Items covered in the review included the following:

• The Design Review for the Elementary School included a new secure main entry, renovating the existing main office, an art and learning lab, classroom improvements, restroom renovations, coat room renovations, gym improvements and mechanical/electrical improvements. Proposed alternates were enclosing all classrooms and replacing the gym floor.
• The Design Review for the Middle School/High School included a new secure main entry at the middle school and the high school; renovate the main office at the high school, improvements to restrooms, classrooms, the socialtorium, science classrooms, the high school gym, family and consumer sciences classrooms, and mechanical/electrical improvements.
• A target date for final design approval will be November 10, at the school board meeting.
• There was discussion on roofing, renovating the weight room, tunnel work, and rebates on new lighting and other utilities.

Following the presentation, Superintendent Dan Foster explained the school has some technology and infrastructure needs that cannot wait for the building project. To get these needs funded now an additional appropriation is needed of approximately $900,000. After discussion, the board approved a motion to ask for an additional appropriation at the November meeting.

To get reimbursed for the technology and infrastructure project expenses prior to the release of bond proceeds, the school board was told a Reimbursement Resolution is needed. This resolution will allow the school corporation to reimburse certain costs of the technology and infrastructure needs with proceeds of debt to be incurred by or on behalf of the school. The resolution states that the school expects to issue debt for the needs and will use the proceeds to reimburse or pay costs of the needs. The board voted to approve a Reimbursement Resolution if the corporation has outlay of expenses.

The board approved a motion to obtain the accounting services of H.J. Umbaugh & Associates for Continuing Disclosure Compliance, proposed General Obligation Bonds for 2014 and the proposed Lease Rental Bonds (series 2015). The school corporation is obligated to be compliant to sell bonds.

In other business:

A summary of the Class of 2014 was presented by high school counselor Kate Dail. She thanked her assistant Rhonda Malott for gathering the information and preparing the report. A majority of the class is pursuing higher education. The report also included where each student went after graduation (college, vocational school, workforce, military). Mrs. Daily highlighted the merits of the Dual Credit Courses, Co-op, AP, and Mentorship Programs. Forty-six students are taking dual credit courses and that number continues to increase.

Foster explained that the budget process is at the point where a recommendation is made to the school board to approve the Budget, Capital Projects Plan and Resolution, the Bus Replacement Plan and Resolution, and the Neutrality Resolution. The budget was reviewed, the legal advertisement was published, and the public hearing held. There were no objections at the public hearing. Foster emphasized that the advertised levies were over-stated as they are every year at this time to protect the school corporation. At the state budget hearing rates will need to be adjusted. The board voted to approve the budget plan, as presented, and to pass a resolution authorizing the superintendent to modify the budgets as needed at the state hearing.

Foster presented a new classified salary schedule and recommended a 3% increase in compensation for classified employees who were here last year. After discussion, the board voted to approve the recommendation.

With enrollment increasing and funds available, Foster recommended a stipend to certified employees of $300, $400, or $500. After discussion, the board approved a motion for all certified employees to receive a $500 stipend.

The legal process to approve the superintendent’s contract has been followed – advertisement, public comment, and required waiting period. The board voted to approve the superintendent’s contract as presented, with board member Deke DeMarco voting in opposition.

Sunshine Society, sponsored by teachers Shannon Burgess and Erica Richwine, submitted a request to take their annual field trip to Chicago on Nov. 23. This very popular trip has been offered for numerous years. The group will take a bus, usually more than one, to Chesterton where they take the South Shore into Chicago. After spending the day in Chicago they reverse the trip to come home. The group pays for this trip. The board voted to approve the trip.

The board voted to accept a quote from JP Lawncare for the football field irrigation project. Board member Rhonda Heims voted in opposition.

The board voted to declare 15 cafeteria tables as surplus/junk and to dispose of them properly.

The board voted to accept a donation of $600 from the Psi Iota Xi Sorority for the elementary school. The funds will be used to sponsor speaker, Randy Beard, for Family Literacy Night in November.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending Sept. 30. All funds have positive balances. The school corporation is using a six-month budget, working toward a Calendar Year Budget to begin in 2015.

Foster answered questions about claims. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as submitted. The board also voted to approve the claim from Eaton Fencing, which was tabled last month until the work was finished.

Foster also reported on the following:

• Enrollment is down 1.5 students from last year at this time, but up from the February count.
• Health Insurance premiums will increase by 10%; less than trend.
• As part of the School Safety Grant more cameras have been installed. Threat assessment representatives will visit Oct. 16 and 17 to assess our corporation.
• The first day for the Archery Program instruction will be Oct. 20.

Also under report items:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported that this is field trip season and thanked the PTA for helping with the cost of the trips. Parent/Teacher Conferences were Sept. 22 – a 97% attendance rate. A fall Open House is scheduled for Oct. 30, from 5 to 6 p.m. Psi Iota Xi was thanked for its donation.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that teacher Jeremy Wegner’s physics class took a virtual field trip to Switzerland. Parent/Teacher Conferences at the high school went well. Senior English recently visited the public library and sophomore English went to the ISIS Theater to see “The Giver,” and then studied the book by utilizing the public library. Many extracurricular activities were highlighted – cross country, football, and volleyball. A blood drive will be Oct. 22, in the high school gym and the fall play will be Nov. 7, 8, and 9 with an alternate date of Nov. 10.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that the Parent Advisory Committee had its first meeting Sept. 10. Fall athletics are winding down. The first Middle School Choir/Band Concert was Oct. 1. For Professional Development “Yes MA·AM” is being used.