001Call the meeting to order and 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. Want to welcome everyone to the school board meeting this evening. remind everyone we are live streaming um the meeting tonight. Um so um notice when the green light is on we are on the worldwide website. Um we'll start with um a motion to accept consent agenda items. Motion a motion by a second. Second by Travis. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next we'll move down to community non-aggenda items. I believe we have a board information statement. Um that is our guidelines, public guidelines. Okay. Do you want to pass it to Oh,
002do you want me to read them? It's up to you. I missed that one. That's not the FAQs. The guidelines for publication. This I gota I'm I'm back on track here. So, it's been a long week. Um, so yeah. So, I believe last week we read guidelines um for public participation. Um, we'll review those again just so that we're on the same page. Also, for the reason that we are live streaming the board meeting and we want to make sure um that those who are Thank you. that those who are um joining us um via live stream um that they also know what the guidelines state. The school board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on corporate matters. Um, this
003meeting 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 may take comment during the meeting as the board considers items. The board president will direct when the public comment is appropriate. The presiding officer shall be guided by the following rules. Public participation shall be permitted as indicated on the order of business, provided, however, that public participation may be prohibited at any meeting that must be conducted remotely or virtually due to a disaster emergency declared by federal, state, or local officials unless
004the board has elected to allow oral public comment at such board meetings. above. Attendees shall register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon the arrival to the meeting. Participants shall be recognized by the presiding officer and shall be requested to preface their comments by an announcement of 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 do have a a clock that will time. No participant may speak 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
005statement is too lengthy, personally directive, abusive, obscene, or illre irrelevant. Request any individual to leave the meeting when the person behaves in a manner that is disruptive or the orderly conduct of the meeting. request the assistance of law enforcement officers 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 interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action. wave these rules with the approval of the board when necessary for the protection of privacy or the administration of the board's business. The portion of the meeting which oral public comment is held shall be limited to 30 minutes unless extended by a vote
006of the board. Provided, however, that every person who is physically present and has followed the reasonable rules set forth above shall be permitted in an opportunity to provide oral public comment by dividing the total time for oral public comment by the number of persons providing public comment. And this is a board niola policy [Music] PO0167.3. So now we'll ask if anyone is present who would like to speak to any item on the agenda or any other topic. And I believe right now we have two individuals who have signed up um for public comment. So we'll start with the first um is it Tara Shelton? Is it Tara? J, I'm so sorry. J, if you'll just um state your name, address, and if you're affiliated with a group, and then you can start. I'm Jar Shelton.
007My address is 60 South K Road, 16 West, uh North Vernon. No affiliation. Um I will start off by saying the ADA is the most fundamental law protecting the civil rights of people with all types of disabilities, including autism. laws, regulations, and safety measures are continuously being updated through the state board of education. Just how up to date is the Jennings County Schools according to the IDOE? What are the current set procedures and protocols when the SRO officers need to interact with the students and staff? How often are they trained, briefed, and educated on proper conduct with students that obtain an IEP or a 504. As a special needs mother, aunt, friend, and advocate, I have witnessed and heard mishaps and mishandled situations that have shown just how much our school system as a whole
008has missed the mark on more than one occasion. We don't no more excuses or bandated situations. We want what is more trans what we want is more transparency when it comes to the safety and welfare of our children while in the school systems care. From the moment that our children put their foot on the bus to the moment that the bus brings them back to their signed designated spots that we as parents sign for. They are in your care. They are in the school systems care. And we place that in whole as a community on your all's shoulders and we do that so in prayerful ways. I know myself I pray over each and every one of you do dutifully and I just say that because I don't I don't want this to feel um
009as a we are against anyone. Unity is key because without unity there division does nothing for any of us at the end of the day. Um, so with that being said, I I want to leave you with these questions um to ponder on and meditate on some more and I would love in the near future to hear some great answers for conflict resolution. Thank you, Jar. The second individual is Casey Shelton. Casey Shelton South County Road 610 and no affiliation with any group. When I was a kid, school was, you know, a nice safe place. I had Mr. Sman as a teacher and elementary. You know, it it was, you know, it was a great great thing to go to when, you know, especially farm kids when they come home, they had to do all
