The board voted to modify the 2011-12 school year calendar to have Dec. 19, 20, and 21 as student days, thus beginning Christmas break Dec. 21, at 3:20 p.m. The board was also asked to think about moving graduation from a Friday to Sunday to help avoid conflicts.

In other business, the board approved an updated student discipline plan. Klitzman explained that at last year’s state legislative session it was thought that too many students are out of classes because of discipline issues. So schools are now mandated to submit an “Improving Behavior and Discipline with Schools” plan. The plan is to help keep students in classrooms and has to be scientifically based and submitted to the state. Each year the plan needs to be re-visited and revised if necessary.

Also in other business, Klitzman explained to the board that under the blanket of “school choice,” as provided in new state legislation, K-12 education is going through some changes. He noted that when the state took over the general fund, that also took away transfer tuition.

 The superintendent said the state is now using tax dollars for private schools, virtual schools, home schools, and parochial schools. This opens up the opportunity for students to go to other schools, out of their district, almost year by year because of the new legislation of dollars following the students. So if a family (student) decides to go to another school, the tax dollars follows that student, thus the student’s existing school loses those tax dollars.

Klitzman said it has become more difficult to prepare a budget with enrollment so volatile under the concept of “school choice.”  As with other area schools, EPCS has lost enrollment as well, which in turn loses dollars.

In a related matter, Klitzman asked the board that if, drawing a parallel from the 2001 annexation of a portion of Union Township into the Eastern Pulaski School System, it would look favorably on another such opportunity should one presented itself. The board consnsus was that it would be open to a portion of a nuclear school that wished to join the Eastern Pulaski School Corporation (annexation).

 Klitzman said Eastern Pulaski Schools continues to prove that they are top-notch and continue to improve. Board consensus was that the EPCS corporation is in a good position to take new students and is open to annexation of sections of other schools if that becomes a reality.

Klitzman noted that according to school board policy it is the responsibility of the superintendent to ”formulate bus routes.”  He asked for clarification of this policy, asking for authorization to also establish bus routes, if need be, out of the district as student enrollment/ridership so dictates. The board did give approve the superintendent to formulate bus routes as needed.

School board policies on qualifications and election of board members, and organization and pay were submitted for a first reading. Due to a new law school board elections must be held during the general election, seating new board members in January. In the past, EPCS board elections have been held during the primary election, seating new board members in July. Because of the new law the policies need to be changed.

Dr. Klitzman also reported on the following:

•  Summer Projects are continuing with the lighting retrofit in the elementary school gym. Also continuing is the changeover to digital controls in the high school, working on the boiler room and classrooms. The tuck-pointing project should be completed this summer. 
• Preliminary ISTEP scores are in and being analyzed. Eastern Pulaski did very well — the scores are up again this year.  The elementary school has good growth and proficiency, overall the middle school has good scores, and there is no question the high school has shown good growth. NWEA scores are likewise very positive and encouraging.
• Abby Miller, middle school instructional assistant, resigned to take a teaching position at a private school in Logansport. Teresa Kasten, elementary school instructional assistant, submitted her resignation after 11 years for retirement. And Rana Parish, elementary school instructional assistant, submitted her resignation after 23 years for retirement. All were wished well.
• Concerning School Choice: Wayne Township Schools sent a letter that within its school they are offering virtual classes, inviting schools to allow students to take a virtual class with them.

Jennifer Beal and Melissa Kellems were selected as the first and second alternates respectively for the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation School Board Scholarship.  Jessica Booke is this year’s recipient.

Klitzman gave a financial report for the period ending May 31.  The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all funds had positive balances, with one month left in the fiscal year. The General Fund Comparison Statement indicated that 17.76% of the yearly appropriation remained. However, due to the loss in enrollment the corporation has less funding, which in turn, will result in less appropriation for the year. Claims were discussed and approved as presented.

Dairy and bakery bids were accepted through the cooperative service center again this year. This not only saves the cost of advertising, it pools several schools together, which results in better prices. The lowest and best bids were provided by Schenkel’s for dairy and Aunt Millie’s for bakery products.

The high school boys’ basketball team was approved to attend the Mason Shoot-out in Hamilton, Ohio on June 24-25.

Board Comment: The 2011 graduates were commended for their adult-like behavior and the students were commended for their good test scores. Emily Paulsen was congratulated for her performance at the state track meet in pole vault and also Rachael Franko for her participation at the state meet. The work on the Behavior and Discipline Plan was commended.  The instructional assistants leaving were commended.  Condolences were given to the Newman family.

The next regular school board meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., July 11, in the distance learning lab.