Paramount Schools of Excellence

Minutes

Paramount Board of Directors Public Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday May 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Location

1203 E. St. Clair St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

(Enter through Door 8)

 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://paramountindy-org.zoom.us/j/82387895106

Directors Present

A. Bekele (remote), B. Eldridge (remote), E. Mendez (remote), J. Amu, J. Hazzard, Jr., J. Phillips (remote), M. Bishop, T. Rude (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Ex Officio Members Present

T. Reddicks

Non Voting Members Present

T. Reddicks

Guests Present

Amanda Webb (remote), Brent Eskridge (remote), Chase Akins (remote), Chris Larson (remote), Chrystal Westerhaus (remote), Cory Iwaszewski (remote), D. Burroughs (remote), Danny Holle (remote), Dontrell Kelly (remote), Elizabeth Williams (remote), Elysha St. Louis (remote), Garrett Gammons (remote), Hanan Abdelmasseh (remote), Justin Braun (remote), K. Beauchamp, Keeane Gomez (remote), Keith Thomas Jr. (remote), Ken Barlow (remote), Kendall Covington (remote), Kensi Sauley (remote), L. Hicks (remote), L. Hopman (remote), L. Lucas (remote), M. Laflin (remote), Molly Provost (remote), Rafi Nolan Abrahamian (remote), Rebecca Norman (remote), Robin Love (remote), Robyn Rutar (remote), S. Sims, Stefanie Hanes (remote), T. Gustin, Tony Brose (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

T. Rude called a meeting of the board of directors of Paramount Schools of Excellence to order on Tuesday May 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

No members of the public were present. 

III. Consent Agenda Review and Approval

A.

Review and Approve April Minutes

T. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes from Paramount Board of Directors Public Meeting on 04-15-25.
J. Amu seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bekele
Aye
E. Mendez
Absent
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
J. Phillips
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye
M. Bishop
Aye
T. Rude
Aye

B.

Voucher Approval

Each consent agenda includes minutes from the prior month's meeting(s) and the monthly financial packet, including monthly vouchers. 

IV. New Business

A.

Vote on Revised Credit Card Policy

M. Bishop made a motion to approve the PSOE credit card policy as distributed.
J. Amu seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Bishop
Aye
J. Phillips
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye
E. Mendez
Absent
T. Rude
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye

B.

Vote on 25-26 Board Meeting Calendar

T. Rude made a motion to approve the 25-26 board meeting calendar as distributed.
M. Bishop seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Amu
Aye
M. Bishop
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye
E. Mendez
Aye
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
T. Rude
Aye
J. Phillips
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye

C.

Brookside and South Bend Site Splitting

PSOE would like to look at splitting Paramount Brookside and Paramount South Bend into separate K-5th elementary and 6th-8th middle schools. This would allow for better comparisons to other elementary schools and middle schools around the state. This is something the board will want to discuss before voting. If approved through our authorizers, this would not go into effect until the 2026-2027 school year.

V. Operations Reports

A.

Navigation Team Reports

Tommy Reddicks provided updates on school construction, permitting projects, and loans.

B.

School Operations Reports

No school updates were provided.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
T. Rude

B.

Next Meeting

Date: June 17, 2025 

Time: 5:30 pm

Zoom link: https://us06web/zoom/us/j/81567255132

Location: 1203 E. St. Clair St. Indianapolis, IN 46202, enter through door 8

VII. Finance Committee

A.

Discussion

The board discussed and reviewed the budget. 

VIII. Executive Session

A.

Discussion

The PSOE Board of Directors as authorized by statute, specifically Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1.b, will meet in executive session in the Navigation Office Training Room (1203 E. St. Clair Street Indianapolis, IN 46202) for the following statutorily authorized purpose: Contract negotiations pursuant to [e.g., Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(A)] and Real property transactions including the purchase, lease, or sale of real estate by the governing body, pursuant to [e.g., Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(D)].