METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PIKE TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting January 28, 2016 The Board of Education of the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township met in a regular session on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Administrative Services Center. Present at the meeting were: Mrs. Randolph, Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Abrams, Mr. Downs, Mr. Metzler, Mrs. Poore, members; and Mr. Jones, Superintendent. Mr. Huffine was absent. Mr. Rodney White, a Pike parent, approached the podium to express his concerns regarding the decision made by IHSAA to penalize the entire Girls Basketball team for the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by a few of the team members during a recent basketball game at Ben Davis High School. Also, Ms. Qiana Robinson, a Pike parent, addressed the Board with her concerns in reference to the decision made by the IHSAA. In addition, Ms. Jennifer Clay, a Pike parent, stood before the Board to convey her concerns as well. President Randolph informed the parents that she had a statement to read towards the end of the meeting regarding the incident. On behalf of Ms. Sarah Dorsey, Communications Officer, Mrs. Patricia Burton, Director of Student and Community Services, presented the district update to the Board. She informed the Board of the following: PHS Spectacular Dancers won first place in the hip-hop and jazz divisions at the Avon Invitational. Our JV Red Devil Dancers also brought home a first place trophy. Our PHS Wrestling team was victorious this weekend, defeating Decatur 53-18 and Chatard 61-15. Lynna Irby won the 60 meters in 7.45 seconds, a national record, at the UIndy Classic. PHS Winter Guard took 1st place at the Plainfield High School IHSCGS competition. Our Pike High School Boys Basketball Team won their second consecutive Marion County Championship. Teams from Guion Creek Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, New Augusta Public Academy - North, and Pike High School did an outstanding job representing our district at the 4th annual Indianapolis VEX Robotics Championship. According to the Office of Education Innovation's website, over 180 teams from elementary, middle, and high schools participated in the largest city-wide robotics competition in the nation. This makes it especially impressive that Guion Creek Middle School's team, JagTec, was presented with the Judges Award trophy. College Park, Deer Run, and Eagle Creek Elementary Schools will receive the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation during a special ceremony at the American School Counselor Association s annual conference in New Orleans, La. The schools will be honored on July 11 for making an exemplary commitment to comprehensive school counseling programs.
Congratulations to Taylor Flight (bassoon), Lorin Breen (clarinet), and Lani Spurlock (trumpet), who were selected for the Indiana All-State Honor Band. Madeline Flight (oboe) and Erin Mansell (french horn) who were named to the Indiana All-State Band, as well as James Davis, who made the alternate list. Mrs. Patricia Burton, presented certificates of recognition to the following: Doctorial Recipient Recognitions Dr. Todd Nailon Dr. Kathryn Szwed-Thompson Dr. Larry Young Dr. Gary Gilbert, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, presented to the Board the First Reading of the Board of Education Policies for review and discussion. Dr. Gilbert stated the following, In your packet that you received via email, you do have a stack of first reading of policy changes. Most are simple revisions dictated by Indiana Code. In addition there is a set of narration by Neola. He continued to share information regarding the Board Policies. He asked the Board to review the documents and provide feedback before the next Board meeting, two weeks away. Mr. William Payne, Fanning/Howey presented architectural designs to convert the courtyard at the Administrative Services Center into a conference center addition. The courtyard will be enclosed and allow for the space to be used year-round. We envision the space being used for multiple uses to include meeting; a location for staff to walk/exercise; the opportunity for administrative staff to eat a meal; and serve as a break-out room when meetings are held in one or more of the training rooms. Minutes of the regular meeting held on January 14, 2016 having been circulated among members of the Board of Education, Mr. Metzler moved: They be approved as written. Mr. Abrams seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The Superintendent recommended the Department of Human Resources Report be approved with the following change noted: In the report an employee is listed as retirement resignation, it should be listed as resignation. Mr. Downs moved: The Human Resources report be approved with Mr. Lampert s noted change. Mrs. Poore seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Superintendent recommended the Request to Advertise Bids for Musical Instruments for Pike High School be approved as presented and placed on file in the office of the Director of Human Resources. Mrs. Poore moved: Mrs. Richardson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 2
The Superintendent recommended the Lincoln Middle School EnablING STEM Grant be approved as presented and placed on file in the office of the Director of Curriculum & Programs. Mr. Metzler moved: Mr. Downs seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. President Randolph combined the following items as one action item: E. Advertise for Bids for Pike High School HVAC Lab F. Advertise for Bids for Administrative Services Center Conference Center Addition The Superintendent recommended items E. Advertise for Bids for Pike High School HVAC Lab and F. Advertise for Bids for Administrative Services Center Conference Center Addition be approved as presented and placed on file in the office of the Director of School Facilities. Mrs. Poore moved: Mr. Abrams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. President Randolph combined the following items as one action item: G. Reorganization of the 2016 Board of Finance for the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township H. Contracts o Johnson Controls Service Agreement (heating and cooling systems maintenance) o Intuitive Symantic Altiris IT Management Suite (desktop computer image deployment tool) o Edmentum PLATO Software Support Renewal (student curriculum remediation software) o