Notice of Hearings - Preliminary Determination Hearings & Project Hearing
APRIL 18, 2024 BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Pledge of Allegiance
Adoption of Agenda
The agenda of the April 18, 2024 board meeting was approved as presented.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of April 3, 2024 were approved as presented.
Kindergarten Transfer Lottery
Cowan advertised 23 openings available in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. Based upon applications submitted by 3:00pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a lottery draw was not needed for kindergarten.
Reports: Superintendent – Mr. Timothy Brown
1. Mr. Brown informed the Board that we had about 15 guests in the parking lot for the eclipse on Monday, April 8th. Some of the guests came from Minnesota and Michigan. Mr. Brown will be sending out a corporation-wide email sharing that families with free/reduced lunch status will be receiving an EBT card for $120 to purchase food over the summer. All eligible families will also receive a letter in the mail. Mr. Brown shared with the Board that he is continuing to monitor the updated graduation diploma changes. This flexibility will be a positive thing for our students. Under 2024 legislation, all elementary teachers will now be required to complete an 80-hour early literacy endorsement course to renew their license after July 1, 2027. Currently the state is funding the course, testing requirement, and a stipend for each teacher who completes the course through the IDOE preferred vendor.
2. Mr. Brown met with a local landscaping company and will continue to meet with additional companies to secure quotes to update the school property. Additionally, a new pressure washer was purchased to clean the buildings and school buses. Mr. Brown discussed the continued conversations taking place with Monroe Township Trustee, Leonard Reese. It is great to be working together for our community! Mr. Brown will be presenting a request to the Delaware County Economic Development and Redevelopment Commission to extend the sidewalks from 600S to the elementary school and to widen the entrance to Olive Street on May 9th. Mr. Brown and the Board continued their talk about future planning for facilities. Mr. Brown went over information and the various projects for consideration which include roof replacement, HVAC replacement, restroom renovation, parking lot updates, and high school gym floor considerations. The public notice was in the paper today for the first preliminary meeting to be held Thursday, May 2, with the second preliminary meeting to be held Thursday, May 16, 2024.
3. The ISBA Regional Meeting will be held at Willie and Red’s in Hagerstown on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
4. The first regularly scheduled board meeting in July is Thursday, July 4, 2024. After some discussion, the July 4th meeting will be moved to Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
5. Professional leave requests approved by the Superintendent as of Tuesday, April 16, 2024, were presented.
Opportunity for Public Comments
(No negative comments toward Corporation employees are permitted during the public meeting. Alleged misconduct by a Corporation employee is to be addressed in an Executive session of the Board following meeting with appropriate members of the Administration.)
None
Business Office Recommendations
Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Claim Docket
The claims #24162 to #24215 and the payroll of April 12, 2024 as listed in Appendix #2355 were approved for payment.
Personnel
Resignations
The Board accepted the resignation of Renee Wright as Varsity Cheerleading Sponsor effective April 10, 2024.
Employment
The Board approved Jacob Atkinson as the Director of Operations beginning June 3, 2024 with benefits outlined in Appendix #2356.
The Board approved the MOU for Dr. Tim Long to serve as the Career Coach for Cowan Community Schools from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 as a part of a Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Intermediary Capacity Building Grant as listed in Appendix #2357.
Volunteer
The Board approved Stephen Hiatt as a volunteer for the Varsity Girls Softball team.
Opportunity for Board Communication:
Mr. Paul Hansard along with the rest of the school board thanked Renee Wright for all her work as a cheerleader sponsor for the last 17 years. We will miss her working with our cheerleaders. She has been such a great influence on so many girls including his own daughter.
Adjournment
The April 18, 2024 regular board meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
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