001Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. If you're able, will you please stand with us as we take a moment of silence and recite the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Thank you. >> No one has signed up to present any comments. So, next we will move on to agenda item four, recognition of spelling be letters. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Tonight, we're excited to have some young scholars with us this evening that we're eager to recognize. So, I would like to introduce uh Mr. Jason Fischer from our department of learning. >> Good evening. This is one of my favorite
002uh evenings of the year where we get to recognize our spelling be champions at all of our elementary and middle schools. We are excited and honored to recognize these elementary and middle school students behind me that have demonstrated excellence in spelling. All of these students were either the winner or the runner up at their respective schools. And we're going to have each student approach the podium. They're going to say his or her name, the grade level in which they're currently in, and the school in which they are representing. And parents, please be sure uh you get plenty of pictures. Take all the pictures that you would like because this is a great moment for all of these students. Want to be sure that they are recognized. And once all the students have been recognized and
003we have all of our pictures, we're going to ask that they turn around and uh shake the board the board members hands before we conclude our recognition. So at this time, we're going to begin with our elementary schools. Uh the way that we will recognize our spellers tonight will be in the alphabetical order of their elementary school in which they attend. And we're going to begin with Chandler Elementary. Each student will say their name, their grade level, and the school in which they attend. >> I am Riti Pon. I'm in fifth grade and I represent Chandler Elementary. >> Mr. Fischer, could you hold the the laptop lid down? The Could you just fold it down, please? >> Maybe, maybe I just couldn't. >> You should have known if you asked me to do something with
004technology going bad. >> Don't Don't all of you feel a lot better that this is the type of director of learning you have now? >> You are in good hands. technology is learning. >> Thank you, Mr. Baker. We do appreciate that. I got someone on my side. All right, we will go now. Albertfeld Elementary. >> My name is Quinn Schwingle and I'm in fifth grade and I'm representing Albertfeld Elementary. >> I'm Za Ballard and I'm in fifth grade and I represent Kazell Elementary School. My name is Gabrielle Chu. I am in fifth grade and I represent John H. Castle Elementary School. >> I am Serena Horn and I'm in fourth grade and I represent Lynville Elementary School. >> My name is Kinsey Masoner. I'm in fifth grade and I I represent Lynville Elementary. >> I'm
005McKenzie Beach. I'm in fifth grade and I represent Newberg Elementary School. >> My name is Kay Sut and I'm in fifth grade and I represent Sharon Elementary School. >> I'm William Forner. I'm in fourth grade and I represent Tennyson Elementary School. I'm Ruger Reynolds and I'm in fourth grade and I represent Tennyson Elementary. I'm Mila Levasser. I represent fourth grade and I'm in Yankee Town Elementary. >> I'm Sophia Wright. I'm in sixth grade and I'm from Boomville Middle School. My name is Vidant Maala. I'm in eighth grade and I represent Castle North Middle School. >> My name is Coven Revit Tundran. Uh I'm in sixth grade and I represent Castle North Middle School. >> My name is Aurora Browning. I'm in sixth grade and I represent Castle South Middle School. All right, parents, if you
006would please take time to get plenty of pictures at this time. And um let's give these wonderful students a big round of applause. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Good job. I'm so proud of you. Congratulations. >> Good job. >> Congratulations, sweetie. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Good job. Good job. Good job. >> Good job. Good job. So proud of you. >> Good job. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Good job. Congratulations. Good job. >> Congratulations. Nice job. >> Congratulations, >> parents. As we're wrapping up, if you would like to stay for the rest of the board meeting, we'd certainly welcome you to, but if you want to leave, >> we completely understand. Thank you. >> Thank you, parents. Thank you, kids. >> Thank you. It's going around. >> Next on our agenda, we have recognition of our national
