EPCS Board discusses allowing home-schooled students in extra-curricular activities

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Published: Wednesday, 14 June 2017 19:05

WINAMAC - In a busy agenda, the Eastern Pulaski Community School Board held a discussion on a proposed policy on allowing home-schooled students to participate in the school's extra-curricular activities, approved several personnel changes, and extended principals' contracts.

At its June 5 meeting, the board also heard an update on school campus projects, and accepted three donations.

The school board held a discussion regarding its consideration of a new policy (as first reading on Policy 501.12) which would allow home-schooled students to participate in extra-curricular activities at EPC Schools. The policy will be presented at the next meeting for further discussion and possible approval.

Personnel:

A. The school board approved recommendations to extend the contracts for elementary school principal Jill Collins, middle school principal Ryan Dickinson, and high school principal Rick DeFries to June 30, 2019.

No action was taken on the recommendation to also extend the contract of athletic director/dean of students Bill Ball to June 30, 2019.

An initial motion to include Ball in the vote with the principals' contract extensions failed, with board members Terri Johnston, Deke Demarco, Tim Raush, Beth Ruff and Joe Cunningham voting in opposition. The board then took their vote to successfully extend the principal contracts. The only comment offered was from Mrs. Ruff who stated she is concerned over some incidents last school year involving the athletic program. Ball's current contract runs through June 2018.

B. The following individuals submitted retirement/resignation requests: Jane Young and Margaret Good submitted retirement resignations. Terri Jewell submitted her resignation to take a position in Logansport. Erica Richwine will transfer from the elementary school to sixth grade. Braden Julian submitted his resignation to take a position at East Noble Schools in Kendallville. After discussion, the board approved the retirements/resignations as submitted.

C. Employment:

• Bryan Rayl was recommended for a high school English position. He is a graduate of WCHS and Ball State University
• Natalie Dickinson was recommended for the middle school/high school art position. She is a graduate of WCHS and most recently has been employed at West Central.
• Emily Hintz was recommended for a high school science position. She is a WCHS graduate and most recently employed at North Judson Schools.
• Bryce Kappes was recommended for the open elementary school teaching position. He was most recently at North White.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the recommendations as presented.

D. Instructional assistant Diane Graham was recommended to move to the open elementary school library position. Tammy Brandt was recommended to move into Mrs. Graham’s position. Alisha Becker was recommended for Mrs. Brandt’s position. Kimberly Perry was recommended for the middle school instructional assistant position vacated by Rachel Budd, who will assume Tim Roth’s teaching position. After discussion, the board approved the recommendations as submitted.

E. Recommended fall extra-curricular positions were approved as presented.

F. Leave Requests: Linda Fritz submitted a leave request for three dock days to go on a mission trip in August. Tami Powell submitted a leave request for September for a 40th anniversary trip. After discussion, the board approved the leave requests as submitted.

In other business:

The board approved a professional development opportunity for teachers. The purpose is for teachers to learn to use and develop online textbooks/units and integrating those into Canvas. It would be additional pay beyond the master contract, funded through a Rural Low Income Schools Grant. Teachers would also get professional growth points.

Superintendent Dan Foster gave an update on campus projects:

• Lights are being changed throughout campus.
• Everything from the cafeteria floor, to painting, to carpeting, kitchen flooring, and installing freezer is being done this summer.
• Preliminary work on the storage building is taking place.
• The middle school gym floor is complete.
• The auditorium stage curtains are scheduled to be worked on soon. DC Garage Doors will be replacing the overhead door by the auditorium very soon.

The board approved the following purchases:

• Sixth-grade student iPad purchase from Apple
• Software to manage bus routes from BusBoss.

Also, the updated Student/Staff iPad Agreement was submitted for approval. Foster stated that minor changes/updates have been made. After discussion, the board voted to approve the Student/Staff iPad Agreement as submitted, with DeMarco voting in opposition.

High School students Chris Whitehead and Elizabeth Gill were selected as the first and second alternates respectively for the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation School Board Scholarship. Haley Peterson is this year’s recipient.

The board approved the following overnight/out-of-state field trips:

• Cathy DeFries, Varsity Volleyball Coach, submitted a request for the Varsity Volleyball team to attend a camp at Olivet University July 12-15.
• Jenni Belcher submitted a request for the Varsity Softball team to hold a camp July 17-19 at the Town Park and State Park; and to go on a team-bonding trip July 24-25 to Six Flags in Chicago, and to attend a Chicago Bandits game.

Emma Kiser was recommended to serve on the Pulaski County Public Library Board. After discussion, the board approved the appointment.

Donations:

The school board accepted the following donations:

• Braun Corporation/BraunAbility – Linda Braun’s home is being used for out-of-town guests so it is being updated. From the update Braun Corporation/BraunAbility donated a good, used washer and dryer to the school.
• Colgrove Memorial Donation to Athletics – a $4,000 monetary donation was donated to the school to the athletic department from the Colgrove family in memory of Cord Colgrove.
• Goodman Memorial Bench Donation – The Goodman Family requested to put a bench on campus in honor of Jennifer Goodman.

Projects:

• Elementary School Water Heater – rusting and showing age. Two Guys Mechanical and Fissel Electric (for electric) were recommended for this project, with a total cost of $61,549. After discussion, the board voted not purchase a water heater at this time. Board member Larry Beach voted in opposition.
• Backflow Preventer – This is a required item recommended to be done by Two Guys Mechanical. After discussion, the board voted to approve the backflow preventer.
• Elementary School Locker Room Painting - Three quotes were received. Jim Loehmer’s quote was recommended for the project. After discussion, the board voted to accept the recommendation.
• Elementary School Gym Floor - There was discussion to repair/fix or replace the floor. After discussion Foster Specialty Floors (no relation to Superintendent Foster) was recommended to repair/fix the floor. The board approved the recommendation.
• Elementary School Gym Roof - Bradley Maintenance was recommended to fix the wind-damaged roof. The board approved the recommendation.

Foster gave a financial report for the period ending May 31. The Condition of Funds Statement indicated that all Corporation Funds had positive balances. After discussion, the board voted to approve all claims as presented.

During Board comment the following were commended: administrators, Emma Kiser, Braun’s, the Colgrove family and the Jen Goodman family for their donations. The retiring coaches were commended.

Mrs. Patti Bauer commented on an incident on a school bus on November 2013.