EPCS Board approves purchase of student Chromebooks

The school board accepted the lowest of five bids it received. That quote came from CDW-G at a total cost of $433,486 for 1,000 devices with service agreements and carts.

Foster noted the school corporation has been replacing devices every three or four years, and that time is up. He said the devices can be purchased with budgeted funds, and encumbered funds from previous years. Each classroom in grades 3-5 will have a cart of Chromebooks (non-take-home), and every student in grades 6-12 will receive a take-home device (as they have now), as will every teacher. Cases will be purchased as well. All present iPads will be turned in and evaluated, with the better ones being used for grades K-2.

As a study to see which device to go with, Bennett said select students used iPads and Chromebooks, and those using the Chromebooks liked them the best. Some teachers also tested the devices and were surveyed on their preferences as well.

Gen2 devices were also considered, but no pricing was able to be obtained, nor was a guaranteed delivery to have the devices prior to the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

In other business, Foster reported that on Jan. 30 Indiana faced some of the most extreme and dangerous cold in several years, with air temperature reaching -22 degrees and wind chill dropping to -52 degrees. He deemed this day unsafe for school employees to be traveling for work. Therefore, he instituted a mandatory shutdown on this day. Due to the uncontrollable nature of the closure, Foster recommended paying all 260-day contract classified personnel for this day. After discussion, the school board voted to approve the recommendation.

Foster explained that Bus 29 continues to need numerous repairs. Due to all the repairs, he recommended to re-advertise the Bus Replacement Plan to trade in Bus 29 this year and trade in Bus 7 next year (the bus to be traded in this year), which is in good working order. After discussion, approval was given to the recommendation.

Spotlight on WCMS – Band: Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson introduced band teacher Elaina Sutton who shared that on Jan. 26 there was a solo and ensemble competition at Twin Lakes. Nine students from the middle school participated. The students earned four gold, five silver, and one bronze medals. The next performance is March 7, which is a “Concert Café” in the middle/high school cafeteria to showcase the local talent.

Superintendent Foster also reported on the following:

Spike Davis called Feb. 11 from WAWK radio in Kendallville. He wanted to share what a great job was done by Winamac hosting with girls’ basketball regional.
Legislative day/Session: Senator Randy Head introduced a bill that would increase fines and penalties for people who run school bus stop arms. This bill is a direct result from the Tippecanoe Valley accident. Foster is scheduled to attend the Feb. 12 Legislative Day to talk to Sen. Head about the EPCS accident and to brainstorm ideas on what can be done to prevent this in the future. Foster said the Legislative Day/Session is a good time to sit down and let legislators know our thoughts and ideas.
Concerning the bus accident in December, Foster talked to the Plymouth Schools Safety Officer concerning reunification cards. One critical aspect of emergency response is an accountable reunification of students with their parents/guardians in the event of a school crisis or emergency. The “I Love You Guys” Foundation offers programs, at no cost to schools, with proven methods for planning, practicing, and achieving a successful reunification. Kits will be put together very soon.
Mr. Foster has been approached by organizations to help put cameras on stop arms. Quotes are being obtained. All of the school corporation's new buses will have cameras on stop arms.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending Jan. 31, 2019. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as presented.

The board accepted a donation of a bench in honor of Mrs. Linda Braun. Mrs. Braun has made many donations to support the school and benefit the children.

Personnel:

A. Resignation/Termination/Retirement –

Middle/high school teacher Pam Burger has submitted her resignation after 41 years of service in education, 38 years at Eastern Pulaski Schools. Mrs. Burger is so highly respected that she was inducted in the first class of the WCHS Distinguished Alumni this year.
EPES Media Center instructional assistant Diane Graham has submitted her resignation for a new opportunity.
Krista Klempner, EPES instructional assistant.

B. Employment –

Shay Kasten was recommended as a middle school softball volunteer coach.

The school board voted to approve all personnel items as submitted.

Sunshine sponsor Taylor White submitted an out-of-state field trip request for Saturday, March 9 to go to Chicago for the annual Mother-Daughter Chicago Trip. After discussion, the board approved the trip as submitted.

High school principal Rick DeFries and Academic Super Bowl coach Stephanie Watts submitted a request to take the team to one last meet before the state qualifying competition. The meet is at McCutcheon High School on March 20. However, this is a Wednesday night (family night). Because this request is for a Wednesday night board approval is needed. After discussion, the board voted to approve the request as presented.

