" regarding how this fee would be assessed for athletic trips. It is projected that fuel costs for 2008 will exceed what was budgeted by about $50,000 (most of this is due to regular bus routes). Phillips noted that in the past the Corporation paid all the fuel cost for these trips and now it was being proposed that the Corporation pay none of the cost. Sommers expressed that he didn't feel the students should have to pay the entire fuel cost. Cress agreed with Sommer's comment. In response to a question from Phillips Mr. Floyd stated that it was possible to subsidize fuel cost with General Fund monies although he would not recommend doing so. Phillips noted there is a balance of about $2.6 million in the General Fund and the State suggests that a balance of about $1.2 million for Caston is prudent, thus, it seems reasonable to him that some of these monies could be used to subsidize fuel costs. Sommers noted that all school corporations are faced with this issue and predicted that the State is going to have to assist the schools in addressing this problem. Sommers noted that he would like to have more data (# of trips taken, miles traveled, etc.) before making a decision and moved that the item be tabled. After being seconded the motion was unanimously supported. By a 4 to 1 (Phillips) it was approved for Terry Ulerick to attend the National Transportation Convention at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from Oct. 26-30, 2008. In response to a question from Phillips Mr. Floyd confirmed that the cost for this trip and the fuel cost for buses both come from the Transportation Fund. Mr. Floyd stated the possibility of reducing the number of bus routes from 13 to 12 is being explored and that parents will be informed of any changes taking place. The Board unanimously approved, effective with the August 5th Board Meeting, regular meetings will occur on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. However, the regular starting time will be 7:00P.M. All other Agenda items were unanimously approved as presented. "Scorecard" Posting From 7/24/08 Meeting (7/26/08) 8/5/08 Board Meeting Results Including Salaries For Superintendent And Jr.-Sr. High School Principal, Employment Of Additional Kindergarten Teacher, Discussion Of Superintendent Job Description And Other Info (8/6/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Interim Superintendent Floyd, Principals Foster and Douglass, Assistant Principal Olsson and Deb Smith, Administrative Associate - Finance. The July 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $184,391.57 including $4,000.00 retainer fee for Corporation Attorney Bob Murray; $9,899.63 to replace the electric steam generator for the food service program; $2,581.12 to repair HVAC equipment; $1,497.59 to purchase a laptop computer for Doug Olsson; $340.00 for consultation regarding new email software program; and $1,548.00 for annual license renewal for computer network (Novell). All other Agenda items were unanimously approved including a $91,000 salary for Superintendent Dan Foster for 260 days, a $76,000 salary for Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Doug Olsson for 225 days and the employment of Rachelle Sarver for the 2008-09 school year who will be teaching Kindergarten. Also, unanimously approved were 23 additional days of compensation for Dan Foster at principal rate for days worked above and beyond his 225 day contract. The proposed 2009 Budgets were further reviewed and it was stated that there is a good possibility that we will spend more General Fund dollars than what is received and that this is possible due to cash balance on hand. The Budgets were unanimously approved for advertising. A thirty minute discussion took place on various improvements and upgrades that need to occur on the buildings and grounds. Some of the minor ones are currently being taken care of. The administration will further review the items and secure estimated costs for these improvements. Currently $331,000 has been set aside for possible expansion of the area used for Kindergarten last school year. However, it is Phillips' understanding that these dollars will now be utilized for various other improvements and it is also his understanding that if expansion of the previously mentioned area is undertaken it would be done through the Debt Service Fund. It was also mentioned that currently $83,280 has been set aside for eventual improvements to the Transportation Building. Policy 1230, "Responsibilities of the Superintendent" was discussed. With Dan Foster assuming the superintendency it was felt timely to review this policy. Phillips stated he would like to see the administration put greater emphasis on communicating with the Caston community regarding its schools. Several possible ways of doing this were discussed. Phillips also mentioned that he would like to see the administration take a closer look at vocational/technical training for students, alternative education programs for students who would be better served in such a setting, delivering of programming with the technology that is available currently, and joint programs with other agencies. At a future meeting a revised policy will be brought to the Board for a first reading. 8/19/08 Board Meeting Results Including 803 Students Enrolled, Master Contract Ratified, Non-Certified Employee Benefits Discussed, Possibility Of Merging Some Services With Other Districts To Be Studied And Other Info (8/21/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principals Douglass and Olsson and Corporation Attorney Bob Murray. