001[music] calling this meeting of the board of trustees to order. Before we start, if you're able, will you please stand as we take a moment of silence and say 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. [clears throat] >> Next, we'll have an opportunity for the public to speak. I have Cleo Holder wishing to speak. Hi guys, I'm Cle Holder. I live in Newberg and have had children in all of the castle schools. Uh that and I represent on the board as well as a couple of others of us from Lifewise, which you'll be working on a memorandum of understanding a little later in your
002program. I just want to say thank you for Abby. She has done a wonderful job. We've met several times and and the attorneys finally got their ideas together quickly. Uh which is always a hard thing to do. Uh but I just want to say thank you for recognizing what we can bring to the schools starting with Newberg and then working through all the rest of the elementary schools and into middle school and high school. Our goal is in the next five years to be in every school if at all possible. funding always is the big situation that we will face, but we'll make that happen. So, just wanted to say thank you for your consideration. Have a merry Christmas. >> Thank you, Mr. Holder. [clears throat] >> Next item, agenda number four, consideration of routine
003business. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. The routine business this evening includes approving the minutes of the school board meeting held on November 24th, 2025 and approving the claims and signing the docket. I recommend the board approve the routine items as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Blowby, seconded by Mr. Baker. Is there any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carry. Agenda item six, uh, consideration of items for board action 6.1, the annual 2025 calendar year and transfers of appro appropriations. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. By statute, every fund must end the year in the black. In order to meet this requirement, [clears throat] it becomes essential to transfer appropriations among funds. I recommend the board grant the business
004department approval to make the necessary calendar year end transfers of appropriations as presented. >> So move second. >> Have a motion by Mrs. Wilhelm, seconded by Mr. Friends. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carry. Agenda item 6.2 to approve resolution 25 20225-17 rainy day fund transfer. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. We would like the board to consider approving resolution 2025-17 rainy day fund transfer allowing the business department to transfer unused and unencumbered balances from the operations [snorts] fund to the rainy day fund. I recommend the board approve resolution 2025-17 as presented. So move. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mr. Igner. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carried. Agenda item 6.3,
005approved purchase and sale agreement. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you. Mr. Todd Armstrong has brought to the board a copy of the proposed purchase and sale agreement of 8.03 03 acres of real estate adjacent to Warick Pathways and Career Center from Ray and Jan Allen. Along with the purchase and sale agreement is the proposed termination of right of first refusal. Upon execution by both parties, the purchase and sale agreement and the right of first refusal will be will move forward. I recommend the board authorized WCSC administration working in conjunction with the appropriate attorneys to proceed with these agreements. So move >> second. >> Who made the first motion? >> I think Tim. >> Okay. >> Motion made by Mr. Mosby, seconded by Mr. Skinner. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> I'm
006going to abstain from this vote. >> Okay. Any opposed? Motion carried with one abstension. Agenda item 6.4, approve course edition. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Jason Fischer, director of learning, has brought to the board two course additions for consideration and approval. The additions to the following high school course offerings are for the school year, which is next school year. For the first course is small business operations and the second course is principles of entrepreneurship. I recommend the board approve the course additions as presented. >> So do approve. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Igner, seconded by Mr. Baker. Is there any discussion? >> These are requested by Booneville, they'll just be offered to Booneville starting. >> Correct. So they were requested by Booneville, brought to the board for Booneville, [snorts] but
007once we approve, once the board approves for one school, it's approved for all schools in Bor County to offer And again, I was excited. The these courses, dang, excuse me. [laughter] Boy, if something like this were offered when I was in high school, just I can't imagine the possibilities. It would have been so exciting. And I'm excited for our students now. So, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 6.5, appointing library board member. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. The Newberg Chandler Public Library director, Trista Smith, is requesting the board to appoint Luke Johnson as a library board member. Mr. Johnson is an engaged patron of the library visits frequently, has experience, enthusiasm, and is committed to helping the library further its goal of being a great
