After discussion, the board approved a motion to continue to work with the architect, Gibraltar Design, to move forward with the projects.

After additional discussion on lighting, the board also voted to move forward and approve Fissel Electric from Logansport for the external lighting project.

In other business, a possible storage building for drama and corporation items was discussed. Board consensus was to pursue the storage building.

Spotlight on EPES – Vex Robotics!- Principal Jill Collins introduced the sponsors of the Vex Robotics Program, teachers Kullen Day and Cathleen Cunningham, along with some of the students in the program. With an initiative to start robotics at the elementary school, Mr. Day submitted a grant application to get the program off and running.

After building their robot, students went to a few competitions where they learned about robotics, leadership and problem solving. They are now looking for corporate sponsors to grow the program. Students spoke of their experience and demonstrated their robot. Mrs. Cunningham showed a video of their progress.

Personnel:

• Bus driver Heidi Smith submitted her resignation. She is moving out of state.
• Pam Wank was recommended for a full-time bus driving position. She has driven in the past and is most recently a substitute.
• Leslie Link submitted a request for a special leave to attend a conference with her husband.

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

Overnight Field Trips:

• After qualifying for state competition, the middle school and high school Science Olympiad teams submitted a request to attend state competition at Indiana University in Bloomington March 17-18.
• The high school football team submitted an overnight request to attend football camp at Franklin College this summer.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the trips as submitted.

The board held a discussion on its policy on after-school activities on Wednesdays (Family Night). The current policy states that all activities and/or practices scheduled on Wednesdays are to be completed no later than 5:30 p.m. Foster stated that a request was submitted to allow activities after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in May to help with scheduling so many in that month. After a lengthy discussion, board consensus was to continue with the policy as stated, no activities after 5:30 p.m., on Wednesdays.

The board held a first reading on board policy Section 615 – Uniform Guidance. Foster explained this is a requirement from the federal government dealing mostly with internal controls and grants. The policy was written by the Indiana School Boards’ Association attorneys. Foster said the school system is already doing most of this policy.

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

Superintendent’s Report:

Legislative Update: Proposed Bills have switched chambers. It has been proposed to put the performance pay in the Basic Grant. This would not be an increase in funding, but may take the teacher performance pay away. The Calendar Bill did not pass, however it could be added to another Bill. Vouchers being expanded may also happen.

Building Project Update: Some additional punch list items are being cleaned up. The stage floor in the auditorium was discussed, along with the gym floor.

A ‘Thank you’ card from Mrs. Johnston’s family for a planter when her mother passed away was shared.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported that ISTEP was wrapped up last week and students are beginning the iRead 3 assessment. The first preschool preview night is coming up and next week Winamac Kiwanis Club members will distribute dictionaries for all third grade students. April 7 will be Kindergarten Roundup. The Run Club is off and running with about 50 students and parent volunteers.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that students have finished ISTEP, the applied skills portion. Round two is coming up. The Science Olympiad team (Mr. Slaven, sponsor) finished second overall at its recent competition, thus qualifying for state. The seventh grade girls’ basketball team won its conference. The wrestling team also won its conference and finished the season undefeated.

"Acts of Kindness" in the middle school is being promoted. The student council members put notes on lockers to encourage students during ISTEP. A kickball tournament for Leukemia is being organized. About $700 was collected for Pennies for Patients. The Warrior up Club had a hat day and raised $437 for the victims in Delphi.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that ISTEP is complete. The Catch up Café and School on Saturday programs are helping students. School on Saturday is proving to be inconvenient enough to work and teachers are sharing information with other teachers to help students get assignments done. Athletic director Bill Ball was commended for organizing the recent basketball sectional and regional. Law enforcement was thanked for attending the event.

The high school spring musical, High School Musical 2, will be staged on April 7, 8, and 9. The Annual Bi-County Choral Festival was cancelled due to weather. The Science Olympiad Team was congratulated for advancing to state competition.

Board Comment: Mr. Day and Mrs. Cunningham were commended for sponsoring the Vex Robots Program. Kiwanis Club was commended for providing dictionaries to students.