Alex Meuller provided a high level overview of the bond process based on the documents forwarded prior to the meeting. 

The recommendation is that we move forward with HJ Sims to provide for the bond procurement and Ice Miller as the bond attorney. 

Mr. Meuller provided that his role is to provide oversight to ensure that the work that  HJSims is aligned with the proposal submitted and ensure that the school's best interest is maintained. 

Please see the full report and proposal for details.

Please see full report

Building Principal Highlights

Principal Franz- 

Provided $500.00 in donated food items during the Thanksgiving season. 

Partnered with State Representative Vernon Smith in holiday efforts, Secret Santa. 

On December 19 there will be an art presentation of student's work, an invitation to follow. 

Principal Jackson-

Skate Party-December 13. Students with positive behavior are invited

Holiday Party on December 19, treat donations accepted.

Reindeer games, December 20th

Principal Ross-

Forty-one of the eighty-four senior students have college acceptances.

Over 1 million dollars in scholarship monies were reported. 

Improved attendance, disciplinary issues are down, no major push back to the cellphone ban.

See full financial report for East Chicago.

David Sevier highlighted areas in the September financial reports that showed overspending in certain areas. This was caused by loss of ESSER funding and delayed reimbursements from approved grant monies. 

October-December reports should show the deficits erased. 

The Finance team is planning a workshop to assist the board with better understanding the complexity of the financial reports. 

See full financial report for Gary.

David Sevier highlighted areas in the September financial reports that showed overspending in certain areas. This was caused by loss of ESSER funding and delayed reimbursements from approved grant monies. 

October-December reports should show the deficits erased. 

The Finance team is planning a workshop to assist the board with better understanding the complexity of the financial reports. 

No Report Submitted

Andrea Thurston provided an overview of the Academic Excellence meeting. 

Reviewed testing data from the high school's most recent tests (Please see full report from Karin McGuire). Met with Mr. Ross to discuss his vision for the school. 

Committee goals-

increase college/career readiness options for scholars

increase family engagement

increase early literacy 

Elaine Little provided an overview of December's committee meeting.

Discussed the purpose of the committee and goals to achieve its purpose.

Discussed possible fundraising efforts and who would benefit from these efforts

-track team

-purchase a van to help with one-to-one transport of identified students

-assist the districts' efforts to feed families at Thanksgiving 

Create a list of community partners

Review the document from Friday

Invite Mr. Mayberry to join the committee

Please see the full report.

Karin McGuire provided a detailed review of the various testing done at the high school level, what is means and how the district can support teachers, parents and students to improve test scores. Increase the use of incentives to encourage student engagement.

Jessica Beasley provided an update of the licensing renewal process and reported that a decision would be made by the end of February; continue to encourage the use of Naviance to promote pathway success of scholars-6th grade to 12th grade;continue to encourage the development and use of the district's website and social media platforms to promote the schools and the work being done.

Please see the full report. 

Latrice Franklin discussed the use of Terracone to perform a comprehensive facility overview to suggest building improvements. The last building assessment was done several years ago. The cost is $28,700.00. The completion of this assessment will also assist with increased favorable positioning as we seek bond underwriters. 

There were two guests from the public at the meeting, Cheyenne Four and Xavier Smith. Mr. Smith indicated that he wanted to send his remarks/concerns via email. Ms. Four did not speak.

The meeting recessed at 7:15pm to move into the Executive Session. At 7:40pm, we returned to the board meeting.