The Board of Trustees of the Oak Hill United School Corporation met in the Administration Office on Tuesday, December 13, 2005.  All Board Members were present except Mark Johnson.  Also present were Superintendent James W. Smith, Business Manager Jill Morphew, Recording Secretary Norma Sweeten, Terry Renbarger, Bill Bishop, Joel Martin, Rob Martin, Patti Lehman, Ruth Davies, Teresa Shafer, Valree Kinch, and Mike Keaffaber.  Representing the news media were Mike Duncan of WBAT Radio, Donna Burchick of the Oak Hill Times, and Casey Mellady of the Peru Tribune.

1.         CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Toby Middlesworth, President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m..

2.         MOMENT OF REFLECTION

            Mr. James Smith opened the meeting with reflection and prayer. 

3.         PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

            Mr. Middlesworth led the Pledge of Allegiance.

4.          MINUTES APPROVED

            The minutes of the regular meeting and the Executive Session of November 22, 2005, were approved as submitted.

5.         PERSONNEL

            Mr. Smith made the following personnel recommendations for Board consideration:

NAME	BUILDING	POSITION	ACTION
Steve Combs	High School	Varsity Softball Coach	Resignation
Troy Dubois	High School	Industrial Technology Teacher	Appointment
Kelly Van Ness	Junior High	Instructional Assistant	Appointment
Staci Schwarze	Junior High	Cheerleader Coach	Appointment

            Dennis Messersmith moved to approve the personnel recommendations as presented.  Kevin Pearson seconded the motion, and it carried 6 ayes and 0 nays.     

6.         CONTINUING BUSINESS

            A.  Public Hearing for Additional Appropriations

            The public hearing regarding the two additional appropriations, the Debt Service Fund and the Bus Replacement Fund, has been advertised in the newspapers twice.  Mr. Middlesworth asked the public in attendance for any comments.  There were none.

            B.  Consideration of Approval of Additional Appropriations

            Mrs. Morphew explained the adjustments to the Debt Service Fund in the amount of $371,746 and the Bus Replacement Fund of $6,831.  She asked the Board to approval these additional appropriations.  Dana Biggs moved to approve the appropriations, and Scott Dubois seconded the motion.  It passed 6 ayes to 0 nays (see attached resolution).

            C.  Consideration of Bids for Tax Anticipation Warrants

            This consideration is to borrow money for cash flow purposes the first six months of 2006.  Three bids were received.  Mrs. Morphew asked the Board to borrow the money and to accept the offer from Parker/Hunter with an interest rate of 5.375%.  Dennis Messersmith moved to borrow the money and accept Parker/Hunter’s interest rate.  Brian Middlesworth seconded the motion which carried 6 ayes to 0 nays.

7.         NEW BUSINESS

            A.  Consideration of Permission to Close Fiscal Year 2005      

            Mrs. Morphew noted that some transfers between appropriations are usually necessary to balance the budget for the end of the year.  Mrs. Morphew asked the Board for permission to make the transfers and to close the 2005 fiscal year.  Brian Middlesworth moved to permit the transfers and to report any actions to the Board in January.  Kevin Pearson seconded the motion.  It passed 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            B.  Consideration of Maximum Tax Rate for 2006

            Mrs. Morphew asked the Board to set a maximum tax rate at $1.9975.  Scott Dubois moved to establish this rate, Dennis Messersmith seconded the motion, and it passed 6 ayes to 0 nays (see attached resolution).       

            C.  Consideration of Resolution Establishing Rainy Day Fund

            Mrs. Morphew explained that the legislature has given schools the ability to establish a Rainy Day Fund by using leftover appropriations from all the six funds’ budgets.  Mrs. Morphew asked the Board to adopt the resolution.  Dennis Messersmith moved to allow the Rainy Day Fund (see attached resolution).  Kevin Pearson seconded the motion, and it carried 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            D.  Consideration of Ratification of Bargained Agreement

            Mr. Smith noted that the teachers’ association has negotiated with the school corporation and has come to a tentative agreement.   The agreement calls for an increase on the base salary of 1.678%.  Kevin Pearson moved to ratify the agreement with the teachers’ association.  Scott Dubois seconded the motion.  It passed 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            E.  Consideration of Administrative/Professional Support Staff Salaries for 2005-06.