008community partner for all of Warick County. I recommend the board approve the request as presented. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. France, seconded by Mrs. Wilhelms. Is there any discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 6.6 approve memorandum of understanding with Lifewise Inc. Dr. Red. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. We would like to ask We would like to ask the board this evening to consider approving a memorandum of agreement between the War County School Corporation and Lifewise, Inc. This MOA outlines the expectations concerning students release time for religious instruction according to Indiana Code 20-33-2-9. Mr. Cliff Whitehead and his team has reviewed this agreement. And it maybe took a maybe it wasn't quite as fast. It took a little a little while to get us together, but you know,
009[laughter] I recommend the board approve the MOA as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Mosby, seconded by Mrs. Wilhelms. Is there any discussion? >> I appreciate Oh, I'm sorry. I was just going to say I appreciate uh the offering of these programs. So, thank you for uh offering this to our students. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. No, definitely great great opportunity for the kids to who have an interest in this. And so I gather this will be kind of staged implementation. >> Then >> right now the agreement is for the Newberg Elementary location. And basically with the change in Indiana code, it just this is the parents of students have to initiate their desire to have students leave for the release religious time. And then likewise, it's just a group who's
010coordinated with the parents. So the agreement basically outlines how we will work alongside them to create the time of day that they'll leave the school so they're not missing instruction and things of that nature. So for now, the starting point is Newberg Elementary with the possibility and I believe intention from likewise as Mr. Holder stated to try to get to other schools as well. Okay. >> Thank you. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 6.7. Approve a memorandum of understanding with IvyTech Community College. Dr. Redmond. >> Mr. Jason Fischer, director of learning, has brought to the board this evening a memorandum of understanding between the War County School Corporation and IvyTech Community College for consideration and approval. Theou outlines the agreement between the two entities for the purpose of
011providing dual credit coursework opportunities in the Indiana College Corps to the students at Castle High School. This agreement will begin with the 202526 academic year and conclude on June 30th, 2030. Mr. Cliff Whitehead and team has reviewed theou as well. And just just to clarify one thing, this is a reauthorization of the agreement. So Castle High School already offers all of this. They already have an agreement with IC with IvyTech and this is just reauthorizing what we've already been doing. I recommend the board approve theou as presented second. >> We [clears throat] have a motion by Mr. Skinner sec seconded by Mr. France. Is there any discussion? >> I do have a [clears throat] question. Do we have for Tecumpsa or Boomville High School with IvyTech? >> We are close to ICC at Boomville High
012School I think. I don't know exact timeline but we are working on that and at to come high school I think we are working on one course. So the challenge of getting the dual credit in the ICC has to do with staff members having the credentials to teach the course and we have to follow the guidelines set forth by the receiving institution. >> So I believe was I accurate Mr. Fischer we are one course away. >> Yes you are accurate. And just to make sure everyone remembers what ICC is. So, Indiana College Corps is a set of 30 hours that if a student obtains those 30 hours at the high school level, they are meant to transfer to any public university in Indiana. >> Okay. Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >>
013I. >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 6.8, 8 approved provider [clears throat] for the lit fiber connectivity. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Todd Armstrong is requesting the board to authorize the service agreement with a sound for upgraded and/or replacement lit fiber connectivity at 10 locations. I recommend the board approve the agreement as presented. >> So move. Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mr. Mosby. Is there any discussion? Todd, this looks like a whole lot of number crunching you did. So, thank you. There's a lot of numbers here. >> It was very interesting because each of them each subitted provided a whole different point to figure out. [clears throat] I like that point system on on your >> Yes. >> your scaling. It just really made things so
014much easier to understand. And that's why it's called wet. [laughter] >> Got the comedian here tonight. >> What was the What was the length of the contract? I'm sorry, I couldn't find it. >> What was the term? Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carried. Agenda item 6.9, approve provider for dedicated internet access. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you. Mr. Todd Armstrong is requesting the board to authorize the service agreement with a sound for dedicated internet access. I recommend the board approve the agreement as presented. >> So move. >> I have a motion by Mrs. Wilhelm, [clears throat] seconded by Mr. France. Is there any discussion? What is this as opposed to what was just done? What's the difference there? >> One's actually bringing internet
