In other business, the board was informed that North Central Co-op submitted a donation of $840 to the elementary school for classroom supplies. Principal Jill Collins noted that the employees pooled together and donated the money and (surprisingly) none of them have students in the elementary - they “just wanted to help out.”

Also, Fulton County REMC donated $1,000 to repair/update the school's Weatherbug system. The system is used by many organizations, including NIPSCO, to track weather. After discussion the donations were wholeheartedly accepted and the organizations commended.

Dr. Klitzman stated that he has a draft of the deed from the Indiana Department of Transportation transferring their abandoned highway property, along U.S. 35 and adjacent to the school property, to Eastern Pulaski Schools. Dr. Klitzman recommended, and it was approved, to accept the property. There is correspondence dating back to 1984 from the school requesting the property.

Under personnel matters, the resignation of teacher Nick Tribby was approved, as presented. Tribby has taken a position outside of education in Indianapolis, after being with EPCS for 8 years. Sandi DeSabatine has requested and was approved to transfer from middle school social studies to high school health/physical education. Cody Hook was recommended and approved for Mrs. DeSabatine’s middle school social studies position. Hook is a graduate of Twin Lakes High School and North Iowa University. He has excellent references and was highly recommended by his student teaching principal. This is his first teaching position.

Joan Hero was recommended and approved for the open bus driving position. She is fully certified and is an instructional assistant at the elementary school. She also did substitute bus driving last year.

Elizabeth McClure, middle school instructional assistant, submitted her resignation to take employment elsewhere. Trina Fulmer, LAJSSC instructional assistant, has taken Mrs. McClure’s position. Doug Sparks, custodian, submitted his letter of resignation. The school is currently looking for a replacement, along with a replacement for the LAJSSC position.

Under report items the first reading on School Board Policy Sections 202, Evaluation of the Superintendent and Section 303, Evaluation were presented. 

Dr. Klitzman stated he has been reporting on the changes that have been thrust upon schools from the state legislature and the state department of education; these changes continue. One of the hardest hit areas is evaluations. There are now state level requirements (statute) which were never present before. The state legislature passed laws requiring teacher evaluations to contain certain features, and the Indiana Department of Education was charged with the development of evaluation instruments to encompass those proficiencies and features. 

At this point, the current evaluation instruments are in school board policy for the superintendent and for teachers. The superintendent’s evaluation needs a one-time modification and can therefore remain in school board policy, but the teacher evaluation instrument will need continual modifications. To save continual modifications to school board policy, which require two school board meetings, and because the evaluation instrument is a work in progress, Dr. Klitzman recommended removing the teacher evaluation instrument from school board policy and into administrative policy, but to leave the procedure to follow in school board policy. The second reading and possible approval will be presented at the September school board meeting.

The principals reported that the start of the school year went very well. Each building held professional development on Aug. 14, covering student learning objectives, ISTEP scores, goals for the new school year, the new evaluation instrument, and Harmony training. 

The elementary school held a cake reception to welcome everyone back. Ryan Dickinson, new middle school principal, commended everyone for their warm welcome. High school principal Rick DeFries reported that WKVI Radio will do a “Weekly Promotion” to highlight area schools and their programs. 

Dr. Klitzman reported on the following:

• Project Update - the elementary school document cameras are all installed and working. The controls changeover at the middle school/high school continues. 
• Common Registration was even better than last year and the school continue to improve the process. The school is now offering online registration and taking book rental and lunch payments online. About 176 transactions have been conducted so far. "We try very hard to accommodate our students and parents in every aspect and help out in any way we can," Klitzman said.

The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all accounts had positive balances. The General Fund Comparison Statement indicated that 95.98% of the yearly appropriation remained.  All claims were approved as presented. 

Dr. Klitzman stated that just as the school board must appoint a trustee to the Health Insurance Cooperative (MASE), they must also appoint a trustee to the Liability Insurance Cooperative (ESCRFT). The board appointed the superintendent, or his designee, to the Liability Insurance Cooperative. 

During "Board Comment": Donations, ISTEP scores, Retirees were all commended. Condolences were given to the Fritz/Heater families. Mr. Cook and Mrs. Hero were welcomed.

During Public Comment: Teacher Cathleen Cunningham commended the new document cameras at the elementary school.

The next school board meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 10, in the Distance Learning Lab.