School City of Mishawaka Mishawaka, Indiana February 8, 2016 Together, we will equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to excel in a dynamic and evolving world. Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees -- 7:00 p.m. Administrative Center 1402 South Main Mishawaka, IN 46544 Meeting called to order by Board President at 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Jeffery E. Emmons, President Larry E. Stillson, Vice President Holly Parks. Secretary William D. Pemberton, Member Dennis R. Wood, Member Dr. A. Dean Speicher, Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bruce Stahly, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Pettibone, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction William Welling, Interim Director of Human Resources OFFICIAL GUESTS: Dr. Theodore Stevens, Director for Curriculum and Instruction Barbara Michalos, Director of Exceptional Learners Eilleen Kalman, Assistant Director of Exceptional Learners Brad Addison, Principal, Emmons School James Aldrich, Director of Athletics Michael Babcock, Assistant Principal, John J. Young Middle School Rob Bach, Principal, LaSalle School Rochelle Brandenburg, Principal, Twin Branch School Jerome Calderone, Principal, Mishawaka High School Barton Curtis, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Michael Faulkner, Assistant Director of Athletics C. Mike Fisher, Principal, John J. Young Middle School Jenifer Fisher, Attendance Coordinator, Mishawaka High School Ashley Litwin, Assistant Principal, John J. Young Middle School Janine Mabry, Principal, Liberty School Patricia Morris, Program Supervisor, Joint Service Campus Program John Ross, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Daniel Towner, Principal, Beiger School David Troyer, Assistant Principal, Mishawaka High School Matthew Wood, Principal, Battell School Jeffrey Yohe, Principal, Hums School Trudy Lietzan, PTA Council President Patricia Bellovich, Secretary to the Superintendent Sherry Keyser, President, MEA Media Representatives: The School City of Mishawaka appreciates the presence of representatives from the media. Please identify yourselves to Pat Bellovich to have your attendance noted in the Board minutes. Persons who are hearing impaired or deaf and who require an interpreter for this meeting should notify the Administration Center in writing to School City of Mishawaka, 1402 South Main Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544, or by telephone at (574) 254-4500. Notification must occur by noon on the Friday prior to a Board Meeting.
This meeting is a meeting of the School Board in public for the purpose of conducting the School Corporation business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There will be time for public comment as indicated on the agenda. VISITORS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM Visitors requesting permission to address the Board on a specific agenda item are requested to sign in on the registration form upon arrival at the meeting. Each statement made by a participant on any specific agenda item may be limited at the discretion of the presiding officer. Visitors will be restricted to one appearance per item. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2016 17. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA President Emmons It is recommended that the agenda for the February 8, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Board be adopted as presented. Motion by Stillson second by Parks vote 5-0 COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR 2016 18. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR President Emmons 18.1 COMMUNICATION WITH PTA None 18.2 REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES None 18.3 REPRESENTATIVES OF MISHAWAKA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Jane Wright reported that three classroom grants were awarded and that the M Factor Dinner and Talent Show will be held on February 20. Each school, the Ad Center and the MEF have an act. Voting is on line at the MEF website. She also reported that all of the funds raised in the Major Savers campaign will be used for wireless connectivity in the schools. 18.4 GENERAL PUBLIC No one registered to speak. Anyone wishing to address the Board on general topics is invited to do so under this item. These individuals must register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon their arrival at the meeting. Each statement made by a participant may be limited at the discretion of the presiding officer. It is requested that names and addresses be stated at the beginning of such comments. Individuals may speak only once during this section of the agenda. As per Board Policy, personnel issues will not be addressed during open sessions of the Board. Concerns about individual employees of the district should be brought to the superintendent or designee. 2
2016 19. CONSENT AGENDA President Emmons 19.1 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 26, 2016 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD It is recommended that the minutes of the January 26, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Board be approved as presented. 19.2 BILL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL It is recommended that the bill warrants and payroll in the amount of $1,257,418.53 be approved for payment from the appropriate fund. 19.3 FIELD TRIP REQUESTS It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees grant approval for the Field Trip requests as listed and documented. 19.4 FUNDRAISER REQUESTS It is recommended that the Board of School Trustees grant approval for the Fundraiser requests as listed and documented. 19.5 PERSONNEL REPORT It is recommended that the Personnel Report, dated February 8, 2016, be approved. Motion by Wood second by Parks vote 5-0 2016 20. INSTRUCTION 20.1 Action 20.2 Discussion Items 20.3 Reports 2016 21. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS 21.1 Action 21.1a APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT WITH DR. KENNETH BLAD Dr. Speicher Background: As a result of recommendations from the Community Collaborating Committee, the School City of Mishawaka began a number of Vision Initiative Work Groups to carry out these recommendations. Dr. Blad s expertise and background makes him a key asset in the High Priority Facility Needs work group. He will conduct a Building Capacity and Utilization Study as an integral part of the Out-of-district Student Plan recommendation and High Priority Facility Needs Work Group. See the High Priority Facility Needs Work Group Plan. His services will be provided at the rate of $100.00 per hour plus reimbursement for mileage and the acquisition of required supplies or materials. 3