010these chores, work, school was their getaway and it was a safe place. Well, in today's society, it's it's kind of flip-flop. I mean, I don't understand exactly what all has changed in the school system, but you know, I have two children. When they go to school, I want them to be, you know, I want them to be safe. And uh, you know, as far as like implementing, you know, things to keep them safe. I know there's supposedly cameras in in the hallways, but I believe there should be cameras in every classroom. You know, it records audio and video, and somebody should be checking that regularly. That way, you know, it also protects the student and it protects the the teachers, you know, because there's kids that eye on the teachers, you know, and then there's
011teachers that are truly mean to the students. I had several teachers like that in high school that was that was mean teachers. But I mean, they were older, so they were from a different generation. They were just rough spoken. So, but all in all, I just want, you know, more safety for our children. So, what what can we do for that? I Is there going to be any new procedures going forward? When will we know and how will that be addressed? That's that's all I got. Thank you both for um coming to provide comment. Um next we'll move down to the next agenda item, old business. And hopefully this will provide some information. Um old business under programs, we have a JCSE procedures frequently asked questions document. Yes. Um, so in response to public comment
012or in parent meetings that um, Carrie, Mandy, or Todd and I have been sitting in and and discussing a lot of things with parents recently, um, we have been keeping a list of frequently asked questions and so we've put that together into a document and we wanted to share those responses with everyone. We think it's valuable information. Um, it is based on our policies and procedures and it's a summary of those items. if you're here, there was a copy in the hallway um if you want to print a copy to follow along. But we are going to read those questions and what those responses are and then we will follow up and have this posted on the school website as well for those who are following along at home. Um so the first question um
013is how do I report bullying? And reporting bullying to school is the first step in working together to address any concern. So the first step is to ask an adult for help. adults include teachers, counselors, and school administrators. The second step is to communicate concerns via email, parent square, call the school directly, or use the anonymous bullying report form that's found on the school websites. Um, then you step three would be to work with the school principal on any unresolved concerns. And the fourth step is if you're in need of further assistance, contacting central office, myself, Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Manowitz, Mr. Ebinger, or Mrs. Sullivan and we can all be reached at 8123464483. And there have been some questions on using the online form. So if you report bullying via the online form, just want
014to show you what that confirmation when you've submitted um a report would look like. So there's a clip of that. You'll receive a confirmation of a successful submission that looks like that. And school principles receive those reports directly and immediately and they will follow up within one school day. And new for 2526, we will have an online reporting app called Say Something that can also be used to report concerns. How are bullying um reports followed up on is the second question. Step one is the principal receives the defined bullying report and begins to collect information for the investigation within one instructional day. Step two, within one instructional day, the principal notifies the parent or guardian of the alleged victim and the reported bully. The investigation begins promptly and must conclude within five instructional days. The
015principal then communicates the investigation results to the parent guardian of the alleged victim and the reported bully. Consequences of confirmed bullying may range from behavior interventions to expulsion from school. Consequences depend on the severity of the offense, the developmental ages of the targeted student and the bully, the bully's disciplinary history, and other relevant factors. Remedial action may include, but is not limited, to counseling for the targeted student and the bully, training for the bully and/or school staff, assignment of a contact person who will provide support for the targeted student, academic assistance or support for the targeted student such as tutoring, a behavioral intervention plan for the bully, a school safety plan agreement, and or a change of placement as appropriate for the bully and/or the targeted student. When permitted by law, the disciplinary action taken
016against the student found to have engaged in confirmed bullying will be reported to the parents of the targeted student. Typically, however, Furpa educ I'm sorry, Furpa, which is Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, prohibits the disclosure of such information without written consent of the parents or guardians of the reported bully. Step three, if the targeted student or reported bully is not satisfied with the decision at step two at the school, they may submit a written appeal to the superintendent or designate within five days of the decision at step two. The case is then reviewed within five instructional days after receipt of the appeal and a decision is communicated to both parties. Step four, if the targeted student or reported bully is not satisfied with the decision at step three, they may submit a written appeal
017to the school board within five days. The board shall conduct a hearing within 20 instructional days and the board shall provide a written decision to the targeted student and reported bully within 10 instructional days following the completion of the hearing. Indiana's definition of bullying is bullying is defined as state law means overt unwanted repeated acts or gestures including verbal or written communication or images transmitted in any manner including digitally and electronically. Physical acts committed, aggression, and any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment that could be described as a placing the targeted student in reasonable fear of harm to the targeted students person or property.
