001call the meeting to order. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Gosh, that sounded really good. Thank you all for being here tonight. That sounded really good. Um, we'll start by entertaining a motion to accept consent agenda items. >> So, move. >> I have a motion by Cheryl. Do I have a second? >> Second by Travis. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next, we'll move down to community non-aggenda items. We have JCMS presentations. I hear >> so exciting. >> So, we brought you a full out show this evening. >> We have our orchestra uh students, band student, and then undo to perform to
002you. >> Great. >> So, We'll get started with orchestra. >> I think what we'll do again because this the board meeting is live streamed so anybody in the room we are we are streaming out it's recorded. Um I think what we typically do is we vacate our seats so that the camera you all can face the camera so that's okay. Keep going. Keep going. in the back corner there. >> Let me say who we got here. >> Yeah. >> All right. I'm Chris. I'm the orchestra director for both the high school and middle school. We have been working towards our biggest show of the year. uh the countywide performance that we do this Saturday. Uh so I've got with me here today the eighth grade part of my eighth grade group. I've got about 22
003kids in this but I brought my section leaders here with me today to do pieces that we are playing for that festival. So we do I should introduce them to this is Brennan Brown. We've got on first violin uh Camila Quadd. We've got Karen Miranda on bass. Melissa Gosman on cello. Izzy Quantero on viola. and Kle. >> There you go. Hold on. All right. Good. All right. Do this. All right. Here we go. Hold on. This one's kind of rowdy. All right. Here we go. Heat. Heat. I don't know. Happy birthday. group see the first group we've had that started in sixth grade again bringing orchestra back to >> this was our first crescendo so yeah um I will say that the the level we're at now like this piece um in past years this
004would definitely be a high school level piece and and they're there now in eighth grade we've been working on this since grade um so yeah that crescendo program is really helping out big time with that. My seventh graders are in awesome shape as well. So, it also helps a lot with like retention. Um, we have pretty huge numbers in the elementaryaries and they do their weeding process when they get to middle school it seems like. And and I've got almost the exact same numbers going into high school next year as freshman. Um, so it kind of looks like we're on this process of like 20 plus per year going up to the high school. So, it's awesome. Thank you so much. >> The countywide when can you dates times this Saturday? >> It's this Saturday.
005Um performances are throughout the day starting at 11:00 a.m. and we should be done by 5:30 p.m. Uh we have two stages. The big concrete slab stage uh is going to be where the bands and the orchestras perform. So we start with Crescendo Band at 11 um and do a couple band performances, switch some things around. choir is going on the city stage across the park and uh we follow through and orchestras will end the day. >> We do have um there's going to be two performances that include one performance will have every band hit from the county and one performance will have every orchestra from the county. The band performance is at noon at 3:30. >> Okay. >> I know there's between 150 and 200 kids per >> 195. Yeah. >> So, Saturday 11:30
006or 11 to 5:30 >> Tton. >> Yes. >> And we will have also food trucks and things there. It's it's a make a day. >> A couple of the art teachers are also leading crafts for and chalk art and stuff for people to move around. >> Great. Thank you. Sixth grade seven. >> Um, our second part of the middle school performance uh comes from the band department. Hello, my name is Mrs. Chadwick. Um, I'm the band director at Jennings County Middle School as well as at Jennings County High School. Um, and um, this is Mason Foist uh, playing the trombone for us today. Um, he is one of six students um, from the middle school who went to the solo and ensemble competition at Columbus East back in January. Um, I think a couple of
007those orchestra kids out there went to solo and ensemble too, right? >> Yes. if they if they if they want to give away the the ones of them who are here, >> they could do that. >> Midst putting things up. >> I had seven or eight, I think. >> And all of them won gold from the middle school. >> Uh almost. I think I had one silver. >> Okay. Yeah. So, uh gold medals for uh most of our performers there at the uh solo ensemble competition. Mason is one of our students who got a gold as well. So, he's going to do his uh award-winning solo. It's Surprise Symphony by France Joseph Hayden. There you go. I do also want to celebrate Mason. He was our countywide spelling be All right. Hi guys. I am
008Miss Laney Warren. I am the I'm the middle school choir director. I do choir unavoce and um music. And behind me is Unavoce. We are coming off of our showcase that was last week and they knocked it out of the park. We're so proud of them. And up coming on Saturday with the rest of the groups like they mentioned we have countywide. So tonight they have a song from Coco. Um and then at countywide they are doing Beyond from Moana 2 and set it off from Descendants. So here is remember me from coverby I Sing a secret song each night we are aart though I have to travel each until you're in my arms again. Remember me. Though I have to say goodbye, remember it cry for even If I'm far away, I hold you
009in my heart. I sing a secret song to you. Each night we are aart. Remember me. Though I have to travel farad know that I'm with you the only way that I can be until you're in my arms again. Never me. >> Thank you guys. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Schulz. We appreciate you bringing all those presentations to us this evening. It was a lot of fun. >> While they're leaving, we'll just remind everybody May, help me with my dates and times. May the 9th, Saturday, it's the countywide music festival at Triftton Park. It starts at 11 o'clock, goes until 5:30. Both stages will be going. Um, all three groups will be there performing. So, um, very exciting. Very excited. Um, so next on community non-aggenda items, I do believe
010that we have an individual here who wishes um to speak to an item that's not on the agenda. So to start that off, I'm going to read guidelines for public participation and then we'll have that individual um come up to speak. So the school board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on corporation matters. This meeting is a meeting of the school board in public for the purpose of conducting the school corporation's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There will be time for public participation as indicated by the agenda. The board provides public comment at the beginning of the meeting for items not on the agenda. For items on the agenda, the board will take comment during