015into our facility like the internet. >> Thank you. >> So, Mr. Rider was also very involved in this process as well. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carried. Agenda 6.10, approve category 2 network infrastructure equipment. Dr. Redmond. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. Mr. Todd Armstrong is requesting the board to authorize Keller Shrader to provide Cisco equipment and to perform all necessary installation of the network infrastructure equipment identified in the RFP. I recommend the board approve the request as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion [clears throat] by Mr. Mosby, seconded by Mr. Igner. Is there any discussion? >> I've got a quick question after this relating to not the decision. All right, you're on pause. >> Thank you. >> All in favor say I. >> Any
016opposed? >> Motion carried. >> What was your question? >> My question was for um Mr. Armstrong. Uh relate to rate just in general. We know how things change from uh you know politicians and budgets and things like this. Have you ever ran through like in your free time, what happens if we don't get that that funding? >> Great question. >> That's a huge deal. >> And I'm not saying that I have any insight on it's going away and nobody would, but what if >> we would be absorbing a much larger cost. There's no way around the provision in our schools. I mean, we have to have internet connectivity. >> Yeah. >> And so the access points allow us to use the Chromebooks in the classrooms. The - discount is fabulous. were at 70% discount. So
017if they, you know, reduced the funding and we went down to 40%, we would restructure our budget. There's >> it'd be a big hit, wouldn't it? >> It would be a very large. Yeah. I mean, >> rough rough number for me on that. >> Well, if we went from uh well, just look at the the access points that we're buying at $900,000 and we'll pay, you know, 30% of that. >> Yeah. the 900,000 is what we would pay if we didn't have the rate discount. So the same thing would be for the fiber. When you look at Yeah. every one of those monthly costs at say $10,000 a month for those 10,000 locations, that's what we would pay. Instead of 3,000, we'd pay the 10,000. >> Yeah. >> So >> it's just one of those
018things kind of like a doomsday thing for me. >> I mean, and we've got -ate funding. We already know we've got the funding for three years, so it's been approved. So, I mean it could go away, but it would be an adjustment to our spending. We would figure out how to pay for it. It's not something we can give up. >> Yeah. >> I have heard rumblings of removing all screens in classrooms at which point we would go back to the physical learning materials >> and would have to corporations are doing that >> type rumbling. Are you referencing the proposed bill? >> Yeah, just cell phone politic the political atmosphere and >> educators. >> those are for non school issued. >> Our Chromebooks issued by the school. So they would still be utilizing our Chromebooks.
019>> So >> okay. No, they're t the not not just the cell phone ban, >> all screens, >> getting getting children away from screens. >> I don't want to say 247. >> The if I'm not mistaken, and Jason, correct me if I'm wrong, but we were having a discussion about this this morning. They're talking about limiting all technology devices basically bellto bell except for school issued devices. that there's a bigger discussion on the national level. >> Oh >> yeah, just about the detriment to children who are spending so much time in front of screens. Yes, that is correct. >> Right. Not just cell phones, but just working off a computer all day. >> I've seen a couple news stories. School corporations have gone back away from Chromebooks and back to textbooks for that reason. >>
020Right. >> I think a Texas one. >> I think certainly we'll hear more about this in the coming months. >> Not within my lifetime. Hope. [laughter] >> Thank you for the conversation there on the >> Okay. Agenda item 6.1, approved donations. Dr. Redmond, >> we have several donations tonight. At Log Elementary, $500 [clears throat] donation from Sher Singer Motor Controls LLC to purchase Christmas presents for students. at Oakdale Elementary. A $1,800 donation from Christian Science Society of Charitable Contributions annual charitable distribution to the Oakdale music department. Also at Oakdale Elementary, again from Sher Singer, $500 donation to purchase Christmas presents for students. At Booneville Middle School, a $1,000 donation from Christian Science Society of Charitable Contributions annual charitable distribution to purchase new basketballs. At Booneville Middle, $500 donation again from Sher Singers to purchase Christmas
021presents for students. At Boomville Middle, $500 donation from Ray and Jan Allen to purchase Christmas presents. At Tecumpsa High School, a $1,000 donation from Roberta and Dwayne Dich to be used for purchasing items for the nurse's office. Also at Tecumpsy, $500 donation from the L Grid Iron Club to purchase food for the football team before games. And the War County School Corporation Food and Nutrition Department, a $500 donation from an anonymous donor to help pay for past due lunch balances at Sharon Elementary. I recommend the board approve the donations as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Wilhelm, seconded by Mr. Mosby. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? [clears throat] Motion carried. And I just like to thank the public for their gener their generosity.
