MINUTES OF MEETING
MOORESVILLE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION
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, May 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. The Chairman after calling the meeting to order noted the presence of the following: Mr. Dave Davis, Mr. Randy Davis, Mrs. Bev Viles, Mr. Ron Wright, and Dr. Phil Wright. 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 April 14, 2009. 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. R. Davis and seconded by Mr. R. Wright the minutes were approved. Motion carried 5-0.
The board members then examined the claims that were submitted for payment. After due consideration and upon motion by Mr. R. Davis and seconded by Mr. D. Davis, the following claims were approved for payment:
Payroll – April 24, 2009 & May 8, 2009
Claim Nos: 9 (20194) – 10 (20242)
Warrant Nos: 78466-78690 DD# 21051-21437
78693-78946 DD# 21440-21838
Vendors – May 12, 2009
Claim Nos: 20181-20416
Warrant Nos: #1 –3002-3022
#2 –23077-23302
Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Freeman stated that the first item on the agenda was to recognize achieving students of Mooresville High School. Mr. Mark Hurt and Mr. Joe Johnson were introduced as the coaching staff of the Mooresville High School Girls Basketball Team which was a final four team in the state tournament. Mr. Hurt introduced the girls and thanked the girls for a wonderful season and the support of the community and school. Mr. Freeman then introduced Matt Kenney as the 1 st Indiana Boys Basketball All-Star from Mooresville since George Fields in 1944. Matt was among leaders in central Indiana in scoring, rebounding, steals, and assists and has accepted a scholarship to Valparaiso University. Steve Harris mentioned that it may be the first in the nation where a brother and sister have a Division I scholarship at the same university. Mr. Freeman then recognized Jordan Surenkamp who was a senior on the Boys Basketball Team and who received the Larry Bird Character Award. Hilary Miller was introduced as a Lilly Scholarship Finalist and the three co-valedictorians were then introduced by Mr. Freeman: Adam Hakes, a Lilly Scholarship Finalist; Stephen Outcalt, 2009 recipient of the Lilly Scholarship; and Kaitlyn Walker, Wells Scholar Finalist. Dr. Wright congratulated all the students in representing Mooresville.
Mr. Bob Sendelbach, Director of Technology, presented the board with an update on technology which included: new training strategies, online help desk, K-12 software purchasing, desktop replacement, corporation wide phone system, fiber optic connectivity, contract negotiations, and student accounts. Mr. Sendelbach stated that the TV’s in the classrooms are old and faded and could be replaced with 85” projection screens at a cost of $1,000 per room, but installing the equipment will require significant labor in order to run various cables. He also stated that we replace every computer in the corporation every three years, but the thin client technology could allow replacement on student computers every five years, but because of the vast difference in technology and the way content is delivered, labs must be re-cabled. Mr. Sendelbach also stated that the State of Indiana has provided funding for 350 laptops to be in the hands of our students. He stated the next steps will be rewiring individual labs, rewiring sections of the buildings, developing redundancy in critical systems, and improving security practices.
Mr. Lindsay stated the Mr. Sendelbach has done a good job and that the technology ties into School Board Goal #5. Mr. Lindsay stated that the goal of Mooresville schools is that students will graduate from MHS prepared for post-secondary education, training and success for the 21 st Century Global economy and that 90% of all new jobs will require post-secondary education. He also stated that Indiana currently ranks 43 rd in the nation with adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Mr. Johnson stated that currently the Master Agreement is not in compliance with IRS regulations regarding how we pay a $360.00 stipend for individuals who do not take the health insurance. The current language states that the stipend will be put into the individual’s 403(b) plan. We need to change the wording and put it into the corporation contributed 401(a) plan. Mr. R Wright made a motion to change the language in the Master Agreement to put the $360.00 stipend into the 401(a) plan, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay stated that the board was provided a list of the social studies textbooks at the April 14, 2009 board meeting and recommended approval by the board for use of these textbooks. Mrs. Viles made a motion to approve the list of social studies textbooks as provided to them at the April meeting, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay stated that last month the board was presented with a grading scale to align the middle school and high school. He stated that area schools had been surveyed and this is what they are doing. Mr. Lindsay asked for approval of the board to change the grading scale to align the high school and middle school. Mr. R. Wright stated that he had a problem with the scale showing 90 – 100 as an A. He stated that he thought there needed to be division there separating A’s, A-‘s, etc. Mr. Lindsay stated that he would get with the school principals on this and would bring it back at the next board meeting. Mrs. Viles stated that this could play a part in students receiving scholarships. Mr. Lindsay asked Mr. Muston and Mr. Goldsberry to clarify the minus and plus on the grades. Mr. Muston stated that the high school does have minus and plus on their grading scale. Mr. R. Wright made a motion to approve the grading scale change as presented with the revisions of the plus and minus, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay stated to the board that in their packets was a summary of the summer school offering for this school year for their information.
