WARSAW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Warsaw, Indiana Special Board Meeting July 27, 2005

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1 WARSAW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Warsaw, Indiana Special Board Meeting July 27, 2005 I. Organization of the Meeting A. Call to Order Ron Yeiter called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Training Room at the CIMC. B. Roll Call Secretary Gene England requested that the record show that all school Board members were in attendance. Dr. Dave McGuire (Superintendent) and Sandra Hess (Assistant Superintendent). C. Pledge of Allegiance Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Approved August 15, 2005 II. Consent Agenda Items A. Personnel Recommendations 1. Personnel Recommendations Dan Robinson made a motion to accept the settlement agreement proposal of the resignation of Dr. McGuire and the public statement concurrent with that agreement. Gene England seconded the motion. Cathy Folk opposed this motion. The motion carried by a vote of six in favor and one opposed. Ron Yeiter read the following public statement: Dr. McGuire has served Warsaw Community Schools well and faithfully for 19 years. He has served as a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and for the last three years, as Superintendent. During his tenure as superintendent many difficult decisions had to be made. Perhaps chief among these was the decision to close three schools. As a result of the last school board election, the majority of the Board has determined it is in the best interests of the School Corporation to retain new leadership in line with Board priorities. Dr. McGuire accepts that decision and agrees to resign as superintendent and serve the district as a consultant to assist the Board and his successor during the transition. Much progress was made during Dr. McGuire s service to the children of Warsaw Community Schools. It is apparent to the Board and Dr. McGuire, however, that it is time for a change in leadership for the school. Dr. McGuire will do all that is necessary to make this transition as smooth as possible. The Board thanks Dr. McGuire for his past service and wishes him well in his future employment. 2. Interim Superintendent Candidates Ron Yeiter stated that an informal inquiry has been done into individuals who may be available to serve as interim superintendent. Mr. Richard Kline, Mr. Ralph Bailey, Dr. Jennifer Brumfield, and Dr. Sandra Hess have expressed interest. Cathy Folk made a motion to table the interim discussion due to the fact of another executive file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/cmartz/Desktop/bdminutes0727.htm (1 of 5)4/14/2006 3:05:38 PM

2 session being needed. Tammy Dalton seconded the motion and the motion carried. The Board decided to hold an executive session on Tuesday, August 2 at 6:00 p.m. Deb Wiggins made a motion to approve the recommendations of staffing positions as presented by Dr. Hess. Chuck Sauders seconded the motion and the motion carried. Resignations Certified Staff: ~ Linda Kramer resigned/retired as a reading/language arts teacher at Lakeview Middle School. Resignations Extra-Curricular: ~ Amanda Bailey resigned as boys and girls soccer coach at Washington. ~ Anita Wagoner resigned as a middle school club sponsor at Lakeview, working with the Geography Team and National Geographic activities. ~ Andy Lewis resigned as men s varsity tennis coach at WCHS. Resignations Special Services Support Staff: ~ Gail Webb resigned as school nurse at Lincoln Elementary effective July 31, Resignations Support Staff: ~ Sherry Smith resigned as an instructional assistant with special needs at WCHS. ~ Julio Godinez resigned as a part-time substitute custodian at WCHS. ~ Laura Karns resigned as an aquatics assistant at Warsaw Community Pool. ~ Ann Gephart resigned as an assistant in the athletics office at WCHS. Leaves: ~ # was approved a leave beginning on July 5, ~ # was approved a leave beginning on July 28, ~ # was approved a leave beginning August 17, Instructional Contracts: ~ Teresa Breading was approved as an additional ISTEP+ lab English teacher with the remediation efforts this summer at WCHS. ~ Chad Gabrich was approved as the instructor for the A+ At-Risk Program at Lakeview. Increase of Contract Status: ~ Marcia Tinkel was approved for an increase of her contract from a part-time to a full-time kindergarten teacher at Leesburg. Support Staff: ~ Jeff Hurd was approved as a part-time substitute custodian at WCHS. ~ Kristi Bontrager was approved as an instructional assistant with the Alternative Learning Center. ~ Cassie Franks was approved as a cook with the summer school program at WCHS. ~ Libby Albert, Kristi Lucht, Carol DeVaul, Bethany Parry, LaDonna Petro, Connie Watters, Lauren Witzky, Reesha McLaughlin, Shelby Petro, Katie Sudhoff, Jamie Reiff, Adria Gosney & Marilyn Cornelius were approved as instructional assistants with the summer school program (July 25 August 5, 2005) for elementary and middle school Jump Start. ~ Barbara Lainez, Gretchen Moore, Gloria Reichard & Rachel Warren were approved as ESL assistants with the summer school program (July 25 August 5, 2005) for elementary and middle school Jump Start. file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/cmartz/Desktop/bdminutes0727.htm (2 of 5)4/14/2006 3:05:38 PM