Principal Reports:

Elementary school principal Jill Collins shared the following:

Once again the students at EPES have exceeded expectations and raised more than $1000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Pennies for Patients. Students raised a total of $1,010.55 which was celebrated Feb.8 with a generous gift from Carol Dowling, paraprofessional. Mrs. Dowling allowed Mrs. Collins to cut her hair as she will be donating it to an organization that provides wigs for children fighting cancer.
On Feb. 13, Jeremy Eltz, a STEM consultant, will spend the day collaborating with grade-level teams as they continue to grow their STEM implementation.
Feb. 15 is the Secret Sunshine Sister Reveal. The elementary is excited to have high school Sunshine Society members adopt elementary students. On Friday afternoon EPES students will have the opportunity to meet their "secret encouragers."
Mrs. Collins thanked the countless clubs and organizations at WCHS for "High Five Friday." Elementary school students look forward to these students visiting and kicking off each Friday.
Elementary Little Cheer Night which will also feature the EXPRESS Choir singing the National Anthem is Feb. 15. There are 120+ cheerleaders dividing into cheer groups to spread the Warrior Spirit. Kindergarten - Grade 2 girls will cheer at half-time of the JV game and Grades 3-5 will cheer at half-time of the varsity game.
The elementary was selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress Assessment for a select group of fourth graders (approximately 60 students). A team will visit the elementary on Feb. 28 to administer this national assessment.

Middle school principal Ryan Dickinson reported on the following:

Unfortunately, due to missing a lot of school due to delays and cancellations, several activities have had to be canceled.
Since the last board meeting, the middle school was able to fully finish NWEA testing, although it did take much longer to complete than expected due to delays and cancellations. The students had lots of growth indicated, which is the hope and expectation.
Recently, 6th graders were blessed by board member, Beth Ruff, and high school student, Jaylynn Hall, presenting on the character trait of compassion. They were both thanked for their wonderful job of inspiring students to practice compassion daily.
Band students were able to participate in the solo and ensemble competition. The students and Miss Sutton were congratulated for all of the awards.
The 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball seasons have ended and the 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball seasons have begun, along with wrestling.
English/Language Arts professional development: At the last board meeting it was mentioned that the English/Language Arts department would be getting some professional development from Kristina Smekens concerning testing strategies. This professional development was much appreciated. The department even shared some of the information they learned with their peers. They are already working on strategies for better success in helping students.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported:

Middle/high school media director Karen Butler was one of the recipients for the Cheryl Welter Memorial Award. The award is going to allow her to purchase some furniture for the learning center as well as hosting “Jethro,” a comfort dog, who will be coming in two days a month to be available for students during the day.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was celebrated with the annual presentation, which was again created by teachers Kevin Zupin, Patrick Schuttrow, and Karen Butler. One student and one staff member were each honored in five categories. This year’s recipients were Mr. Jeremy Wegner and Jillian Brumm for “Community,” Mr. Jeff Beach and Claire Stout for “Courage,” Mrs. Taylor White and Mia Collins for “Justice,” Mrs. Tammy Halleck and Adrienne Niewiadomski for “Dignity,” and Ms. Karen Butler and Jada Collins for “Sacrifice.” They also added one last award for thankfulness and presented it to Jethro the comfort dog and his owner Delia Myers, for his time spent on campus following the bus tragedy. As a follow up to the MLK Jr. program, the school has been using his “Walk In My Shoes” motto to encourage students and staff members to place a picture of their shoes along with their name to remember Dr. King. The pictures may be seen near the floor along the walls.
On Jan. 25, the school celebrated the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Night. Honored were three new hall of famers, Guy Rugg, Jeff Burger, and Jenny Norrick-Quasebarth. Athletic director Bill Ball did a very nice job to make the night special for the inductees.
High School Activities: WCHS hosted the girls’ basketball regional Feb. 9, with last year’s defending state champions, Central Noble, once again winning. DeFries reported Mr. Ball did a "really nice job" of hosting the event. The hospitality room was well done; thanks to Mrs. Burger and Mrs. White for helping. (2) The school is about two weeks away from hosting the boys’ basketball sectional as well. This should be a very interesting tournament after the WCHS boys’ team beat the three-time defending sectional champions, Marquette Catholic. (3) Finally, Jake Armstrong advanced to this weekend’s state wrestling tournament.

Board Comment: Condolences were offered to the Mr. Bill Pugh family. Mrs. Burger was thanked for her years of service. Mrs. Dowling was commended. Mr. Green was commended for the lights on campus. The staff was thanked for their hard work.