SHOALS COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
REGULAR SESSION
APRIL 9, 2015
1. ​
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mary Lou Billings at 6:00 p.m.
The following Board members were present:
Mary Lou Billings, President
Jim Bruner, Vice President
Lorna Troutman, Secretary
Eva Neeley, Member
Dianna Ragsdale, Member
The following people were also present:
Candace Roush, Superintendent
Lucas Calhoun, High School Principal
Austin Malone, Elementary Principal
Andrea Qualkenbush, Corp. Secretary
Stephen Deckard, The Shoals
NewsAudra Deckard, The Shoals News
Jean Survance, Shoals Teacher’s Assn.
Dana Miller, Marie Hawkins, and
Shannon Wagoner
The following business was conducted by the Board:
2. ​
Approval of Minutes:
An addition to the minutes of the Regular Meeting on January 14, 2015 was approved.
A thank you card from Lisa Elliott, the corporation treasurer, was read for wind
chimes sent by the school during her father's passing.
Motion made by: Dianna Ragsdale
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote: 5-0
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on March 12, 2015 were approved as follows:
Motion made by: Jim Bruner
Seconded by: Lorna Troutman
Vote: 5-0
Minutes of the Special Meeting on March 19, 2015 were approved as follows:
Motion made by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote: 5-0
3. ​
Comments from Patrons Concerning Items on the Agenda:
There were no comments from patrons concerning items on the agenda.
4. ​
Reports:
The Board reviewed the annual report from Brad Peterson, Athletic Director.
School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
Lucas Calhoun, Jr. Sr. High School Principal, reported on the following:
Spring Testing Season
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-We begin the whole run on April 20​
-English, Biology, & Algebra ECA
-ISTEP-Math and Language Arts
Student Success
-Junior High Academic Team traveled to Paoli to compete in a competition and they
represented the school in a great way! They are now preparing for the state meet
-Miss Keefe created a March Poetry Madness competition and students have been
participating/reading/voting on-line
-Alex Tedrow received a special commendation from the Indiana State Senate for his
Gold Medal at the State Competition
The Class of 2015 participated in an outing at the Indiana State House (tour and talk) as
well as a visit to the Indiana State Museum
Student’s Scheduling Their Classes for the 2015-2016 School Year
-Process underway; special thanks to our guidance counselor, Mr. Sherfick for the
multiple presentations he’s made to every grade level
ECA Bus Drivers
-We’re looking at strategies to further encourage more driver participation
2015-2016 Student Handbook
-Copy is in the hands of staff with the direction to evaluate and make suggestions for
the upcoming school year
Additional Upcoming Events
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-Career and Technical Education CTE Fair tomorrow, April 10​
at Westgate Academy
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-Harlem Wizards game on April 16​
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-Science Fair at Crane on April 22​
, the Science Department is conducting a couple of
practice days during lunch hours in the days beforehand
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-Safe Prom Program at Washington High School on April 21​
. Juniors attending. We
have two seniors participating as actors
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-Prom is April 25​
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-Senior Beta Initiation is set for May 7​
and a separate event for Junior Beta is also
coming up. More details will be forthcoming
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
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May 14​
The School Smiles Program folks will be here
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Planning events for 2015-2016 School Year: Coordinating a November 18​
visit from a
professional speaker covering the topic of the dangers of alcohol abuse and driving
under-the-influence
Special Thanks
-Steve Deckard and ​
The Shoals News f​
or their continued support of Shoals
Community Schools!
-Teachers and staff for their daily hard work and dedication to the students of Shoals
Austin Malone, Elementary Principal, reported on the following:
ISTEP: Multiple Choice
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- Begins Monday, April 20​
- Luckily it’s Pencil/Paper
- Currently at over 6hrs per grade
- Trying to get volunteers again
IREAD3 Results and Remediation
Instructional Assignments for 2015-2016
Kindergarten RoundUp
- All day tomorrow
- Currently, 38 kids have been signed up
- Handouts provided about the day
Junior Rox Robotix Team Under Way
- Begins tomorrow
Looking ahead:
- Music Program
- “Seeing the USA the Miss Hickman Way”
- Thursday, May 28th @ 1pm in the OLD Gym
Awards Program
- Friday, May 29th @ 1pm in the OLD Gym
Field Trips
- Kindergarten – Today - French Lick Train
- 1st – Tomorrow – WonderLab
-2nd – (Last week to Marengo Cave)
- 3rd – May 1st - Lincoln Boyhood Home
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
- 4th – April 16th - Squire Boon Caverns
- 5th – May 13th - Angel Mounds
- 5th (b) – May 6th – LEAD Trial
- 6th – May 5th - Howell Conservation Park
Special Track and Field Day (AKA Special Olympics)
- Thursday and Friday, May 7th and 8th
School Safety Specialist – Final Training in Indianapolis
- Wednesday, May 20th
Candace Roush, Superintendent, reported on the following:
-Thank you to Ms. Keefe for her many years of dedication and teaching to the Shoals
Community School Corporation. She will be missed dearly.
-The old gym will be sealed this summer and the gym will be shut down from June
25th through July 12th.
-The state school funding formula is still up in the air at this point. There are some
differences between the house and senate versions so we will continue to wait and see
how it turns out.
- The Department of Child Services is celebrating Child Prevention Month and would
like to offer child DNA kits to interested parents in case of an emergency. This service
has been offered by the State Police in the past.
- The front of the high school painting project is still on hold due to the rainy weather.
-Student handbooks ​
will be brought to the​
May board meeting for a first reading.
- A bond plan was presented to the school board to help take care of some needed
projects around the school such as maintenance the roof, chimney, and classroom
ceiling tiles. A timeline will be presented to the board and hopefully some of the
projects can be completed during the summer when students are not in session.