3 ~ The following staff were approved to provide support as needed with the summer school program (July 25 August 5, 2005) for elementary and middle school Jump Start: Syd Ellis (attendance officer); Cheryl Ryman (elementary secretary); Julie Turner (middle school secretary) and Diane Roberts (nurse). ~ Melissa Lang was approved as a child care assistant with the Alternative Learning Center. ~ Cindy Fullmer was approved as a specialized instructional assistant with summer school. III. Public Comments Ron Yeiter recognized the public in attendance and invited any public comments. Jennifer Shepherd, WCHS Assistant Principal, distributed an American Teen packet of information and announced that Warsaw has been chosen for this feature documentary. She requested permission to pursue an agreement with Firehouse Film, New York, Nanette Burstein, Director, and Jordan Roberts, Producer to be the high school used for the filming of American Teen, a feature length documentary. Final approval would be sought at the August 15 th school board meeting. The premise would not be a reality show but the goal of the documentary would be a coming of age of a Midwest high school senior. A formal agreement is being worked on and will be forwarded to school attorney, Max Reed. Board members should feel free to Mrs. Shepherd with additional questions. Dan Robinson made a motion to grant permission to pursue an agreement with Firehouse Film, Nanette Burstein and Jordan Roberts. Gene England seconded the motion and the motion carried. Alan Blakely stated according to the public statement part of the justification for pressuring Dr. McGuire to resign was based on the recent school board elections and in that election there was only one person who ran against an incumbent board member and that was Dan Robinson. He does not recall any board member running on a platform of removing the superintendent. He is perplexed as to the justification for that position. Max Reed replied that the language came from Dave s attorney. It was his language. The Board agreed to accept that language. Justin Embry asked if the Board agrees with Dr. McGuire s attorney that the reason he is resigning is because of the board. Ron Yeiter stated that the Board mutually agreed to that. Max Reed stated that the Board voted six to one to accept the language. Chris Foster, WCHS Teacher, asked when the cost accounting of the investigation would be made known. Ron Yeiter stated that if the information is not available by August 15 th that it would be announced in September. Bill Kelly, patron, asked about Deb s comment, and how it got in the paper last night that there was a verbal agreement if the board knew nothing about it and if the Times Union has an insider. Ron Yeiter stated that David from the paper was present from the paper and that the question that was asked was if there was an agreement being worked on and Mr. Yeiter stated yes. He is unsure how it was generated file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/cmartz/Desktop/bdminutes0727.htm (3 of 5)4/14/2006 3:05:38 PM

4 from there. David Slone clarified that the direct quote was that we have reached a vocal. Ron Yeiter stated that basically the question was asked of him if the board was working on an agreement and it was stated that the board is working on an agreement. Bill Kelly then stated that, as an outsider, he hopes that the direction the Board took to remove Dr. McGuire that the Board now turns that focus to the kids of Warsaw. Deb Wiggins stated that she personally believes they still have diligently been looking at the reports that Sandra has been giving to the Board. She does not feel that the Board has not been looking at the students of Warsaw during this period of time. IV. Items From Board s Chuck Sauders clarified his vote stating he has been an adamant supporter of Dr. McGuire and the reason he voted yes, was because Dr. McGuire asked him to vote yes. This is something that Dr. McGuire wanted, so he could pursue different avenues and move on with his life. He stated this would have never happened tonight if he would have had his choice. Mistakes have been made and now we need to move ahead. Ron Yeiter announced that the investigation has been discontinued. Deb Wiggins asked to have it be understood that when the document goes public, that the part in the document that says that the board made the decision, she wants it clearly understood that the decision was made this evening and there was no pre-decision made before this evening. Deb Wiggins made a motion to direct the president to appoint two board members to the committee to look into the hiring of the treasurer. Cathy Folk seconded with the amendment to appoint or volunteer board members. The amendment carried. The motion with the amendment also carried. V. Adjournment Gene England made the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Tammy Dalton seconded the motion and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:55. p.m. President file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/cmartz/Desktop/bdminutes0727.htm (4 of 5)4/14/2006 3:05:38 PM

5 Vice-President Secretary Minutes taken and transcribed by Kay Kelly, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent file:///c /Documents%20and%20Settings/cmartz/Desktop/bdminutes0727.htm (5 of 5)4/14/2006 3:05:38 PM