Delaware Community School Corporation

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

MINUTES

Present:  John Adams, President; Lance Engle, Vice President; Valerie Alexander, Secretary; Alice Gillis, Member; Jacob Case, Member; Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent; and Greg Kile, Superintendent

1. CALL TO ORDER

At 6:30 p.m. Superintendent Kile called the meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. ORGANIZATION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION

1. Superintendent Kile presided over the meeting for the organization of the Board of Education.  He asked for nominations for Board President.

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to nominate Lance Engle as President of the Board of Education for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

Board of Education President, Lance Engle, asked for nominations for      Vice-President of the Board of Education for the year 2024.

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to nominate Valerie Alexander as Vice President of the Board of Education for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.  

Board of Education President, Lance Engle, asked for nominations for Secretary of the Board of Education for the year 2024.

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Valerie Alexander to nominate Jacob Case as Secretary of the Board of Education for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to appoint Cheryl Dominick as Corporation Treasurer and Audra Bowman as Deputy Treasurer for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by John Adams to retain Steve Murphy of the DeFur, Voran, LLP Law Firm as the School Attorney for the year 2024 on an as needed basis.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to hold regular school board meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for the year 2024.  The Board of Education will meet at the Administration Office unless otherwise designated.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to set the Board of Education compensation at the rates of $112 per regular meeting and $62 per special session. The motion was approved 5-0 vote. 

6. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Valerie Alexander to appoint the position of Board President as the ISBA Delegate and ISBA Legislative Representative for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Jacob Case to appoint Janelle Davis as the Board recording secretary and Lori Meadows as the alternate at a rate of $50.00 per meeting for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

8. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to appoint Alice Gillis and Lance Engle to serve on the Bid Opening Committee for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

9. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to appoint all Board members to serve on the Board of Finance Committee for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

10. At this time, the Board Members each shared, if any, conflict of interest disclosures:

John Adams, Board Member, stated his cousin Lisa Baker is currently employed with Delaware Community School Corporation.

Alice Gillis, Board Member, stated her niece Angela Decker is currently employed with Delaware Community School Corporation.

Lance Engle, Board President, stated he has a relative Susan Barker who is currently employed with Delaware Community School Corporation and he owns Albany Hardware Store and Delaware Community School Corporation may make purchases during the year.

Jacob Case, Board Secretary, stated he works for 3D Company and Delaware Community School Corporation may make purchases during the year.

4. AMEND AGENDA

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Valerie Alexander to amend the agenda as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. MINUTES

1. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by John Adams to accept the minutes of the business meeting held on Monday, December 18, 2023.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

6. FINANCE

1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to accept the list of vouchers as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the IRS mileage rate (67 cents), as presented. The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the Resolution to transfer amounts from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund Monthly.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve end of year balancing of all accounts, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. At this time Board President Lance Engle asked to recess the regular meeting to begin the Board of Finance meeting. 

1. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to appoint all Board members to serve on the Board of Finance Committee in the same capacity of officers for the Board of Trustees for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.   

2. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve First Merchants and Northwest Bank as the depositories for the year 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.  

3. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion reviewed the Summary of Investments for 2023.

4. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion reviewed the Investment Policy for 2024.

5. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion gave a Fiscal Indicators Review.

At this time Board President Lance Engle asked for a motion to close the Board of Finance meeting and to resume the regular Board meeting.  A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Jacob Case to close the Board of Finance meeting and to resume the regular Board meeting.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

6. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve Form 9, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. Purchases over $5000:

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the following (items 1-7):

1. Apple EDU $5,493.98

(Mac Studio)

2. Bowen Center Fed. Medicaid $5,850.00

(Annual billing)

3. Dell EDU $6,118.20

(Precision 3660 Tower)

4. ClassLink OP $7,045.00

(Service License)

5. Secured Tech Solutions OP $29,416.00

(School Manager software)

6. Roeing IT Solutions OP $48,904.01

(3-year backup and disaster recovery)

7. Sanity Solutions OP $30,386.42

(Dell Support)

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following (items H-I):

8. Title I Grant ($327,536.40), as presented.  

9. Title IV Grant ($27,983.10), as presented.  

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

10. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the ENA Services Agreement, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

11. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the Procare Solutions Agreement, as presented.  The motion was approved    5-0 vote.

7. UPDATES FROM PRINCIPALS/DIRECTORS

8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR

No comments were received.

9. SPECIAL PRESENTATION- Tyce Stebbins:  Albany Project Updates

10. NEW BUSINESS

1. Certified Staff

1. None.

2. Classified Staff

1. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the resignation of Laci Schell, Instructional Assistant at Albany Elementary School, effective January 26, 2024.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. Extra-Curricular

1. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve the resignation of Travis Richey, 8th Grade Head Football Coach at Delta Middle School, effective immediately.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the following (items 2-5):

2. Recommendation to employ Carl Bratton as a Head Boys’ Golf Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

3. Recommendation to employ Josh Selvey as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

4. Recommendation to employ Caitlin Drown as an Assistant Softball Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2023-24 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

5. Recommendation to appoint Aaron Carter as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach at Delta Middle School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. Conference Requests/Field Trips

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (items 1-7):

1. Lance Brand requests permission to attend the CTO2B Meeting to be held on January 12, 2024 at the Pyramids in Indianapolis, IN.

2. Lance Brand requests permission to attend the HECC Board Meeting to be held on January 19, 2024 at the Crown Plaza in Indianapolis, IN.

3. Meghan Frey requests permission to attend an art class to be held on January 26, 2024 at the E.B. Ball Center in Muncie, IN.

