KOKOMO-CENTER TOWNSHIP
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION
POB 2188 Kokomo, IN 46904-2188 Phone 765 455-8000 Fax 765 455-6851
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
KOKOMO-CENTER TOWNSHIP
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL CORPORATION
JUNE 4, 2007 6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Joe Dunbar, President
Frank Bellamy Jr., Vice President
Karen Sosbe, Secretary
Jim Callane, Member
Theodore Schuck, Member
Kevin Summers, Member
OTHERS PRESENT
Marilyn Ritchie
Linda Campbell
Chris Painter
Jamie Ramos
Mrs. Charles A. Stone
Barb Schten
Johnny Chaung
Maravene Moudy Beas
Jack Lazar
Jacquelyn Thomas Miller
Paula Concus
Suzie Reagle
Cheryl Harshman
Chris Lagoni
Doug Arnold
Ed Pulver
Emily Bays
Ally Bays
Sandi Quinton
Shanna Fuller
Tenicia Helmberger
Gerri Smalling
Rick Hagenow
Amber Williams
OTHERS PRESENT
Thomas J. Little Jr., Superintendent
Allen Essig, Assistant Superintendent
Dee Lohman, Executive Director
Pennye Siefert, Director of Human Resources
Eric Rody, Director of Business Affairs/Treasurer
David Barnes, Community Liaison
Karla Dain, Board Secretary
Thomas Hilligoss, School Attorney
Lisa Fipps, Kokomo Perspective
Weston Lee, WIOU, Z92.5
Sharon Hahn
Bob Connor
Nanette Bowling
Mr. Charles A. Stone
Gail Estes
Mei-Hua Chen
Stephanie Dyke
Debbie Glass
Claudette Renfro
Charley Hinkle
Brian VanBuskirk
Julia Ingels
Mike Wade
E. Kay Kinder
Melissa Wilson
Mark Bays
Cheryl Bays
Tracy Rogers
Cara Jean Rayl
Renee Miller
Dwight Cline
James Little
Jeff Titus
Kumar Montravadi
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A regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees of the Kokomo-Center Township
Consolidated School Corporation was held in the Board Room of the Administrative Service
Center 100 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. pursuant to notice
duly given to all members of the Board in accordance with IC 20-26-4-3, IC 20-5-14-1.5, and the
rules of the Board.
The meeting was called to order by President Dunbar.
Minutes of the regular meeting on May 7, 2007 and the executive sessions on May 14, 2007 and
May 21, 2007 were adopted on a motion by Vice President Bellamy, seconded by Secretary
Sosbe and unanimously carried.
President Dunbar suspended the regular meeting for the purpose of conducting a Board of
Finance meeting.
President of the Board of Finance, Kevin Summers called this meeting to order. Mr. Eric Rody,
director of business affairs / treasurer, explained that Harris Bank of Chicago, Illinois has
purchased First National Bank and Trust, and as of May 12, 2007, the two banks merged into one
bank under the name of Harris N.A. He said that Harris Bank would honor the terms of the First
National Bank and Trust Agreement that was approved in January 2006, but the bank required
new documentation. Mr. Rody asked the Board to approve the agreement with Harris Bank and
to allow the director of business affairs and/or coordinator of fiscal services to sign the
agreement. He said that President Summers and Secretary Callane would be asked to sign the
Corporate Authorization Resolution in order to authorize Mr. Rody and Mrs. Geralynn Smalling
to sign the Cash Management Services Master Agreement. The recommendations were
approved on a motion by Member Dunbar, seconded by Member Sosbe and unanimously
carried. The Board of Finance President Summers then adjourned this Board of Finance
meeting.
President Dunbar reconvened the regular board meeting.
Kokomo High School Future Business Leaders of America were honored for earning National
Qualifiers’ status and State Finalists honors at the 2007 FBLA State Leadership Conference.
They captured four 1st place awards, including School Spirit, and earned top 7 awards in 25
events. These students included Walter Barbary, Tiffany Cummings, Whitney Garnhum, Laine
Lindsey, Holly Sears, Samantha Shrock, Allie Smith, Lee Barker, Ryan Harvey, Emily Lucas,
Nicole Parry, Michael Titus, Natalie Granson, Emily Bays, Madeline Cassidy, Russell Erratt,
Jami Jensen, Kaylee Johnson, Ashli Minor, and William Zhao. A Resolution of Appreciation
and Commendation was adopted on a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded by Member Schuck
and unanimously carried.