022It's just it's very overwhelming when you think how much the community invests in our students and see that and are willing to help. >> We're very very fortunate. >> It it's humbling and I am most appreci appreciative. Uh agenda item seven, 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 7.1, consideration of employment certified staff. Jacob Smallwood, a temporary social studies teacher at Castle High School. Jenna Hudson Lynn, temporary science teacher at Castle High School. Caitlyn Watson, a temporary special education teacher at Oaklick Vale Elementary School. Rachel Woodland, part-time SLP at John H. Castle Elementary School. Sally Hack, a temporary special education teacher at Tumpsy Middle School. The following non-certified staff, Katie Oath, ABS, program assistant at
023Castle South Middle School. Khloe Roshive and Whitney Skinner, temporary program assistants for the morning only at Log Elementary School. Trisha Norman, 6.5 hour cafeteria position at Castle North Middle School. Michael Feller, a temporary program assistant at Castle South Middle School. And Sarah Hubri, a program assistant at Castle South Middle School. And varsity coach Blake Cobb, who will be the varsity boys soccer coach at Bumba High School, starting with the 2627 school year. certified and non-certified staff and the varsity coach. >> Second. >> Oh, we have a motion by Mr. France, seconded by Mr. Igner. Is there any discussion? >> Just for the record, I don't know. Whitney Skinner, I don't believe I'm related to her. >> Thank you. [laughter] Thank you for clarifying that. >> All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Motion carried.
024>> Thank you. Agenda item 7.2 two leaves. No Harada, a 4.75 hour cafeteria position at Castle High. Vicky Montgomery, a program assistant at Chandler Elementary. Lisa Keethers, a special education teacher at Oakdale Elementary. Sheila Summers, secretary at Castle North Middle School. Michelle Atkins, custodian at Newberg Elementary School. Civa Parvathi Ratnala, a 4.75 hour cafeteria position at Castle North Middle School. Beth Farand, a legit arts and publications teacher at Boonville Middle School. and Lean Piter, a 3.75 to 5.75 hour cafeteria position at Boonville Middle School. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Mrs. Wilhelm, seconded by Mr. Mosby. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? >> Motion carry. >> Thank you, Mrs. Glover. And agenda item 7.3, resignations. Sher Myers, special education teacher at Oakdale Elementary School.
025Resignation effective December 19, 2025. Emily Phillips, program assistant at Castle South Middle School, resignation effective December 3rd, 2025. Hannah Murphy, program assistant at Wet, resignation effective December 12th, 2025. Barbara Bias, program assistant at Chandler Elementary School, resignation effective December 19, 2025. Camila Webb, Braille, assistant at Castle South Middle School, resignation effective February 27th, 2026. Lacy Pollock, program assistant at Castle South Middle School, resignation effective November 25th, 2025. Candy Poston, custodian at Boonville Middle School, resignation effective November 30th, 2025. Caitlyn Heaton, ABS program assistant at John H. Castle Elementary School, resignation effective January 20th, 2026. Kesha Seager, program assistant at Oakdale Elementary School, resignation effective December 19, 2025. And Sarah Darnell, second grade teacher at Oakdale Elementary School, resignation effective December 19, 2025. >> Thank you, Dr. Gresian. Dr. Redmond, we have any reports? >> Just
026one quick report from me. Um, I just wanted to again, I I've spoken with all the board members, but wanted to thank our high school building principles and all of our students and staff who really helped make the open gate transition and implementation run very, very smoothly. um had the opportunity to be at all three of the high schools last week and the students did a great job of cooperating and I know it's a huge change and just really proud that everyone took it seriously and um really was working hard to make it work and understand why we you know landed with the gates and how it's going to help add that additional layer of safety. Um, and also just again to the teachers and staff members and our building principles who did a really
027phenomenal job also of communicating with students what to expect and families and um, staff members for the new procedure that we now run in the morning. Um, I know a few people on the board have had an opportunity to see it in action as well. Um, but just wanted to say thank you. And then the second thing is just um everyone enjoy winter break, happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy new year, all the things here as we have hopefully everyone has time with family and friends over this coming weeks. >> Excellent. We have other board business. I echo kind of the the opening open gate and uh the observation I had was uh a lot of students had just very anxious looks on their face coming in and they knew what was happening but still anxious
