TCSC School Board Meeting

Dr. Glaze passed out information for the Senior Trip. Mr. Leach is available to answer any questions. The trip is being planned by Gary Fernung, as he has done for the past few years. There are a number of staff members planning to attend, along with parents who would help chaperone. Students would miss three days of school.

Dr. Glaze noted that he had forwarded an email to the Board from TMU about a very large increase in utility costs for the school system. He will work to get more information in the coming days and look for areas of assistance to help navigate such a large increase.

Friends of the Inferno - we will be renovating the main HS gym as part of the overall building project. Project costs were reviewed. To help fund this portion of the project, Friends of the Inferno has been established. A couple of different ways to support are 1) Friends of the Inferno Levels - open to individuals, and 2) Blue Nation Donors. Friends of the Inferno Level gifts can be made in honor of or in memory of individuals or events. Blue Nation Donors are businesses or individuals willing to make a larger donation for a specific portion of the project. Blue Nation Donors will have signage displaying donor name. A trifold flyer has been designed to provide information on how to participate and will be distributed in the coming days. There will be social media posts as well.

On Saturday, November 11, 2023, the Board met with Jim Halik to provide guidance on strategic planning. The Board will plan to meet in executive session in December to finalize some of the goals. On January 15, 2024, Mr. Halik will meet with the administrative team. Goal action plans would be shared with the Board in February.

Special board meeting on November 27 at 9:00 a.m. to approve bids for THS Phase 2 and TMS projects.

Mr. Cochrane asked about the chiller for the elementary school. We are in the process of ordering a new chiller, but will take approximately one year to receive. Cost is approximately $290,000, to be funded partially by the project funding and from GO bonds.

Dr. Glaze reviewed the financial information for the Corporation.

Mr. Cochrane does not feel like the agreement is written well enough for him to approve this evening. He will abstain from the vote.

Mr. Underwood asked about how this was negotiated. Dr. Glaze noted that Mr. Fernung has been in discussion with Encompass, and then Dr. Glaze stepped in to help facilitate the final agreement. 

Mrs. Rodibaugh felt like this has been talked about in other committee groups, as well as naming rights for various areas of the campus. She is comfortable with the agreement, knowing that it was negotiated in good faith and with proper research.

Mr. Underwood asked that it be noted that he would like more notice prior to a vote on future projects.

Mr. Cochrane expressed his concern that the contract does not provide any exclusivity protection for Encompass. Mr. Matt Lambert, Encompass CEO,  addressed to the Board noting that he has considered this as well, but for the good of the project, he would not be opposed to competitors helping to fund. He added that it will take more than Encompass's donation to complete this project. He is willing to accept this risk to fully fund this project for the benefit of the school community.

Motion made by Mr. Cochrane to open the door to looking at the options. If, after discussion, we decide not to make changes, that is acceptable as well.

Mrs. Campbell expressed her concern about voting tonight as she doesn't necesarity want to be tied to making a change or not. She has, up to this point, considered only homeschooled students, but has recently been shown that even students who attend other private schools could be included, which makes the decision more difficult. 

Mrs. Rodibaugh expressed her concern about forcing students to take tests to be included in our scores. She will vote no to pursuing a policy change.

The Board discussed whether or not they were individually ready to vote. If there is still concern, the item could be tabled and revisited.

Motion was made by Mr. Cochrane and seconded by Mrs. Campbell to table this business item.