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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF SCHOOL BOARD

OF BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

March 20, 2008

The Board of School Trustees of the Bloomfield School District, of Greene County, Indiana, met in regular session on March 20, 2008, in the jr/sr high school conference room in Bloomfield Junior/Senior High School, 501 West Spring Street, Bloomfield, Indiana.  The following school board members were present: Doug Frye, Keith Hanauer, Marvin Helms, Robert Kirk, Sandra Parkes May, and Eric Moody. Steve Dowden was absent.  President Moody called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 p.m.  The following order of business was transacted with the President presiding:

1.      Recognitions.     Mr. Kirk commented what a good article the Bloomington Herald Times did in recognition of Bloomfield’s NJROTC.  Superintendent Sichting recognized Siera Fuller and Elyse Weddle for being named to the Greene County All County Girl’s Basketball team.  Mr. Sichting also stated Bloomfield had two students participate in a recent art contest for designs submitted for an Indianapolis Indians sign. 

2.  Approval of Minutes.  The Board had been provided with minutes of the regular school board meeting and executive session both held on February 28, 2008, which had been prepared by corporation recording secretary Kelli Vandeventer.   Keith Hanauer moved to approve the minutes as presented.   Robert Kirk seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved by a 6-0 vote.

3. Treasurer’s Report.  The Board had been provided with the Treasurer’s Report, prepared by corporation treasurer Sue Pritts, consisting of the Appropriation Report and Claims Listing Report.  Upon motion duly made by Robert Kirk and seconded by Sandy May, the Board by a 6-0 vote approved the Treasurer’s Report.  

4. Board Hears Update on 2008 Certified Budget Appropriations.  Superintendent Sichting told board members that 2008 Assessed Values had still not yet been determined for Greene County.   He said the project timeline for certification continues to be April or May at the earliest.  The Auditor had said that upon receipt of a 2008 budget, the earliest tax bills could be mailed is three months after the budget appropriations are certified. 

5.  DOE 54 Report for March.  Superintendent Sichting provided the board with the DOE 54 Report for March 2008.  (See Attached)  He said the report showed no reduction in the monthly payment from February 15, 2008 to March 15, 2008. 

6.  Board Approves Additional Appropriations Resolution.  President Moody read the additional appropriations resolution provided by Superintendent Sichting. (See Attached)  Mr. Sichting explained that the resolution appropriates the revenue received from the sale of school district property to the building corporation for the purpose of paying for the lower elementary renovation.  Keith Hanauer moved to approve the resolution as provided.  Robert Kirk seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

7.  Authorization Given to Purchase Lockers for D-Hallway.  It was recommended the Board approve the purchase of 174 student lockers from the Lee Company for installation in the D-Hallway at Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School.  Superintendent Sichting stated that the lockers in D-hallway are twenty years old and that money to purchase new ones would come from remaining funds of a construction loan obtained in 2006.  He explained that during a recent State Board of Accounts audit, the auditor expressed concern over the continued holding of the remaining proceeds of this loan.  Sandy May made a motion to approve the purchase of the new lockers.  Keith Hanauer seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

8.  Board Approves Health Insurance Carrier.  It was recommended the Board approve ISTA Insurance Trust as the vendor to supply health insurance for employees of Bloomfield School District from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009.  Superintendent Sichting provided background information concerning the process.  (See Attached)  He said ISTA Insurance Trust would be the third party administrator.  Keith Hanauer moved to approve the recommendation.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-1 vote.  Marvin Helms cast the nay vote. 

