MINUTES OF MEETING

MOORESVILLE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION

October 13, 2009

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, October 13, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. The Chairman after calling the meeting to order noted the presence of the following: Mr. Randy Davis, Dr. Phil Wright, Mr. Dave Davis, Mrs. Bev Viles and Mr. Ron 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 September 8, 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 Dr. P. Wright and seconded by Mr. R. Davis 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 Mrs. Viles, the following claims were approved for payment:

Payroll – September 11, 2009, September 25, 2009 & October 9, 2009

Claim Nos: 19 (21379) – 20 (21426) – 21 (21478)

Warrant Nos: 80365-80573 DD# 3129-3512
80577-80797 DD# 3512/A-3901
80800-81026 DD# 3902-4290
Vendors – October 13, 2009

Claim Nos: 21379-21670

Warrant Nos: #1 –3132-3168
#2 –24166-24417
Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Lindsay introduced Mr. Gary Lawson and Mr. Bill Colbert of the Lions Club along with Mr. Freeman, Superintendent and Mr. Ron Wright, President of the MCSC School Board. Mr. Lindsay stated that Pioneer 365 is acknowledgement of significant special contributions from the community and the staff that is happening in Mooresville Schools. Mr. Lawson stated that the Lions Club wanted to screen vision of students at the middle school, high school, and grades 4, 5 and 6 at Northwood. The Lions Club had 35 testing machines and 51 Lions Club members to screen the students. He complimented the high school and middle school administration and the Northwood principal for excellent work in organizing the students and stated that the screening was completed in 2 ½ hours on 1,966 students. He also stated that this is the largest screening that has ever been done in the State of Indiana in one day and the next move in Mooresville will be to screen the entire elementary students. He stated that the Lions Club could get the students free glasses and examinations if they need it. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Wright thanked the Lions Club for their work on this.

Mr. Lindsay introduced Scott Frye and students from Northwood Elementary School which included Abbey Collester, Morgan Matt, Luke Clair-Ficko, Tyler Harper, Jessica Langley, and Olivia Hurt. These students are members of Project Citizen which is a national program that allows students to advocate for policy change. The students informed the board of their current project in which they tested the water in White Lick Creek in Pioneer Park. Mr. Lindsay thanked the students for their presentation.

Mr. Freeman explained why the administration and the board had on college apparel. He stated that this is the start of “College Go” week which is intended to encourage students for post secondary education. The staff was asked to wear college apparel today in addition to a number of other activities all week. This week is free college applications to seniors to Indiana colleges and universities, all sophomores will be taking the PSAT test tomorrow, and a workshop tomorrow for parents/students about school credit and course opportunities for students to get college credit while going to high school classes.

The first item on the agenda was to conduct the 1028 Preliminary Determination Hearing for the proposed renovation project for Mooresville High School. Minutes of the 1028 Hearing follow the minutes of the regular school board meeting for October 13, 2009.

After presentations regarding the QSCB, the resolutions were approved by the board. Mr. Freeman stated that the next step is to appoint the QSCB Team Members. He recommended Steve Harris, Local Counsel; Ice Miller, Legal Counsel; and Hillyard Lyons, Financial Advisor as team members along with the committee. Dr. P Wright made a motion to appoint Steve Harris, Local Counsel; Ice Miller, Legal Counsel; and Hillyard Lyons, Financial Advisor, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Freeman stated that after advertising for proposals from energy savings vendors, a committee met to evaluate the proposals. The committee consisted of Chuck Muston, High School Principal; Mr. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent for Business; Mr. Lindsay, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction; Mr. Freeman, Superintendent; Mr. Patrick, Maintenance Director; and Mr. Dave Davis, Board Member; and Mr. Ron Wright, Board President attended the 2nd day. He stated that three vendors had applied for the work – Energy Solutions, Trane and Performance Services. After deliberation, the committee recommended accepting the proposal from Performance Services for the Guaranteed Savings component of the project. Mr. R. Wright stated that the process is really good for Mooresville and this is a way to get the most for the money. Mrs. Viles thanked Susan Johnson and stated that her questions were good and stated that the committee did put a lot of time in on this. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to accept the proposal from Performance Services for the Guaranteed Savings component of the project, seconded by Dr. P. Wright. Motion carried 5-0

