Board approves $450,000 in renovations
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The Chrisman School Board meeting held on January 13th began with a public hearing for the Issuance of General Obligation School Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) for the Purpose of Altering, Repairing and Equipping Existing District Facilities and Improving Sites.
After some discussion and opportunity for public comment regarding the proposed bond issuance, Board President Karen Webster moved to approve the issuance of $450,000 in general obligation school bonds to finance resurfacing the Junior High/High School parking lot. All members voted aye, approving the motion.
The pay-back period would take place over five years and would be repaid from the revenue stream that the district receives from county sales tax (resulting in no increase to the local tax rate).
Once the bond issuance hearing was adjourned, the regular board meeting was called to order. In opportunity for public comment, Kim Gore was in attendance to state that she was looking to start a student lead program to stop cyber bullying.
Approval for the consent agenda and financial matters included the imprest fund reimbursement in the amount of $2,222,85 were granted.
At the elementary school, recent events included Teachers Institute on January 3rd, School Spirit Day on January 5th and 2nd Quarter Honor Assemblies in classrooms on January 7th. Upcoming events an 11:40 dismissal on January 21st. Good Behavior Parties will take place from January 26th to 28th. 3rd Quarter Midterms will be on February 4th.
Routes are running well, but sub bus drivers are still needed for extra curricular events. Winter Star Reading test have been completed. IAR Testing Window will be set by the February meeting. As of the meeting, thirteen staff and students are quarantined.
For the Junior High/High School, Homecoming Week will be January 31st to February 4th. The Chrisman Cardinals Homecoming Game will also be on February 4th vs. Westville. Homecoming Dance will take place on February 12th. FCCLA Week will follow from February 14th to 18th.
Since Summer School went well last year, Principal Cole Huber proposed that the school repeat something similar in order to combat some credit deficiencies students are facing as well as propelling a few students to be on track to graduate early if they wish. “This would all be funded through the federal COVID money,” Huber said.
Huber has also been in contact with a representative from Indiana State University, who would like for Chrisman to become a site for prospective student teachers in the future. “Our small, rural set up provides stark contrast to come of the Vigo County schools many of their students place into,” Huber said. “I think we have several good teacher mentors in our district, so hopefully we will be able to create a pipeline that will create some very good teaching prospects in our near future.”
For the February meeting, Huber stated that he would like the board to consider adding another elective program to their catalog. LIFT (Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow) is a brand new program starting next year, intended to be a regional high school and career technical education center for all of ROE #11. The building in Mattoon was built specifically for this program.
Students will pick one of seven categories and be able to pick up multiple credits through hands on learning experiences, and can get dual credit, industry credentials or certifications at the end that will apply directly to college or the workforce.
Students would be sent in the afternoon, similar to Health Occ or Co-Op and up to seven students could be sent in the first year. The cost would be $2,000 for an entire year for each student, though the price may lower in future years. Huber would like the board to consider paying a portion of this to make it accessible to students. The LIFT Director has offered to come present the program to the board and students if necessary.
The January sales tax revenue for school facilities for the district came to $13,063.30 for an average of over $10,000 per month. The fourth grade floor was resurfaced over Christmas break, along with patch work completed in several other elementary classrooms. The new surface makes a big difference aesthetically and should prove to be a nice safety upgrade as well.
Board member Jeff Eddy moved to approve the Driver’s Education vehicle upgrade purchase of a 2019 Kia Sportage with 27,000 miles. The book value for a car of this age and mileage is in the $20,000-$25,000.
Periodically, the Board of Education is asked to review executive session minutes to determine if there is a continuing need for confidentiality as well as to approve the destruction of verbatim records.
Superintendent Acklin recommended the release of close session minutes from July 2021 through December 2021 as well as the destruction of verbatim records of closed sessions prior to July of 2020. Jeff Eddy moved to approve the release with Jim Spesard seconding the motion.
At the December meeting, the board had discussed the potential of the district picking up $200 per student of the cost of an EMT class. “This would parallel what the district pays for our Health Occupation students,” Acklin said.
The class would be taught in Paris and would cover first and second periods.
In any given year, the district anticipates have two to three students take the EMT class. Jeff Eddy approved the EMT class with Jim Spesard seconding the motion. All members voted aye.
The board went into executive session at 7:43 p.m. and adjourned at 8:34 p.m. In executive session, the board approved the resignations of Trisha Brinkley as school nurse, Anthony Bechelli as the JH/HS Special Education Teacher, Chris McDaniels as the JH/HS Secretary and Karen Earlywine as HS Spanish Teacher.
Karen Webster moved to approve Charlee Wyatt as JH Special Education teacher at the six year step on the teacher salary schedule for the remaining 21-22 school year.
Jim Spesard moved to approve a $1000.00 stipend for Mr. Behm and Mrs. Switzer for extra workload in Special Education Department writing IEP’s. Jeff Eddy seconded the motion, all members voted aye.
John Rogers moved to approve Baron Mallory as a kitchen subsistent contingency upon successfully completing a background/criminal sex offender screening. Jeff Eddy seconded the motion.
Cody Denton moved to approve Kaylee Brown’s reduction of pay due to job reassignment. John Rogers seconded the motion.
