School Board addresses updates, changes, concerns
July 20, 2023 at 12:21 p.m.
The Franklin County School Board met Monday, July 10th, at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting.
Starting off the meeting was a statement from President Francis Brumback regarding the wage increase. There has been some controversy over the matter as initially, the board was in a financial crisis. However, it is the board's belief that despite struggling to keep up with the inflation, those employees who are working harder and harder every day should be compensated just as fairly. This explanation was not met with any arguments and a motion to approve was passed 6-0.
Corporation Financial Budget - No discussion.
Cafeteria Report - No discussion.
Business Manager Kendra Franks spoke up about a recommendation for changes in the handbook over Good Friday. This is not a snow make-up day, but it is requested that Good Friday become a paid holiday unless circumstances apply to where this is not applicable. This request is contingent on the school year and whether Good Friday would be a regular day off.
There was no further discussion, and the topic will be revisited later. The motion passed to approve 6-0.
There were no celebrations.
Statements from the Public - Sam Gerup took the podium to express his thoughts on the overall rating of the Franklin County School system and how the board could potentially be doing better. It's his belief that social media should be left out and the board put more focus on the education of students.
The board thanked Sam for his input on the matter.
Next up was Chad Wilson, who brought in a petition of 150 signatures regarding the flags and which ones will be present in schools. He, along with those who signed the petition, are adamant that only the American Flag, the State of Indiana Flag, and the Wildcat Flag should be flown in schools.
He was thanked for his input, and for the brochures he brought in for the board.
With Old Business, this covered all the board policies. This held no discussion and the board motion to approve the policies passed of 6-0.
Tammy Chavis, Superintendent, moves on to New Business. She states these policies are more internal, such as safety protocols, finances, etc. and are listed for the board should there be any questions. The new business also held no discussion.
The 2023-24 Return Plan is the same as last year. There are no more Covid testing kits and the board states that if a child is sick, they are to just stay home. This motion was approved 6-0.
The board moves on to speak about the rising amount of legislative changes, and those that are changing for the K-12 handbook. With the new bills, the board is working to acclimate and incorporate these changes, but the top three are as follows:
The Lunch Program will see a slight increase in cost.
The House Bill 1483, regarding bullying cases, states that both parties of the bullying case will receive a notification within five days. There will be programs to help prevent these cases available to parents.
Instead of receiving zeros, students who are suspended will still get the same credit if the work is done.
Under the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, the board received a grant equivalent to about $30,000 to double the amount of AEDs on school property. Employees would need proper training to use an AED should an emergency arise to help de-escalate emergencies, and Beth Foster speaks up that training should also be extended to students, as there are some who are already trained in CPR and AED.
Director of Operations Keith Isaacs moves on to the construction update of the football field. The board was impressed to learn that on the first day alone, the community came together in a seamless display of teamwork to haul away 200+ loads of dirt. The drains have already been installed, the cement corners are ready, and the football post sleeves have been installed. Isaacs states that the gravel should arrive and be ready next week, with the turf finally arriving in two short weeks. Everything is on schedule to finish.
Isaacs also brings up plans to update the press box with some new paint and minor renovations.
This concluded the July 10th school board meeting.
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The Franklin County School Board met Monday, July 10th, at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting.
Starting off the meeting was a statement from President Francis Brumback regarding the wage increase. There has been some controversy over the matter as initially, the board was in a financial crisis. However, it is the board's belief that despite struggling to keep up with the inflation, those employees who are working harder and harder every day should be compensated just as fairly. This explanation was not met with any arguments and a motion to approve was passed 6-0.
Corporation Financial Budget - No discussion.
Cafeteria Report - No discussion.
Business Manager Kendra Franks spoke up about a recommendation for changes in the handbook over Good Friday. This is not a snow make-up day, but it is requested that Good Friday become a paid holiday unless circumstances apply to where this is not applicable. This request is contingent on the school year and whether Good Friday would be a regular day off.
There was no further discussion, and the topic will be revisited later. The motion passed to approve 6-0.
There were no celebrations.
Statements from the Public - Sam Gerup took the podium to express his thoughts on the overall rating of the Franklin County School system and how the board could potentially be doing better. It's his belief that social media should be left out and the board put more focus on the education of students.
The board thanked Sam for his input on the matter.
Next up was Chad Wilson, who brought in a petition of 150 signatures regarding the flags and which ones will be present in schools. He, along with those who signed the petition, are adamant that only the American Flag, the State of Indiana Flag, and the Wildcat Flag should be flown in schools.
He was thanked for his input, and for the brochures he brought in for the board.
With Old Business, this covered all the board policies. This held no discussion and the board motion to approve the policies passed of 6-0.
Tammy Chavis, Superintendent, moves on to New Business. She states these policies are more internal, such as safety protocols, finances, etc. and are listed for the board should there be any questions. The new business also held no discussion.
The 2023-24 Return Plan is the same as last year. There are no more Covid testing kits and the board states that if a child is sick, they are to just stay home. This motion was approved 6-0.
The board moves on to speak about the rising amount of legislative changes, and those that are changing for the K-12 handbook. With the new bills, the board is working to acclimate and incorporate these changes, but the top three are as follows:
The Lunch Program will see a slight increase in cost.
The House Bill 1483, regarding bullying cases, states that both parties of the bullying case will receive a notification within five days. There will be programs to help prevent these cases available to parents.
Instead of receiving zeros, students who are suspended will still get the same credit if the work is done.
Under the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, the board received a grant equivalent to about $30,000 to double the amount of AEDs on school property. Employees would need proper training to use an AED should an emergency arise to help de-escalate emergencies, and Beth Foster speaks up that training should also be extended to students, as there are some who are already trained in CPR and AED.
Director of Operations Keith Isaacs moves on to the construction update of the football field. The board was impressed to learn that on the first day alone, the community came together in a seamless display of teamwork to haul away 200+ loads of dirt. The drains have already been installed, the cement corners are ready, and the football post sleeves have been installed. Isaacs states that the gravel should arrive and be ready next week, with the turf finally arriving in two short weeks. Everything is on schedule to finish.
Isaacs also brings up plans to update the press box with some new paint and minor renovations.
This concluded the July 10th school board meeting.