            Mr. Smith explained that it was recommended that the Administrative/Professional Support Staff receive a 1.678 % increase in wages.  Brian Middlesworth moved to accept the recommendation.  Scott Dubois seconded the motion, and it passed 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            F.  Consideration of Support Staff Wages for 2006

            Mr. Smith explained that it was recommended that the Support Staff receive a 1.678% wage increase.  The adjustment for the increase would take effect on January 1, 2006.  Dana Biggs moved to approve the support staff wages.  Kevin Pearson seconded the motion.  It carried 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            G.  Consideration of Partnership to Petition Athletic Conferences

            Mr. Smith explained that the Wabash City Schools have asked Oak Hill School Corporation to join them in petitioning The Three Rivers Conference and the Central Indiana Conference for a possible change in conference affiliations.  Kevin Pearson moved to petition the conferences, Dana Biggs seconded the motion, and it passed 6 ayes to 0 nays.

              H.  Consideration of Library Board Re-Appointment

            Mr. Smith noted that Mary Jane Thomas’ term as Director of the Converse-Jackson Township Library is terminating.  Ms. Thomas informed the Board that she would be willing to serve a second term.  Dana Biggs moved to re-appoint Ms. Thomas to a second term.  Brian Middlesworth seconded the motion.  It carried 6 ayes to 0 nays.

            I.  Consideration of Fundraising Request

            Mr. Smith stated that the Oak Hill High School cheerleaders asked permission to hold their semi-annual clinic for elementary students for the proposed dates of January 30^th through February 4^th.  The performance would then be at halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game on February 4^th.  Brian Middlesworth moved to permit this fundraiser, Dennis Messersmith seconded the motion which carried 6 ayes to 0 nays.

8.         CLAIMS

            Dana Biggs moved to accept regular claims # 805 through #913, lunch and textbook rental claims # 643 through #682, and lunch payroll checks #6342 through #6396.   Kevin Pearson seconded the motion.  It passed 6 ayes to 0 nays.

9.         ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS

            There were no announcements or reports

 10.       CELEBRATIONS

Building/Administrator	Event
Oak Hill High School Joel Martin, Principal	·        Praised the Oak Hill speech team, Coach Jason Robinson, and team members Kaylee Baxter, Kymbar Larson, Kris Eckman, and Dave Marshall for the first time in team history, placed in the top ten at the FW Tournament. ·        Praised the entomology team of Caleb Rennaker, Nate Linna, Andy Horner, and David Marshall and Coach Marvin Green on winning the State Senior contest for the 41st year and the 24th consecutive year. ·        Thanked the students, staff, and Rob Martin for the FCA food drive for the Samaritan Room.
Sweetser Elementary School Mike Keaffaber, Principal	·        Praised the success of the canned food drive of 1554 items. Praised the fourth grade in lieu of a gift exchange, the students will bring in a new book or educational toy to be donated to Family Service Society, Inc. in Grant County. Praised the basketball convocation and the message presented.
Special Services Bill Bishop, Director	Praised Dottie Brookshire as the interim teacher of the PCE class. ·        Praised Sharon Reiff on her work with children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swayzee Elementary Terry Renbarger, Principal	·        Praised the staff of the Eagle Chatterbox, the online magazine, on the press conference interviewing Rob Martin, Marcie Kendall, and Terry Renbarger. ·        Congratulated Thomas Slaughter and Alyssa Combs for being the Science Fair overall winners. ·        Praised the elementary collaboration convocation with Jim Basketball Jones and his awesome message.
Converse Elementary School Valree Kinch, Principal	·        Praised the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Dinner and the 100 people who attended. ·        Concerned that Stacey Harrison broke her leg outside of the school. ·        Praised the turnout of the canned food drive. ·        Praised student Elayna Garcia for her display of caring for a fellow student.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.       ADJOURNMENT

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m..

 

12.       EXECUTIVE SESSION

           

            Following the regular meeting, the Board met in Executive Session according to I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b) (9).