018It has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted students physical or mental health. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted students academic performance. Or has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted students ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by the school. Another important definition is that of peer conflict. Peer conflict is in cases of mutual conflict between two or more students that does not meet the definition of bullying. The administration will take action to support conflict resolution. Parents and guardians will be notified. And finally on this question is retaliation and false charges. Retaliation against a person who reports a complaint or participates in an investigation into bullying is prohibited. Such a violation is considered a serious violation of board policy. false charges also shall be
019regarded as a serious offense and disciplinary measures could include up to expulsion from school. How does the school address with the student mental health crisis? Jennings County Schools recognizes that depression and self harm are problems of increasing severity among children and adolescence. Students who experience depression cannot benefit fully from the educational programs at the school corporation and the students who have attempted self harm pose a danger to both them themselves and to other students. The board has a policy and procedures that are intended to increase child suicide awareness and prevention. All corporation personnel have training to be alert for students who exhibit signs of extreme depression or who threatens or attempts suicide. Any such signs or the reports of such signs from another student or staff members are taken with the utmost seriousness. If an
020individual student concern is noted, the staff member reports it to the school counselor or building administrator. A staff member stays with the student at all times during stabilization of the concern and while assessing the risk. Parents, guardians of the students are immediately contacted and asked to come to the school. The family attends a meeting to discuss the concerns. They are provided with a resource guide of available community supports for mental health. A referral to local providers can be made if the family would like assistance. Parents and guardians are also provided information about suicide awareness and prevention. A school safety plan may also be put into place for student safety and support if warranted. A safety plan can include increased supervision, altered schedules, and other supportive measures needed by the individual student. Um the fourth question
021on the FAQ um is what support systems are available to help students and staff cope with the loss of a member of the school community? When a tragedy occurs, the school uses a crisis team to create a supportive plan for the buildings where the student attended school. A crisis plan involves additional counselors available at the school during the immediate time following the event. We also have local clergy members who provide support when additional staff are needed. The school has additional staff to provide extra support in the days after the event. Parents and guardians are contacted for any student who seeks out support from individual support from a counselor. Our school counselors follow up with students and parents who sought out additional support than in an ongoing basis. Student support groups with parent permission are held
022at school. If further support is needed, families are given community resource contacts and expedited referrals are facilitated. We have partnered with Riley Hospital for Children, the Jennings County Health Department, Centerstone, Purdue Extension Health, and other local mental health supports to provide additional resources for student mental health for our families. We have shared resources and information online and hosted in-person events. our most recent event at NVE, we had local mental health providers come. Um, unfortunately, we didn't have any parents attend. And so, I'd like to really put out messaging that the next upcoming event date um with our local community partners will be shared via parents square and we'll put that out on Facebook. So, please share that with others um when you see that date posted. Oh, sorry, this one's me. Um, number five, how
023does the school review mental health and bullying policies and procedures in an ongoing basis. Our school safety team, which has school staff and local law enforcement members, meets monthly to review school safety concerns and updates. We have also added a student well-being committee that includes school staff and local partners who will review and discuss topics such as bullying, mental health, and family resources for support. The school board reviews all policies on an ongoing basis and approves recommendations for updates based on new state laws and updated legal guidance. Question six, how does JCSC comply with Aaron's law or the requirements to teach students about sexual abuse? We are fully compliant with the law and it is part of our school policy policy 221 mandatory curriculum. Each fall, every school counselor uses state approved resources to cover
024the mandatory child abuse curriculum prior to the first semester deadline. Each school sends a link to the curriculum and an opportunity for parents to opt out through the school newsletter at least twice. There is a sample of the clip of the parent school newsletter below sent this school year at one of our elementary schools and you can see it um on the handout. Um, and then question seven, how can I review the license for my child's teacher or other certified school employees? At the beginning of at the top of this, you can see the address that you can go to and anyone can. Um, JCSC prioritizes hiring fully licensed individuals when a lack of a certified candidates for a position exist. An emergency permit could be issued. JCSC has low number of emergency permits. We
025currently as of May 2025 have 13 certified staff members on emergency permits to our total out of our total 291 certified employees. The criteria for emergency permits from the IDOE is as follows. An emergency permit is issued at the request of a school district in a content area for which the district is experienced difficulty staffing the assignment with a properly licensed educator. The emergency permit is is a temporary credential issued to a school corporation or special education cooperative per for a person who is not licensed for that assignment. The applicant must possess the minimum of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited accredited university. In order to be eligible eligible for the EP, the individual holding the EP must make a commitment to work toward completion of an approved program to either add content area
026of the EP to an existing license or obtain an initial practitioner license for the content area or areas. The permit holder must meet the licensing advice must meet with the licensing advisor at an Indiana institution in order to learn about the requirements for completing the appropriate program. Our final question on this FAQ and um I'd like to keep adding to this as we have any other additional FAQs in the community that come up. But our final question currently is what should I know about social media and the schools? Um our district must follow guidelines of FURPA about keeping confidential information about students private and we are unable to directly comment or clarify on social media about student concerns. We ask for you to please communicate with us any concerns directly through the methods listed above.