007>> student resource secure. Is it student >> School. Okay. Oh my >> tip toe staff. >> Yes. >> Our school resource officers. >> Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Glover. This evening, we are very excited to recognize a group of people who are just such important partners to us. Um, not only are they they are doing the very important work at our schools of of helping us stay safe, but they've really become just wonderful adult role models for our students. and we hear time and time again um the impact that our school resource officers have on the lives of our students in addition to the very important work that they're doing in helping us stay safe. So, we wanted to recognize them tonight since in February we do uh celebrate National SRO Day. So this evening, in
008grateful recognition, we thank you for your outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to the safety, well-being, and success of our students, staff, and school community. Your professionalism, compassion, and leadership make a lasting impact. Thank you for your partnership and service. At this time, when Dr. Lambert states your name, please come forward to receive your certificate. >> All right. I just want to say a couple words real quick about our SRO's. They do an outstanding job for our schools and for our kids and staff members. They're there every day um helping with safety and security of our buildings of our staff and our kids. Um so I'm just uh proud to have the partnership that we have with the the War County Sheriff's Department, Boonville Police Department, Chandler Police Department, uh Newberg Police Department, and um also
009the Indiana State Police. So, at this time when you hear your name, please come on up and and get your certificate. Dan Bulock. He's at to come see High School and Middle School. Preston Buyers, he's at Chandler and Tennyson. Jaylen Chestnut. He is at John H. CASS. TJ Haynes, Booneville Middle School. Mike Jones, Castle High School. Brian McCain, Booneville High School and WPCC. Casey Miller, Oakdale. Matt Young, Castle North Middle School. And I'll go ahead and mention the others that couldn't be here tonight. Uh Bradley Douglas is at Castle South. Matt Gallagher is at Elberfeld and Lynville. Uh Mallerie Lad is at Newberg. Adam Silva is at Sharon and Yankee Town. Cody Trron is at Log. And also with us tonight, uh, Lieutenant Marvin Bruce from the War County Sheriff's Department. He oversees the SRO's
010for the sheriff's department. So, thank you all again for your service and helping the schools out. We appreciate it. >> AMEN. >> High five. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> And thank you to all of the families who attended tonight. Thank you so much for sharing. >> I am here. >> I'll do it for >> Hey, I've got video. >> Used to spend the night at my house. very interesting. >> That was all. >> Next, we'll move on to agenda item six, consideration of routine business. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. The routine business this evening includes approving the minutes of the school board meeting held on February 9th, 2026 and approving the claims and signing the docket. I recommend the board approve the
011routine items as presented. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Mosby, seconded by Mr. French to approve the routine items. Do we have any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item eight, consideration of items for board action. Dr. Redmond, start with 8.1, approve resolution 2026-3. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Todd Armstrong is requesting the board to approve resolution 2026-3, additional appropriation resolution for debt service fund in the amount of $759,39. I recommend the board approve resolution 2026-3 as presented. >> Motion to approve resolution as presented. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Igner, seconded by Mr. Baker. Do we have any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. 8.2 approve recommendation. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Mr.
012Todd Armstrong has brought to the board a recommendation for the prek edition and gymnasium renovation project for consideration and approval. Mr. Armstrong is recommending Danco Construction as the lowest responsive responsible bidder able to meet the project timeline. I recommend the board approve Dan Coonstruction for the project as presented. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mr. Igner to approve uh the recommendation of Danco construction for this project. Do we have any discussion? Any >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 8.3 approve agreement with O National Events Plaza. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Terry Routenbush, assistant principal at Castle High School, has brought to the board an agreement between Old National Events Plaza and the Board of School Trustees for consideration and approval.