On a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded by Vice President Bellamy and unanimously carried,
the Board adopted a Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation for the Kokomo High
School Speech Team for earning National Qualifiers’ status and State Finalists honors at the
Indiana High School Forensics Association District and State competitions. These students
included Melanie May, Elizabeth Stoughton, Amber Williams, Kaleb Nolen, and Kumar
Montravadi.
The Central Middle School Science Olympiad Team was honored for earning State medals and
State championship status and capturing 5th place overall in the 2007 Indiana Science Olympiad
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State Tournament. These students included Mei-Ling Ewbank, Alli Hart, Breanna Kinder, Abby
Rolland, Elizabeth Davis, Shawn Chaung, Natalie Ficociello, Shrinidhi Dawande, Ellen Ewbank,
Jordan Purvis, and Thomas Jiang. A Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation was adopted
on a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded by Member Schuck and unanimously carried.
Sycamore Elementary School Principal Charley Hinkle was honored for being recognized as the
National Association of Social Workers Region IV Citizen of the Year. A Resolution of
Appreciation and Commendation was adopted on a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded by
Vice President Bellamy and unanimously carried.
The Reading Recovery Class of 2007 was honored for completing the Reading Recovery training
program, a year long Purdue University graduate level course conducted at the Kokomo-Center
Reading Recovery site at Sycamore Elementary School. These teachers included Elizabeth
Saban, Tenicia Helmberger, Shanna Fuller, and Renee Miller. A Resolution of Appreciation and
Commendation was adopted on a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded by Member Schuck
and unanimously carried.
In the first item of Unfinished Business, Mr. Eric Rody, director of business affairs / treasurer,
presented the bid results for the Kokomo High School boiler replacement project. He
recommended that Ramsey-North Mechanical be awarded as the lowest responsible and
responsive contractor with their base bid of $689,238 along with alternates 1 and 2 for a total
contract of $766,354. He further recommended that the superintendent and/or director of
business affairs be authorized to execute documents to complete the project. Recommendations
were approved on a motion by Vice President Bellamy, seconded by Secretary Sosbe and
unanimously carried.
Mr. Rody presented the bid results for the Memorial Gymnasium lighting project. He said that
three bids were received for this project. He recommended that Huston Electric be awarded as
the lowest responsible and responsive contractor with their base bid of $124,500 along with
alternate 1 for a total contract of $209,650. He also recommended that the superintendent and/or
the director of business affairs be authorized to execute documents accordingly. The
recommendations were approved on a motion by Member Summers, seconded by Vice President
Bellamy and unanimously carried.
Mr. Rody presented the Capital Projects Fund Amendment information. Mr. Rody explained
that in order to build a maintenance storage facility at the Kokomo High School athletic grounds,
it would be necessary to amend its 2007 Capital Projects Fund Plan (CPF) by transferring funds
from the 2007 Administrative Service Center Building Improvement Account to the 2007
Kokomo High School Building Improvement Account. He said it would be necessary to hold a
public hearing on the Capital Projects Fund Plan Amendment. President Dunbar proceeded to
open a public hearing on the CPF Plan Amendment and asked for public comments. There were
no public comments heard. Mr. Rody then recommended that the Board adopt the CPF Plan
Amendment. He also requested permission to advertise the “Notice of Adoption of CPF
Amendment” on June 7, 2007. These recommendations were approved on a motion by Vice
President Bellamy, seconded by Member Callane and unanimously carried.
In the final matter of Unfinished Business, Mr. Rody presented his recommendation regarding
Kokomo High School / Kokomo Area Career Center construction management services and a
contracted services agreement for the construction project. He explained that during the
KHS/KACC construction project, it would be necessary to have someone act as a Construction
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Manager to inspect work being completed during the approximate 13-month major construction
cycle on somewhat of a daily basis. He recommended hiring Kokomo-Center Schools Facilities
and Grounds Coordinator, Mr. Chris Painter, who possesses the necessary knowledge and
experience to perform the appropriate services. He said that Mr. Thomas Hilligoss had worked
with Mr. Rody to develop a contracted services agreement and job description to perform the
work in the proper manner. Mr. Rody stated that Mr. Painter would perform these duties for
$35.00 per hour with the total amount of hours planned for this project at 700 hours. He
recommended that the Board approve this contracted service agreement. The recommendation
was approved on a motion by Vice President Bellamy, seconded by Member Callane
and unanimously carried.
