BARTHOLOMEW CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013, MINUTES The regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation was held at Schmitt Elementary School, 2675 California Street, Columbus, Indiana on Monday, January 14, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., pursuant to notice having been duly given to the media and to all members of the Board in accordance with the rules of the Board. On call of the roll, the members of the Board were shown to be present or absent as follows: Present: Administration: School Attorney: Mr. Rich Stenner, President Mr. Jeff Caldwell, Vice President Dr. Jill Shedd, Secretary Mr. Robert Abrams, Member Mr. Pat Bryant, Member Mrs. Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer, Member Mrs. Polly Verbanic, Member Dr. John Quick, Superintendent Dr. Linda DeClue, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Vaughn Sylva, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Mr. William Jensen, Director of Secondary Education Ms. Teresa Heiny, Director of Elementary Education Mr. Charles R. Wells, Jr. Mr. Wells administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Polly Verbanic, Mr. Pat Bryant and Mr. Jeff Caldwell. BUSINESS MEETING Dr. Shedd offered reflections. The business meeting was opened at 7: 04 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Vice-president Stenner called the meeting to order. 1
LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC PLANNING The Mission and Vision was read by Schmitt Elementary student Elizabeth Havron. EDUCATIONAL PROCESS FOR BOARD ACTION 1) Election of Officers for January 2013 through December 2013 Board of School Trustees President, Vice President, Secretary: Mr. Stenner presented the following slate of officers for January 2013 through December 2013: Rich Stenner as President, Jeff Caldwell as Vice President, and Jill Shedd as Secretary. A motion to close the nominations was made by Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer and was seconded by Mr. Bryant. Upon a call for the vote the motion was passed unanimously. A motion was made by Mr. Abrams to approve the slate of officers for January 2013 through December 2013 as Rich Stenner as President, Jeff Caldwell as Vice President, and Jill Shedd as Secretary. Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote the motion was passed unanimously. The officers assumed their duties. PRESENTATIONS Preparedness: Dr. Quick shared his appreciation for the work done by BCSC s Student Assistance Coordinator, Larry Perkinson. The tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut encouraged many conversations around safety and a reflective review of our processes. As the corporation moves forward with facility improvements, security and safety of our students is important. Student surveys reveal that students feel safest at school. Mr. Perkinson noted that the corporation has a great partnership with many community agencies and that they talk often in regards to student safety. The state requires corporations to have Indiana School Safety Specialists in each corporation and the corporation crisis plans are validated through Dave Woodward, the Director of the Indiana School Safety Specialists. These plans are updated and reviewed each year by schools and community agencies. The Crisis Response Procedures are available in each room of each school. Each school designates safety sites: shelter in place, evacuation, and parent receiving. 2
Mr. Perkinson shared the drills that are conducted at the schools throughout the year and shared more information on the partnerships with community agencies. 800 MHz radio drills with the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center are conducted at each building monthly. The following information was shared in response to questions from the Board. Each building performs drills and certain responsibilities are assigned to individuals. For example, one person is assigned to always have a laptop computer with student and parent information available. BCSC has great communication with local agencies; one being the Emergency Operation Center. A radio test with each BCSC site and the Emergency Operation Center is done on a monthly basis. PUBLIC DIALOGUE At 7:20 p.m. President Stenner welcomed everyone and opened the public dialogue session of the board meeting. He asked if anyone wished to address questions/concerns to the Board or Cabinet. Dr. Shedd noted that the community leaders had challenged the corporation to revisit the BCSC Mission, Vision and High Expectation Objectives (HEO s) and illustrate what the corporation has to offer. The community leaders stressed that BCSC was an essential part of the community and a part of their marketing as they encourage businesses and individuals to come to Columbus. The sub-committee of Mr. Abrams, Mr. Caldwell, Dr. Shedd and Mr. Jensen took hold of this idea and molded statements to fit what BCSC is about by using Deeper Learning Works as the tag line. Dr. Shedd noted that the Vision, Mission and HEO s should also be used as a measurement for accountability. Tag Line: Deeper Learning Works. Vision: BCSC demonstrates a community commitment to deeper learning for one and all. Mission: Deeper Learning is our individualized approach for preparing all learners to succeed in a competitive global economy and democratic society and to tackle the complex issues they will encounter. High Expectation Objectives: Enable achievement of core academic knowledge and varied levels of critical thinking Advance a deep community commitment to all learners personal and academic success Provide multiple pathways that intellectually engage all learners 3
