It was on the agenda Monday night to address the ongoing vacancy on the Franklin County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees, but after brief discussion it was agreed to table the item for a future date to reevaluate the four candidates’ qualities and then set a special meeting shortly after to select.

The vacancy in District 4 (Whitewater, Springfield, one precinct in Highland) came up when Grant Reeves resigned last month. Four interested parties –Jessica Brennan, Don Maucher, Matt Siedling, Darrin Middendorf - were interviewed at a special meeting May 1 but none received a fourth assenting vote to be chosen. 

Monday there was one school of thought that said Brennan won a majority of votes when the board voted 3-2 in her favor with board president Francis Brumback abstaining. This was espoused by trustee Kevin Kaiser, who cited a combination of Indiana Code, Indiana common law, Roberts Rules of Order and the board’s policy. Brumback interpreted it as not being sufficient for majority; he contacted an attorney with the Indiana School Boards Association, who recommended the votes be rescinded due to the lack of clarity and restart the process.

Brumback also stated the attorney told him if a consensus could not be reached, a circuit court judge would appoint a trustee. Trustee Kati Holman hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Ultimately the board voted to rescind all voting from May 1.

At the back end of the meeting was an extended discussion on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts within the county and tying up loose ends so the school corporation can begin receiving its state-allowed allotment of TIF revenue that county commissioners approved last July. Sara Duffy, the board’s representative to the FC Redevelopment Commission, was on the agenda and spoke first.

She said the main issue was the commissioners’agreement was never formalized into an ordinance, essentially to codify 15% going to the schools annually. After speaking with commissioner John Heis, he recommended the school board put a request in writing for the funds along with specific educational programs the money will be used toward. Right now, the consensus is a broad marketing campaign to promote FCCSC attributes (radio, web, etc.).

Another concern was nailing down a start date for redevelopment to provide its financial obligation. The main question is whether it would be retroactive to commissioners’ original decision (paid this year) or be paid in 2024 for what’s captured in 2023; the latter would allow more flexibility in getting the process in order. Duffy called this a minor part of the equation.

She explained it’s now easier for municipalities to create TIF districts, one big reason the commissioners moved on this.

Bill Schirmer, president of FCRC, contributed his thoughts on the subject.

In a draft presented him by county attorney Grant Reeves, the language contained the words “up to”15%. He wanted FCRC to be more flexible in its spending in case funding was needed elsewhere for economic development. Brumback said he preferred it say a firm 15% with Schirmer asked to approach the board if there were a special circumstance in the future.

Another clarification Schirmer requested was whether the ordinance should specify the Golden Road TIF district, currently the only one in the county FCCSC can draw from. There are plans for his commission to administer a residential TIF for the 200-plus new residences slated for the Reservoir hill project. If schools wanted part of that expansion money, he’d like to address that later. He told the board he hoped the future TIF wouldn’t be included because that would take money away from an initiative designed to bring more families –and students –to the county.

Duffy countered, saying she didn’t want the board to limit what it could receive.

“Franklin County is up and coming and Bill, you get credit for that,”she said. “But I think there’s going to be enough money for economic development, infrastructure and 15% to schools.”

Schirmer had requested $10,000 from FCRC at its April meeting, saying he had matching funds available to go toward the marketing effort. This would be more than the 15% residual, which amounts to around $7,500.

The next FCRC meeting is May 23, 5 p.m. Schirmer is inviting the entire school board as well as commissioners to see a presentation by Brandon Ball, then work out definitive language among all entities involved. The meeting may be held in the commissioners room due to heavy attendance.

In other news
Shannon New, principal of Laurel Elementary, spoke of a new program they’re developing. She’s calling it a behavior/life skills room in which students who need more attention can focus on learning and not disrupt other classrooms. An interventionist/teacher would lead the classroom along with one or two aides. This could be made available at other elementaries later. Since there were funds being moved around, and not a new position created, the board voted unanimously in favor.

A concerned parent approached the board about what he deemed an excessive punishment for his child leaving the recent prom early due to a medical emergency, thus not returning to town via bus transportation as required by a signed form. He was told the student could not walk up to receive their diploma at the upcoming graduation. He asked whether there could be a lighter form of punishment and was told there may be options like light labor around the school or another form of community service. Brumback said he’d be in touch with the parent shortly.

Business manager Kendra Franks presented financials. All funds are up significantly. Education fund is $3,436,211.48, an increase of over one million since last April. Operations fund is $16,833.62. Investment interest is $31,803.40. Cafeteria fund is $554,374.50. Latch Key fund is $9,997.07.

During discussion on consent agenda items, Kaiser raised a couple concerns. The first was having more oversight on overnight field trips. He recently experienced an out-of-town softball tournament during which there was some confusion over where players could go between games. Secondly, he wanted more board oversight of coaches’evaluations. The process is currently that evaluations are done by the athletic director, then approved by the principal. These then come to the board as recommendations to extend contracts and the like. Kaiser wished to have access to the evaluations in order to ask follow-up questions.

FCMS principal Chris Bundy asked to amend a few items in the student handbook. One was consequences of a positive drug test. Since there are limited counselors to help a student get back on track, he wanted it opened to multiple counseling opportunities. 

Another item was student transportation policy and the rules surrounding students’behavior while riding in or around the buses. He wanted firm consequences for problems that arise.

Superintendent Tammy Chavis said the Purple Star designation of county schools is up for renewal later this year. This involves activities surrounding Veterans Day. Board approved a resolution required for the renewal application.

Piazza Produce, Klosterman Bakery, US Foods and Commercial Food Systems were approved as vendors for food services.

Tanya Wirtz brought three female students with the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program to speak about their experience at the state career leadership conference.

Randy Bare, maintenance technician, and Missy Renforth, longtime teacher at LES, were chosen support staff and educator of the month, respectively.