9.  Title I Instructional Assistant’s Resignation Accepted.  It was recommended the Board accept the resignation of Mrs. Cassie Collins as a Title I Instructional Assistant at Bloomfield Elementary School effective March 10, 2008. (See Attached)   Superintendent Sichting said that Mrs. Collins was hired on January 11, 2008 to fill a vacancy due to an illness.  He explained that as a result of personnel returning, Mrs. Collins submitted her letter of resignation.  Robert Kirk moved to accept the resignation.  Doug Frye seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

10.  Board Hires Title I Instructional Assistant.  It was recommended the Board hire Erica Pemberton as a Title I Instructional Assistant at Bloomfield Elementary School effective March 10, 2008.  (See Attached)  Superintendent Sichting explained that instructional assistants for the Title I program are funded by Title I grant proceeds including salaries and benefits.  He said that this position is an “at-will” position.  He shared that Mrs. Pemberton’s employment is a qualifying event in terms of health insurance enrollment.  Marvin Helms moved to hire Mrs. Pemberton.  Keith Hanauer seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.    

11.  Bloomfield Custodian Resigns.  It was recommended the Board accept the resignation of Ms. Cindy Hays as a Custodial III employee of Bloomfield School District effective March 14, 2008.  (See Attached)  It was stated that Ms. Hays had accepted a position at the Greene County Courthouse.  Doug Frye moved to accept the resignation.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

12.  Short-Term Security Officers Hired.  It was recommended the Board hire short-term security officers for sixteen days for eight hours a day at a rate of $11.62 per hour.  (See Attached)  Superintendent Sichting said that historically, the District had employed off duty police officers to provide additional security during the last month of school to help deter vandalism of school property.  Keith Hanauer made a motion to approve the recommendation.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-1 vote.  Doug Frye voted against the motion.  

13.  Elementary Teacher Retires.  It was recommended the Board accept the retirement resignation of Mrs. Phyllis Holt effective at the end of the 2007-208 school year.  (See Attached)  Marvin Helms moved to accept Mrs. Holt’s retirement resignation.  Robert Kirk seconded the motion.  Mr. Sichting thanked Mrs. Holt for her 14 years of service to the District and shared that she had done an outstanding job.  Mary Jane Vandeventer stated she had the utmost respect for Mrs. Holt and considered it a privilege to have worked with her.  Mrs. Holt’s resignation was accepted, reluctantly by the Board, by a 6-0 vote. 

14.  School Nurse Retires.  Long time school nurse Mrs. Sue McIntosh submitted her letter of retirement resignation effective at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.  (See Attached)  Superintendent Sichting recommended the Board accept the letter.  Keith Hanauer moved to accept Mrs. Sue McIntosh’s resignation.  Marvin Helms seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.  Mr. Sichting shared that Mrs. McIntosh had served the students and faculty at Bloomfield Schools for 36 ½ years. He said it was a privilege to walk by the nurse’s room each day and see Sue enjoying her job and being good to all Bloomfield students.  Mrs. Vandeventer shared that Sue was not just a nurse but a counselor of sorts, as well. 

15.  Overnight NJROTC Field Trip Approved.  It was recommended the Board approve an overnight field trip request to allow the Bloomfield NJROTC Drill Team Unit to travel to Anderson High School on April 18, 2008.  (See Attached)  Robert Kirk moved to approve the recommendation.  Doug Frye seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

16.  Overnight Healthy Choices for Girls Conference Approved.  It was recommended the Board approve an overnight field trip for students to attend the Healthy Choices Conference at the Bloomington Convention Center on April 10, 2008.  (See Attached)  Sandy May made a motion to approve the trip.  Keith Hanauer seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.

17.  Bloomfield School District Non-Certified Employee Handbook Approved.  A first reading of the handbook was held at the February 28^th school board meeting.  Superintendent Sichting said that after that meeting the Indiana School Boards Association legal team reviewed the handbook language and he was now providing board members a copy of the final handbook for their approval.  (See Attached) Robert Kirk made a motion to amend the handbook.  Mr. Kirk proposed amending Section G. on page #3 PROBATIONARY PERIOD to read  “Employees new to the corporation shall be considered probationary for the first 365 calendar days.  During the probationary period, the employee shall be evaluated every 90 days by the designated supervisor.  At no time later than the close of the probationary period the supervisor shall recommend continued employment, continuation of probation, or dismissal.” Sandy May seconded the motion to amend the handbook.  The motion to amend the handbook passed by a 4-2 vote.  Doug Frye and Keith Hanauer cast the nay votes.  At this time, Marvin Helms made a motion to approve the entire handbook as amended.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 5-1 vote.  Doug Frye voted against approving the handbook. 