Promote and support modern, collaborative learning environments Foster multiple perspectives to develop global citizens Provide a welcoming and diverse learning culture of respect, fairness and trust Cultivate a commitment to a life-long learning process for all A patron asked what the corporation will do differently in regards to the new objectives and how success will be measured. She also asked if there will be public access to the measurements. Dr. Shedd shared that currently each school completes an annual report and one chapter of the report speaks to the present objectives. This data benchmarks and measures the schools efforts. Mr. Abrams added that once the objectives are in place, there needs to be a very specific metrics related to each objective. When in place the Board can present them to the community. Dr. Quick shared that integration of continuous improvement takes place at the school level and each school has a Continuous Improvement Council. We will integrate at each level and have a cascading deployment of the objectives; it does not make a difference until the improvement is happening at the classroom level. The state requires a school improvement document each year that meets the PL221 requirement. Mr. Stenner asked while comparing the present HEO s to the new if there was a different, specific focus. Dr. Shedd noted that the new HEO s show action vs. description and they illustrate that deeper learning is so much more than just academic achievement through test scores. Mr. Caldwell noted that the changes are an evolutionary shift, not a shift to the left or right. There had been a lot of good work in the corporation over many years, but the sub-committee used descriptive words that meant something to the present Board as they lead schools that have all different challenges. The HEO s give general direction for schools as each does their work differently. Mrs. Verbanic noted that she appreciated that the work freshens our marketing approach and shows how BCSC is different in new and improved ways when compared to others. Dr. Quick has been a part of the development of the Mission, Vision and HEO s over the past fourteen years. He shared that eight to ten years ago continuous improvement was a foreign topic and now it is a part of BCSC s culture and we do not need to state it in our objectives. Student pathways will vary but a school of one is embedded. Mrs. Thompson, BCSC Director of Health Services, requested an emphasis on health be added to the HEO s. 4
Dr. Shedd replied that that an emphasis on health would be added to one of the proposed HEO s. Dr. Quick shared that the Dr. Martin Luther King breakfast would be January 21, 7:00 a.m. at Columbus East High School. This is a school holiday, but community service is encouraged. Dr. Quick thanked Jack Hess, former Chamber President, for helping the corporation think through a global perspective while working on the Mission and Vision. The public dialogue session closed at 7:45 p.m. 2) Reorganization of Business Services: a. Appoint Corporation Treasurer-Dr. Sylva b. Appoint Corporation Deputy Treasurer-Mrs. Pam Boles c. Approval of School Treasurer Bonds d. Authorization for Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer to Invest School Corporation Funds Mr. Stenner requested the approval of the reorganization of Business Services as presented. A motion was made by Dr. Shedd to approve the reorganization of Business Services as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Verbanic. Mr. Abrams asked for clarification on the school treasurer bonds. Dr. Sylva said this is protection for the corporation similar to reimbursement from insurance. 3) Establish Board Meetings, Remuneration, and Required Notices: a. Establish Regular Board Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations for 2013 (attachment) b. Establish Board Remuneration as Provided by Law (attachment) c. Designation of Newspapers or Qualified Publications in which to Publish Required Notices (attachment) A motion was made by Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer to approve the board meeting dates, board remuneration and required notices as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caldwell. 5
4) Board Appointments for January 2013 through December 2013: a. BCSC Health Trust (was Jeff Caldwell/proposed Jeff Caldwell) b. Districting & Facilities Committee (was John Anderson/proposed Bob Abrams) c. Diversity Leadership Council (was Bob Abrams/proposed Bob Abrams) A motion was made by Mr. Caldwell to approve the board appointments as presented. The motion was seconded by Dr. Shedd. 5) Approval of Board Members Serving as Liaison with District and Community Advisory Boards and Committees for January 2013 through December 2013 a. Gifted & Talented Broad Based Committee was Rich Stenner/proposed Polly Verbanic b. Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation was Rich Stenner/proposed Rich Stenner c. Corporation Continuous Improvement Council was Jill Shedd/proposed Jill Shedd d. Education Hall of Fame Committee was Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer/proposed Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer e. Family School Partners Advisory Board was John Anderson/proposed Polly Verbanic f. Indiana School Board Association was John Anderson/ proposed Rich Stenner g. IUPUC Advisory Board was Jill Shedd/proposed Jill Shedd h. Special Education Parent Advisory Council was Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer/proposed Kathy Dayhoff-Dwyer i. Support Staff Roundtable was Pat Bryant/proposed Pat Bryant j. Vocational Advisory Committee was Pat Bryant/proposed Pat Bryant k. Literacy Task Force was Jill Shedd/proposed Polly Verbanic l. Redevelopment Commission was John Anderson/proposed Bob Abrams m. Legislative Liaison was Jeff Caldwell/proposed Jeff Caldwell A motion was made by Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer to approve board members serving as liaison with district and community advisory boards and committees as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryant. 6