013The agreement outlines the terms and conditions of use of the Old National Events Plaza facility for the 2027 Castle Winter Formal scheduled for January 9th, 2027. The agreement has been reviewed by the school corporation attorneys team, Mr. Cliff Whitehead. I recommend the board approve the agreement as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Mosby, seconded by Mr. Baker to approve the agreement with National Events Plaza. Do we have any discussion? >> Quick clarification on the exhibit that was shown. This is a per day rate. Is that right? Who should I be asking? Wonderbody. No, >> it looked like >> I need to have it in front of me. >> That's okay. >> Okay. Like $2,000 a day. >> 2150. >> Okay. >> But uh says included in rental per day. >>
014Gotcha. Okay. >> I'm just trying to think through what uh performing arts places cost per day. >> Oh, I see. >> Thank you. >> Yes. If you would like if you would like some samples of that, I have some of those. >> Yeah. just, you know, it it piqued my interest on, you know, so just kind of thinking through what we do and, you know, >> informal when are formal type things like Boonville and Tecumpsa also, do they pay that like their booster clubs or how does that work? um for each of the schools. So for prom tickets and winter formal tickets, there is some cost generally to the students, but some of the funding also does come through fundraisers and other sources like PTO's and things of that nature. So it's kind it depends
015on the school and it depends on the event. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yep. That's all I need. Thank you. >> Okay. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 8.4. Four. Consider approving donations. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. At Castle North, the Stanfill family would like to donate wireless microphones for the Castle North Middle School theater productions valued at $1,200. At Sharon Elementary, Andy Wearer with CNI Electronics Recycling would like to donate two used 75 inch Prometheian Prometheian active panel smart TVs valued at $5,000. and it share an elementary $1,200 donation from Living Word Christian Church to help cover the cost of food bags for disadvantaged students. I recommend the board approve the donations as presented. >> I make a motion to
016approve the donations as presented. I'll second that. >> We have a motion by Mrs. Wilhelm, seconded by Mr. France. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Next agenda item is consideration of personnel recommendations. Dr. Gresham. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. The human resource office has the following business to bring before the board tonight. Agenda item 9.1, leaves. I ask the board approve the following leaves and the discretion to modify such leaves if reasonable circumstances exist. Hillary Mccclur, language arts teacher ate High School. Janine Downin, 3.75 hour cafeteria position at Chandler Elementary School. and Ashton Wilcott, social worker at Newberg Elementary School. >> Motion to approve, please. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. France, seconded by Mrs. Wilhelm. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor
017say I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carried. >> Thank you very much. Agenda item 9.2, report of early return. Rocky Bay, a bus driver, has filed appropriate paperwork to return early from a previously approved leave of absence. Agenda item 9.3, resignations. Mackenzie Perez, program assistant at Castle High School, resignation effective February 2nd, 2026. And Jessica Loftton, program assistant at Castle High School, resignation effective January 23rd, 2026. And 9.4 retirements. Tom Dquist, science teacher, Castle High School, retirement effective May 21st, 2026. >> I think it's one of the shortest presentations that you have made. >> We're getting more efficient. >> Thank you. >> Good job. Oh, you're always order. >> Next on our agenda, we have Dr. Redmond, do you have any reports? >> We don't have any reports this evening. Just a couple of announcements.
018First, I just want to shout out um to our public schools since it is public schools week. So, uh this is a week to celebrate our 18 phenomenal public schools that we have here in Mor County. So, I just want to give a shout out to them. Uh and then also just a reminder in a few weeks, a couple weeks, March 10th, we have our next parent series that where we're partnering with Youth First and this one's topic is stress versus distress. So a reminder that's at Boonville Middle School on March 10th at six o'clock. It is open to all K through2 families in War County School Corporation. >> At Boville Middle. >> At Boomville Middle. >> What about what Sam just did this weekend? >> Sam. >> Yep. So Sam uh and we'll bring
019we're bringing all of our state athletes uh to the next board meeting, but Sam Howard is one of our Boomville High School students who uh was ended up 50 and one >> 53 and one after the tournament. Yes. And uh the highest ranking at uh in the history of Bouville High School wrestling as I understand. >> So congratulations to Sam. We had some other students I know who were participating in state competitions over the last couple weeks and we'll make sure we get them here. Um we have that in the works I believe for next board meeting. Okay. So >> the next board meeting is March 16th. >> Yes, we have one board meeting next month. Yes. >> Congratulations to our Castle High School showquires this past weekend. Had a very successful weekend. Both groups
020got grand champion uh at at Ben Davis High School, best vocals, best music, best show, just all around they got they won it all. So, it was very good, very good weekend for us. >> Yes, >> we have a lot to be proud of. >> We had a lot of things going on across, >> you know, all ranges of talent in terms of variety of talent through athletics, music, the arts, all all of the different areas. So, >> and our spelling be our scholars. We just have a lot of great things going on for sure. >> Do other board business. >> Well, we have a policy meeting >> March 9th. Tenatively March 9th. >> It's again said it's on the calendar. We have a >> we had that discussion, but we haven't finalized that yet.
