Oak
Hill United School Corporation
MINUTES OF A MEETING
HELD
MARCH 10, 2004
The Board of Trustees of the Oak Hill United School Corporation met in the Administration Office of the Oak Hill United School Corporation on Wednesday, March 10, 2004. Board members present were: Dana Biggs, Scott Dubois, Mark A. Johnson, Brian Middlesworth, Toby Middlesworth, Dennis Messersmith and Kevin Pearson. Also present were Superintendent James W. Smith, Business Manager Jill Morphew, Harold King, Terry Renbarger, Charles Shroyer, Bill Bishop, Jean Shonkwiler, and Recording Secretary Libby Medley. Representing the news media was Donna Burchick of the Oak Hill Times, Todd Usher of the Peru Tribune, and Jonathan Bethely of the Chronicle Tribune. Also present were Abby Green, Sierra Hawkins, Kay Kwoczalla, Mr. Kwoczalla, Sharon Harmon, Mr. Harmon, Ann Larrison, Lynn Calloway, Bob and Elaine Dragstrem, Jennifer Hipp, Angie Gooldy, Joe Weaver, Beverly Sheline, David Prickett, Dave McDivitt, Tom Rademaker, Teresa Shafer, Mark Roberts and Steve Tuttle.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Messersmith, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Messersmith opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MINUTES APPROVED
The minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of February 25, 2004 and executive session of March 6, 2004 were approved as presented.
4. PERSONNEL
Mr. Smith made the following personnel recommendations for Board consideration:
NAME |
BUILDING |
POSITION |
ACTION |
Jean Shonkwiler |
Oak Hill High School |
Principal and Teacher |
Resignation |
Susan Place |
Oak Hill High School |
Math/Business Dept. Chair |
Appointment |
Sarah Matthews |
Oak Hill Elementary |
Girls’ Basketball Coor. |
Appointment |
Rhonda Fagan |
Swayzee Elementary |
6th Grade Student Council Sponsor |
Appointment |
Brian Middlesworth moved to approve all personnel recommendations as presented. Scott Dubois seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes and 0 nays.
5. CONTINUING BUSINESS
There was no continuing business.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2005-06 School Calendar Approved
Toby Middlesworth moved to approve the 2005-06 school calendar as presented. Kevin Pearson seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes and 0 nays. (see enclosure)
B. Cancellation of Outstanding Checks Approved
Mark Johnson moved to approve cancellation of two checks that have been outstanding for two years. Dana Biggs seconded the motion which carried 7 ayes and 0 nays. (see enclosure)
7. CELEBRATIONS
|
Building/Administrator |
Event |
|
Administration Office Jim Smith, Superintendent |
· Visited the Junior High School all-day and appreciated the fun and excitement as students are learning. |
|
Oak Hill High School Jean Shonkwiler, Principal |
· Two students who competed at the sectional level for the Speech Team will advance to the State. · The German/Spanish Club dance was a huge success. · Joe Weaver and the Student Council sponsored a blood drive. Their goal was 40 units of blood but 54 units were donated. · The North Central Association recently completed an audit of Oak Hill High School and the staff of Oak Hill were commended for their efforts. |
|
Oak Hill Special Programs Bill Bishop |
· Expressed his appreciation for Jean Shonkwiler as an administrative colleague as well as her efforts as high school principal for his two children. |
|
Sweetser Elementary School Charles Shroyer, Principal |
· Noted that he and Jean Shonkwiler began their careers at Wabash County Schools. He acknowledged the good education his two daughters received at Oak Hill High School while she was serving as Principal. · Dan Brauchler’s Computer Applications Class was acknowledged for their efforts in assisting with Kindergarten Round Up. · Mary Hall was instrumental for bringing in programs to celebrate “Read Across America.” · Gwen Fuhrman’s class noticed trash on school grounds and worked outside to pick it up. · Jenny Horner, her husband, and Oak Hill High School Advanced Math students who tutored 17 students as they competed in a Math Bowl at Pendleton. Sweetser was one of the smallest schools competing and placed 30th in the State. |
|
Swayzee Elementary School Terry Renbarger, Principal |
· 41 students read a lot of extra minutes outside of daily classroom reading to qualify in the “I Love To Read” challenge. · Shared his appreciation in working these years with Jean Shonkwiler as an administrator and serving on committees. |
|
Converse Elementary School Harold King, Principal |
· Alana VanCise conducted a Family Literacy Night with 40 participants. · Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday were observed. · He acknowledged his gratitude to Jean Shonkwiler for her leadership and professionalism. |
|
MISCELLANEOUS Beverly Sheline, OHHS |
· The North Central Evaluation Team reviewed Oak Hill High School and they were very pleased with test scores on standardized tests as well as the clean, quiet educational facility. · Jean Shonkwiler has been instrumental in helping Oak Hill High School become a good school. |
|
Joe Weaver, OHHS |
· He has worked for a number of principals at Oak Hill High School and noted it was his privilege to have Jean Shonkwiler as a school leader. |
|
Dennis Messersmith, School Board |
· Expressed his appreciation to Jean Shonkwiler for assisting his children through graduation. |
|
Dana Biggs, School Board |
· Noted that 14 years is a long time of service. On behalf of the community he thanked her and wished her great success. |
8. CLAIMS
Mr. Kevin Pearson moved to pay claims #1666 through #1760, Lunch and Textbook Rental Claim Checks #11050 through # 11142, and Lunch Payroll Checks #4618 through #4804. Mark Johnson seconded the motion and it carried 7 ayes and 0 nays.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS
A. Business Report
Mrs. Jill Morphew announced that $710,429.11 was received from the Grant County Auditor for property taxes paid. This amount will be immediately paid to the Indiana Bond Bank to apply to loans and interest due on monies borrowed. To date, 35.7% has been collected on property taxes and there are no assurances when the balance will be received for 2003 or when 2004 monies will become available.
B. Options to Address Elementary Enrollment Issues
Mr. Smith presented three options to address the declining elementary enrollment concerns.
(1) Move Grade 6 students to Oak Hill Junior High School, bus Converse Elementary School students to Swayzee and close Converse Elementary School which would result in the reduction of one teaching position.
(2) Provide kindergarten classes at all three elementary schools and have learning centers as follows: Converse – Grades 1 and 2; Sweetser – Grades 3 and 4; Swayzee – Grades 5 and 6 which would result in the reduction of 1 teaching position.
(3) Add full day kindergarten to the second option which would result in the addition of 2 teachers.
After discussion, the School Board felt that the sooner a decision was made the more beneficial it would be for parents, students, and staff. A special meeting will be scheduled for March 17th to continue the discussion and possibly determine what option to adopt.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Following the regular meeting, the Board of Trustees met in Executive Session to discuss the performance of an individual employee as per I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (8).