028and the staff who was there uh easing their minds making a little joke having conversations you could see kind of the release of that anxiety and so our staff our physical safety is so important, but the emotional connection our staff makes with the students really does make all the difference. >> Absolutely. >> For sure. Thank you. >> It was impressive. Stood there that morning. I was amazed how quick kids didn't miss a step, had their binder off, walked through, grabbed their binder, and they just kept going. >> I learned one thing. Kids stay in their cars until about two minutes. >> Oh, you're still [laughter] working on that? >> Cuz then all of a sudden, here's this line of kids, and they're come on. And she told him, she goes, "Monday morning, you're going to
029be car." She goes, "Get out of your cars quicker." They actually rang the bell a little early, I think, just to >> I know at Castle, Mrs. Browder was out [clears throat] like knocking on the window. Let's go. Let's go. Time [laughter] to come in. So, >> well, I was at Boonville today and it must and they must have taken that to heart because they were just going through and it was just seamless. I mean, there was no backup or anything. >> Yeah. >> I think >> it took about three It took like [clears throat] by day three >> Yeah. because, you know, we we had a school each day, but by day three is when everything really seemed to click for everyone, >> the adults who were helping and the students. By day three,
030it felt really, >> you know, I really appreciated seeing the interaction between the teachers and the students. U they were welcoming the kids and I think it just created a welcoming, warm atmosphere and I think the students really picked up on that. So, it was really I think good has well several good things have come from it but I really saw that as a great benefit for our students >> a personal eye to eye contact with every student walking in as you hand that Chromebook around it's it's a it's a personal connection as soon as they walk in the building >> and I did have a request or a recommendation from some high school students that are pretty dear to me they said why don't the corporation find a company that makes plastic uh ring
031binders. >> I'm pretty sure those exist already. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Because she's and get a discount rate and advertise to the parents and the students >> and that would speed things up even quicker. >> Pretty sure those exist already, >> right? I do say it says a lot about our staff that we have people willing to step up and do that >> because I was there and that just the attitude, >> you know, that I think that's what makes it worth. >> That's all I have. >> We congratulate our two Lily scholarship. >> Please, Andrew. >> All right. So, today uh the announcements were made and presentations were made for our two Lily scholarship endowment scholarship award recipients. Uh this year we had one at Castle High School, Brenda Sheil, and then at
032Booneville High School, Annabelle Fox, who both were recipients of full foride uh four-year full ride scholarship to any public or private school in Indiana. Um and I know uh Annabelle was already pretty sold on Purdue. Uh, and I can't remember where Verinda was was to go, but uh, their families were there, students, teachers, counselors, administrators, uh, surprising them today. >> Excellent. >> We have a student learning and growth meeting tomorrow at the admin office and that's at 11 o'clock, correct? >> 11 o'clock tomorrow. And we have a construction committee meeting tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. at the administration building. And then January 12th of 2026, we'll have a personnel committee meeting here at 6:15. >> We will also have a policy meeting that same night here in this building and that's at 5:45. And our
033next board meeting is scheduled January 12th, 2026, 7 pm here at Central Services. It has been a wild year, you guys, but we did it. I am so proud of you. I am just I love working with you and our administrative team and staff and everyone. I hope everyone has a great holiday, safe, joyous, and and if you would please um keep in mind those people who've recently lost have suffered a recent loss or older single older adults who kind of get it is a hard time of the year. So with that, I wish you all a merry Christmas. Meeting adjourned. >> [music]