He added that a casual overview indicates that EPCS is at the top of all schools in the area. He is also pleased at the upward trend the school system has enjoyed for several years, noting the faculty and staff have "worked hard to make this happen."

In other business, Dr. Klitzman reported that Erica Richwine was one of 200 teachers nationally to be chosen to attend the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. Teachers from across the country will learn innovative math and science teaching skills at the academy. This is an intensive, one-week, all-expenses-paid professinal development program.

Dr. Klitzman and athletic director J.D. Dubes recently met with Will Fox of Pulaski Memorial Hospital to discuss a Concussion Management Program and plans to enter into a partnership with the hospital to set policy and procedures if a student athlete suffers a concussion.

In related news, it was announced that PMH recently provided CPR training to 14 bus drivers.

The superintendent reported that the Safe School Routes Grant has been submitted to the state. The grant would provide funds to construct sidewalks to and from school.

Dr. Klitzman shared with the board that there continue to be changes from the state department of education. Response to Intervention (RtI) is now called Response to Instruction. In this program, teachers look at scientifically-based interventions to bridge any achievement gaps. All students are reviewed so teachers may develop strategies to help each learner individually. High-ability students must also be challenged.

The IDOE is also looking at Behavior Management strategies. A plan for improving discipline and behavior within schools must be developed by each school. The state legislature believes that too many students are being suspended or expelled whn a lesser form of discipline or behavior modification should be used.

State School Supt. Dr. Tony Bennett recently met with several area superintendents in Logansport for a "closed door" session. The meeting centered on finances.

Pulaski White Rural Telephone Cooperative is seeking to enter a long-term lease with EPCS to locate a service hub on school property to provide services to PMH. Dan Murphy, school attorney, will draw up the lease. Because this is a new venture, the length of the lease and cost are being negotiated.

The board accepted the resignation of elementary school teacher Emily Harvey, who has taught at EPES for eight years. Katie DeGroot was hired as a part-time high school secretary. Leslie Link was hired as a LAJSSC middle school instructional assistant, due to the resignation of Jamie Wenzler.

The board approved a request to purchase a new computer network server, as presented. The new server would replace five current serves in a more energy effiicient manner, and the license agreement is a one-time cost, instead of a yearly fee.

A request to change the elementary school cafeteria lighting to a more energy efficient lighting system was approved. The payback on the energy savings on the project would be 4 to 5 years.

A request to change the middle/high school HVAC controls from pneumatic to digital was approved. The present controls are obsolete. The project will take 4 to 5 years, replacing 4 to 5 classrooms per summer by the school maintenance staff.

The board rescinded an action from last month's meeting to charge a usage fee to certain groups to use school facilities. A committee which met to discuss which groups should be charged reported that no clear line of distinction could be made among those who should pay the $10 per hour fee and those which should be exempt.

A first reading was held on a propsed change to school board policy, under extr-curricular activities. The change provides for lay coaches to be evaluated by the athletic director/principal twice per season. Lay coaches will be allowed to continue coaching in their assigned sport as long as evaluations, performance and program needs warrant it.

Dairy and bakery bids were accepted through the school's cooperative serve center this year. This saves the cost of advertising and pools several schools together which, in theory, results in better prices. The lowest and best bids were provided by Schenkel's for dairy and Nickles for Bakery products.

School bus inspection is June 25.

The high school girls basketball team was approved to attend a D-1 Camp in Fort Wayne June 20-23.

The next school board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., July 12, in the Distance Learning Lab.