027We talked through parent square, email, calling directly um so that we can work together to resolve any concerns promptly. We also ask for your help in monitoring students use of social media. For those who do have social media, we ask for your assistance in regularly monitoring that content. As a school, we do not have access to students Snapchat, Instagram, or other social media accounts. We become aware of content that is considered un inappropriate or concerning when it's submitted to us as a screenshot or a picture by other students or by parents. Snapchat's particularly difficult because the messages messages disappear after they're sent on a device. At that point, it requires law enforcement involvement in order to retrieve the content. We appreciate your partnership and monitoring ongoing social media on student devices and reaching out to
028the school directly if you need to report any concerning events. And next year that say something app, you can directly take a snapshot, a screenshot of something and attach it. In those instances, a screenshot or picture of the content is helpful for our administrators. And again, we read this aloud so people at home would know all the answers. And um it's a lot of information. It'll be posted on the website if anyone like to to follow up on those answers. So, that item wasn't informed and I just want to thank Nikki and Carrie and everyone who was involved in kind of pulling together these frequently asked questions. I know we had a lot of individuals at the last board meeting to make public comment, a couple of tonight at tonight to make public comment. Um,
029again, just trying to um share information so that that it's factual information. Um, a lot of the information on the FAQ comes from our board policy. So, it's important to know the board policy um to know that we have a policy and to know that we're following our policy. So, I appreciate the work to to put this together. So, thank you. Does do any of the board members have questions about that um sheet? Okay. Again, that was an inform item. So hearing no questions, we'll move um down to professional staff. We have some recommendations. Yes, please. Asking for approval, please for in Clarkson to be um recommended as or I am recommending in Clarkson as a North Elementary summer school teacher and Roger Williams also as North Vernon Elementary summer school teacher. Entertain a motion
030to approve those two recommendations. Have a motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. One additional. Yes, please. Also asking for the following recommendation. Travis Writzman, Jennings County High School impact alternative ed teacher and Jennings County High School boys varsity basketball coach. Okay, we'll entertain a motion. I have a I have a motion by Mary Lynn and I have second by Earl. Sorry, we're fighting over this. Can you tell we're a little bit excited? So, I have a motion and I have a second. Any discussion? Yeah, I got a comment. I know they're Newcastle boy. U We come from a community that loves their basketball, but I'm telling you, this community, they'll give you your heart. They're really something. I've been here 55 years
031and this is home and very proud to be here and God's blessed you. That's it. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? 70. Congratulations. Well, we are super excited to have you as the newest member of the Panther family and we'd love to be able to congratulate you. So, if you don't mind, we're going to stand and if you join us over on this side, we'd like to have a chance to be able to welcome you. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you so much. [Laughter] Thank you. [Laughter] That's what he said. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. All right. Next, we'll move down under support staff. We have some recommendations. Yes, please. Making the following recommendations, please. Sheldon Austerman, Jennings County Middle School summer custodial support. Mason Conrad, Jennings County School Corporation, summer
032tech support. Autumn Fishbot, central office, uh, summer administrative support. Mary Jane Dodie, North Elementary summer school, PAR. Denise Horseman, Jennings County School Corporation, accounts payable. Alyssa Kent, Hayden Elementary School parapro that would be for summer school. Amber Logger, Brush Creek Elementary Parro termination. Jackie Miller, North Elementary summer school parapro. Christian Stewart, Jennings County Middle School 7th grade head football coach. Kate Ward, Cypio Elementary School summer school parro. Heather Willis, Jennings County Middle School sped pair pro termination. Cheyenne Young, there's a name correction. Um, unfortunately, last meeting I ask for recommendation for Cheyenne Love it and it should have read as Cheyenne Young, please for North Elementary summer custodial support and Evan Zorlock, Jennings County um, school corporation summer tech support. Entertain a motion to accept those recommendations as read. Motion by Travis. Do I have
033a second? Second. Second by Pat. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next, asking for approval for William Marling to be um recommend or be approved as a Jennings County School Corporation summer mowing support. Entertain a motion to approve. Motion by Cheryl. Do I have a second? Second by Chelsea. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Asking for approval, please for Christy Sigler, Jennings County High School head girls basketball coach contract extension through 2026 2027. Entertain a motion to motion by Mary Lynn. Do I have a second? Second by Travis. Any discussion? All those in favor? 7. Asking for approval from Michael Kelly, Jennings County Middle School 8th grade head football coach. Entertain a motion to approve. Motion by Cheryl. Do I have a second? Second by Pat. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70.
