The Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education met on Dec. 3, 2024. The meeting began with the approval of the Nov. 12, 2024, minutes of the Regular Session, along with the claims docket, payroll claims, and fund and bank reports for November. Board members were encouraged to contact Dr. Hanna with any questions regarding these documents.
Dr. Hanna announced that the district received the Teacher Appreciation Grant from the Department of Education on Nov. 27, 2024. Stipends will be distributed to teachers who meet specific criteria, including employment during the 2023-2024 school year, a “Highly Effective” or “Effective” evaluation, a minimum of 120 days of employment, and current employment as of Dec. 1, 2024. The legislature requires a 25% differentiation between the evaluations, and the stipends will be paid on Dec. 6, 2024.
Personnel changes were discussed, with the Board accepting Mrs. Anne Beard’s resignation effective Dec. 20, 2024. The Board also approved the appointment of Julia Mink as a substitute teacher and nurse, effective Jan. 7, 2025. Winter sports coaching appointments were also approved, including Haleigh Schoon as the 8th Grade Girl’s Basketball Head Coach, Samantha Huffman as the 7th Grade Girl’s Basketball Head Coach, and Brianne Haupert as the 5th Grade Girl’s Basketball Head Coach.
Dr. Hanna presented updates to the district’s policy manual, aligning it with the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) recommendations. Policies reviewed included updates to the Vision, Mission, and Belief Statements, Corporation Goals, Board Member Code of Ethics, and several new or revised policies, such as those addressing overtime and virtual education programs. The updated manual reflects a comprehensive effort to recodify and retire outdated policies.
The Board of Education was presented with information on track resurfacing in the summer of 2025. The proposal project would include covering crack sealing, patching, top coating, and restriping to meet IHSAA and NFHS standards.
The Treasurer requested and received permission to balance all major funds during the year-end process.
Additional items included approving updates to the 1:1 Student Device Handbook, reflecting revised Apple device repair pricing. Proposed Board meeting dates for the next 18 months were reviewed and approved. Dr. Hanna also recommended the continued legal representation of the district by Lewis Kappes, Attorneys at Law, citing their expertise and the exceptional work of Attorney Michelle Cooper. The Board unanimously approved the recommendation.
The meeting adjourned after addressing all agenda items.