The Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education met on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. The meeting commenced with the approval of minutes from the Jan. 7 Regular Session and Board of Finance meetings. Board members received claims dockets, payroll claims, fund and bank reports in advance and were encouraged to contact Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna with any questions.
In personnel matters, the Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Ben Seward, a second shift custodian, effective Jan. 25, 2025. Several new appointments were approved, including Kyle Etherington as a mentor for Evan North, Julie Mink and Mary Bond as substitute nurses, Janilyn Layton as a substitute teacher and Jason Zimmerman as a second shift Tier II custodian. Additional personnel actions included the appointment of Mrs. Anne Meeks to cover an FMLA leave, a classification change for Marcus Pemberton from Tier II to Tier I custodian and the approval of various coaching staff for winter and spring sports.
A significant academic initiative discussed was the implementation of a summer school program for third-grade students who do not pass the IREAD-3 exam and at-risk second-grade students. Two qualified teachers will be hired, funded through the Title I grant, to provide interventions and administer retesting.
The Board conducted a policy review in collaboration with the Indiana School Boards Association, revising several policies related to professional development, educational activities, vehicle idling, cyber safety and chemical management. A first read was conducted to update the policies on professional development and educational activities. In contrast, the second read included revisions to policies on take-home vehicles, fixed assets inventory and pest control.
The Board approved a $75 donation from Mulberry Cooperative Telephone Co., Inc. to the Academic Honors account. Additionally, the Board considered and approved the AWS Welding Certification course led by Mr. Jesse Davis to be held at Rossville Middle/Senior High School. The five-week course will provide students with workforce credentials upon completion.
Several travel requests were approved, including Dr. Hanna’s attendance at the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents’ installation of officers, a PowerSchool Midwest conference in Michigan for Dustin Shadbolt and Nancy Conklin, and out-of-state field trips for Agriculture classes to the National Farm Machinery Show and the 7th-grade class trip to the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago.
Finally, the Board approved the declaration of surplus and obsolete equipment, including a John Deere 4010 tractor being actioned off on Publicsurplus.com. Additional surplus equipment items were also approved for disposal.
The meeting concluded with announcing the next meeting on March 4 at 7 p.m.