- Summer cleaning crew will be hired at the next board meeting. A plan on the
number of cleaning projects and hours needed was presented to the school board.
- We are excited to finally post the social worker position for the 2015-2016 school
year.​
Mrs. Roush provided the Board with monthly reports from the school nurse, guidance
counselor, and all financial reports for the corporation. Approval of the leave accounting report was given as follows:
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Vote given: 5-0
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
5. ​
New Business:
A. Book Donation – Marie Hawkins:
Marie Hawkins was present and donated a copy of her second published book titled
"The Firefly that Helped His Friends" to the elementary library. The Board thanked
Mrs. Hawkins for the donation.
B. Corporation Wellness Policy – First Reading:
The Board reviewed updates to the Corporation Wellness Policy. A second reading
will be held at the May 14, 2015 meeting of the Board.
C. Field Trip Requests:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve the following field trips:
-Junior Class Students to Washington High School for Project Safe Prom Presentation
on 4/21/2015
-Sixth Grade to Howell Park in Evansville, IN on 5/5/2015
-Fifth Grade to Martin County Courthouse for LEAD Trial and Jailhouse Tour on
5/6/2015
-Students to Bedford North Lawrence for 2015 Special Track and Field Program on
5/7/2015 and 5/8/2015 (permission to accept donations from public is requested
-Fifth Grade to Angel Mounds in Evansville, IN on 5/13/2015
-Fourth Grade Students to Crane Science Fair on 5/22/2015
The field trips were approved as follows:
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote given: 5-0
D. Facility Usage Requests:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve the following facility usage requests
with all fees being waived:
-Girl Scouts request approval to meet in cafeteria or another available classroom after
school through the end of the 2014-15 school year.
-Alumni Association requests permission to hold Alumni Banquet in gymnasium on
Saturday, June 27, 2015 with setup the day prior.
Motion by: Dianna Ragsdale
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote given: 5-0
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
E. North Lawrence Career Center and Joint Services – Operating Agreements:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve the operating agreements with North
Lawrence Career Center as well as Joint Services for the 2015-16 school year. Approval
was given as follows:
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Vote given: 5-0
F. Summer School – Indiana Virtual Academy:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve participation in the Indiana DOE
Virtual Academy for summer school courses during the summer of 2015. She noted
that it is free to our students and we have successfully been part of this program in
past summers. Approval was given as follows:
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote given: 5-0
G. JBL Program Requests for 2015-16 School Year:
Mrs. Roush gave the Board a letter from Mike Cooper, JBL Program Volunteer
requesting approval to continue offering the JBL Program next school year. Mr.
Cooper also requested that the Board consider purchasing some new equipment for
the program. The board discussed the request but tabled action until a future
meeting.
Motion by: Eva Neeley
Seconded by: Dianna Ragsdale
Vote given: 5-0
H. Personnel Actions:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board accept the resignation of Chrissy Henninger
from the position of elementary teaching assistant. The Board thanked Mrs.
Henninger for her services and wished her well with her new position.
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote given: 5-0
Mrs. Roush asked for approval to post the open position of teaching assistant
immediately. The Board approved posting the job as follows:
Motion by: Eva Neeley
Seconded by: Jim Bruner
Vote given: 5-0
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
I. High School Agriculture Course Additions
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve the addition of new course titles for the
high school agriculture program for the 2015-16 school year. The new courses will be
agribusiness management, animal science, plant and soil science, and natural resource
systems. Addition of the courses was approved as follows:
Motion by: Eva Neeley
Seconded by: Dianna Ragsdale
Vote given: 5-0
J. Summer Mowing Help
Mrs. Roush requested approval to post for summer mowing applicants for the
upcoming summer season. Approval to post the position of summer mowing help
was approved as follows:
Motion by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Vote given: 5-0
6. ​
Items After 4:00 – Friday:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board accept the resignation of Patricia Keefe from the
staff of Shoals Community School Corporation effective at the end of the 2014-15
school year. The Board thanked Miss Keefe for all her hard work and dedication and
stated that she will be greatly missed. The Board approved the resignation of Miss
Keefe as follows:
Motion by: Dianna Ragsdale
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Vote given: 5-0
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve the following people to serve as
substitutes during the 2014-15 school year:
-Thomas Potts as Substitute Teacher and School Nurse Substitute
-Ellen Hampton as Cafeteria Substitute
The Board approved both substitutes as follows:
Motion made by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Vote given: 5-0
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School Board Meeting – April 9, 2015
Mrs. Roush provided the Board with an overview of the details being planned for the
new preschool program to be offered for the 2015-16 school year. She requested
permission to advertise for outside groups or companies interested in overseeing a
preschool program here in our building. The program details as well as approval to
advertise was approved as follows:
Motion made by: Eva Neeley
Seconded by: Lorna Troutman
Vote given: 5-0
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve use of our facilities to hold the Hoosier
Basketball Academy during the months of April – July of 2015. The exact dates and
location will depend on availability of facilities and other school sponsored events
already scheduled. The Board approved the use of facilities with all fees waived as
follows:
Motion made by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Dianna Ragsdale
Vote given: 5-0
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve scheduling graduation for the class of
2015 to be held at 4:00 p.m. on May 30, 2015. Approval was given by consensus.
7. ​
Approval of Claims:
Mrs. Roush recommended the Board approve all claims as presented. Approval was
given as follows:
Motion made by: Lorna Troutman
Seconded by: Eva Neeley
Motion given: 5-0
8. ​
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
The next meeting of the Board will be on May 14, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
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