In the first matter of New Business, Mr. Rody presented a proposal for a breakfast and lunch
price increase beginning with the 2007-08 school year. He said food prices have increased due
to the prices of fuel and implementation of the Student Nutrition Wellness Policy. He shared
that the average cost for meal preparation has increased to fifteen cents per meal this year. Mr.
Rody, on behalf of Mr. Jack Lazar, director of food services, recommended a $.25 increase on
the price of breakfast and lunch. He also recommended a $.05 increase to the price of milk to
$.35. He said this would bring in approximately $71,000. Member Schuck asked if this increase
would impact reduced lunches. Mr. Rody responded that it would only affect paid lunches. The
recommendations were approved on a motion by Member Schuck, seconded by Member
Summers and unanimously carried.
Dr. Dee Lohman, executive director of PreK–12 Instructional Services, reviewed the
recommendations from Head Start. She requested approval of a contract for the provision of
food services to Head Start children within the Kokomo Center School’s Head Start outreach site
at Peru Community Schools. She said the contract would provide salaries for two cafeteria aides
who work during the lunch hour at the Peru site and is written for one year and renewable based
on Head Start funding. Dr. Lohman requested approval of a contract for the provision of
transportation services to Head Start children within Western School district. She said that
Western School district was the only outreach site that charges Kokomo-Center Schools for the
transportation of up to 17 children from the Western School district to the Taylor Primary School
Head Start outreach site. The contract would cover the cost of the assigned bus driver’s salary
including FICA and PERF. She also requested approval of a contract for the provision of
transportation services to Head Start children within Kokomo-Center School district. She said
that this contract would cover daily bus transportation services to and from the Kokomo-Center
School’s Head Start site. Other services would include storage, maintenance, fuel for five vans
and one mini bus, and transportation for corporation field trips. Dr. Lohman asked for
permission to apply and accept COLA funds based on National Head Start receiving an increase
for fiscal year 2007 to provide grantees a cost of living adjustment. Approval of all Head Start
items was granted on a motion by Member Summers, seconded by Member Schuck
and unanimously carried.
Dr. Lohman ask the Board for permission to enter into a sub-contract with the YMCA for
services of the YMCA providing before and after school child care for the 2007-08 school year
at Boulevard Elementary School and the YMCA Child Care Development Center at the same
cost as last year. Permission was granted on a motion by Member Summers, seconded by
Member Callane and unanimously carried.
Mr. Allen Essig, assistant superintendent of PreK-12 operations, presented the recommendation
for the proposed changes and updates to the middle school handbook for 2007-08. He stated the
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major change was the inclusion of the Middle School drug testing policy. He recommended
adoption of the proposed changes. Approval of these changes and updates was granted on a
motion by Member Schuck, seconded by Member Callane and unanimously carried.
Mrs. Pennye Seifert, director of human resources, presented the revisions to the various
employee manuals. She requested Board approval for these revisions and stated that, if
approved, they would become effective July 1, 2007. Approval was granted on a motion by Vice
President Bellamy, seconded by Secretary Sosbe and unanimously carried.
Dr. Thomas Little, superintendent, asked the Board to approve the change of the October School
Board Meeting from October 1, 2007 to October 8, 2007. Approval was granted on a motion by
Member Summers, seconded by Secretary Sosbe and unanimously carried.
In the final matter of New Business, the Board made a recommendation to extend Dr. Little’s
current contract for one year on a motion by Member Schuck, seconded by Vice President
Bellamy and carried with five aye votes. Member Callane voted nay.
The following Consent Agenda items were approved on a motion by Secretary Sosbe, seconded
by Member Summers and unanimously carried.
Field Trip Requests:
1. Kokomo High School is requesting an out of state/overnight trip to the FBLA
National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois on June 28 – July 1, 2007 for
the FBLA class. The students will participate in competitive events, workshops
and general sessions.
2. Kokomo High School is requesting an out of state/overnight trip to the National Forensic
League Speech Finals in Wichita, Kansas on June 16 – 21, 2007 for the speech team.