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $334,082.66 including $409.64 to publish the Annual Financial Report in the Kewanna Observer (this must be published in each county and in a newspaper within the Caston School Corporation if available, thus, the reason it is not published in The Rochester Sentinel); $13,800.00 for 34.5 days of work by Interim Superintendent Iran Floyd and $13,573.80 for electrical energy. All other Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved with one exception. Consent Agenda, Item F, to employ Lyn Loper as bus driver for Century Career Center students was withdrawn. Caston will contract with Rochester Community Schools to transport these students. Superintendent Foster stated that currently there are 434 students enrolled in Kindergarten through 6th grade and 369 in 7th through 12th grade for a total of 803 students. Board President Bruce Cress was unanimously approved to serve on the Oversight Committee along with others including representatives of Rochester Community Schools and Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. This Committee will select a person or firm to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of merging some services between the schools. Each school system will have six persons serving on this Committee. Other representatives of Caston are: Dan Foster, Cindy Douglass, Gary Smith, Harry Richter and a parent yet to be named. In response to Phillips' question as to whether the Study would include the feasibility of merging school districts Foster responded, "That's not the intent...it's simply a merging of services..." Unanimous approval was given for the Superintendent and Board members to attend the Fall Conference of the Indiana School Boards Association to be held in Indianapolis on September 29 & 30, 2008 with registration cost of $190.00 per individual. Unanimously approved was the Master Contract, effective September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2010, with the Caston Classroom Teachers' Association. Among the details are a 2 1/2% salary increase the first year and 3% increase the second year. The total two-year cost of the Contract is estimated to be $227,365 above and beyond the cost of the current contract. General Fund dollars pay for this. The State projects that Caston will receive an increase of $126,762.00 in General Fund dollars for 2009. (Click here to see the current General Fund balance.) Other Contract provisions include a health insurance premium holiday for certified employees for September 2008 and a bonus payment of $500 to each active teacher on 12/10/08. Unanimous approval was given to paying a $50.00 stipend to each contracted bus driver as an act of gratitude for their time and effort in recent days in smoothing the transition from 13 to 12 regular bus routes. There was considerable discussion regarding extra-curricular transportation specifically as it regards athletic teams and cheerleaders. This stems from the superintendent's decision last school year, due to rapidly rising fuel costs, that athletes and cheerleaders would ride the same bus. After a variety of viewpoints were expressed no formal action was taken by the Board. Also discussed were possible changes in the Classified, Transportation and Food Service Handbooks. Some of these possible changes include upgraded/new benefits. It was mentioned that an overall cost summary for the proposed changes would be helpful. Phillips expressed the opinion that the various groups of non-certified employees should have the opportunity to express what benefits are of greatest interest to them realizing that the Board needs to act prudently regarding any new costs that would be incurred. Phillips also expressed that he feels there are inequities in the current benefits that need to be addressed. Chief among them is the fact that cafeteria employees, even those working 7 hours daily, receive only one-half the health insurance benefit that other non-teaching employees, including bus drivers, custodians, secretaries and aides receive. He feels that explains why none of the cafeteria ladies, except the Cafeteria Manager who receives the same benefit as other non-teaching employees, participate in the health insurance program. The number of participants in each group, including certified (i.e. teachers...), are shown in the table below. Additional background information from previous Board discussions is available here.
9/2/08 Board Meeting Results Including Lengthy Discussion Of Recommended Revisions To Non-Certified Handbooks And Other Info (9/4/08) Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principals Douglass and Olsson, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray and Teacher Christy Skinner. The August 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $172,750.19 including $3,328.00 for a presenter to spend all day August 12th with the teachers instructing about the use of technology and specifically about educational resources available on the Internet; $27,500.20 to provide special education services (billing occurs ten times annually); $572.61 for publishing the Annual Finance Report in the Logansport Pharos~Tribune; $293.29 for publishing the 2009 Annual Budget in the Kewanna Observer; $175.00 to bond the Extra-Curricular Treasurer (annually); $9,161.50 to replace student desks/chairs and teacher desk in two 6th grade classrooms; $450.00 for annual license renewal for Board Bylaws/Policies to be online and $946.28 to transport student to Indiana Blind School. All Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved except for Conflict of Interest statement from Joyce Zartman who abstained. This pertained to her husband, Marty Zartman, being eligible to substitute teach. The Classified, Transportation and Food Service Handbooks with proposed new and upgraded benefits were discussed (i.e. no formal action taken) for more than one hour. Superintendent Foster suggested a Dental/Vision benefit of $414 per year, an Attendance Incentive, a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Benefit Association) of either $350 or $700 - this is a tax-exempt amount that may be used for medical expenses not paid by health insurance and a Retirement/Severance Benefit (the retirement benefit would not exceed $10,000 per eligible individual). The maximum cumulative retirement benefit for all of the above employees is projected to be $348,850 spread over a number of years. A few of the comments and a part of the discussion follows: Foster - "...basically I've come up with a package that is pretty similar to what the teachers are