Following a work session on the project, the board at its regular meeting first voted on a motion to move forward with the middle/high school portion of the project, and table a decision on the elementary school project. But the motion failed, with board members Larry Beach, Deke DeMarco, Terri Johnston and Joe Cunningham voting in opposition. The board then voted to table all projects, with Mike Tetzloff, Rhonda Heims and Tim Rausch opposing.

Superintendent Dan Foster told WKVI radio that the board is having its architects review the matter with the construction companies bidding the project. He added “we are still a little bit uncertain” on what will happen on the elementary portions.

Foster said the school corporation expects to proceed with the middle/high school project later this month, but additional clarification is needed for the elementary school. A possibility exists that some parts of the renovation may be dropped.

A special meeting has been called for April 27 for school board members to review the project scope and ask additional questions.

The project was approved by the school board last autumn.

In other business:

Foster proposed to establish an Alternative School Program.  The school would be limited to high school-age students the first year and would be for those students who do not fit into the traditional classroom setting.  The program would be funded, partially, with a grant and would have a fully certified teacher and needed resources.  To move forward with submitting the grant, board approval is needed.  After discussion, the board voted to pursue the grant and program. 

Foster recently met with elementary school principal Jill Collins to consider kindergarten needs.  As a result of that meeting, Foster recommended pursuing an Early Entrance/Developmental Kindergarten Program.  The program would house one section of students and target those not quite ready for kindergarten.  The program would work with other local programs to target those students who do not qualify for Head Start or other Pre-schools and would not compete with those programs.  Funding for the program would come from the state through the increase in students at the school.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the program as recommended. 

Also in his reports to the school board:

• Foster gave a financial report for the period ending March 31.  All funds had positive balances.  Foster answered questions about claims.  After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as presented. 
• Foster recommended to increase cafeteria meal prices for the 2015-16 school year to $1.80 (an increase of 10 cents) for students, to be able to participate in the Federal Lunch Program.  By law, adult meals must reflect the actual cost of the meal.  The board voted its approval.
• Foster recommended entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Teachers’ Association.  The memorandum would encompass the Teachers’ Compensation Model, which would be based on a points system.  The memorandum basically gets the compensation portion of the Master Contract out to teachers to give them a chance to see that portion before the Master Contract is negotiated. The board voted to approve the Memorandum of Understanding as submitted.  Mrs. Johnston seconded the motion.  Motion carried.
• Foster recommended offering the following Summer School Classes if there is sufficient student enrollment:  High School Physical Education and High School Economics.  After discussion , the board voted to approve the summer school classes as recommended. 
• The school board was informed of a new requirement to have a Food Service Code of Conduct.   Foster gave two proposals for review to head cooks, Mrs. DeLorenzo and Mrs. Hoover and they chose the one closest to current practices already in place for board consideration.  After discussion, the board voted to approve the Food Service Code of Conduct as proposed.
• As a follow-up from the March board meeting, when the proposed purchase of cardio equipment for the weight room was tabled to look into more commercial-grade cardio equipment, Foster presented quotes.  The board voted to approve the equipment quotes as presented. 

Donations Offered:

1.  A grant from PACE for $18,200 for the elementary school was presented for approval. 

2. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Conner donated a used kiln for the middle school/high school art department.

The board voted to accept these two donations.

3. A donation from NIPSCO, through Fred Zahrt, of trees was presented.  NIPSCO wants to donate trees to help reduce energy costs and provide shade.  The pros and cons were discussed.  After discussion, the board voted to not accept the donation of trees from NIPSCO. 

Final Matters:

Teacher Tammy Halleck submitted an overnight field trip request to attend the 2015 World Food Prize Institute with freshman student Andriana Smith.  Mrs. Halleck is Andriana’s mentor for the program.  Andriana will interact and learn from experts in agriculture and disciplines related to global food security.  The board voted its approval of the trip.

After a recommendation from Foster, the board approved a motion to declare some miscellaneous items from the middle school/high school cafeteria and elementary media area as surplus/junk and to dispose of them properly. 

Principals Ryan Dickinson, Rick DeFries and Jill Collins presented their proposed changes to the 2015-16 Student Handbooks for their buildings.  Changes included updating dates and making clarifications.  The 2015-16 Student Handbooks will be presented at the meeting in May for final approval.

Foster discussed the House and Senate budget proposals and the impact on student funding. 

Two instructional assistants recently resigned: Beth Grund and Jennifer Benninghoff. 

Board members were reminded of the next regional meeting on May 13.

During board comment the musical was commended and all those involved.  The Conner family was thanked for their donation. 

John Reed, Emcor, addressed the board concerning the building project bid from his company, in that their bid had errors and has been withdrawn.