High school principal Rick DeFries submitted the request to move the program from Wednesdays to Saturdays, acknowledging that part of the goal is "to have students inconvenienced and to learn a lesson." Licensed teachers will supervise and tutor students.

Also at the board meeting, fifth-grade students Kelsey Wegner and Lilly Bennett reported on the elementary school student council’s work and upcoming activities, which included giving tours at the elementary school during the recent open house and holding a mock election. Upcoming events are Red Ribbon Week and making cookies for bus drivers. There are three representatives from each fifth-grade class. Maureen Garrity is the sponsor of the group.

In other business, Superintendent Dan Foster reported that School Improvement Plans were due Dec. 1. All three schools have submitted their plans. School board approval is required of each plan. The board voted to approve the plans.

Foster stated that with the calendar year budget ending for 2016, board action is needed to transfer appropriations within funds to complete the process. A budget is an estimate and to bring negative accounts to a zero balance transfers are needed. The board voted to approve appropriations, make transfers as needed, and pay claims for the close of the calendar year 2016 budget as necessary.

Foster presented a listing of possible projects to be funded with allowance funds from the building project. There was discussion of handrails, carpet, cabinet replacement in science classrooms, asphalt, and lighting, to name some of the possibilities. Foster discussed the allowances from the contracts and the funds left. After discussion, board consensus was to gather more information before a decision is made.

The superintendent also reported on the following:

• He thanked outgoing member Rhonda Heims for her service on the school board.
• He was part of the panel on funding for schools. The December revenue forecast will be down, so the panel is trying to shift the conversation to discuss what will help the schools. There will be additional challenges and more information to come.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending Nov. 30. The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all corporation funds had positive balances. The General Fund Comparison Statement showed 15.20% of the yearly appropriation remains. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as submitted.

Personnel:

Resignation/Termination: Elementary school teacher Amy Ruiz has accepted a position in Fishers. She has been with Eastern Pulaski Schools since January. Cafeteria employee Mary Conner has been on leave since February; thus, substitutes have been filling the position. It was recommended to fill her position with other individuals permanently. She has been with Eastern Pulaski Schools since August 2013. Both were wished well.

Employment: Ashley Carlson was recommended for Ruiz’s position. Linda Fuequay was recommended for increased hours in the elementary school cafeteria. Paula Skalon,  Patricia Larkin, and Anne Wamsley were recommended for food service positions. Ron Nies was recommended for the middle school softball coaching position. Gretchen Gearhart and Wendy Hinz were recommended for volunteer coaching positions.

Leave Request: Anita Mitchell submitted a request for an unpaid special leave in February to attend a family event.

After discussion, the board voted to approve all the personnel items as presented

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins thanked the Leadership Council for its work on the School Improvement Plan. Physical education teacher Denise Parcel was recognized by the American Heart Association for her efforts. Collins also reported on holiday festivities – the ExPrEsS Choir concert, the annual kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade Christmas concert, as well as classroom activities.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported on the music concert on Dec. 6 – he said the band and choir did a great job.

The Techfit team competed on Dec. 8 at Purdue. This year they focused on interactive activities and received first place on their presentation. Other activities include the sixth-grade going to Purdue for a Christmas Concert and eighth-grade traveling to Warsaw to the Wagon Wheel Theater.

Miss Kiser is now helping with the Warrior Up Club.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported on Senior Service Projects by Kevin Zupin’s class. One project included collecting hats, gloves, and scarves. The high school Christmas Concert went well and included the exchange students. Jack DeGroot won the Lilly Scholarship and then Sunday was honored at the Colts game as an academic all-state football player. The Robotics team has qualified for the nationals in Iowa. There will be more information about this in the future.

Board Comment:The fifth-grade students on the student council were thanked for their service. Mrs. Heims was thanked for her service. The individuals who worked on the School Improvement Plans were thanked.