Mr. Johnson stated that Springhill Christian Center is requesting the use of Neil Armstrong for their annual Faith & Freedom Festival on Sunday, June 28, 2009 and they will provide insurance. Mr. D. Davis made a motion to approve Springhill Christian Center using Neil Armstrong on Sunday, June 28, 2009, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay asked the board for approval to apply for federal, state, and local grants that have been applied for in the past. Mr. R. Wright made a motion to approve applying for federal, state, and local grants, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Johnson stated that Jones Family Mortuary and Citizens bank are donating $750.00 for the Docs vs. Jocks. vs. Drugs and the money will be receipted into the high school ECA fund. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to approve the $750.00 donation from Jones Family Mortuary and Citizens Bank, seconded by Mr. R. Wright. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay stated that he is asking for revisions to the student handbooks for 2009-2010 be approved. He stated that building staff provided input on minor changes and the elementary principals have aligned their handbooks and the secondary principals have aligned their handbooks. Mrs. Viles made a motion to approve the handbook changes as presented, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Johnson stated that he is recommending to increase the school lunches by $.05. The elementary school lunch will be $1.90 and the middle school and high school lunch will be $2.00. He also stated that even with the increase, we will still be near the bottom as to what area schools charge. He complimented Mrs. Sumner on doing an outstanding job on monitoring costs. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to increase the school lunch prices by $.05, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Freeman stated that the strategy of the corporation has been to reduce the use of workbooks and use more “black line masters” that are provided to the teachers so they can make copies. As a result of this, the textbook costs have gone down, but it has caused more expense in supplies and copying. He stated that he is recommending to drop the textbook rental fees for K-8. Mr. Freeman stated that he is recommending the following:
|
Previous |
2009-2010 |
Kindergarten Book Rental |
$ 40.00 |
$ 36.00 |
1-8 Book Rental |
$104.00 |
$100.00 |
Kindergarten Materials Fee |
$ 2.00 |
$ 6.00 |
1-6 Elementary Materials Fee |
$ 7.00 |
$ 11.00 |
Mr. Freeman stated that the middle school does not have a materials fee and the high school fees vary by classes taken. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to reduce the K-8 book rental and increase the K-6 materials fees as presented, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Mr. Freeman stated that he wanted to add another item to this. He stated that several months ago the board granted permission for him to survey the incoming parents of incoming kindergarten students and their interest in full-day kindergarten. He also stated that there is a high level of interest and the program was proposed to the parents with a fee of $100.00 a month to support the additional cost of the full-day kindergarten. He stated that the state has increased their amount of funding, but it still does not cover the cost of full-day kindergarten. Mr. Freeman stated that it is now time to start accepting the first $100.00 deposit of the fees and see what kind of interest there is after paying the first $100.00 with their application. The goal is to have one full-day kindergarten class in each building, but the only way to do this is to take students out of the ½ day program and place in the full-day program. He stated that it may increase class size slightly, but the hope is to use the same staff to accomplish this. Mr. Freeman asked the board for permission to establish the $100.00 a month fee in the event there is enough interest. Mr. R. Davis revised his motion to reduce the K-8 book rental and increase the K-6 materials fees as presented and add the approval of establishing the $100.00 a month fee for full-day kindergarten, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Mr. Freeman stated that the full-day kindergarten was tried a few years ago and was advertised at $300.00 a month and no transportation. In this plan, parents will pay $100.00 a month, students will attend their established elementary school, and be able to ride the bus. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Johnson stated that the administrative team has met with different representatives from the support staff and is recommending minor language changes to the handbook. The second recommendation will be to maintain the current wage level for the 2009-2010 school year. He stated the reason for this was the school funding formula and the corporation does not know what will happen with the state legislature on the state budget. He also stated that most school districts in the state have made cuts to both certified and non‑certified personnel and by Mooresville making changes and tweaking some things, no one at Mooresville has been laid off. Mr. Johnson will ask for final approval at the June board meeting. Mr. Freeman stated that the support staff will be eligible for their incremental experience raises as normal.
Mr. Freeman recommended for approval Personnel Report #5-09. Mrs. Viles made a motion to approve Personnel Report #5-09, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Lindsay thanked the board for allowing him to have Pioneer praise which recognizes significant achievement.
Mr. Freeman reminded the board that the last day of school is May 27, 2009; last day for teachers is May 28, 2009; and commencement will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 30, 2009. The next school board meeting will be June 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the board and upon motion by Mrs. Viles, seconded by
Mr. R. Davis, the meeting was adjourned. Motion carried 5-0.
Attest: Respectfully submitted,
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Vice-President
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Member