Mr. Freeman read a resolution to approve the Guaranteed Energy Savings contract. Mrs. Viles made a motion to approve the Guaranteed Savings contract resolution and to give the board president and secretary authority to execute the contract, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Johnson stated that last month the public hearing was held on the 2010 Budget and recommended that the board adopts the 2010 Budget, the 3-year CPF Plan and the 12 Year Bus Replacement Plan that was presented to the public on September 8, 2009 and to approve the resolutions that accompany the budget. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to approve the 2010 Budget, seconded by Dr. P. Wright. Motion carried 5-0. Mrs. Viles made a motion to adopt the 2010-11-12 CPF Plan, seconded by Dr. P. Wright. Motion carried 5-0. Dr. P. Wright made a motion to approve the 2010-2021 Bus Replacement Schedule, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. R. Wright asked if there were any questions regarding the resolutions for the 2010 Budget, 2010-11-12 CPF Plan, or the 2010-2021 Bus Replacement Schedule. There being no questions, Mr. R. Davis made a motion to approve the resolutions for the 2010 Budget, 2010-11-12 CPF Plan and the 2010-2021 Bus Replacement Schedule, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Lindsay stated that the board was informed at the July board meeting of a new state law, effective July 1, 2009, states that all employees of schools hired after that date had to have an expanded criminal background check done. Mr. Lindsay recommended that the policy be changed and approved to reflect this. Mr. R. Davis made a motion to approve the Criminal History Check Policy, seconded by Mr. D. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Lindsay stated that the Lay Coach Policy has revisions recommended by a committee, has been discussed with MCTA and he is asking for approval to the Lay Coach Policy as recommended by the committee. Mr. D. Davis made a motion to approve the Lay Coach revisions, seconded by Dr. P. Wright. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Lindsay introduced Mitch Fortune, Principal of Newby Elementary, to give a presentation on ISTEP. Mr. Fortune stated that the elementary schools use two standardized assessments – ISTEP measures what students know and NWEA measures students progress and is adaptive for each student. He stated that as a corporation, MCSC increased scores in three out of eight categories. This was the pilot year for spring testing in which Applied Skills section was administered March 2-11 and Multiple Choice was given April 26-May 6. After taking the test in the spring, concerns from educators were certain questions were not aligned to the grade level’s standards. As a result, the Department of Education formed a committee to review the tests and found that approximately 35 questions were not aligned.

Mr. Fortune stated that reviewing data from NWEA, Mooresville elementary schools are projected to score the highest in reading; in each of three subject areas, 2nd grade had the highest percentage of growth of all grades; and out of the three subjects, Language Usage is the areas with the most growth. He also stated that Newby has the following strengths: 90-minute reading block, communication of data before and after assessments, is aware of student weaknesses through progress monitoring, has frequent assessments, has established time set aside for RtI, and a staff that communicates well. He also stated that adding full-day kindergarten, viewing diagnostic reports within the NWEA website, adding new clubs and programs focused on reading, addition of common assessments, utilizing volunteers – cadet teachers, IU students, and parents, and utilizing the RtI Coach has given students more opportunities. Mr. Fortune stated that weaknesses include: high teacher-to-student ratio, enough staff members to reach every child’s needs, resources to address weak areas, and methods or ideas to address low performing break-out groups (free/reduced population). He also stated that lack of parent involvement, mobility rate continuing to rise and growing class sizes will continue to be a challenge. Mr. Fortune then introduced Mrs. Maureen Wehmeier and Mrs. Kimberly Meyer from Newby Elementary. Mrs. Wehmeier presented the board with an overview of her daily classroom and daily happenings at Newby Elementary. Mrs. Meyer presented the board with information on Special Education, RtI (Response to Intervention) and after-school clubs.

Mr. Lindsay stated that Paul Hadley had the greatest growth in the ISTEP+ with three of the four areas going up from the fall testing to the spring testing. Paul Hadley math went from 24% Pass+ in the fall to 29% Pass+ in the spring which dominates all of Hendricks County. He stated the students are continually being challenged with advanced course offerings for both 7th and 8th grade.

Mr. Jeff Scalf commended everyone on the meeting and also the students from Northwood and said they had done a phenomenal job on presenting their information to the board. He stated that he also wanted to ask in regards to the $2,000,000 the committee look at as many energy savings things as possible and if we get some of the items that they will be functional with new school building projects. Mr. Scalf also asked if other ways of funding the retirement severance for teachers had been looked into. Mr. Freeman stated that this is a complicated process and this was the best way to fund the retirement severance.

Mrs. Susan Johnson of Pennington Road asked a number of questions about the proposed high school construction work. She requested that a project list be present at the next meeting of the board.

Mr. Johnson stated that in the past we have participated in the Indiana Bond Bank’s Advanced Warrant program which helps us with cash flow throughout the year. We are again asking the board for permission to take part in the program. Mr. Johnson also stated that the borrowing of the money will be done in February 2010 and will be repaid in December 2010. This will not be carried over into 2011. Dr. P. Wright made a motion to approve participation in the Indiana Bond Bank’s Advanced Warrant Program, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Freeman recommended for approval Personnel Report #10-09. Mr. D. Davis made a motion to approve Personnel Report #10-09, seconded by Mr. R. Davis. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Lindsay praised the teachers and principals and that the elementary schools are engaged in Professional Learning Communities. He stated that he observed North Madison’s Learning Community on Friday and Mr. Schneider did an excellent job during the meeting.

Mr. Freeman recommended approval of Neil Armstrong’s 5th Grade going to Bradford Woods on November 4-6, 2009. Mr. D. Davis made a motion to approve Neil Armstrong’s 5th Grade going to Bradford Woods on November 4-6, 2009, seconded by Mrs. Viles. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Freeman stated that permission slips went home with students on Monday, October 12 for permission to immunize against H1N1 provided by the Morgan County Health Department. Slips must be returned by Friday, October 16 and once the serum is received by the Health Department, immunization will begin with the smaller schools. He also stated that our schools are experiencing flu-like symptoms and the attendance rate is around 88-92% which is normally around 95%. Mr. Freeman stated that the website lists the ways the corporation is dealing with the flu.

Mr. Freeman reminded the board that October 22 & 23, 2009 is Fall Recess and the next school board meeting will be November 10, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

There being no further business to come before the board and upon motion by Mr. R. Davis, seconded by
Dr. P. Wright, the meeting was adjourned. Motion carried 5-0.

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