011the meeting as the board considers items. The board president will direct when public comment is appropriate. The presiding officer shall be guiding all of the following rules. Public participation shall be permitted um as indicated in order of business provided, however, that public participation may be prohibited at any meeting that must be conducted remotely or virtually due to disaster emergency declared by federal, state, or local officials unless the board has elected to allow oral public At such board meetings as listed above, attendees shall register their intention to participate. Um, participants shall be recognized by the presiding officer and shall be requested to preface their comments by announcing their name, address, group affiliation if and when appropriate. Each statement made by the participant shall be limited to three minutes in duration and we will have a timer
012on the wall. No participant may more than once. No participant may pass their time to another participant. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. No person may address or question board members individually. The presiding officer may prohibit public comments which are harassing, interrupt, warn, or terminate a person's statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant. Request an individual to leave the meeting when that person behaves in a manner that is disruptive to the orderly conduct of the meeting. Request the assistance of law enforcement in the removal of a person who is willfully disruptive or when that person's behavior interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting. call for a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so um interferes with the orderly
013conduct of the meeting to warrant such action. Wave these rules with approval of the board when necessary for the protection of privacy or the administration of the board's business. This portion of the meeting um during which oral p public comment is held shall be limited to 30 minutes unless extended by a vote. The board provided however that every person who is physically present um and has followed the reasonable rules set forth above shall be permitted an opportunity to provide comment by dividing the total time for oral public comment by the number of the persons providing comment. And this is part of our mola policy. It's um PO0167.3. Um so now again I believe um signed in to participate in public comment is Brandon Kendall. So Brandon will start the three minute timer when you start.
014Good evening, madam president, members of the board. My name is Frank and I'm here because I believe this board owes me and this community an honest explanation for years. I was approved to coach underground. You're now using against me being referenced as nearly 20 years old. It did not suddenly appear overnight. You knew about it then. You approved me anyways. I coached. I showed up for these kids. I volunteered my time. And during those years, there were minor incidents, every time involving the unfair treatment of children, no complaints involving student safety, and no problems that would justify suddenly deciding I'm unfit now. So, what changed? Because I'm struggling to understand how I was considered safe enough to coach children before, but somehow unsafe now despite continuing to coach youth sports in this community. I currently
015coach baseball through park recreations and recently recently coached soccer. Parents trusted me. kids trusted me. Those organizations trusted me. And even though I was already within the time frame of my previous approval, I still cooperated. I still completed another background check. I still took a drug screen. I did everything that was asked of me. I even brushed the coaching shirts from the years I coached for this community because I wanted to remind this board that I wasn't just some random applicant asking for an opportunity. I already earned that opportunity. I already served this community. What makes this even harder to understand is that Instead of allowing me to continue as coach, the team ended up with a coach who repeatedly made it known he didn't even want to be there. Meanwhile, I was actively trying
016to volunteer my time, energy, and commitment to those kids. That makes this decision feel even less about what's best for the students and more about selective enforcement. And what is even more concerning is that that there appears to be no real process. A decision that affects someone's reputation, involvement in community, and ability to volunteer with just be made closed doors with no meaningful opportunity to challenge it, explain circumstances or request a fair review. That is not transparency. That is not accountability. And it certainly does not feel fair because I know the only person because I know I'm not the only person connected to this community or school system with a past record. So if second chances of rehabilitation apply to some people, why not me? If the answer is policy, then show policy. discretion and
017explain why that discretion changed after years of approval and successful coaching. And if this decision was influenced by personal complaints, politics or pressure from certain individuals and the public deserves transparency about that too. I've spent years trying to positively impact kids in this community. I stepped up coach many people alone. Yet now being treated as though none of that matters despite years of proven service, no issues during my time coaching. I'm asking this board tonight for honesty, consistency, accountability, and really process for decisions like this because where I stand the standard being applied to me now is not the standard that was applied before. Thank you. >> So Brandon, first of all, I want to thank you for coming to the board meeting this evening to provide that feedback. While we will not as a
018board be responding to your statement, we will take it under advisement. So I appreciate that. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Is anyone else present who would like to speak to an item on the agenda or not on the agenda. So, now we'll move down to new business. Um, hold on. Sorry, skipped a page. We got some old business that we're going to move down to. We have some new policies that we need to um approve. >> Yes. Asking for approval of this set of NEA policies. >> We'll entertain a motion. Sorry, add the guidelines a little bit. Okay. Um, we'll entertain a motion to approve the policies as presented. >> I'll make a motion to approve those. >> I have a motion by Travis. Do I have a second?