034Asking for the following recommendations to be approved. Pending hir hiring requirements. That would be Tyler Moore, Jennings County School Corporation, summer tech support, and Seth Shepard also as tech support. Entertain a motion. Motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second by Mayor Lynn. Any discussion? All those in favor 70. So next we're down under finances and we have lots of donations. So it's the Philip Marsh show. We have a lot of donations. All right. I'm asking board for approval to accept the following donations. Brushk Elementary expert I care $60 for the sixth grade celebration at Hayden. The JCCF essay contest winner, $100 to Miss Aaron Stoner's class. NBIC, $250 for the schoolwide Hayden 500 project. And the SC $1,000 for the 2526 art club, which is 3 through sixth grade at JCEC, Dollar General
035Literacy Foundation, $10,000 grant for adult literacy to grow indivi individualized instruction at the high school. Black Cat Black Cat Racing Team in memory of Bob Watts. We got the following. Karen Lannon $10. Phil and Kathy Gosser $20. Nancy Smith $20. Ron and K Bloomer and Lawson and Elise Allen $20. Brian Jen and Paxton Liot $20. Kate Warkey $25. Glenn and Judy Heath $25. Deanna Howard $25. Chuck and Anne Paul, $40. Nick and Chris Megal, $40. Martha Davis, $40. Diane Abernathy, $50. Dennis and Sheila Coil, $50. Bo and Candy Miller, $50. Lance and Aaron Treadway, $200. Employees of Watts Electric and Control Engineering, $1,100. Mark Daring, $141 for PBIS. And Jenny's Church of Christ, $200 for the Panther Pantry. And lastly at CPIO CPIO Methodist Church $100 to student meal accounts. We'll entertain a motion to
036approve those donations as read. Have a motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Next we have a resolution. Yes. Next resolution is the standard resolution when there's more than two weeks between uh board meetings and it's authorizing the treasur deputy treasure to make payments of claims to board prior action to June 20th 25 and allow treasur deputy treasure to make transfers of appropriations within education debt and op funds in order to balance major accounts. Motion by Travis. Do I have a second? Second by Mary Lynn. Any discussion? All those in favor? Seven. Next. Next is a resolution that we do every two years. It's a resolution authorizing the purchase of gift cards for school officials as employee and employees. It's just the process and
037procedure of how to do that. I have a motion by Chelsea. Do I have a second? Second by Mary Lynn. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. And the last resolution is in conjunction with the approved budget from last October, which is a resolution authorizing the transfer of 1.5 million from ED to ops in June of 25 and another 1.5 million from ED to ops in December of 25 to reimburse the operation fund for expenses not allocated to student instruction and learning for the 2025 budget year. We have a motion. Motion by Chelsea. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Cheryl. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next down under operations. Yes. I'm asking for approval for Bolta IT testing services. Um this is an IT security firm that will independently test our
038security system and this is to help with cyber security insurance rights. We'll entertain a motion to I have a motion by Mary Lyn. Do I have a second? Second by Travis. Any discussion? All those in favor? 70. Next, we have a Oh, annual MSCAT Duck Race. Yes, this is the third annual Mscata Duck Race. Um, I'm asking for approval. It will be the same uh required process for charitable gaming event um which includes state permits in that the students will not be selling the tickets. Um, Coach Ziggler, like I said, this is her third year and um, they give back um, to the community and not only is it for them, but they also um, donate to the Hope Food Program. Um, so it's an exciting event that we'd like to get approval for. Motion
039by Travis. Do I have a second? Second by Pat. Just want to remind everyone that I believe I won the first on the big duck. I think that was me. I think drone footage of that inside. Absolutely. It was fixed. Do we have any discussion? All those in favor 70. That is exciting. It's a It's a real nice event getting people out, seeing the community. Um lots of things that go on in addition to the ducks floating down the river. So, very nice. Um and next we're down under relations asking for approval to renew our Curtis Livers annual contract. This is special education data software and this is just our yearly renewal. Have a motion to I have a motion by Pat. Do I have a second? Second by Mary Lyn. Any discussion? All those
040in favor? 7. So that brings us to other. No other. Okay. Hearing nothing else. So I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Travis second. All those in favor 70.