North Posey School Board begins school facility fix-ups

By Lois Mittino Gray

Members of the North Posey School Board toured the recent facility improvements at the Junior High School before holding their regular meeting in the library of the school on Monday, April 13. The meeting began at its usual time of 6:30 p.m. but board members decided to change meeting time from now on to 5:30 p.m. with their executive session to begin at 5 p.m. so readers take note.

As part of the bond issue improvements, board members voted to purchase all classroom furniture to be replaced at the North Posey Junior High School, as well as for grades four through six at North Elementary and South Terrace Elementary Schools for the next school year. The lower grades at both schools, one through three, have already received their new furniture consisting of desks, chairs and teacher desks. Two of the three quotes originally received from companies met the $150,000 threshold which requires either a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process or state-approved contract pricing. Educational Furniture subsequently provided alternate quotes utilizing state-approved contract pricing, reflecting a one percent increase from the original quotes that were submitted.

From Educational Furniture, the North Posey Junior High state contract quote is $176,038.14; North Elementary School state quote is $152,465.86; and the South Terrace Elementary School state quote came in at a lower amount of $122,803.91 and did not require the higher-priced state contract price of $124,229.16.

Educational Furniture also identified two areas of concern related to the project. First, manufacturer lead times are expected to increase from the current amount of four weeks to six or more weeks as the school year concludes. Second, manufacturers have indicated a projected 3 percent price increase on orders placed after May 1, 2026, due to rising fuel costs. Based on this information, Asst. Superintendent Michelle Walden recommended approval of the original quote for South Terrace Elementary in the amount of $122,803.91, along with the state contract pricing for North Elementary in the amount of $152,465.86 and the Junior High School in the amount of $176,038.14. Board members unanimously approved the contracts so the new school year brings new seats.

Under other New Business, School Superintendent Todd Slagle presented three proposed new high school courses for next year. They are Construction Trades General Carpentry Capstone, Advanced Placement Psychology, and Political Science. All three were approved unanimously, as were items 1-8 of the 2026 curriculum materials list. Items 9-13, the high school adoption materials, will be reviewed by the Board and presented for adoption in May.

Superintendent Slagle also discussed a preliminary proposal for Summer School 2026, recommending the offering of Category I summer school classes at all locations. According to the Department of Education, Category I classes include Reading for grades 1-3 and any course that counts toward graduation, including electives for grades 9-12. This year’s list is English 9,10,11; Advanced Physical Conditioning; Supervised Agriculture Experience; and Summer Band. At the elementary level is I-Read - Prep and Retake; Second Grade Jump Start; and Third Grade Jump Start. They were unanimously approved. An enrollment of fifteen students is required for the State to reimburse the costs, but I-Read is for sure an offering. Mr. Slagle also passed out two options for the 2027-2028 Academic Calendar for first review. No action is required at this time. He also presented the 2027 Budget Calendar for board members to consider. Board member Lindsey Bowers made a motion to approve the 2027 Budget Calendar, and it passed unanimously.

Under policy business, a Staff Attire and Accessories Policy was presented to the Board for second reading. It was revised from the original after comments were received at an earlier board meeting under Patron Concerns. Hearing no additional revisions, Board member Larry Kahle made a motion to approve the revised staff policy. (see separate article). NEOLA policies in Volume 38 #1 that were revised due to legislative changes were presented to the Board and approved 5-0. A Tuition Reimbursement Policy and Tuition Reimbursement & Credential Advancement Agreement to the Board was presented for first reading. If no additional revisions are needed, it will be presented for second reading, and potential approval, during the May meeting. No action is required at this time.

In personnel matters, Chad Hoehn’s resignation as the Head Wrestling Coach for North Posey High School was accepted, effective immediately. Jeff Duvall was hired to be the Athletic Director for North Posey Junior High School. Krystal Render was hired as a full-time substitute bus driver, effective from April 14 through the remainder of the school year. She was also hired to be a full-time regular route driver for the next school year. Emily Abernathy was hired as a Sixth Grade Teacher for South Terrace Elementary School. Thomas Planalp was tapped to be the Junior High School PE/Health Teacher and High School Girls’ Basketball Coach. Authorization was approved to extend employment offers to other applicants between Board meetings from May to August in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Kenny Bridges was granted FMLA leave beginning April 9 through approximately the end of the school year. Bernard Goebel has FMLA beginning April 22 through approximately June 10, 2026. Kathy Martin was extended personal leave time to fulfill her contract past her retirement date of May 22, 2026.

Shannon Schickel, Andrea Esche, and Kyle Yount may take qualifying BPA students to Nashville, Tennessee to compete at the National BPA Conference on May 6-10, 2026. Expenses shall be paid from a combination of ECA Funds and the participants. Brandon Barrett was given permission to organize a trip to New York City during Spring Break of 2028. This trip shall be through Explorica and will be fully funded by the participants.

SherpaDesk’s annual contract for the technology and maintenance ticketing system was renewed at a cost of $1,848.00. This represents no increase from last year. Instructure, Inc. was renewed for one year for Canvas LMS Cloud Subscription at a cost of $7,917.00. This is an increase of $0.29/user from last year. In addition, due to average usage, we will be required to increase from 1,000 users to 1,300 users. Transfinder Corporation’s contract for bus routing software was renewed for one year at a cost of $5,150.00. This represents no increase from last year. Curriculum Associates contract for Math Ready for K-6 was renewed at a cost of $17,975.00. The Boyce Cloud Employee Hub will be added to the current Boyce Payroll, Personnel, and Accounting system at an annual cost of $13,174.00. The estimated savings in operating efficiencies, including the elimination of Doculivery and Frontline Central, is $18,349.21. Employee Hub will provide staff with convenient and secure access to important information and services, including the ability to view and request updates to contact information, direct deposit and tax information, as well as access leave balances, pay stubs, W-2s, and contracts.

The Jack Williams Family Scholarship Fund will award a $5,000.00 scholarship to a graduating student of North Posey High School who plans to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited trade or vocational school. A West Side Nut Club donation of $4,000.00 will be distributed equally to each school in the district.

The meeting concluded with a Bond/Renovation Update, and an announcement that the Board will receive the “Exemplary Governance Award” at the Indiana School Board Association Spring Regional Meeting on April 20, 2026.

The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11 at the District Office. The Executive Session will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

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