MINUTES OF MEETING
MOORESVILLE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION
July 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, July 10, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman after calling the meeting to order noted the presence of the following: Mr. Dave Davis, Mr. Ron Wright, Mrs. Beverly Viles and Dr. Phil Wright. Mr. Randy Davis 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 then opened the floor for nomination of officers for the school board for the 2007-08 school year. Mr. Wright made a motion to keep the officers the same as they were for the past school year, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0. The officers for the school board for the 2007-08 school year are:
Dr. Phillip Wright – President
Ronald Wright – Vice-President
Randall Davis – Secretary
Beverly Viles – Member
David Davis – Member
The next item was to appoint the school attorney. Mrs. Viles made a motion to retain Steve Harris as the school attorney for the 2007-08 school year, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion carried 4-0.
The Chairman asked if the board wanted to change the meeting date and time for the board meetings. The board decided to change the meetings times back to 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Mr. Wright made a motion making this change in the time, seconded by Mr. Dave Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
The Chairman asked if the board members had read the minutes of June 12, 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 Mrs. Viles 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 Mrs. Viles and seconded by Mr. D. Davis the following claims were approved for payment:
Payroll – June 22 & July 6, 2007 Exception Payroll July 2, 2007
Claim Nos: 13 (14389) - 14 (14450) 14001 (14449)
Warrant Nos: 67310-67500 DD# 3225-3563
67509-67671 DD# 3566-3891
67504-67506 (Exp. Payroll)
Vendors – July 10, 2007
Claim Nos: 14356-14592
Warrant Nos: #1 –2211-2251
#2 –17616-17935
Motion carried 4-0
Dr. Wright first wanted to thank Dr. Boyd and the Feasibility Study Committee for all the hard work and time that they have put in to presenting their recommendations this evening. Dr. Boyd then spoke to the board about the committee and he informed the board that he felt this group had a strong commitment to the school and community. He summarized the report that was given to the board. He stated that they looked at information regarding the community, including details of the student population. They did a detailed analysis of the education space in the buildings and our current financial position. He stated that Mooresville is a growing community, not as fast as some of the other outlying communities but the fastest growing portion of Morgan County. He stated that the committee looked at space and space utilization. They focused on the secondary site which has two schools on a joined campus. He stated that the HS/MS is beginning to get extremely crowded and with a projected student increase of possibly 200 more it is an area that needs to be addressed. They looked at several different options. They feel the corporation needs to look at a new middle school. They also looked at elementary space. Dr. Boyd stated that 4 of the 5 schools are at 90% of functional capacity. We have shifted boundaries around which has helped in the short term. He stated that the committee is recommending that there being a building built at a location that would house two schools – a 5/6 intermediate school and a 7/8 middle school. They would be separate schools with separate administrators but they would have some shared facilities. The high school could then absorb some of the space in the middle school which would help with the growth they are facing. He stated the corporation’s current outstanding capital debt is good and two out of five of our current debt issues would be paid off in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Boyd stated that the committee feels the middle school is the critical piece that needs to be addressed. Mr. D. Davis asked if the issue of transportation had been addressed. Dr. Boyd stated that it had not, but these are things are would need to be discussed by the board and administration once this recommendation is given to them. Dr. Boyd stated this report is designed to give the board things to consider for the future. He also feels the current committee should be kept together and used as an advisory group as the board and administration proceed with their decisions. The board thanked Dr. Boyd and the committee for all the time and hard work they had put into this report.
Mr. Freeman stated that at the last meeting the board agreed to a pilot kindergarten class for next year. He stated letters were sent out to parents who attended kindergarten round-up, the information was put on our website and The Times included it in the article about the board meeting. The plan was to locate the class at Neil Armstrong and the fee would be $300 month. He received a total of nine applications and it was decided at the last meeting that we would need a minimum of 18 to proceed with the program. Mr. Freeman stated that with the number of applications received we can assume that there is insufficient interest to warrant the program at this time. The discussion at the last meeting was to use next year as a study year and hopefully funding will increase and we can offer the program the next school year at a lesser fee. Mr. Wright made a motion to delay implementing the pilot full day kindergarten class until the 2008-09 school year, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
The first item under new business was permission to advertise for the 2008 budget. Mr. Johnson, Asst. Supt. stated that July 1 begins the budget process. He is asking the board for permission to advertise for the 2008 budget, Form 3, Bus Replacement Schedule and the 3-Year Capital Projects Plan. The publication dates will be August 8 and 15 with the budget hearing scheduled for August 28th. Mrs. Viles made a motion to approve advertising for the 2008 budget, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman presented the Holiday and Work schedule for the twelve month employees. He stated this schedule changes a little from year to year, but still has the 10 day Holidays. Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the Holiday Work Schedule for 2007-08, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Dr. Ward stated that in August last year the board voted to not hear any expulsions. The original thinking was that this was to be done annually, but after checking further Dr. Ward stated that once the board makes the decision it stays that way until they want to make a change. Mrs. Viles stated she felt that this should possibly be looked at when there is a change on the board so the new member would also be involved in this decision. Mr. Freeman stated that it could be added annually in July.
