Valedictorian Jack DeGroot and his parents, Perry and Katie DeGroot and Salutatorian Claire Collins and her parents, Adam and Jill Collins were recognized by the board. High school principal Rick DeFries highlighted the students’ academic records. He added that the two students were positive role models for the entire student body. Jack and Claire shared their plans for the future.

Spotlight on WCHS (Mock Crash): A mock crash was organized by SADD to encourage students to not drink and drive or text and drive. The mock crash involved students and parents from Eastern Pulaski Schools and the local fire departments, EMS, local police, the county coroner, REACT, the Samaritan Helicopter, and Indiana State Police. A video was shared and Danyelle Weaver and Mallori Hoffmann shared their work on the project. Everyone was thanked for their work on the project. The full length video can be seen on the corporation’s Facebook page.

Personnel:

Two summer school classes and contracts were presented for approval - High School Physical Education with instructor Kyle Johnson, and High School blended learning Economics with instructor Kevin Zupin. Karen Butler was approved as the instructor for the Warrior Academy as well. Superintendent DanFoster stated that the classes usually have sufficient enrollment and recommended the classes be offered with the proposed instructors.

Kari Johnson was recommended as the JV girls’ basketball coach and Renee Calabrese as the middle school cheerleading coach and Katy Sayer as the high school cheerleading coach.

 Matt Howard, high school English teacher, submitted his resignation, effective the end of the school year. Lisa Reidelbach, speech instructional assistant, submitted her resignation after 25 years with Eastern Pulaski Schools, for the purpose of retirement.

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

Other business:

In other business, Foster recommended continuing with the Title I and High Ability Grant Programs as in the past. After discussion, the board voted to continue with the programs.

Foster explained that school corporations need to comply with IC 20-26-11-32, Transfer Tuition, as to whether they want to accept transfer students (students living out of the district). Each school corporation needs (1) to agree to accept transfers, (2) to set a number of transfers that will be accepted, and (3) set the end date for transfers to be accepted. If the number of transfer requests exceeds the established capacity, the school would need to have a “lottery” selection for transfer requests at a public meeting. In the past the board has taken action not to charge for transfer tuition if the individual student is enrolled by the September count date. Foster recommended continuing to accept transfers for the 2017-18 school year, but to set March 1, 2018, as the cutoff date to accept transfers and to set the capacity to accommodate the school's facilities at the following numbers: Elementary School – 740, Middle School – 350, High School – 460. After discussion,  the board voted to continue to accept transfers for the 2017-18 school year, to set the enrollment date at March 1, 2018, and to set the capacity as per Foster’s recommendation.

Along with the textbook adoption committee, Foster recommended purchasing science and health textbooks for next school year from different vendors, depending on the needs. Some felt they could use their current books, digital resources and many recommended purchasing classroom “sets.” After discussion, the board voted to accept the recommendation.

Approval was given to a motion for textbook rental fees to remain at $100 ($95 for textbooks and $5 for handbooks) for Kindergarten through Grade 5, and for Grades 6-12 to be at $105 ($95 for textbooks and $10 for a technology fee) for the 2017-18 school year.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the elementary school, middle school, and high school 2017-18 student handbooks, as presented.

Field Trips: Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Kyle Johnson submitted a field trip request to attend a D-1 Camp, June 23-25. Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach Kole Kroft submitted a field trip request to attend a tournament in New Castle and a D-1 Camp at St. Francis College, June 21-23. After discussion, the board voted to approve the trips as submitted.

Bus Driver Training Proposal: Bus driver Jenny Shank-Maxwell has offered to train those interested in becoming a bus driver. There was board discussion of charging a nominal fee for the training and reimbursing drivers who become employed by EPCS. After discussion, the board voted to approve the training.

Discussion and consideration of additional projects:

• Carpeting for Kindergarten Rooms (4): The board voted to approve the quote from Miller’s Flooring for $14,854.
• Overhead door at Auditorium: The board voted to approve the quote from DJ Cripe (DBA DC Garage Doors & Entry) for an insulated overhead door at the auditorium at a price of $4,258.42
• Storage Facility – Auditorium: After discussion, the board voted to approve the quote from TM Construction for the storage facility.
• Painting Project: The board approved the quote from Stan’s.
• Auditorium curtains: The board voted to approve the quote from Becks for a total of $36,082.
• Locker room direction: There was discussion to replace fixtures, painting and possibly a new facility in the future.

Principals Jill Collins, Rick DeFries, and Ryan Dickinson shared end-of-year activities from their respective buildings. Field trips, final assessments, awards programs, concerts, and athletic events were shared.

Foster shared some upcoming meeting information with the Board.

The superintendent also gave a financial report for the period ending April 30. All funds had positive balances. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims and financial statements as presented.

During board comment the spring musical was commended along with Mrs. Reidelbach, Jack DeGroot and Claire Collins. The textbook committee was commended and well as the work on the student handbooks. There was discussion of allowing home-schooled students to participate in extra-curricular events and drafting a policy to allow it. The staff was thanked for their hard work this school year.