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. Please read below for a recap of the board’s three meetings on January 10, 2022.
Monday’s meeting began with the annual reorganization of the board. This is required by corporation bylaws. For 2022, Dan Walker will be board president, Laura Haeberle will be the vice president and Dr. Matt Ackerman will be the secretary. Jon Hooker was selected as the board’s legislative liaison. Hooker and Haeberle were named policy liaisons.
Two groups were recognized at the meeting. All building principals and Superintendent Lisa Lantrip were honored for the district’s designation as Red Wagon Schools by Riley Hospital for Children. Schools are designated as Red Wagon Schools if the building raises $1 for each enrolled student. Corporations are designated as Red Wagon Corporations if each school is designated a Red Wagon School. Southern Hancock has raised more than $109,000 for Riley Hospital in the last 20 years.
The board also recognized the Hancock Physician Network for providing much-needed COVID-19 testing for Southern Hancock students and staff during the pandemic.
Two donations were approved at the meeting. Sandra Knox has set up a recurring donation of $19.42 to be used at Sugar Creek Elementary. Multiple donations totaling $1,000 were accepted from Brandon and Jennifer Wilson for the robotics teams at NPI, NPJH, and NPHS and the NPJH band were also approved.
The board heard its second reading of four policies. Changes to existing policies or new policies require two readings prior to a vote for approval. In most cases, these changes are slight adjustments to language or changes made due to new federal, state, or local laws. These policies were heard in a first reading in December. All four policies were approved for adoption.
In accordance with Indiana law, the board must designate a corporation treasurer and deputy treasurer each year. The board re-approved Bob Yoder as treasurer and Ashlie Worth as deputy treasurer.
The board also approved a Transfer of Funds Resolution. The district is required by law to end the calendar year with a positive balance in all accounts. This resolution will allow the treasurer to move unspent dollars in certain accounts to zero out accounts with a negative balance.
The board approved the 2022-23 out of district transfer packet. Families who live outside the district’s boundaries who wish to apply for acceptance to Southern Hancock may complete the application on the district’s website beginning in February.
Mr. Yoder was authorized to advertise for bids on a new maintenance building and upgrades to the bus garage. These projects are part of the New Palestine High School renovation project.
Director of Student Services Katy Eastes and Corporation Nurse Heather Barnett updated the board on the district’s nursing services and response to COVID-19.
Following the conclusion of the regular meeting, a special session meeting was held for the Board of Finance. This board is required to convene once per year to review the district’s finances. Assistant Business Manager Sarah Gizzi updated the board on the district’s investments and fiscal indicators. These indicators are determined by the state of Indiana and include enrollment, revenue, balances in specific district funds, annual deficits or surpluses, and salaries and benefits.
Following the conclusion of the special session, the board held an executive session for board training and the evaluation of an employee. The board’s next meeting is Monday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at New Palestine Junior High School.
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