Mr. Johnson stated that Mrs. Patrick, Food Service Director has submitted a recommendation that Prairie Farms be the dairy supplier and Interstate Bakery be the supplier for bakery goods for the 2007-08 school year. Mrs. Viles made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman presented the following personnel items. Retirement: Cherall Humble, Office Manager for Central Office; Pam Fodge, Food Service Employee. Resignations: Angela Mayle, H.S. Special Ed. Teacher and Beth Johnson, H.S. Secretary. The board received a list of fall coaches from the high school and there are contracts that need to be approved by the board. Mr. D. Davis made a motion to approve the personnel items, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Steve Harris, school attorney stated that a grievance has been filed by Julie Reeves, Elementary Counselor. She has asked for a transfer to the Middle School Counseling position beginning second semester of the 2007-08 school year. There are four levels in the grievance process. The first level was to the principal and this request was denied. The second level is then brought to the Superintendent and Mr. Freeman denied her request. The third level is brought to the school board. The law requires that the grievance be held in an open meeting where both parties will be allowed to speak, present any witnesses and documents. The board must then discuss this in the open meeting and then make a decision to deny the request or to approve her request for a transfer. Mrs. Reeves is present with her representative, Judy Edwards from the Indiana State Teacher’s Association. The representative for the corporation is Bob Lund, Attorney. Mr. Harris will not act on the corporations behalf but will handle the proceedings. Mr. Harris stated that Mrs. Reeves contends that Mr. Goldsberry, M.S. Principal denied Mrs. Reeve’s request to transfer to the M.S. and feels she is highly qualified and no just cause was given for the denial. Mr. Freeman then reviewed the request and he spoke with Mr. Goldsberry and Mrs. Reeves and he upheld the principal’s decision and also denied the request.
Mrs. Edwards then addressed the board and stated they would not be calling any witnesses. They feel she was denied the request without just cause. Mrs. Reeves addressed the board at this point. She explained her desire to work in the middle school. This is always where she wanted to work. She decided to go into the counseling area and in 2001 she was offered the elementary counseling position. She did not want to leave the middle school at that time, but felt it was in her best interest to get experience with hopes of returning to the middle school as a counselor. When the position was posted at the middle school Mrs. Reeves requested a transfer. She felt moving to the earlier time schedule would benefit her family. Mr. Goldsberry told her at that time there would not be an interview process but this would be an internal transfer. She contacted Dr. Ward and he emailed her that this would not take place until the fall. She then received an email from Dr. Ward that it was not in the best interest of the middle school that she be transferred to the middle school. She could not understand why she was not qualified for the transfer. She was told it would be an interruption to the elementary students if she left in the middle of the school year.
Mr. Jeff Loveless addressed the board and stated he feels Mrs. Reeves would be a good counselor. She had interned under him as she was getting her counselor’s license. They have worked together because of siblings that are in elementary and middle school.
Mr. Bob Rund, Attorney spoke and stated that although the parties disagree with the decision of not being able to transfer to the middle school that Article II of the Master Agreement was followed there as no violation of this article. He stated that courts have ruled that the staff discipline clause of the Master Agreement referring to “just cause” and “professional advantage” does not apply to denial of internal transfer or even a non-renewal. Personnel issues should be left to the discretion of the administration.
Larry Goldsberry spoke and said that he feels with each year the middle school gets more and more at-risk students and there is a need to network with social service agencies. He felt they needed someone who has more experience in working with parents and social service agencies. He did email Mrs. Reeves and explain why she would not get the position and they did talk face to face at his home and she explained to him why she felt she was the best candidate.
Mr. Rund stated that the administration is asking that the grievance be denied and Level I affirmed.
The discussion was then turned over to the board and there were questions asked by the board members
At the end of the discussion Mr. Wright made a motion to uphold the decision made by the Administration to deny the request by Mrs. Reeves to transfer to the middle school, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 3-1.
Mr. Wright then made a motion that the counselor position at the middle school would be open to all in the corporation who would want to transfer and to the outside applicants, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Freeman stated that upcoming events are August 10-11 – School Board Planning Retreat, August 13 – Elementary/MS Teacher Work Day, August 14 – All Staff Orientation Day, August 14 next school board meeting at 6:30 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