Professional Services Martha Graves (Data Controller for Project Prevent Grant) I. Donations o Monetary Donation USA Diving, Inc. o Large Easel with Storage Tubs DonorsChoose o 100 IXL Subscriptions DonorsChoose o 4 Exercise Ball Chairs DonorsChoose o Books, Coloring Books, and City Screen Benita Jackson o 20 Sterillite White Baskets - Anonymous The Superintendent recommended the following items: G. Reorganization of the 2016 Board of Finance for the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township H. Contracts o Johnson Controls Service Agreement (heating and cooling systems maintenance) o Intuitive Symantic Altiris IT Management Suite (desktop computer image deployment tool) o Edmentum PLATO Software Support Renewal (student curriculum remediation software) o Professional Services Martha Graves (Data Controller for Project Prevent Grant) I. Donations o Monetary Donation USA Diving, Inc. o Large Easel with Storage Tubs DonorsChoose o 100 IXL Subscriptions DonorsChoose o 4 Exercise Ball Chairs DonorsChoose 3
o Books, Coloring Books, and City Screen Benita Jackson o 20 Sterillite White Baskets - Anonymous be approved as presented and placed on file in the office of the Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Downs moved: Mrs. Richardson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Board Member Items President Randolph informed the Board and audience that she had a statement to read regarding the incident, it is a Formal Board Response to the Decision Made by IHSAA Regarding the Girls Basketball Team. President Randolph: As many of you know, on January 16, the Pike High School girls' basketball team was involved in an unfortunate incident during the Ben Davis game. The board members have reviewed video of the game. As leaders of this school district, we hope and expect all Pike students will use this unfortunate incident as a learning experience toward sportsmanship and emotional control. We commend Superintendent Jones and Principal Inman for their leadership in using this incident as a teachable moment to ensure something like this does not happen again. On January 19, 2016, the Indiana High School Athletic Association imposed several sanctions on the Pike Girls Basketball team, including cancellation of the remaining games, suspension from post-season play, and probation during next season. Members of the board met and conferred with counsel regarding Pike s options for accepting or challenging the IHSAA sanctions. At this point, I d like to entertain a motion about a response, if any, to the IHSAA sanctions. Mr. Metzler stated, We are indeed very sympathetic with the students and parents; especially those parents here today. It s a really tough decision to go through with what time we have and the turnaround time, the cooperation with the other school district, the comparable situation they had significantly more time, and they had both school districts cooperating with an appeal where in this case the other district has said that they are going to completely support the IHSAA recommendation. As an official, I m very touched by the discussion this evening about the poor officiating, I know that s one of the things talked about repeatedly is preventative officiating and I recognize that I did not watch it but it is a justifiable concern, I m not going to pass judgment on the officials since I wasn t there but I do know that it s a concern but yet we are also in somewhat in an untenable situation to try to support anything beyond the fact that we don t agree with the method/punishment handed out. I think our letter demonstrates a concern about that and the long-term fairness but I don t think that we have the time nor the knowledge of the financial impact, which unfortunately has an impact on every decision but I think it s important for people to know that the IHSAA and their bylaws has a statement that says basically if we file a suit and we lose any part of the suit, we are responsible for the financial expenses for not only our part but for all of the IHSAA part. This type of thing can be extended out over many years and probably multiple millions of dollars but it doesn t seem that we are in a very defensible position with the guidelines that have been given us to step forward as one district and to be able to get parents involved. The last district had enough time to get every student s parents involved in the action. We obviously do not have enough time before the sectionals. We are not in a position to do anything right now other than complain about the judgment we can move forward and hopefully institute changes that would prevent this type of onerous judgment from impacting other students but we don t feel like we have the ability to do something like that in this immediate case for our students; it s a decision that we are going to vote on but 4
that is my feeling and I can take people to a situation when I was coaching that is very personal to me. Mr. Metzler provided an example of his experience as a coach, the misconduct displayed by his team, and the unfair penalties given the entire team for the actions of a few. Mrs. Richardson and the remaining Board members agreed with the statement made by Mr. Metzler. Mr. Downs made the following motion: The Board directs Superintendent Jones to send the letter to the IHSAA to express Pike s concerns with the overall process that IHSAA is using to implement sanctions on its member s schools but otherwise to take no action to challenge the IHSAA penalties in this matter. Mr. Abrams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Superintendent Jones stated, First, many of us who heard the parents speak today they talked about what was in the best interest for their child. I appreciate their comments. If you recall, we were the district that did not respond right away when this happened. There were two reasons for our delay, 1. I can t do that as the Superintendent but the Board can. Second, it was too short of a notice and my opinion to make a decision when we hadn t seen the letter. With that being said, we did craft a letter in response to the decision made by IHSAA. Superintendent Jones offered a copy of the letter to the parents in the audience. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Ms. Lorie Pettiford, Dr. Gary Gilbert, Mrs. Megan Ahlers, Mrs. Pat Burton, Mr. David Holly, Mrs. Cindy Huffman, Mr. Joe Lampert, Mrs. Linda Searles, Ms. Sherry Shelton, Dr. Larry Young, Sarah Dorsey, Mr. Dan Kuznik, Mrs. Maggie Bishop, Mrs. Kim Mills, Mrs. Lisa Steele; staff members. 5