MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SCHOOL TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOL TOWN OF MUNSTER, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA HELD ON THE 8TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2015 The regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees was held December 8, 2015, in the Administration Center, 8616 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by Mrs. Nellans at 7:00 p.m. The following Board members were present: Judith Florczak, John Friend, Melissa Higgason, Paula Nellans and Ron Ostojic. Also present were Dr. Jeffrey Hendrix, Superintendent, Dr. Phyllis Gilworth, Assistant Superintendent, and Steven Tripenfeldas, Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Tripenfeldas read the items on the consent agenda. 5.1 Approval of Minutes for the Regular Board Meeting of November 9, 2015 5.2 Approval of Accounts Payable Voucher Register 5.3 Approval of Personnel Report Resignations Name Building & Assignment Effective Date Alan Mack Bus Driver 1/4/16 Joseph Sokol Math Teacher MHS 1/4/16 Request to Extend Medical Leave of Absence Name Building & Assignment Effective Date Ronald Moore Teacher WWMS 10/9/15 12/18/15 (extension) Medical and Maternity Leaves Name Building and Assignment Effective Date Sarah Adams Teacher WWMS 2/24/16 end of 2015-16 school year Recommendation for Employment Name Building and Assignment Effective Date Don Bugaski Temporary Math Teacher MHS 1/5/16 end of 2015-16 school year John Gresko Custodian FHH 12/7/15 Roma Patel Server/Cashier MHS 11/4/15 Kym Davis Science Bowl Coach - Eads Eff. with the 2015-16 School Year Jenny Herold Spell Bowl Coach - Eads Eff. with the 2015-16 School Year Wendy McCarthy Math Bowl Coach - Eads Eff. with the 2015-16 School Year Daniel Kime DECA Assistant Coach - MHS Eff. with the 2015-16 School Year Jason McCauley Civics Club Sponsor MHS Eff. with the 2015-16 School Year Overnight Field Trips Name Trip Location Effective Date Project Bio-MHS Big Pine Key, Florida 3/16/16 3/24/16 Mrs. Nellans asked if the Board would like any items broken out individually. Mr. Tripenfeldas recommended that the Board approve with one motion and one vote, consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.3. Mrs. Higgason, made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, to approve consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.3. All voting aye, motion carried. ACTION ITEMS APPROVAL OF DOCKET AS PRESENTED AND PERMISSION GIVEN TO PAY ANY OTHER BILLS FOR DECEMBER AFTER RECEIPT OF PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Higgason, to approve the donations, as presented. All voting aye, motion carried. SCHOOL BOARD MOTION TO ISSUE PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF NONRENEWAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTS Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, that the Superintendent issue written preliminary notice of the board s consideration of nonrenewal to those administrators in the school corporation whose contracts may not be renewed as recommended by the Superintendent. All voting aye, motion carried.
MINUTES December 8, 2015 - Page 2 DONATIONS Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Higgason, to approve the donations (copy herewith attached), as presented. All voting aye, motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 730 APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, to adopt Resolution No. 730 Appropriation Resolution Authorizing, as presented (copy herewith attached). All voting aye, motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 731 ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE EXEMPT DEBT SERVICE FUND Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, to adopt Resolution No. 731 Additional Appropriation for the Exempt Debt Service Fund (copy herewith attached). All voting aye, motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 732 RESOLUTION AWARDING SALE OF WARRANTS TO BE DELIVERED IN 2016 Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak to adopt Resolution No. 732 Resolution Awarding Sale of Warrants to be Delivered in 2016 (copy herewith attached). All voting aye, motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 733 RESOLUTION AWARDING REFERENDUM TAX LEVY FUND ANTICIPATION NOTES TO BE DELIVERED IN 2015 Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak to adopt Resolution No. 733 Resolution Awarding Referendum Tax Levy Fund Anticipation Notes to be Delivered in 2015 (copy herewith attached). All voting aye, motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 734 RESOLUTION AWARDING GENERAL FUND REVENUE ANTICIPATION REVOLVING WARRANT TO BE DELIVERED IN 2016 Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, to adopt Resolution No. 734 Resolution Awarding General Fund Revenue Anticipation Revolving Warrant to be Delivered in 2016 (copy herewith attached). All voting aye, motion carried. GENERAL INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION School Board Policy Updates and Revisions - Mrs. Tripenfeldas presented the School Board Policy updates and revisions. These will be brought back to the next meeting for a vote. DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS REPORT Mrs. Swanson presented the financial report. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS COMMENTS Dr. Gilworth gave updates on the status of ISTEP testing, NWEA, upcoming assessment windows, professional development days on November 30, 2015 and February 26, 2016, and she mentioned that the Teacher of the Year, who was originally from Munster, will be here for a visit in March. Mr. Tripenfeldas reported on the Evaluation Plan, the Secure our Schools Grant, the updating of electronic locks and the Standard Response Protocol class that he had attended. PRINCIPAL S COMMENTS NICOLE GUERNSEY PRINCIPAL OF ELLIOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mrs. Guernsey reported for all three of the elementary schools. She reported on NWEA, 4 th Grade Indiana Day, and the variety shows to be held at all three elementary schools. MIKE WELLS - PRINCIPAL OF MUNSTER HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Wells reported on how their wrestlers had worked with a special needs student to help that student compete and succeed in a wrestling event. He stated that he was quite proud of all those who participated. He also reported that The Crier Newspaper won an award as one of the Top 30 Newspapers in the State. SCHOOL BOARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS MRS. FLORCZAK Mrs. Florczak reported on the PTO Presidents meeting and she commented on the upcoming variety shows. MR. FRIEND Mr. Friend gave an update on the Teacher of Merit program.
MINUTES December 8, 2015 - Page 3 MRS. HIGGASON Mrs. Higgason reported that the West Lake Special Education Co-op had recently gone through their audit for the 2013-2014 school year and all of their ratings came back at 100%; she also stated that the special needs students will be having their theater production at Wilbur Wright Middle School on December 14 at 10:00 a.m. MRS. NELLANS Mrs. Nellans stated that the Munster Education Foundation was in the process of putting the finishing touches on their Mardi Fundraiser to be held in February. MR. OSTOJIC Mr. Ostojic reported that evaluation dialog continues; he attended a STEM program at Eads; and he thanked Mr. Sokol for his years of service to the Munster students. SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS Dr. Hendrix reported that the preliminary school grades have been issued. Many superintendents are displeased with the testing process and have sent letters to the state commenting on the ISTEP process. He feels it s unfair to evaluate schools in this way. If the testing methods keep changing, it causes one to question the validity and reliability of the testing procedures. He feels that it s unfair to teachers and administrators, and he feels the whole process is flawed and changes need to be made. He closed by wishing everyone a very happy holiday season. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mrs. Higgason, seconded by Mrs. Florczak, that the meeting be adjourned. All voting aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. ATTEST: _ SECRETARY, Board of School Trustees, School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, A Community School Corporation Paula Nellans, President Melissa Higgason, Vice President Judith Florczak, Member Ron Ostojic, Member BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES, SCHOOL TOWN OF MUNSTER, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA, A COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
8616 COLUMBIA AVENUE MUNSTER, INDIANA 46321 RESOLUTION NO. 731 ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION Whereas, it has been determined that it is now necessary to appropriate more money than was originally appropriated in the annual budget; now, therefore: Sec. 1. Be it resolved by the Board of School Trustees of School Town of Munster, Lake County, that for the expenses of the taxing unit the following additional sums of money are hereby appropriated out of the funds named and for the purposes specified, subject to laws governing the same: Fund Name: Exempt Debt Service Fund AMOUNT AMOUNT APPROVED REQUESTED BY FISCAL BODY Major Budget Classification: Debt Service $1,765,000.00 $1,765,000.00 TOTAL for Exempt Debt Fund: $1,765,000.00 $1,765,000.00 ************************************************************************************* Adopted this 8 th day of December, 2015. AYE _ NAY ATTEST: _ Board of School Trustees, School Town of Munster, Lake County, IN