receiving..." Zartman - "...I'm just not real comfortable giving all these other increases...until we see what the State does next year." Phillips - "...I also have an unsettled feeling where we are going to be a year from now..." (regarding State funding) Phillips - "I think an assumption is being made that if a benefit is provided to the certified (teachers) it should be provided to the non-certified (non-teachers)...I'm not ready to support that assumption in all cases..." Phillips - "I have heard it said that the...non-certified do not have any retirement benefit...to take that literally I don't think that is correct because any of the non-certified that participate in PERF (Public Employees Retirement Fund), that is a retirement benefit and the Corporation pays 12%...of their salary into PERF. Now I realize that the bus drivers do not participate in PERF..." Phillips - "...I feel there is an inequity in that the cafeteria receives only one-half the health insurance benefit..." If the cafeteria receives only one-half ($350 instead of $700) the VEBA benefit that just compounds the inequity. Phillips - There is at least one new benefit that suggests tying the benefit to the Teacher Master Contract provision. I hesitate to tie any new benefit for the non-certified directly to the Master Contract. It was reported that the Cafeteria Mgr. works 8 hours daily, 4 others work 7 hours, 1 works 6 1/2 hours, 1 works 6 hours and 3 work 4 hours. There was considerable discussion regarding whether they should receive the same health insurance benefit as the other non-certified personnel. Sommers - "...for some reason I guess I felt...I was under the understanding there were a lot more in the 4 hour range than there were in the 6 1/2 and 7 hour range...for most that's pretty much a full days work..." Cress - "So you would suggest Randy that the cafeteria workers would receive full benefits?" Sommers - Looking at their hours "...they're entitled to them compared to some of the other employees..." Phillips - When discussing how to fund possible benefits for cafeteria ladies, "...to my way of thinking you can't pass the entire cost on to increasing prices (breakfast & lunch)." Ayers - "The rest of the economy does." Ayers - "...categorically you can sit here and say the insurance industry and the health care industry is not going to get cheaper, I mean don't be foolish." Sommers - Regarding Dental/Vision insurance, "...I'm not in favor of paying 100% for it (a $414 annual benefit)." Cress - "I'm not in favor of giving 100% either." Cress - "...I'd be more apt to give the food service...health insurance benefit than accumulated sick days..." Again, the above is only part of the discussion that occurred. It is Phillips' opinion that the Board was reluctant to support all of the suggestions at the level indicated as put forth by Superintendent Foster. From the discussion that occurred Foster will bring back to the Board a revised recommendation for consideration. Previous discussions and background information on this may be found here and here. 9/16/08 Board Meeting Results Including Approval Of Retirement Benefit For Non-Certified Staff And Other Info (9/21/08) Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principals Douglass and Olsson, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Teacher Jill Strasser and Bus Drivers Roy Flint, Peggy Dague, John Mollencupp, Jeanne Eytcheson, Beth Liming, Deb Walsh, Darla Powlen and Tricia Martin. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $279,820.34. All Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved except for the Classified, Transportation and Cafeteria Handbooks (see explanation below). The following bus drivers addressed the Board:
Superintendent Foster recommended the approval of the Classified, Transportation and Cafeteria Handbooks. Part of this recommendation included:
Superintendent Foster's recommendation was approved 4 to 1 (Phillips). The following is background information and some of the considerations made by Phillips in not supporting this recommendation:
The State is assuming all General Fund expenses beginning in 2009. However, it remains to be seen how adequately the State will meet this obligation as well as other changes enacted by the 2008 Legislature. Although Phillips was supportive of some additional benefits he felt that the total cost represented by the above was too great. "Scorecard" Posting From 9/16/08 Meeting (9/21/08) 10/7/08 Board Meeting Results Including 20 Student Chairs Declared Surplus/Junk, Membership In National School Boards Association Turned Down, Date Of Next Board Meeting Changed And Other Info (10/11/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principal Douglass, and Corporation Attorney Bob Murray. The September 30, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $432,509.84 including $490.73 for an AM/FM receiver with speakers and a DVD/VCR player for the Library; $520.10 to repair the public address system in the Press Box at the football/soccer field; and $2,534.19 to transport a student to the Indiana Blind School in Indianapolis. Among the items unanimously approved were: 20 Kindergarten-size chairs were declared surplus/junk and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; four teachers to attend an Advanced Placement Conference in their respective areas (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, English and Calculus); changing the date of the next School Board meeting to Monday, October 20th; FFA students to attend the National Convention at Indianapolis and the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, KY. The Board unanimously turned down membership in the National School Boards Association for the current school year at a cost of $1,088. 10/20/08 Board Meeting Results Including Approved Claim For Architect Services, Employment Of Curt Kline As 5th Grade Boys' Basketball Coach And Other Info (10/21/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray and patron, Marty Zartman. