In other business, Foster reported that the school system's ADM (average attendance) is up 23 students from last fall – now at 1,285.

The superintendent informed the board that the fall school board conference will be in Indianapolis beginning Oct. 2. Oct. 25 is the fall regional meeting.

Foster also gave the monthly financial report for the period ending Aug. 31. The condition of funds statement indicated that all corporation funds had positive balances. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as presented.

This month's board "Spotlight" feature was on the middle school's Nanoline Team. Principal Ryan Dickinson reported that Dr. Darlene Gordon, Cody Hook and Emma Kiser are the sponsors of the Nanoline Team, which is similar to the TechFit Program. The Nanoline Team students deal more with the coding and wiring of projects. Students Ayddan Hartle and Cristian Cardenas explained their role on the Nanoline Team and the project they are working on. They are building a fingerprint locker in which you scan your fingerprint to get into your school locker. This will open your locker faster so you can get the supplies you need thus getting you to your classroom faster. The goal of the Nanoline Program is to make lives easier by using automation.

The board approved an out-of-state/overnight field trip request from FFA sponsor  Tammy Halleck for an overnight field trip to take FFA members to the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in October. This trip has been taken for many years and the students take home a good learning experience.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on the beginning of year events. The Pack-a-Backpack program was successful. The Nazarene Church, specifically Ann Wamsley, was commended for coordinating the refueling program. The beginning of year assessments are being finished up. Specific student needs will be looked at very soon. The PTA had a school-wide dance last week that was well attended. Third grade students participated in a mock court case at the courthouse. (Third grade teacher Cathleen Cunningham was found guilty.) Fourth grade students will visit the Trail of Courage Sept. 15. Donuts with Dad will be Oct. 6. The Run Club has started. The book fair will begin this week and Parent/Teacher Conferences will be the week of Sept. 18.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported that the first round of NWEA testing is complete. He said he feels this is the best measure of student success that the school has. The Leadership Council is in its second year. Cody Hook is the technology/data representative. John King is the School Improvement Plan representative; Marilyn Newman is the educational leadership representative along with Kari Johnson. Jamie Wenzler is the communication representative and Emma Kiser is the morale building representative. The new staff, Erica Richwine, Rachel Budd and Kimberly Perry, are off to a good start. Spanish has been added to the middle school class roster. Enrollment is up.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported that moving from a 12.0 grading scale to 4.0 grading scale along with weighted classes has been difficult, but worth the move. He has attended a School Safety Conference along with a CELL Conference. The CELL (Center of Excellence in Leadership and Learning) Conference provided information to help administrators seek out those students who don’t get help from home to get them on a track for college – specifically earning dual credits. The golf team had its conference meet last week and placed second overall. Jeremy Wegner has started a Coding Club and is also the Robotics Coach.

During board comment Emma Kiser was commended for sponsoring the Nanoline Team along with Cody Hook and Dr. Darlene Gordon. Foster was thanked for the detailed ADM report. Ayddan Hartle and Cristian Cardenas were thanked for their Nanoline report.

The board conducted a walking tour of the facility prior to adjourning.