4. Shane Conley and Mackenzie Dye Conley request permission to attend the IATCCC Coaching Clinic to be held on February 2, 2024 at the Keystone Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

5. Lance Brand requests permission to attend the HECC Board Retreat to be held from February 22, 2024 through February 23, 2024 at the Crown Plaza in Indianapolis, IN.

6. Robyn Brown, Debbie Carmichael, Rae McGuire, and Emily Tinkle   request permission to attend Kindergarten Round-up to be held from   April 24, 2024 through April 25, 2024 at Royerton.

7. Sam Carlton requests permission to attend the IATCCC Clinic to be held on February 2, 2024 at the Keystone Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

5. Information and Proposals

1. Superintendent

1. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the request for an unpaid leave of absence, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the request for an unpaid day, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the authority to pay claims and hire, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. Superintendent Kile informed the Board about the following fundraisers:

1. Chase Criswell, DMS Athletics, requests permission to accept sponsorship donations from February 2024 through September 2024, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the ECA account.

1. Assistant Superintendent

1. Use of Facilities:

A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by John Adams to approve the following (items 1-2):

1. Kylie Johnson, Delta Juniors Volleyball Club, requests permission to use the DHS gymnasiums from January 2024 through April 2024, as presented.  

2. Justin Brown, Eaton Baseball and Softball Association, requests permission to use the Eaton baseball fields from March 2024 through November 2024, as presented.  

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. Donations:

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve the following (item 1):

1. Request for the Food Service Department to accept an anonymous donation in the amount of $200.00, as presented.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the request for Eaton Elementary School to surplus items, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

11. LETTERS/NOTES

12. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Alice Gillis – Ms. Gillis stated she is proud to be on this Board. She stated as she looks around at the administrators/directors we have here; we are run by a super group of people.  She stated we are represented well in this corporation and they’ve done us proud.  She congratulated Ms. Camp and the choir group on a job well done.  She wished good luck to all those involved with the science fairs coming up.  She stated it’s a struggle to keep that going, but she likes seeing that happen.  She thanked Ms. Davis for all she does for the meetings.  

John Adams – Mr. Adams concurred with Ms. Gillis on the team that’s been assembled to make this place run.  He stated they’ve done an awesome job and he’s proud of each of them.  He congratulated Mr. Engle as the new Board President and thanked all the officers for stepping up.  He informed everyone the boys’ wrestling team are State Champions.  He stated we had kids over the weekend excelling as they do every day.  He congratulated the girls’ swim team.  He thanked Dr. Gullion for the finance information and stated we have the right people in place to make sure we have our money going where it needs to.  He commented we have another donation and he greatly appreciates the money they brought to us.  He thanked Dr. Brand for being here and stated he understands he has to keep up with technology and we can’t wait until things break down.  He thanked him for all his hard work.  He stated the five students for honor choir is pretty outstanding and thanked Ms. Camp for all her hard work.  He informed Mr. Marshall to thank them and wished them the best.  

Jacob Case – Mr. Case concurred with his fellow board members.  He hopes everyone had a great break. He welcomed everyone back and hopes they have a great week.  He commented the schools were busy over break all hours of the day and it was great to see.  He stated our facilities are being used non-stop with our fitness center and gymnasiums.  He congratulated the wrestling team on being State Champs, the girls’ swim team for getting 2nd in Conference, and the swim coaches for getting Coach of the Year.  He informed everyone we also had a diver that got 1st place and that was awesome to see. He thanked Mr. Adams for his year serving as Board President last year.  He thanked all the staff who helped clean over break because that takes a lot of work.  

Valerie Alexander – Ms. Alexander thanked Mr. Adams for his service as Board President last year and stated she learned a lot and appreciates it.  She is looking forward to working with Mr. Engle.  She thanked Dr. Gullion for all his work on the financial report.  She stated its time to get back to work and she’s excited for the new semester and is looking forward to it.  

Lance Engle – Mr. Engle stated he was excited for the wrestling team being 2A State Champs.  He stated a lot of credit goes towards our student athletes and the coaching staff for that team.  He stated they have worked hard and it showed and to get rewarded for it is awesome.  He stated the girls’ swim team won 2nd in the HHC.  He stated when you look at the schools in our conference and for us to get 2nd with those big schools is awesome.  He hopes everyone enjoyed winter break and everyone enjoys this semester.  He commented we have some winter weather coming up, but we have a great team to keep our sidewalks and parking lots clear as best they can.  He stated they will do an outstanding job so he’s not worried about it at all.  He appreciates Dr. Gullion taking care of the budget and thanked him and his team.  He stated it makes their job that much easier.  He thanked Dr. Brand for all his work putting together quotes, bids, talking to people, and helping us to get the right price to help our students.  He commented on people using the high school auditorium and stated it was a big change and for the students to be using it right away, he thinks that’s fantastic.  He hopes it will be used more and more in the future for putting on shows and plays.  He stated Ms. Camp has been doing a great job since she started here and we are so blessed to have her as a leader of our choir.  He commented that having five students for Indiana Honors Choir from DelCom is awesome.  He thanked Mr. Stebbins for his presentation on the Albany project.  He knows a lot of work has gone into this project.  He stated it’s been a pain, but he knows a lot work has gone into it and they haven’t given up.  He stated the tireless work that has gone into this to make it right is appreciated and he thinks it will be good for everyone in the long run.  He thinks moving forward we will be better for it.  He thanked everyone for their kind words on being Board President and stated he’s blessed to be a part of DelCom Schools.  He stated he is honored and doesn’t take it lightly.  He concurred with Ms. Gillis and thanked Ms. Davis for all she does.  

13. FUTURE MEETINGS

1. A regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

14. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Valerie Alexander and Board President, Lance Engle, adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

January 8, 2024

LANCE ENGLE               

VALERIE ALEXANDER

JACOB CASE 

JOHN ADAMS

ALICE GILLIS