approve the independent contractor agreement with Dr. Kenneth Blad as outlined above. Dr. Speicher said that the High Priority Facility Needs Work Group will bring the results of the Threat Assessment and the Building Capacity and Building Utilization Study to the Board. Dr. Blad will also do enrollment projections for the next five years. The work group will be looking at proposals from firms to do an inventory of the work needed in the facilities. Motion by Stillson second by Pemberton vote 5-0 21.1b APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH BIG IDEA COMPANY Dr. Speicher Background: The Collaborating Committee recommended that School City of Mishawaka develop a Communication Strategy and Marketing Plan. A work group has been established to carry out this recommendation. Big Idea Company will provide guidance, consultation and recommendations for communications and marketing strategies for School City of Mishawaka and the Mishawaka Education Foundation. Big Idea Company will invoice on the first day of the month following each previous month of services. The fee for Big Idea Company services is $125.00 per hour. approve the agreement with Big Idea Company as attached. Both the 2014 Summer Study and Community Collaboration Committee strongly recommended that School City of Mishawaka do a better job of telling its story. Big Idea Company will help us put together a good marketing plan. They will also help with the messaging if the Board decides to go for a referendum. Their marketing plan will coordinate with both the City of Mishawaka and the Mishawaka Education Foundation. Dr. Speicher said that he wants people to know that we are a growing school corporation. Motion by Parks second by Stillson vote 5-0 21.1c APPROVAL OF CONSULTANT AGREEMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REVIEW WITH GROUP ALTERNATIVES Dr. Stahly Background: We tried to do an independent review of our health insurance last fall but the timing was just too close to our renewal date of November 1, 2015. We indicated at that time that even though we were renewing with our present carrier and our present broker, The Horton Group, that we would continue to investigate the possibility of hiring an independent consultant to review our health insurance. Following this investigation we asked John McConnell of Group Alternatives to submit a proposal for School City of Mishawaka to consider. After receipt of the proposal we then asked John McConnell to meet with the School City of Mishawaka insurance committee for their input on proceeding with Group Alternatives. As there were no objections having Group Alternatives proceed with this study, we recommend this contract. As per the attached contract, School City of Mishawaka would pay 2/3 of the $30,000 total fee at the start of the contract and would only pay the remaining portion of the contract if School City of Mishawaka is satisfied with the quality of the services and information. School City of Mishawaka determines the definition of satisfaction. These various entities, School City administrators, the School Board, and the insurance committee will be involved in this decision regarding satisfaction level of the completed study. 4
approve the contract between Group Alternatives and School City of Mishawaka as presented. It is further recommended that Dr. Dean Speicher be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the corporation. It was noted that the Insurance Committee has reviewed this recommendation. Motion by Wood second by Pemberton vote 5-0 21.1d ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS Dr. Speicher accept the following donations as listed and documented. Chrome Book (value $201.42) Anonymous to John Young $2,200.00 MHS Band Boosters for MHS Drumline $1,000.00 Society of Manufacturing/Engineers Chapter 30 to MHS CAD Club $2,552.00 Hums PTA for Biztown Junior Achievement Dr. Speicher said that he wanted to make it clear that all technology donations or purchases must be approved by either Dr. Stevens or Mr. Mabie before they can be submitted for acceptance by the Board. The corporation cannot insure, or support any technology that has not been preapproved. We are not able to accept technology is not compatible with ours, or that require extra resources to maintain. Motion by Parks second by Stillson vote 5-0 21.1e UPDATING OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES Mr. Welling and Mr. Stillson Background: For many years School City of Mishawaka has used NEOLA for updating and posting School Board policy. As part of our membership with NEOLA, we have the opportunity to receive the assistance of Dr. Thomas McKaig to do a comprehensive review and update of our policies. In light of many changes in federal and state mandates, it would be prudent to examine and update any outdated policies. SCM pays a yearly update fee for services, but due to the broad scope of the updates, it will be necessary to draw up a contract for this major task. Dr. McKaig will prepare this agreement and it will be presented to the Board for approval within the next month. approve the process of updating School Board policy. Mr. Stillson said that this is an important part of moving the corporation forward. Motion by Parks second by Wood vote 5-0 21.2 Discussion Items 21.3 Reports Analytic of the Month Jennifer Smith Mrs. Smith shared data on the ADM count from 2007 through 2016. Starting in 2012, there were two official count days, so she also compared the fall and spring numbers from those years. Although enrollment had declined in some years, the numbers are beginning to increase due to marketing efforts. 5
Cell Phone Update Dr. Stevens Dr. Stevens reported that the change in our cell phone plan will result in a big savings in equipment and it will free our technology staff from the responsibilities of maintaining and servicing cell phones. He noted that the E-Rate reimbursement for cell phones is being phased out. Schedule of School Board Presentations and Recommendations Dr. Speicher Dr. Speicher presented the Board with a list of the items that will be brought to the Board in the next few months. 2016 22. INFORMATION TO THE BOARD SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS Dr. Speicher The Elementary City Spelling Bee will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Mishawaka High School. Parents and community members are reminded that the School City of Mishawaka schools and Administrative Center will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2016, in honor of President s Day. The next Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at Twin Branch School, 3810 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka, Indiana. There will be no school for students on Friday, February 12, 2016. It was designated as a snow make-up day. 2016 23. ADJOURNMENT Emmons Adjournment Time: _8:00_p.m. 6
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES South Bend Tribune Mishawaka Enterprise WHME Newsroom WNDU TV WSBT TV WSJV TV ABC 57 U 93 WGTC WSBT WRBR FO 28 WFRN 7