RUSH COUNTY SCHOOLS

Regular School Board Meeting

February 7, 2011

 

Call to Order         A Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees of Rush County

Schools was held at the Administrative Offices on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by President Sickbert.  Members present were Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Carter, Mr. Barada, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. Scott.  Mr. Slaton was absent.

                                    (See Exhibit Number 1 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

           

Call to Amend          Dr. Williams asked the board to consider amending the agenda to add

Agenda                    Item IV-C regarding the Natural Gas Contract.  Mrs. Jackson made a motion to amend the agenda and it was seconded by Mr. Barada. 

                        All members voted aye.

                                    (See Exhibit Number 2 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Special PresentationKeegan Cherry of Channel Bio Seed, owned by Monsanto, explained about a fund available from Monsanto to farmers who then

                        designate the community recipient to benefit from the grant.  The Rush County winners were Max and Carla Angle who in turn presented

                        Cindy Johnson, Principal of Rushville Elementary East, with a check for $2,500.  The money will be used for the RES Motor Lab and

                        Library.

                                    (See Exhibit Number 3 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Report on Radio      Mr. Ed Small and Mr. Matt Vance gave an update on the Radio Station

Station at RCHS       WRLN 91.9 FM at RCHS.  The station plans to broadcast the boys’ basketball sectional on February 15, 2011, but they have to be

operational by August 22, 2011.  Mr. Small explained all the work that has been done with the help of his father, Ed. Small Sr., RCS and

RCHS custodians, Shawn Iverson, Ryan Standish, Don Letzler, Scott Huber and Douglas Raab and many others.  He stated they will be

contacting people in the community to be on a Vocational Board with eight members. The station will be commercial free and offer

underwriting packages where business names and details can be mentioned at the open and close of programming information.

Underwriting will be vital to the public service mission of bringing local news and information, sports, and programming                                to community listeners. The broadcasting class will offer 3 dual credits while taking classes.  There will be supervision at the station, but

The computer can run on it’s own.  The website is www.rush919.com.

                                    (See Exhibit Number 4 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Report on State        Dr. Scott Stevens presented information on House Bill 1367, now called Public Law 109, for Grades K-6 which must be

Mandated Reading  submitted by all elementaries by June, 2011.  The major focus will be students reading proficiently before grade four. 

Plan                   Each school will present building specific plans developed by the building principal, teachers, reading specialists, Title I, and Special

                        Education personnel.  Dr. Stevens stated the guidelines are still being developed as to whether to retain or remediate third grade students

                        who are not proficient in reading.  Also, each building will be required to have a dedicated ninety minute reading time per day.  There will

            also be a new pilot program for third grade reading assessment in ISTEP for the 2011-12 school year.  He stated Grades K-3 you learn to

            read, Grades 4-6 you read to learn.

                                                (See Exhibit Number 5 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Legislative Update   Dr. Williams gave a legislative update on bills introduced including House Bill 1002 to change Charter Schools, a bill regarding teacher                    licensure, voucher bills and school calendars.  Dr. Sickbert, Mr. Wilson, Jeff McDaniel, Dr. Williams and John Webb met with Rep. Frye

                        to discuss these and other issues.

                                    (See Exhibit Number 6 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Consent Items           Mr. Barada made a motion that the Consent Items consisting of Minutes of the  Previous Meeting, Personnel, Out-of-State Field Trip,

Donations, and Claims/Payroll be approved.  Mrs. Jackson seconded the motion, and all members voted aye.

            (See Exhibit Number 7 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Approval of              Mr. Barada made a motion to approve the Expenditure Category Goals.

Expenditure              The motion was seconded by Mrs. Carter, and all members voted aye.

Category Goals                    (See Exhibit Number 8 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Approval of              Mr. Wilson made a motion to approve the Natural Gas Contract with

Gas Contract         Center Point Services.  Mr. Barada seconded the motion and all members voted aye.

                                                (See Exhibit Number 9 in the February 7, 2011 Minute File)

 

Important Dates       March 15, 2011 – Farm Bureau Dinner meeting at Arlington School 6:30

April 22, 2011 – Snow make-up for February 1, 2011

May 25, 2011 – Ice make-up for February 2, 2011

May 26, 2011 – Ice make-up for February 3, 2011

May 27, 2011 – Ice make-up for February 4, 2011

 

Comments                Board members’ comments were heard at this time.

                        Administrators’ comments were heard at this time.

 

Adjournment            Mrs. Jackson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.  Mrs.

                        Carter seconded the motion and all members voted aye.

 

Executive Session     There was no executive session held.

 

 

 

____________________________                ________________________________

Dr. Steve R. Sickbert, President                     Jane Carter, Member

 

____________________________                ________________________________

Paul W. Barada Sr., Vice-president                Larry Scott, Member  

 

____________________________                ________________________________

Anita L. Jackson, Secretary                            Jeff Slaton, Member

           

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        John D. Wilson, Member