Donations:
1. $1,000.00 from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program to Maple Crest
Middle School Student Activities
2. One IPOD Shuffle valued at $80.00 from Meijers to the Maple Crest Middle School 8th
Grade Party
3. $25.00 from Cass/Howard/Miami County ISTA to the Central Middle School for a choir
performance
4. A gift certificate valued at $20.00 from WalMart to Central Middle School
5. $500.00 from Catherine Shortle to the Kokomo High School – C. V. Haworth Award
6. Book bags and books valued at $360.00 from the Howard County Extension
Homemakers to the Head Start program
7. Twenty books valued at $80.00 from Ms. Pam Kuczera to the Head Start program
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8. Two hundred and four new books valued at $204.00 from First Books for Kids to the
Head Start program
9. A massage gift certificate valued at $45.00 from Regional Chiropractic to the Head Start
program
10. A gift card valued at $25.00 from Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant to the Head Start program
11. $100.00 from the Kokomo Lions Club to the Kokomo High School Future Business
Leaders of America
12. Four $10.00 gift certificates from the Kokomo Mall to the Head Start program
13. A gift card valued at $25.00 from WalMart to the Head Start program
14. Four Kentucky Kingdom tickets valued at $120.00 from Triple A to the Head Start
program
15. Three adult and three Kids’ meals valued at $42.00 from Golden Corral to the Head Start
program
16. Fifteen gift cards and fifteen movie passes valued at $30.00 from CVS in Peru, Indiana to
the Head Start program
17. Four admissions valued at $28.00 from the Indiana State Museum to the Head Start
program
18. Five passes valued at $44.00 from Connie Prairie to the Head Start program
19. Four admissions and food valued at $95.80 from Deep River Waterpark to the Head Start
program
20. One oil change and car wash valued at $28.00 from McCord’s to the Head Start program
21. One 3 topping pizza valued at $18.00 from Pizza Hut to the Head Start program
22. Three movie passes valued at $22.50 from Kerasotes Kokomo Theater to the Head Start
program
23. Four reserved seat tickets valued at $36.00 from Indianapolis Indians Baseball to the
Head Start program
24. Three adult and two children’s tickets valued at $48.00 from the Peru Circus to the Head
Start program
25. Four water park passes valued at $72.00 from the Great Wolf Lodge to the Head Start
program
26. Four adult and four children’s one-day passes valued at $40.00 from the Kokomo Parks
and Recreation Department to the Head Start program
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27. Four tickets valued at $84.00 from Indiana Beach to the Head Start program
28. One adult and one child admission tickets valued at $20.00 from the Indianapolis
Children’s Museum to the Head Start program
29. Two tickets valued at $89.90 from Kings Island to the Head Start program
30. Forty general admission basketball tickets valued at $400.00 from the Pacers Foundation
to the Head Start program
31. Two tickets valued at $75.90 from Holiday World to the Head Start program
32. A gift certificate valued at $25.00 from Meijer to the Head Start program
33. $100.00 from Pizza Hut of Kokomo to the Kokomo High School summer basketball
program
34. $100.00 from McGonigals to the Kokomo High School summer basketball program
Facility Use Requests:
1. A request from Donna Miller on behalf of the Police Athletic League to use the gyms at
Kokomo High School on Sundays from September 9, 2007 to November 18, 2007 from
noon until 6:00 p.m., for PAL’s basketball season, and to use the gyms at Bon Air,
Central, Elwood Haynes, Lafayette Park, Washington, Maple Crest, McKinley, and
Sycamore schools for practices starting the week of August 20, 2007, with a waiver of
rental fees for the use of the gyms during basketball season and payment of weekend
custodial fees. All dates are subject to availability of the facilities when not in use for
school-related activities. An additional request to use the grassy areas surrounding Bon
Air, Wallace, Elwood Haynes, Maple Crest, Lafayette Park, and Boulevard schools for
PAL football practice from July 25, 2007 to October 22, 2007, subject to availability,
with a waiver of rental and custodial fees.
2. A request from Lisa Gauger on behalf of the YMCA of Kokomo to use the auxiliary floor
at Memorial Gym for a youth and adult indoor soccer league on Sundays from 12:00 –
8:00 p.m. from November through December 2007 and January through March 2008,
with payment of custodial fees and a waiver of rental fees; and an additional request to
use the gymnasiums at Darrough Chapel and Elwood Haynes Elementary Schools for a
youth basketball league from November through December 2007 and January 2008, with
payment of custodial fees and a waiver of rental fees. All dates are subject to the
availability of the facilities when not in use for school related activities.
3. A request from Angela Garrett on behalf of Carver Community Center to use the
corporation’s food service truck for transporting tables and equipment for Rib Fest on
June 15-17, 2007, with a waiver of rental fees.