019>> Second by Kurt. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. >> Um, so next we'll go down under operations. We have a blueprint 2030. Yes. asking for approval of the five action areas for a new strategic plan which we're referring to as blueprint 2030. We had a work session and that was live streamed so someone could go back and watch that if they would like to be posted online. Um after thoughtfully completing a comprehensive needs analysis we used a lot of data over 100 pages of data that included survey results from the community staff students and parents. Um we had a committee of teachers and administrators who identified five action areas for our future work. That would be um panther well-being, academic achievement and growth, operational effectiveness, positive school culture and climate and fiscal responsibility.
020So asking for approval of those five action areas for a new strategic plan. We entertain a motion. I have a motion by Mary Lynn. Do I have a second? >> Second by Pat. Any discussion? I would encourage anyone that may be watching right now, if you did not see that presentation earlier, please go back. It was very interesting and very well done. Any additional discussion. All those in favor 70. Next, we'll go down to new business. We have some new policies. >> Yes. So, this is an inform. It's time to update a lot of admin guidelines. So these are the admin guidelines that pair with our policy for administrators for action steps um in regards to anything regarding a policy that we have. So they need to be updated from time to time to match
021any new policy updates or any changes in law. So I'm just going to be bringing sets of them to you at a time to keep this up to date. This is just a first read. That item is an inform. So as you review those policies, reach out to Nikki if you have questions. Um, next we'll go down under recommendations. We have some recommendations. >> Yes, please. Asking for the following recommendations to be approved. Valerie Bingham, North Elementary summer school teacher. Morgan Lyens, JCSC Assistant District Safety Coordinator, career increment master teacher stipen to be awarded to Emily Tonsler for the school years 2026 27 through 203031. Trish uh Trisha Skinner Nve summer school teacher and Chris Thirstston JCSC district safety coordinator. >> I have a motion to approve those recommendations as read. That's provided by Travis.
022Do we have a second? Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Next, we'll move down under support staff. We have some recommendations. Yes, please. Asking for approval of the following recommendations. Destiny Brook Garing Garinger Jennings. I'm sorry, I got that wrong. Grand Elementary Parapro to Grand Creek Elementary administrative assistant. Renee Gross, NBE summer school parapro. Austin Grundon, Janice County High School volunteer football coach. Janice Hyman, JCSC um cook for our Sun Sun meals to go summer food program. Nola Hostettler, JCSC kitchen manager for that summer food program. Gary Chrys, Jennings County Middle School volunteer boys golf coach. Donna Lewis, JCSC floating subc. Donna Lewis, also serving as the JCSC cook for the summer food program. Sarah Mlan, JCSE um cook for the summer food program. Meredith Morren, JCMS volunteer boys golf coach.
