Mike Tetzloff was elected president of the board. Joe Cunningham was voted in as vice president and Larry Beach as secretary. Board compensation was set at the same level as last year, $2,000, the legal limit. After discussion, it was approved to continue with insurance coverage and cost for board members, which is the same coverage and cost as certified employees.

David Thompson was re-appointed corporation treasurer, with Diana Lowry re-appointed as deputy treasurer. Bonds were set for various positions. Tim Murray was appointed as the school board attorney.

In other business, it was announced the school corporation had received a gift of $20,000 from the Linda Braun Foundation to be used at the elementary school to enhance its technology capacity for all students. With the donation, the school was able to purchase an iPad for each elementary school teacher to be used as a document camera and for other teaching purposes. Peach Roth and Adam Bennett demonstrated the device's features for the board.

The board also received donations from Carol Zaley and Suzanne Potts for the school corporation's Helping Hands program.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman explained to the board that the state legislative session from a few years ago requires schools to compile a financial goals plant to shift funds from overhead- and operations-type accounts to instructional- and academic-type accounts. The goals were approved as presented and will be submitted to the state department of education.

The board approved the advertised fiscal year budget, the capital projects plan and resolution, the bus replacement plan and resolution, and the neutrality resolution - the next step in the budget approval process. Authorization was also given to Klitzman to modify the budget at the upcoming state hearing, if necessary.

Elementary school teachers Kris Goodman and Emily Woodward were approved for maternity leaves. Bus driver Tami Powell was approved for an unpaid leave.

High school teacher Pam Burger demonstrated her iPad for the board. She uses it in each of her classes to enhance student learning through visuals, to give quizzes, for a student reward system and for many other student learning opportunities.

Under report items, high school principal Rick DeFries thanked members of the high school band who performed their rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup" at the opening of the school board meeting. He announced the ECA re-test results are in for Algebra I and English 10. Remediation helped in both areas in that scores went up by as much as 50 percent. He reported that senior Billy Bunkowfst was selected as one of 50 students statewide to participate in the Molecular Medicine in Action program at Indiana University. DeFries also reported on Financial Aid Night on Jan. 14, and an incoming freshman orientation meeting at 6 p.m., Jan. 24, in the socialtorium. He also noted that winter sports are in full swing, with the wrestling sectional on Jan. 26 and the girls basketball sectional on Feb. 4 in Hebron.

Elementary school principal Jill Collins thanked the Linda Braun Foundation for its donation. She also thanked the Lions' Club for sponsoring the annual Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program on Jan. 16. Community members read to elementary school students at that time. On Jan.24, a Family Fitness Night will take place with speakers from the Pulaski County Extension Office and the local YMCA.

Middle school principal Brian Dickinson reported on the completion of the first semester and report cards. He announced the middle school is staying focused by keeping "the main thing the main thing" - student learning. He reported professional development was held Jan. 11, focusing on analyzing data and iPad training.

In his report, Klitzman noted that over Christmas break more classrooms were switched from pneumatic to digital controls; the middle and high school gym floors had their annual re-surfacing completed, and floors were scrubbed and carpets cleaned. The football dressing room was refurbished - cleaning, painting and plumbing work. The superintendent observed that maintaining facilities is key to saving money.

It was announced that school will be in session on Monday, Jan. 21, as a weather make-up day.

In other action items, the board approved the annual conflict of interest forms as presented.

It was approved to uphold the hearing officer's decision concerning Case No. 201301.

Qualifying high school wrestlers were approved to spend the night at Merrillville for semi-state, and Indianapolis for state competition.

The next school board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 11, in the Distance Learning Lab.