An executive session of the Board will be held on the following dates to receive information about and interview prospective employees:
Monday, July 29, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m,
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 1, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
The Regularly Scheduled School Board Meeting on August 1, 2024 will begin at 5:00 p.m.
JULY 18, 2024 BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Pledge of Allegiance
Adoption of Agenda
The agenda of the July 18, 2024 board meeting was approved as presented.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of July 3, 2024 and the minutes of the Executive Session of July 15, 2024 were approved as presented.
Reports: Interim Superintendent – Mr. Larry John
1. Mr. John informed the Board that the Culinary Arts room project is moving along but slowly. The contractors have asked for another week to get this project completed. They are willing to work evenings and weekends to get this finished before school starts. They are finishing up the drywall in the room and getting ready to paint. Part of the floor has been installed in the room. The building project for the 1st and 2nd grade wing and office is getting close to being finished. They are finishing up the installation of the carpet and will be putting on the floor molding and molding around the windows and then do some touch up painting. The front office safety door project is getting the door hardware installed. Mr. Schwartz is very pleased with the projects completed at the elementary.
2. Mr. John commented to the Board that the ECA financial reports have been submitted to the board for the period January 1 to June 30, 2024.
3. Mr. Lendon Schwartz, Elementary Principal, gave a presentation about the New Beginnings program for the elementary. Mr. Schwartz and a colleague had developed and utilized the program successfully at a school in Marion, Indiana, prior to Mr. Schwartz coming to Cowan. New Beginnings is an educational and self-discipline alternative instructional education program for students to improve their behavior and, in turn, possibly their academic progress. This is a short-term program designed to offset the potential need for out-of-school suspension or expulsion. Goals are set for both behavior and academic improvement for the student. A classroom for the program would be designated for the purpose of providing the appropriate space. After much discussion, the Board recommended the following:
The Board approved that Mr. Schwartz be given permission to start the process to have the New Beginnings program in place at the elementary and to include the possible hire of a new teacher.
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 #24523 to #24573 and the payrolls of July 5, 2024 as listed in Appendix #2383 were approved for payment.
Personnel
Resignation
The Board accepted the resignation of Christina Ary as Elementary Teacher.
The Board accepted the resignation of Garrett Tomson as Junior High Cross Country Coach.
The Board accepted the resignation of Ashley (Ooten) Tomson as Assistant Junior High Cross Country Coach.
The Board accepted the resignation of Ashton Painter as the 6th Grade Volleyball Coach.
The Board accepted the resignation of Blake Burton as 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach.
The Board accepted the resignation of Josie Byrd as the 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach.
The Board accepted the resignation of Nathan Barton as Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach.
Employment
The Board approved Daniel Huston as High School Special Education Teacher beginning August 5, 2024.
The Board approved Kent Hanser as Varsity Cross Country Head Coach for the 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Amber Huber as Varsity Volleyball Head Coach for the 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Lindsay Roberts as Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach for the 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Alexis Huff as Volunteer Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach for the 2024-25 school year.
The Board approved Alyssa Peters as 8th Grade Volleyball Coach for the 2024-25 school year.
Opportunity for Board Communication:
Mr. Alan Wright asked Mr. Schwartz if Cowan does a bus evacuation practice each semester. Mr. Schwartz responded that we do this practice each semester with the older students on the bus helping the younger students.
Mr. Vick Conway thanked Mr. Schwartz and Mr. John for all of their work. It is exciting to see new things coming to Cowan.
Mrs. Kim Campbell thanked Mr. Schwartz for his work on the New Beginnings project and for adding new things to help our students.
Adjournment
The July 18, 2024 regular board meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Choose the meeting below to view previous meetings in a new window.