Action to Approve Purchases:

a. Superintendent Dan Foster reported that the bus purchase process was through the Central Indiana Education Service Center this year.  Using the Service Center is approved by the State Board of Accounts, saves time and money.  Funds are available in the Bus Replacement Fund to purchase two school buses.  After reviewing bids and considering needs and trade-in options, Foster recommended purchasing two school buses, very similar to the buses purchased last year, from Midwest Transit Equipment for $161,060 including trade-ins and spare equipment through the Service Center.  After discussion, the board voted to purchase the two school buses as recommended. 

b. Foster reported that recently a wireless survey was completed which found that the school is not covered properly.  To allow access to every classroom and to expand wireless capabilities, an upgrade is needed.  The cost would be $22,148 and could be paid out of the General Obligation Bond proceeds.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the upgrade recommendation as submitted. 

c. Foster reported it is time to update staff computers – the current computers are five years old and are running slowly, among other issues.  There are funds available in Capital Projects to do this project.  The update would include teachers and office staff.  The recommended vendor would be Global.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the upgrade. 

d. Foster reported the phone system is approximately 12 years old, and with the wireless project being approved, the phone lines will have to be removed.  He noted now is a good time to upgrade. Foster said he is asking for approval now, with the stipulation that funds left from the auditorium lighting project will be used if they are adequate.  Right now the anticipated funds for a new telephone system would be approximately $66,079.70.  If the lighting project, which is priority, stays within budget, $170,000 would be left over and could fund the new telephone project.  The vendor would be NetTech.  After discussion, the board approved the purchase with the stipulation funding is available after the auditorium project. 

e. With the building project, the weight room will be renovated as well with new lighting, paint, new flooring and mirrors.  Foster recommended new cardio equipment and weight machines.  After discussion, the board decided to table the purchase of cardio equipment until a price for heavy duty options could be obtained, but to purchase the weight machines.

In other business:

Foster explained that the student iPad agreement needed to be updated with some minor language changes and presented the proposed changes.  After discussion, the board approved the agreement as presented. 

Foster reported that the school corporation is on its third addendum of the building project and another may be coming. 

The board was told the student count is down slightly, which will mean less state funding for the next six months; however, the projected state budget allows for an additional $40 next year and another $40 the next year, in funding per student. 

There are numerous education bills Foster said he is watching, including the bill to count kindergarten students as one instead of as a half, a small schools grant bill, and a cursive writing bill among others.

Foster congratulated high school students Clark Gudas for his solo and ensemble gold performance and Gage Garpow for competing at the state level in wrestling. Foster said he received "a nice compliment" concerning the sportsmanship and conduct of the boys’ basketball team and Coach Kyle Johnson at the sectional.  Johnson was also commended for how well he handled a student injury during one of his physical education classes.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending Feb. 28.  All funds had positive balances.  Foster answered questions about claims.  After discussion, the board approved all claims as presented. 

The first reading of School Board Policy Section 102 – Organization and Pay, was presented last month.  After discussion, the board voted to leave the insurance option as is for school board members, but to allow a per annum amount to be set every January.  Board members Mike Tetzloff and Larry Beach voted in opposition.

Foster submitted a request to declare old computer desks, old book carts, old desks, and other equipment as surplus/junk and to dispose of them properly.  This equipment is not usable.  After discussion, accept the request as presented.

Personnel Matters:

Elementary school teacher Sara Slaven submitted her resignation for the purpose of retirement.  Mrs. Slaven has been with Eastern Pulaski Schools for 25 years.  After discussion, the board voted to accept the request as submitted. Mrs. Slaven was wished well.

High school English teacher Duane Johansen submitted his resignation, effective March 6, to accept a position at the University of Illinois.  Johansen has been with Eastern Pulaski Schools for 15 years.  To fill the vacancy, Dianne McWhorter was recommended until the end of the school year.  Mrs. McWhorter is a retired English teacher with many years of experience.  After discussion, the board voted to accept the resignation and recommendation as presented.

Maureen Tyrrell was recommended to fill the elementary shool counselor’s position.  She is from Plymouth and graduated from Taylor University in 2014, with a degree in social work.  After discussion, the board accepted the recommendation.

Action to Approve overnight/out of state field trips:

a. The middle school Science Olympiad Team, sponsored by teacher Steve Slaven, qualified for state competition scheduled to begin Friday, March 20.  They have gone the night before in the past to save early morning travel. 

b. High school teacher Jeremy Wegner submitted an out-of-state field trip request to take his physics class on a tour of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill.  This physics laboratory specializes in high-energy particle physics. A similar trip proved beneficial to students last year.  The students will also have lunch with a physicist. 

After discussion, the board approved both trips as presented.

Principal reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported that the Science Fair/Open House, along with a “Mad Scientist” night, will be Thursday, March 12.  The annual preschool night will be March 31, and Kindergarten screening is scheduled for April 10.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that students have finished the main portion of ISTEP – the testing window closes on Wednesday.  The state did decrease the length of the English and math portions and did away with the social studies portion.  Seventh and eighth graders collected approximately $600 for Pennies for Patients and the middle school Science Olympiad Team qualified for state competition. 

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that March is Riley Month – student council is sponsoring events to raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital.  He explained the Graduation Rate and what affects it.  The ECA test will end with the class of 2019 – a different test will be used after that.  The boys’ basketball team won their second consecutive sectional and go on to regional competition this weekend. 

During board comment the new employees were welcomed.  Locker room bids were discussed and Mrs. Slaven and Mr. Johansen were commended for their years of service.