021>> It's March 9th for now. >> I'd like to let the public know we have a construction committee meeting tomorrow morning at 7:30 at the administration building and then we'll have a personnel committee meeting on March 16th at 5:00 right here in this building. That's all I got. >> And Mr. Fiser, Department of Learning or Mrs. Wagner, help me out with that date and time. the 25th. >> Wednesday the 25th. That's 7:30. Thank you. >> And again, as Mrs. Williams has pointed out, we're only having one board meeting next month because of spring break. We're scheduled for a work session at 5:30 on the 16th here at Central Services. Following thereafter, 7 PM will be our regular board meeting. And I just like to give a short update on the 8th annual state house day.
022We had over 200 attendees including 30 legislators. Uh they stressed the they acknowledge the importance of local governments while seeking student excellent and Senator Rat commented what the legislators seek to increase efficiency and student outcomes and in the future they will focus on math proficiency and addressing the needs and funding for special ed. As of this morning, there were 35 bills remaining active relating to education matters in public school and tomorrow is the final day for third reading of the bills and it looks like they will be wrapping things up by the 27th. Just a special note, state uh Senate Bill 25 relates to schoolboard candidates and establishes the order of how the names will be printed on the ballot. and Isba is planning on presenting a webinar uh Tuesday, March 3rd for potential candidates
023explain the new laws and how things will be handled. Senate Bill 78 regarding the wireless communication devices is still active. It requires the prohibition of wireless communication devices during the school day with some exceptions. It requires the adoption of either a no device policy during the school day or a policy for storage during the school day. And storage includes either storing the device in a backpack or in a locker as long as it's turned off and inaccessible during the school day. And then House Bill 1242, education reports. It adds a second reporting requirement. This will require the department of ed working with the department of local government finance to report on school corporations and charter schools data and uh create a study per student funding dispar disparities. plus provide recommendations to make public school and
024charter school administration more efficient to lower administrative cost and to improve student incomes. Of course, Terry Sprrag, Mr. Spragman will give a full report at our spring regional meeting that's scheduled in April. And then uh plus they'll publish a digest of new laws and our policy advisor. And I was pleased that Senator Becker joined us for lunch. So it was and then we all went over to the Capitol House and mingled around and watched chambers and talked to some of the legislators. It was really a very good day. Good opportunity look into the minds of the legislators face to face. But instead of behind a video. >> What' you see in the mines? >> I could not see >> their mouth move, >> but you could see the their intent on their road plan. >>
025Yeah. >> Well, thank you for attending that and thank you for the report. We appreciate all of your hard work and your attending that day and and reporting back to us. It's been interesting. >> Thank you, Mr. So, >> if I can make a comment. >> Sure. >> I I defy any businesses in Indiana to tell me that they operate more efficiently than our school corporation does. >> $120 million corporation. And you look at the PE the top how we operate. It's a team effort between our administration, our principles. what they accomplish is far beyond what I see any other business accomplish >> in that. And I think it's it's because of the teamwork and everything else. But I a lot of times they use efficiency as a term to cut our funding. And I
026would tell you that we get our money's worth >> and no other business could operate at this level at the level of compensation that we have for the people we have. They're here because they love the job and they care about the kids. if they want money, there's plenty of opportunities for them somewhere some somewhere else. So >> that speaks to the roots and the uh substance of our community. Everybody in this community or 99% of people in this community support the school system and our students and we just want to have a wonderful community and we we are so blessed to have community support in all of our endeavors. I know Senator Ratz mentioned a county and I don't remember which one, but the total residency count 24,000 people with five different school corporations.
027>> Oh my. >> Wow. >> So that's what they're looking at. They want to zero down and they will look at consolidations. >> We're about 70 years ahead of them. >> Exactly. Exactly. So I hats off administration to the work of our board and past boards. I will give us a pat on the back. So with that meeting adjourned