This blog post is intended to keep you up to date on the happenings of the Board of School Trustees of the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County’s meetings. Please read below for a recap of the board’s regular meeting on May 10, 2021.
Monday’s meeting began with recognition for two groups. New Palestine High School senior Aubrey Campbell was celebrated as an Indiana Association of School Principals Academic All-Star. NPHS math teacher Lisa Hardin was recognized an influential teacher in Aubrey’s academic career.
New Palestine Education Foundation President Gary Halliburton recognized Judge Vivian Sue Shields, Mrs. Darlene Seifert, and Mr. Al Cooper as the three winners of the NPHS Distinguished Alumni Award.
Three field trips were approved. A previously approved field trip for NPHS Cheerleading to Purdue University was canceled. In its place, the board approved a field trip to St. Mary’s College in South Bend on June 6-9. The NPHS girls soccer team will travel to Purdue University’s soccer camp on July 12-14. The NPHS band’s field trip to Walt Disney World on April 4-9, 2022 was also approved.
Fourteen board policies were heard in a second reading. Due to changes in Indiana code or other requirements, some board policies require periodic updates. The board reviews these changes annually. Policies have two readings before approval. These fourteen policy changes were first heard during the April board meeting. After the second reading, all policies were approved.
The 2021-22 District Student Handbook was heard in a first reading. The handbook, which contains pertinent information on school guidelines and policies, is approved annually by the board. Similar to all policies, the handbook must be heard twice by the board before a final vote. The handbook will be heard again at the board’s June meeting for a final vote of approval.
The board approved an alternate elementary assignment for the new Thorp Farms neighborhood. Thorp Farms is located on the northeast corner of Co. Rd. 500W and Co. Rd 200 E, near Centennial. Like its neighbor Centennial, Thorp Farms will be assigned as a Brandywine Elementary neighborhood.
Assistant Superintendent Bob Yoder requested approval of a renewal of the district’s contract with Aramark for food services. Each year, the board considers a renewal of the agreement to provide food service to all schools in the district. The board approved the renewal.
Mr. Yoder also requested approval of a bid to replace the roof on the natatorium at New Palestine High School. The board approved a bid for Foster Contracting.
A preliminary bond resolution for a General Obligation Bond for $1.8M. This bond sale will be used to purchase additional buses, facility upgrades at Sugar Creek Elementary and New Palestine Junior High, and the purchase of additional technology equipment for teachers and students. The board also approved a reimbursement resolution for the bond. This is required by law and clearly states the timeline for which the district intends to repay the bond sale.
Director of Student Services Katy Eastes provided the board with an update on the district’s special education programs. As part of this update, CSCSHC will not continue their contract with Mt. Vernon Schools for the FISH program. These students will return to CSCSHC for the 2021-22 school year.
Director of Instructional Services Miles Hercamp provided the board with an update on the district’s professional learning community (PLC) program. PLCs are staff meetings held on Wednesdays, the district’s early release day each week, to analyze data and work collaboratively to improve the district’s curriculum and instructional techniques to meet the needs of all students.
Two members of the public provided comments to the board at the end of the meeting. Dr. Dan Stock chose to speak to the board regarding medical studies regarding Indiana’s mask mandate. Mrs. Jill Jones chose to request the district stop providing student COVID-19 information to the Indiana State Department of Health. Mrs. Jones also requested the district reevaluate contact tracing protocols.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the CSCSHC Administration Office.
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