MOORESVILLE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION
April 10, 2007
A regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation was held in the Education Center auditorium, 11 W. Carlisle Street, on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman after calling the meeting to order noted the presence of the following: Mr. Randy Davis, Mr. Dave Davis, Mr. Ron Wright, and Dr. Phil Wright. Mrs. Beverly Viles was not present. The Chairman noting the presence of a quorum declared the meeting duly constituted.
Mr. Freeman led the board members and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chairman asked if the board members had read the minutes of March 13, 2007. Noting that all members had read the minutes the Chairman asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. There being no additions or corrections to the minutes and upon motion by Mr. D. Davis and seconded by Dr. Wright the minutes were approved. Motion carried 4-0.
The Board Members then examined the claims that were submitted for payment. After due consideration and upon motion by Mr. Wright and seconded by Mr. D. Davis the following claims were approved for payment:
Payroll – March 16 & 30, 2007
Claim Nos: 6 (13494) - 7 (13582)
Warrant Nos: 65341-65624 DD# 787-1129
65627-65895 DD#1132-1477
Vendors – April 13, 2007
Claim Nos: 13494-13744
Warrant Nos: #1 –1976-2143
#2 – 16927-17124
Motion carried 4-0
Dr. Ward stated that John Robertson, Technology Director was here tonight along with Jon Taylor and Scot Harris of AME Group to present their report of the audit of our technology program. Mr. Taylor stated they had conducted a 2-3 week on-sight review of our technology department. They have 9 recommendations for the technology department. They are: 1) Realign Support Staff Functions, 2) Increase the Security and Ventilation of the Server Room, 3) Improve the Functionality of Call Management System; 4) Upgrade Bandwidth on Links to Outlying Elementary Schools; 5) Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan; 6) Re-terminate and Certify Fiber Connection; 7) Run Fiber between Newby Elementary to Paul Hadley MS; 8) Utilize Remote Control for Troubleshooting; 9) Align Technology Skills Website. Mr. Freeman stated that our technology staff will review all the recommendations and prioritize and put costs with them to see what we can and need to do.
Mr. Turner gave an updated on the Budget Approval. He stated that we received our 1782 notice from the state and that our assessed valuation has been certified. Our overall true tax value increased about 25% from last year. Mr. Turner stated that our tax rate last year was 1.46 and this year it is 1.34. Also, just because the assessment of homes might go up it doesn’t necessarily mean that their tax bill will go up significantly. Mr. Turner reminded the board that because of the funding formula we are forced to raise more in the general fund and in the transportation fund.
Mr. Freeman stated that at the last meeting Mr. Goldsberry presented a report regarding changing of the staff and schedule at the middle school for next year. He proposed changing a teaching position from Family and Consumer Living to an English/Math position and to change the 9 week courses to semester courses. Mr. Freeman stated they have met with MCTA regarding this change. Mr. Freeman stated that if the board is comfortable with these changes he is recommending approval of this request for next school year. Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the changes at the middle school for the 2007-08 school year, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Turner stated that the board members had received in their packets information regarding the lease purchase program for the computer equipment for this year. He stated this is the first time we are replacing the computers that we first purchased in this new three-year cycle plan. They were offered a four year plan but it would end up costing us more money so he is recommending that we stay with the three year plan. He is asking the board to approve the lease purchase program for the computer equipment and to authorize him to sign the necessary documents. Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the lease purchase and authorize Mr. Turner to sign documents, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman gave the board a brief update on the Feasibility Study. He stated that the committee met for the first time last month and they are meeting again this evening at the high school. He stated he attended the first meeting. Dr. Boyd had a report on the demographics of the school that he gave to the group at that meeting and Mr. Freeman has put a copy of the report in the board’s folders. Mr. Muston is making a presentation to the group this evening about the high school. Mr. Freeman feels we have a very good community representation on the committee.
Mr. Turner presented the board with the 2008 budget timeline. He stated that there is always a second meeting in August and that date will be August 28th for the budget hearing.
Waverly Elementary is requesting that several items be declared salvage as they are no longer usable. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to declare the items salvage, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman stated that Newby Elementary and Northwood Elementary are requesting permission to go to Camp Tecumseh. Newby’s dates are April 30 & May 1st and Northwood’s dates are April 23 & 24. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to approve the trips, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman presented the following personnel items: Leave Requests: Mandy Chitwood, Waverly Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for 2007-08; Shannon Witte, North Madison Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for 2007-08 and Amanda Dowell, Waverly Music Teacher, Sabbatical Leave for 2007-08. Retirements: Susan Joyner, Northwood Teacher; Dale Graves, H.S. Teacher; Gwen Comer, Newby Music Teacher and Nancy Peedin, Newby Art Teacher. Also Linda Williams, Counselor at the M.S. has submitted her retirement letter effective the end of first semester of the 2007-08 school year. Resignations: Leila Gershanoff, Spec. Ed. Aide; Tammy Van Hook, Spec. Ed Aide; Kathy Faulkenburg, Spec. Ed. Teacher; Sandra Brenneman, Food Service Worker; Jeff Brandt, H.S. Teacher and Emily Ehrgott, Waverly Art Teacher. We will be sending out non-renewal letters to teachers who are on temporary contracts. Also included in personnel items is the transfer request of Warren DuBois from Newby Principal to Waverly Principal beginning the 2007-08 school year. Contract for Chris Fowler, M.S. Track Coach, $1,639.00. Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the personnel items, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Turner stated that since he has been here and for many years before we have utilized Hadley Cook and Quillen as the agency who has handled our umbrella policies for the corporation. He has had another local agency contact him about submitting a quote. He will have quote from both agencies and asked if one of the board members would like to go over the quotes with himself and Mr. Freeman to determine if they want to change companies or stay with our current company. Dr. Wright will meet with Mr. Turner and Mr. Freeman to go over the quotes.
Dr. Ward stated the board had a packet this evening of the curriculum standards for Language Arts and Foreign Language. This is the year that these will be reviewed. He will come back to the board at the next meeting with recommendations on these standards and the textbook recommendations.
Mr. Freeman gave the board a brief update on the progress of full day kindergarten in the legislature. He stated they still don’t know what the funding level will be if this passes through the session. He stated a number of schools have implemented, to some degree, full day kindergarten. They have funded it through Title I funds and/or charge a fee. He stated that he and Dr. Ward met with our kindergarten teachers and started the discussion of what we can do. He stated that the board might want to start thinking about this process and if we might want to charge a fee and who would be eligible. If we use Title I funds, it would only be available in Title I buildings, which are Newby, Northwood and North Madison. The legislative session ends at the end of April so we won’t know anything until at least that time.
Mr. Freeman stated that the Retirement Appreciation Dinner is April 30th at 6:30 p.m. and the board received their invitation in their folders. May 4th is our first make-up day. Students will attend a half day and the staff will be here all day for inservice in the afternoon. May 8th is the next board meeting at 7:30 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the board and upon motion by Mr. Wright and seconded by Mr. D. Davis the meeting was adjourned. Motion carried 4-0.
Attest: Respectfully submitted,
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President Randy Davis
Secretary
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Vice-President
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Member
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Member