4. A request from Pat Aikman, Director of the Indiana All-Star Basketball program, to use
the Wildkat Coach and Bob Maxwell’s service for transportation for the games against
the Kentucky All-Stars in Bowling Green, Kentucky from June 13 through June 17, 2007,
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with a waiver of rental fees and fees for Bob Maxwell’s services and payment of fuel
costs.
5. A request from James Little, on behalf of Purdue University Kokomo, to use the Kokomo
Area Career Center’s “Computer Integrated Manufacturing” lab for classes starting June
16, 2007 through June 29, 2007, for training eight instructors for the “Project Lead The
Way” program, with a waiver of rental and custodial fees. They have agreed to waive the
fee of $2,100 for Mitchel Hueston, KACC instructor, who is scheduled to be part of this
training program.
6. A request from Debra Gossett on behalf of the Miss Hoosier Heartland/Miss White River
Valley Scholarship Program to use the Kokomo High School auditorium on July 20-21,
2007 and July 27-28, 2007 for the Miss Hoosier Heartland/Miss White River Valley
Scholarship programs, with a waiver of rental and payment of custodial and audio visual
fees.
Mrs. Pennye Siefert, director of human resources, brought the following Personnel Matters to the
Board for consideration: retirements from Betty Vandenbosch; resignations from Leslie
Anderson, Melissa Ball, Julie Beheler, Chris Cinnamon, Jason Donkersloot, Tabatha Elrod,
Chase Hacker, Liz Miller, Vicky Myers, Alexis Rethlake, Debbie Williams; request for leaves of
absence from Renie Guest, Abby Lynn Oman, Vickie Ruble; classified recommendations of
Lesley Cotterman as cafeteria worker at Bon Air Elementary, Tina Davis as cook at Bon Air
Elementary, Diana Spires as cafeteria worker at Darrough Chapel Elementary, Wandeka Wilson
as cafeteria worker at Sycamore Elementary School; administrative recommendation of Julia
Ingels as Assistant Director of Special Education / KASEC; contracts processed; extra-curricular
contracts processed; extended contracts for 2007-2008; request for additional KACC instructor
positions for 2007-08; request for additional school psychologist position. All Personnel Matters
were approved on a motion by Member Schuck, seconded by Secretary Sosbe and unanimously
carried.
Mr. Rody presented the Fund Report.
All claims were allowed and ordered paid on a motion by Member Schuck, seconded by
Secretary Sosbe and unanimously carried.
During Items Brought Up By Visitors, Mr. Jeff Titus, 1007 Forest Drive, expressed his
appreciation for the professionalism of the Kokomo-Center School Board and staff. He then
inquired as to the availability of left-handed desks for students. He stated that 10% of the school
population is left-handed and these students face challenges. He said he was not aware that any
of the schools had left-handed desks for these students. Mr. Rick Hagenow, vice principal at
Kokomo High School, responded that they are provided upon request. Mrs. Debbie Glass,
principal of Elwood Haynes Elementary School, said that they have left-handed scissors and use
tables instead of desks for these students. Dr. Little said he would be happy to research this issue
and contact Mr. Titus with the results of his research.
During Items Brought Up By Board Members, Member Summers shared that he had received
inquiries regarding the expansion of the south branch of the Kokomo-Howard County Public
Library and the possibility of the relocation of the administrative staff to the south facility. He
asked Member Schuck, the Kokomo-Center Board representative to the Library Board, if he
could respond this concern. Member Schuck responded that the relocation of the administrative
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offices to the south branch had never been proposed, discussed or addressed at any of the
meetings he had attended.
During Items Brought Up By The Superintendent, Dr. Little thanked the Board for the extension
of his contract. He then said that this was Mr. Essig’s last regular board meeting with KokomoCenter Schools serving as assistant superintendent. He thanked him on behalf of the
administrative team and the corporation for his eleven and a half years of service with the
district.
Vice President Bellamy expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Board to President Dunbar
for his service as board president during this last year.
Thereupon, there being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made,
the meeting thereupon adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
______________________________
Joe Dunbar, President
______________________________
Jim Callane, Member
______________________________
Frank Bellamy Jr., Vice President
______________________________
Thomas Reed, Member
______________________________
Karen Sosbe, Secretary
______________________________
Theodore Schuck, Member
______________________________
Kevin Summers, Member
Our mission is to provide a quality education for all students in a safe and secure environment.
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