Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained that the public hearing completes the second of three steps required locally to send the budgets for state level processing. He also noted that during a board work session on the budget, he was asked to look up how the EPCS tax rates compare with surrounding schools. Klitzman reported back that after a survey of area schools, the EPCS tax rate falls in the lower third.

Also at the meeting, Jim Fleury of Monterey presented the petition that has been circulated in Tippecanoe Township in the past few months, requesting that the township be annexed into the EPCS district. Fleury reported the petition was also submitted to the Culver School Corporation (which currently includes Tippecanoe Township) earlier this month.

In his report, the superintendent noted the school's Distance Learning Lab is designed to house many different groups and fulfill many different needs. At present, it is being used for classes by Ivy Tech on Mondays and Wednesdays to offer an electrical class to Winamac Specialty Products (Plymouth Tube) and Braun Corporation employees. The school has an "in-kind" agreement with Ivy Tech - they use the facilities for classes at no charge, and the local employees take the classes at no charge.

Klitzman also reported on some of the projects the staff hopes to complete over Christmas break. They include switching over pneumatic controls to digital controls in four more classrooms, resealing the middle and high school gym floors, shampooing carpets and waxing floors, and coating one grade level's chalkboards at the elementary school to make them into "whiteboards."

During the principals' reports, the board learned that several students have been selected for the All State Choir program. Middle school students are Mary Murray, Taylor Smith and David Kauffman. Elementary students are Jenny Budd, Carson Despot, Mason McDaniel, Haley Sanders and Clair Stout.

Middle school principal Stan Good commended teachers Patrick Schuttrow and Micah Combs for the "outstanding" middle school band and choir Christmas concert.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that 12 seniors and 15 juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society on Nov. 17. Teacher Jan Moore was thanked for coordinating the event, as sponsor. He also reported on re-testing for the "End-of-Course" assessments, and noted that remediation went well.

DeFries also noted that the high school has coordinated with the Indiana Blood Center for blood drives the past several years. Because of this relationship, the Blood Center will offer one senior an opportunity to receive a $400 scholarship. The only criteria is that the recipient gives blood twice during his/her senior year.

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on Christmas program schedules.

Under action items, the board approved a conflict of interest form, as per state statute, for substitute teacher applicant Justin Schramm and his father Chris who is a school board member.

Approval was given for the Shakespeare (Saturday) Class to take an out-of-state field trip to Navy Pier in Chicago in April.

The next school board meeting will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 9, in the Distance Learning Lab.