18.  2008-2009 School Calendar Adopted.  It was recommended the Board approve a proposed 2008-2009 school district calendar.  (See Attached)  Keith Hanauer moved to approve the calendar as presented.  Robert Kirk seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote. 

19. Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School Textbook Adoption Approved.  Jr/Sr High School principal Greg Parsley presented the Board with his recommendation for the Jr/Sr High School English/Language Arts Textbook Adoption for 2007-2014.  (See Attached)  Mr. Sichting included his approval.  Marvin Helms moved to approve the jr/sr high school textbook adoption as recommended.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.  The superintendent thanked all involved with the adoption process.

20.  Bloomfield Elementary School Textbook Adoption Approved.  Elementary School principal Mary Jane Vandeventer presented the Board with her recommendation for the Elementary School English/Language Arts Textbook Adoption for 2007-2014.  (See Attached)  Mr. Sichting included his approval.  Keith Hanauer moved to approve the elementary school textbook adoption as recommended.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.  The superintendent thanked all involved with the adoption process.

21.  Information on Social Studies and NJROTC Curriculum at Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School.  Superintendent Sichting told the Board that teachers at Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School had completed the process of writing curriculum for Social Studies and NJROTC classes.  (See Attached)  He said that the textbooks for this area would be adopted during the 2008-2009 school year.  He confirmed that the curriculum was aligned to the Indiana Academic Standards for Social Studies. 

22.  2008 Summer School Program Approved.  Board members were provided with the 2008 Summer School Estimated Instructional Cost Report and List of Courses by Mr. Parsley.  (See Attached)  Superintendent Sichting recommended approval.  Doug Frye moved to approve the recommendation.  Keith Hanauer seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.  

23.  Board Authorizes Superintendent to Continue Dialog with Establishing Hope Academy.  It was recommended the Board authorize the Superintendent to continue discussions with the other four Greene County school corporations for an agreement through the Greene County Grant and Professional Development Consortium to establish Hope Academy.  Mr. Sichting explained that discussions had taken place with the other four Greene County School Corporations to establish Hope Academy as a site for an out-of-school suspension program and full-day Junior High alternative program.  He said the costs of staffing, utilities, technology, and transportation would be split among the five Greene County districts.  He told the Board that at some point in the future they would approve an agreement with projected cost estimates for this venture.  Keith Hanauer moved to authorize the Superintendent to continue talks to establish Hope Academy.  Sandy May seconded the motion, which passed by a 6-0 vote.

24. Update on Progress of Tornado Damage and Repairs.  Mr. Sichting told the Board that workers would be back on site to fix a leak that was found after completion of the bus barn repairs.  He said the windows have been replaced with the exception of one that came in the wrong size.  Playground equipment had been delivered and would be installed soon.  He said the Fibar on the upper playground was combed with a magnet and metal detector to check for metal pieces and glass and it was determined that only part of the Fibar would be replaced.  He said the roof is still being inspected and two compressors located on top of the building still need some repair.  Mr. Sichting said he had an estimate for the fence replacement and is having conversations with the neighbors whose property joins the school’s property concerning replacement of that fence. 

25.  Collective Bargaining Update.  Superintendent Sichting said the next bargaining meeting was set to be held the first of April.  He shared that insurance costs for next year are now known.  He said the two groups are still a ways away from coming to an agreement, but are moving forward in the process. 

26.  Update on New Telephone System Installation.  Mr. Sichting told the Board that training had been given to secretaries, principals, and others who would be using the new phone system.  He said the phones would be ready to use after spring break. 

27.  House Bill 1001 – Property Tax Reform.  Superintendent Sichting gave the board an information on House Bill 1001.  (See Attached) 

28.  Adjournment.  There being no further business Doug Frye moved to adjourn.  Robert Kirk seconded the motion.  The meeting was then adjourned by a 6-0 vote.