SCHOOL TOWN OF MUNSTER AWARDING SALE OF WARRANTS TO BE DELIVERED IN 2016 RESOLUTION NO. 732 WHEREAS, the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County Indiana, has authorized the School Town to make temporary loans for the Transportation Fund (Transportation Fund), the Bus Replacement Fund (Bus Replacement Fund), the Capital Projects Fund (Capital Projects Fund), and the Referendum Tax Levy Fund (Referendum Fund) in the total amount of $2,821,000 (collectively, the Warrants ). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, as follows: 1. The sale of the Warrants be awarded on the basis of the bids for the Warrants, with the lowest interest rate and premium as follows: I S S U E SUCCESSFUL RATE OF INTEREST DATE OF SUCCESSFUL FUND AMOUNT MATURITY INSTITUTION Bus Replacement 1 $240,000 December 30, 2016 Centier Bank 1.13% 0 Capital Projects 2 $960,000 December 30, 2016 Centier Bank 1.13% 0 Transportation Operating 3 $800,000 December 30, 2016 Centier Bank 1.13% 0 Referendum Tax Levy Fund PREMIUM 4 $821,000 December 30, 2016 Centier Bank 1.13% 0 The same being the lowest bids submitted for the Warrants in accordance with the notice to bidders. 2. The officers of the Board are authorized to execute such other documents and certificates relating to the issuance of the Warrants as are necessary or desirable and to deliver the Warrants on or about January 4, 2016, upon payment in full by the successful bidders in accordance with the bids and awards. The officers of the Board are also authorized to reduce the amount of the Warrants sold and delivered if in the opinion of the officers such reduction is necessary to comply with federal or state laws. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, this 8 th day of December 2015. Aye Paula Nellans, President Melissa Higgason, Vice President Judith Florczak, Member Ron Ostojic, Member Nay Attest: John E. Friend, SECRETARY, Board of School Trustees, School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana A Community School Corporation
SCHOOL TOWN OF MUNSTER AWARDING REFERENDUM TAX LEVY FUND ANTICIPATION NOTES TO BE DELIVERED IN 2015 RESOLUTION NO. 733 WHEREAS, the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County Indiana, has authorized the School Town to issue Referendum Tax Levy Fund Anticipation Notes Series 2015B, in the amount of $1,000,000.00 (the Notes ), NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, as follows: 1. The sale of the Notes be awarded on the basis of the bids for the Notes, with the lowest interest rate as follows: DATE OF MATURITY SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSFUL RATE OF INTEREST AMOUNT INSTITUTION $250,000 June 30, 2018 Centier Bank 1.50% $250,000 December 31, 2018 Centier Bank 1.65% $250,000 June 30, 2019 Centier Bank 1.80% $250,000 December 31, 2019 Centier Bank 1.90% The same being the lowest bids submitted for the Warrants in accordance with the notice to bidders. 2. The officers of the Board are authorized to execute such other documents and certificates relating to the issuance of the Notes as are necessary or desirable and to deliver the Notes on December 22, 2015, upon payment in full by the successful bidders in accordance with the bids and awards. The officers of the Board are also authorized to reduce the amount of the Warrants sold and delivered if in the opinion of the officers such reduction is necessary to comply with federal or state laws. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, this 8 th day of December 2015. Aye Paula Nellans, President Melissa Higgason, Vice President Judith Florczak, Member Ron Ostojic, Member Nay Attest: John E. Friend, SECRETARY, Board of School Trustees, School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana A Community School Corporation
SCHOOL TOWN OF MUNSTER AWARDING GENERAL FUND REVENUE ANTICIPATION REVOLVING WARRANT TO BE DELIVERED IN 2016 RESOLUTION NO. 734 WHEREAS, the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County Indiana, has authorized the School Town to issue General Fund Revenue Revolving Warrant not to exceed $1,000,000.00, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, as follows: 1. The sale of the Revolving Warrant be awarded on the basis of the bids for the Revolving Warrant, with the lowest interest rate to: First Merchants Bank with a variable interest rate at LIBOR plus 2.70% The same being the lowest bid submitted for the Revolving Warrant in accordance with the notice to bidders. 2. The officers of the Board are authorized to execute such other documents and certificates relating to the issuance of the Revolving Warrant as are necessary or desirable and to deliver the Revolving Warrant on January 4, 2016, upon payment in full by the successful bidders in accordance with the bids and awards. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of School Trustees of the School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana, this 8 th day of December 2015. Aye Paula Nellans, President Melissa Higgason, Vice President Judith Florczak, Member Ron Ostojic, Member Nay Attest: John E. Friend, SECRETARY, Board of School Trustees, School Town of Munster, Lake County, Indiana A Community School Corporation