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $240,922.48 including $179.96 for mileage, lodging and parking for Russell Phillips who attended the ISBA Fall Conference in Indianapolis on Sep. 29 and 30; $1,088.26 for architect services to project costs for various projects under consideration; $2,185.88 for laptop computer with docking station to be used by the Elementary Principal; $995.96 for four printers; $693.00 for website software to be used by 21 teachers; $2,007.90 for spam software; $246.00 for bus driver random drug testing and $310.00 for random student drug testing. The meeting was quick (6 minutes) due to a short agenda. All items were unanimously approved including the employment of Curt Kline as 5th grade boys' basketball coach. 11/4/08 Board Meeting Results Including Discussion Of Report "Estimates Of Facility Projects 2008" And Other Info (11/8/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principals Olsson and Douglass, Architect Mark Mattox and Teacher Jennifer Baxter. The October 31, 2008 Treasurer's Report (see excerpts) was unanimously approved as presented. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $394,703.48 including $30,488 for fall coaches; $1,100 for Elementary School professional development activity ("Connecting with Others"); $27,500.20 for special education services (a similar amount is paid ten times per year); $1,148.85 for about 69 books for the Library; $4,800 for a heat pump to be used in the water testing lab and $26,786.07 for diesel fuel (receive 3-4 loads per year). All Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved. Architect Mark Mattox presented and discussed with the Board his report, "Estimates for Facility Projects 2008." It is emphasized that these are "estimates" and not formal quotes of cost. The Board only discussed this information. No formal action was taken on any of the nineteen items included in the Report. The Board also requested Mr. Mattox to work on cost estimates for updating the Bus Barn including the possibility of adding one or more additional service bays; improving the ground drainage in the Bus Barn area and to consider how school building space might more effectively be used.
11/18/08 Board Meeting Results Including Discussion Of Revised Report "Estimates Of Facility Projects 2008," Approval Of Study Regarding Possibility Of Merging Services With Two Other School Systems And Other Info (11/20/08) - Attending this meeting were all Board members, Superintendent Foster, Principal Douglass, Corporation Attorney Bob Murray, Architect Mark Mattox, Teacher Shirley Musselman and Patron Tracy Monical. Unanimously approved were claims totaling $240,417.41 including $554.00 for 158 Library books; $50.00 annual fee that provides free criminal history checks for teachers renewing their license and volunteers; $291.19 to repair copier in ISS/Study Hall Room; $1,262.83 (paid quarterly) for maintenance agreement (including toner) for copier in Jr.-Sr. High School Office; $420.87 for 5 hours ($80/hr.) architectural services and supplies; $987.23 for peripherals for technology equipment and $1,072.89 for mileage (one way) and lodging for Terry Ulerick to attend the National Transportation Convention at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. All Agenda items eligible for action were unanimously approved. Two new school buses to be delivered in 2009 were purchased for a total net cost of $165,680. One bus will have a wheelchair lift. Approval was given to employ the vendor "Administrator Assistance" to conduct a study on the feasibility of merging certain services. The study, at a cost of $23,500 paid for by a grant, is being conducted for Caston, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and Rochester Community Schools. Mr. Foster emphasized that any recommendations that are included in the study are "advisory" only. The Final Report of the study is to be provided by May 10, 2009. Phillips asked, "Is it still correct that certainly it's outside the scope of this study to explore the feasibility or the merits of literally school consolidation?" Foster responded, "Based on what they gave us that night I think if that became what they felt as evident and this really needs to be done that would be a recommendation from them." (Earlier conversation will be found here.) Architect Mark Mattox returned and discussed revisions/additions to his report, "Estimates for Facility Projects 2008," based upon discussion with the Board at its last meeting. It is emphasized that these are "estimates" and not formal quotes of cost. The Board only discussed this information. No formal action was taken on any of the now twenty-three items included in the revised Report. You will notice that numbers 18 and 19 below are a revision from what is reported above from the last Board meeting. Numbers 20 through 23 have been added. Number 20 relates to the possibility of relocating the current Elementary Art Room to the room where the faculty and staff currently eat lunch. The current Elementary Art Room would then be used for Kindergarten.
Mr. Mattox indicated that if the weight training area was relocated to part of the industrial arts area the weight training area would gain about 25% additional square footage. Phillips encouraged the Administration to inform those staff that could be impacted be these possibilities under consideration and to seek their input. Also, since dollars available are limited he suggested that we look at what might typically be thought of as "in-house" projects at the same time that we consider these larger projects. These usually are smaller and less costly projects and ones that often times it is felt that school maintenance staff can complete or area construction firms. The difficulty is that sometimes these projects get lost in the shuffle, so to speak, and never get completed or at least not in a timely manner. Mrs. Musselman also encouraged seeking the input of teachers who would be impacted by these projects. Due to a schedule conflict it was decided to cancel the December 2nd Board meeting. Thus, the next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00P.M. |
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