Meeting Details
January 12, 2021
6:30pm - 7:30pm
1 hr
Administration Offices, 510 South Main Street, Tipton, IN 46072
Purpose
Monthly Board Meeting
1.
Call to Order/Welcome
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Approval of Consent Agenda Items
A member of the Board may request any item to be removed from the consent resolution and defer it for a specific action and more discussion. No vote of the Board will be required to remove an item from the consent agenda. A single member's request shall cause it to be relocated as an action item eligible for discussion. Any item on the consent agenda may be removed and discussed as a nonaction item or be deferred for further study and discussion at a subsequent Board meeting if the Superintendent or any Board member thinks the item requires further discussion. (ByLaw 0166.1)
It is recommended that the following Consent Agenda Items be approved:
Approval of the Agenda
Approval of Minutes
- December 8, 2020, Regular Session
- December 8, 2020, Executive Session
- December 14, 2020, Special Session/Public Hearing
Approval of Claims
- December 18, 2020, Payroll Claim
- December 21, 2020. Payroll Claim
- January 4, 2021, Payroll Claim
- Accounts Payable Claims
Approval of Personnel Report
- January 2021 Personnel Report
- Superintendent or designee is authorized to deliver any notice required to advise an employee that the employee's contract is being considered for non-renewal
- Tipton County Library Appointment: Cyndi Day, 4 year term
Approval of Field Trips (Overnight and/or Out-of-State)
- None.
Approval to Accept Donations
- Indiana University Health, $2,500..."This grant will help fund free meals and snacks for students, particularly benefiting low-income families as well as to ensure all students have access to healthy foods and complete meals while learning virtually during COVID-19. Any additional funds will support student meal accounts of low-income families."
- Campbell Family Foundation, $8,500 grant for upgrades to Gymnasium and Auditorium.
- Tipton County Foundation, $750 grant to the Special Trust ECA Account.
- Neda Chopp, $1000 to THS Bass Anglers Club. This is an annual donation in memory of her husband, Daniel E. Chopp.
4.
Reorganization of the Board
4.1
Election of Officers
4.2
Appointment of Treasurer and Executive Secretary of the Board
It is recommended that Amy Phillips be appointed as the Treasurer and Dawn Benefiel as the Executive Secretary of the Board.
4.3
Establishment of Meeting Date and Time
It is recommended that we maintain our current meeting date and time of the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM.
5.
Board of Finance Meeting (see separate agenda)
The Board will recess from the Regular Business Meeting for the purpose of conducting a brief Board of Finance Meeting.
6.
Superintendent's Report
-
January is National School Board Appreciation Month
-
Issue Press Release
-
Proclamation
-
Certificates
-
-
Virtual learning seems to going fine. THS organized textbook pick-up. Use of Zoom and Google Meet for direct instruction. We are looking forward to the return to "in-person" learning.
-
NWEA Testing when students return for MOY benchmark
-
PLTW Grant for Computer Science Essentials
-
Live Streaming of varsity events going well! Thank you John Robertson and his volunteers.
-
Reappointment of Cyndi Day to the Tipton County Public Library Board
-
Jason Smith donation
6.1
Department Reports
Facilities & Transportation, Scott Wessel
Student Services, Shayne Clark
Food Services, Adam Proulx
Technology, Steven Gingerich
6.2
Financial Report
For 2020, we have ended the year with a cash balance of $203,000 in Education Fund, $2,079,946 in the Operation Fund, $1,106,775 in the Debt Service, and $3,200,000 in the Rainy Day Fund. We have spent just over 109% of the Education Fund which is higher 9% than the previous year. This was the need for an additional appropriations approved last month of $850,000 transferred from the operation fund cash balance. In December, our expenditures exceeded our revenue in the education fund by nearly $15,000.
Last month, the Board gave permission to transfer funds among the appropriation accounts. Mrs. Phillips has provided you with a summary of what actions were taken to ensure that account balances end with a zero or positive balance.
7.
Old Business
8.
New Business
8.1
Consideration to approve Mileage Rate Reimbursement for 2021
Mileage may be reimbursed at a rate established annually by the Board (Policy 6550). The federal rate of reimbursement as of January 1, 2021 is $0.56 (fifty-six cents) per mile. This is down 1 1/2 cents from last year. Our goal has been to provide a mileage rate reimbursement equal to that of the federal rate.
It is recommended that the Board establish a rate of $0.56 (fifty-six cents) per mile reimbursement.
8.2
Consideration to approve the renewal for Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
It is recommended that we continue with this insurance through the Indiana Schools Educational Service Center (ISESC). The estimated annual premium for this year is $53,729 nearly $1,000 less than last year.
It is recommended that the Board approve the renewal for Workers’ Compensation Insurance through ISESC.
8.3
Consideration to Approve Board Policies and Administrative Guidelines First Reading
NEOLA has reviewed new state laws and guidance from the 2020 legislative session and recommended changes to TCSC Board Policy and Administrative Guidelines. All changes in board policy and administrative guidelines must be approved after two readings in the monthly board board meeting.
It is recommended the board of trustees approve the board policies and administrative guidelines on the first reading as written.
8.4
Consideration to approve the disposal of surplus equipment
Throughout our buildings we a considerable amount surplus technology and classroom furniture that are either obsolete or in disrepair. Since this equipment was purchased using taxpayer funds, disposal must be approved the board of trustees. A list of equipment is attached below.
It is recommended the board of trustees approve the disposal of surplus equipment.
8.5
Consideration to approve bus purchases for 2021-22 school year.
In November, the board was given the TCSC Transportation Report and Recommendations proposal that looked at our current transportation organization and a five year plan for the future. One of the recommendations is the purchase of four 72 passenger buses financed through Daimler Financial for six years and the out right purchase of one new activity bus. Financing the buses makes good sense with historically low interest rates and the need to lower annual expenses in the operation fund as well as lays the foundation to all corporation bus routes in 5 years. All the new buses will have a three year bumper to bumper warranty.
It is recommended the board of trustees approve the purchase proposal of four new buses and one activity bus.
8.6
Consideration to approve the Tipton Achievement Academy to Begin Fall of 2021
Last month, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Leach made a presentation to the board on the Tipton Achievement Academy (TAA). A location will be at THS in room 163. The room has its own outside entrance that we will make secure. We are planning new flooring and paint in the area. Students will use Edmentum content for the academic portion of the class. There will be no more than 15 students each of the morning and afternoon sessions:
It is recommended the board of trustees approve the Tipton Achievement Academy to start in the fall of 2021.
8.7
Consideration to Pay 12 Month Classified Employees for Unused Vacation Days
The classified employee handbook allows for twelve month employees to receive payment in lieu of days for up to 5 unused vacation days during a calendar year. Payment is based on the employees daily rate multiplied by the number of unused days (up to 5).
It is commended the board of trustees approve payment for unused vacation days for the six employees listed in the attached memo.
9.
Other Matters to Come Before the Board
- Virtual Learning Day, February 15, 2021, possible change to in person learning.
9.1
Advisory Committees
January 18-Business Affairs
February 15-Facilities/Technology
March 15-Personnel
9.2
Schedule of Events
January 18-Students return to "In-Person" learning
January 18-Business Affairs Advisory Committee-5:30PM
January 26-Greenhouse Meeting-7PM
February 8-eLearning Professional Development Day
February 9-Executive Session 5:30PM, Board Meeting 6:30PM-THS Auditorium
February 15-Virtual Learning Make-up Day
February 15-Facilities and Technology-5:30PM
10.
Comments from Community
11.
Adjournment