023Hannah Nan, MBE summer school parapro. Brittany Mortonson, Jennings County High School assistant girls soccer coach, and Amanda Wells, JCSC um cook for the summer food program. >> We'll entertain a motion to approve those recommendations as read. I have a motion by Do I have a second? >> Second by Pat. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Thank you. >> Next, we'll move down. Um, we have a waiver. Yes. Asking for approval to pay classified staff at Grand Creek Elementary for 42826. That was a day that only Grand Creek missed due to a power outage from implement weather storms that week. Um, when given the time we have in the year making up those at other times isn't really feasible. So asking for a waiver for them just like was approved from DOE for students and
024certified staff. Asking for your approval. >> Entertain a motion. >> So move. >> I have a motion by Pat. Do I have a second? >> Second by Kurt. Any discussion? All those in favor? 7. Next we're down to finances. We have a lot of donations tonight. >> Asking for approval to accept the following donations for Hayden Elementary. Mr. Mike Wasam, $83,56 for wireless transmitter with rechargeable battery system. For the high school, Daniel Richardson, $25 for key club fund. Graham Presbyterian Church, $300 for Panther Pantry. Super ATV, $250 for faculty PBIS for the middle school. Miller's Tavern of North Vernon, $250 for the eighth grade celebration for the Jennings County School Corporation Hope Food Program, Graham Presbyterian Church, $300. JCSC Crescendo Music Department, Countywide Fine Arts Festival for T-shirts, sound, and posters. Country Chevrolet, $250. Josh
025Leonard, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, $100. Mayor Gerkin, $250 for staff appreciation week. Allergic to dirt, two $200 gift certificates for full car detail. Autozone car wash bucket. Big Head Pizza, 12 $20 gift certificates. Cheeky Monday's Grill, four $16 gift certificates. Chick-fil-A, two Nugget Catering Tray gift cards. Dairy Queen, five $20 gift cards. Iron Benders, two one-month memberships with key fob and two t-shirts. Lakeside Pizza, 10 $10 gift cards. Lost Chalupa's Mexican Restaurant, three $20 gift cards. Little Red Kitchen, four $25 gift cards. McDonald's, five medium extra value meals. O'Reilly Auto Parts, Maguiars's Ultimate Complete Kit. Papa John's, four two topping pizzas and one one topping pizza gift card. Pizza King, $25 gift card. Premier Sports, two $50 gift cards. Pretty nails $35 and15 gift card. Rumors Full Service Salon, $130 and one $50 gift card.
026Subway, six-inch sub sandwiches. Sugar Brew Bakery, two lunch specials. Taco Bell 20 $5 gift cards. Tail Feather Farm Market 10 $7 gift cards. Thoroughbread Express five $30 gift cards. VIP Nails one $50 gift card. Walmart five $20 gift cards and Wendy's 34 small Frosty gift cards. Asking for approval to accept those donations. I entertain a motion to approve those donations as >> read. Motion by Pat. I have a second. Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? >> May I just add a thank you to our community because I want to tell you when we stepped out and ask they just poured out their love upon the corporation and we greatly appreciate it. >> Yeah, absolutely. It's great to see the community rally around staff appreciation. very much. So, so I have a motion and a second. Is
027there any other discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? 7. Um, so next we'll go down under operations classified handbook approval. Oh, um, I'm sorry I went blank there for a moment. We are asking for approval of the classified handbook with revisions this year. They are highlighted in yellow for you. Some of those changes this year are to our procedures for inclement weather days for staff and there is a change in some wording for confidentiality or some additions that have been made. >> We'll entertain a motion to approve. >> Motion by Kurt. Do I have a second? Second by Mary Lynn. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Um next under operations extra pay for shortterm 25 to 26 contracted. Yes, it is construction season, so we have to reroute some buses. Asking for extra
028pay for short term for bus 309 for those extra 44 miles a day while that works being done on the bridge. So asking >> I have a motion by Travis. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Um next we have um bus contractor field trip rate. >> Yes. It is what we like to refer to as especially busy field trip season. Um the nice weather's back and at the same time we've had a lot of changes in gas prices which I'm sure you're well aware. So to make sure that we can fund the need that we have for field trips, asking to increase the rate per mile for them to run field trips. So it's been the same rate for over six years. So asking to
029increase that rate by 25 cents per mile. >> Entertain a motion to motion by Maryland. Do I have a second? Second by Pat. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next, we're down under relations. We have anou. >> Yeah, this is ourou with Beck Speech Therapy. They are the company that we've used the last two years for our online speech for grades fourth through 12th grade. Uh they did increase by $1 per hour this year. Um it's $78 per hour this year, but asking for approval for um to continue to work with Beck speech therapy. Entertain a motion to approve. >> Motion by Travis. Do I have a second? >> Second by Kurt. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? 70. And then we have an additional. >> Yeah, this is our with First Steps
030um for that transition period between uh at that three-year-old mark for to collaborate with First Steps and provide services when they turn three. >> Entertain a motion. >> Motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? 7, which takes us down to others. So, I just want to say again, thank you to all of our staff for staff appreciation week. Several years ago, we decided to combine all the one significant days a year for each employee group into one big event every year at this week. And Lisa just does a phenomenal job putting that together so that we have all those drawings of the donations you see throughout the week. Three different days there are gifts for everyone in their staff areas, um, food, treats, popcorn, different
031things. She's really made it special. So, thank you for Lisa's work. And then thank you to all of our staff for everything you do all year long. Anything else? That's it. One last reminder, JCSC Prescendo Music Departmentwide Fine Arts Festival, May the 9th from 11 to 5:30 at Triton Park. Be there for the square. >> It's been a while since I've said that. >> Hearing nothing else to come before the board, we'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Motion by Pat. Second. >> Second by Cheryl. All those in favor? Seven.