6) Recommendations for Public Disclosures of Conflict of Interest (attached): Mr. Wells explained that any public servant who has the potential for receiving pecuniary interest by their action must file a conflict of interest statement. Mr. Wells submitted conflict of interest statements for Dr. Quick and Mr. Jensen because they have spouses that work for the corporation. The Board accepted the conflict of interest statements for filing and as part of the official minutes of the Board. The statements will also be filed with the county court and the State Board of Accounts. Mr. Bryant made a motion to approve the acceptance of the conflict of interest statements for filing as part of the official minutes and Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer seconded the motion. EDUCATIONAL PROCESS FOR BOARD ACTION 7) Requests for Approval: Dr. Quick reviewed the following items for the Board. a. Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of December 10, 2012 (attachments) b. Supplemental Contracts (attachment) c. Field Trips/Professional Leaves (attachment) d. Claims (attachment) e. Appointment of Charles Wells, Jr. as School Attorney (attachment) f. Appointment of Dr. Roy Goode as School Physician (attachment) g. New Vision, Mission and High Expectation Objectives (attachment) h. Change Order for Clifty Creek Elementary AV Installation (Dr. Sylva/Mr. Jamerson) i. Change Order for Columbus East High School (Dr. Sylva/Mr. Forster) j. Change Orders for McDowell (Dr. Sylva/Mr. Forster) Dr. Quick noted that resource personnel were available to answer any questions. Only one change order was an addition and it was within contingency. A motion was made by Mrs. Verbanic to approve the items that were described and explained by the Superintendent. The motion was seconded by Mr. Caldwell. Dr. Shedd noted that the approval of the HEO s would include the addition of an emphasis on learners health as discussed in public dialogue. 7
STUDENT AND STAKEHOLDER FOCUS (3.0) 8) Board Commendations: Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer commended Columbus Signature Academy-Fodrea Campus parents for raising $1,610.00 to purchase and install lockers for the athletic teams. Dr. Shedd commended BCSC for being highlighted in a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) webinar. In the webinar, BCSC colleagues, Mr. Jensen, Dr. Van Horn, Ms. Garrity and Mrs. Lord Nelson shared information on the integration of UDL as a part of the teacher evaluation process. 9) Comments of Individuals and Delegations: No one spoke at this time. MEASUREMENT, ANALYSIS, AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 10) National Resolution of High-Stakes Testing Proposal: Dr. Quick shared that Dr. Shedd brought to the Board a national resolution around high-stakes testing. It has become a trend across the country to support this national resolution that makes a statement related to the emphasis on high-stakes and standardized testing. In Indiana, one concern is the retention implications of the IRead test. Dr. Shedd shared that there is a growing concern around the country and she has read several articles related to high-stakes testing and standardized testing. People are speaking out about how standardized testing does not tell enough about the child and high-stakes scores do not tell everything that is going on in each school. Several national groups are supporting this resolution. Dr. Shedd noted that BCSC is much more than the narrow focus that testing shows. BCSC looks at the whole child. BCSC agrees that there is a place for testing but that this should not be the only measure of definition of who we are and our quality. Dr. Shedd requests that the Board support this resolution. The vote will take place at the next meeting. Mrs. Verbanic shared her concern that the resolution is extremely negative about standardized testing. She agrees that we should look at the whole child but standardized testing is important as a part of measuring students. Mrs. Verbanic said she could support this if some changes were made to the proposal. Dr. Quick suggested Mrs. Verbanic discusses her changes with Dr. Shedd. This tweaked document would be shared with the Board in Friday Notes. The following information was shared in response to questions from the Board. 8
IRead tests given to third graders and end-of-course assessments have drastic consequences that do not speak to the whole child. The letter grade given to schools and corporations by the state are not true measures, but fits some formula that cannot be explained. The state takes test data and imposes a forced ranking across a bell curve. There has to be winners and losers. This misuse of data has caused schools to lose status. 11) School Attorney Report: No report was given. 12) School Board Member Reports: Mr. Stenner attended the exit conference with the State Board of Accounts as they reported on the corporation audit of a two-year period. He noted that everyone should be proud of the work that is done in the corporation. 13) Cabinet Reports: Mr. Jensen shared that there were CSA-New Tech students in the audience to answer questions on the field trip to New Orleans that the Board approved. The students shared that they would be working on rebuilding houses and replanting in the bayou where land and homes were destroyed by hurricanes and the oil spill. Students learned to do electrical wiring in physics class and will help with rewiring homes. The trip will take place on spring break. FACULTY AND STAFF FOCUS FOR ACTION 14) Request for Approval of Human Resources Recommendations: Dr. DeClue requested Board approval of the Human Resources recommendations as presented. A motion was made by Mrs. Dayhoff-Dwyer to approve the Human Resources recommendations and the motion was seconded by Dr. Shedd. BOARD INPUT/REVIEW President Stenner announced that the next School Board Meetings would be on January 28, 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Elementary School. The first School House Session would be on January 28, 7:30 a.m. at Harrison College. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. 9
President Secretary 10