SCHOOL NEWS: Board member to serve on committee; staff changes, donations approved

Board member to serve on committee

A member of the Brown County School Board of Trustees was appointed to the legislative committee of the Indiana School Boards Association.

As a member of the committee, school board Vice President Amy Oliver will work to direct the development of the annual legislative priorities and foundational statements that “will guide the association’s advocacy efforts in the coming year,” according to a press release from the school district.

Any recommendations from the committee will be presented to the ISBA Delegate Assembly for approval during the annual fall conference this October.

On July 15, the committee met to discuss student learning support, school funding and inflation, school safety and security, teacher retention, school resource officer training, bus driver shortages and student mental and behavioral health services, the release states.

The committee is made up of 20 people with two school board members from each of ISBA’s 10 regions.

“The local school board members on our legislative committee play an important role in helping to identify and shape sound education policy,” said ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin.

“We thank them for bringing forward so many excellent ideas for change and we appreciate their dedicated public service.”

ISBA provides school board members in Indiana with programs and services including policy support, legal advice, advocacy and professional development opportunities.

Staff changes, donations announced

As the start of school neared, policies and handbooks were approved by the Brown County School Board of Trustees during the last few weeks of summer.

The usual shifts in staffing were also approved by the school board as teachers and staff are placed in their new roles or buildings. Student athletes will also notice some coaching changes when they return to the fields and courts this school year.

Here is a complete list of what the school board approved at their June 16, July 14, July 21 and Aug. 3 meetings:

• A $7,000 donation from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to the Career Resource Center for the jail literacy program at the Brown County jail.
• A $200 donation from Designscape Horticultural Services Inc. to the 2022 Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate program at Brown County High School.
• Sue Thompson and Amanda Smoot, 14 hours each at a rate of $10 per hour to work during Brown County Middle School registration.
• A reduction in contract days worked for Terri Whitcomb from 194 days to 158 days, effective 2022-2023 school year. The position is still full time with benefits. This reduction was requested by the employee.
• A $1,000 donation from Raft to Rafters Pool and Spa to the BCHS football program.
• An $8,000 donation from Gene HAAS Foundation to Eagle Manufacturing.
• The following staff members to attend the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Summer Institute in Arizona on June 28 and 29. The trip was fully funded by the NIET grant and Brown County Schools. Staff members who attended were: Paige Burton, Sarah Cochran, Steffanie Davis, Brittany Dunkley, Erika East, Brenda Ely, Kevin Greve, Tim Hebert, Michelle Joy, Shane Killinger, Hannah Newlin, Greg Pagnard, Lauren Spiece, Gavin Steele, Kirk Wrightsman, Christy Wrightsman, Kristi Billings and Alyssa Stanley.
• The BCHS 2022-2023 student handbook.
• The 2022-2023 BCS eLearning Day Policy.
• The 2022-2023 support staff handbook.
• Resolution authorizing administration to contact county auditor to calculate potential percentages in form of possible question.
• Gavin Steele and Amiee Kroll to attend the mxINCedu Uncharted Learning National Summit July 11-14 in Chicago.
• Tax levy resolution to place the operating referendum as question on ballot for this year’s general Election. On Nov. 8, Brown County voters will be able to vote yes or no to adding 12 cents per $100 of assessed value to the property tax rate. This is an increase over the current operating referendum that is in place, which was approved by voters at 8 cents per $100 of assessed value in 2016.
• Thor Davis as BCMS dean of students and athletic director for the 2022-2023 school year.
• The 2022-2023 COVID-19 response educational service delivery plan. Masks will not be required in classrooms or on school buses in the approved plan, but the plan is subject to change based on recommendations from the state and federal government.
• Disclosure of free and reduced lunch price information between the Brown County Weekend Backpacks program and BCS for the 2022-2023 school year.
• Maternity leave notice for Hillary Frye starting approximately Aug. 23 and ending Dec. 19.
• BCS Communications Coordinator Kamady Lewis through contracted professional services paid by grant funding through June 30, 2024. Lewis will be tasked with managing the social media accounts for all of the schools and athletics. She will help the school district with press releases, sharing information about what is happening in the schools.
• Out of state professional leave request for Christy Wrightsman to attend the National Youth Apprenticeship Summit in Denver, Colorado Aug. 9-12. All expenses paid by the Regional Opportunity Initiative.
• Amend June 16 minutes to correct the consent agenda item appointment of Jenna Sears as a replacement for Daniel Lyng.
• Administrators’ contracts through June 30, 2024: Emily Tracy, Deborah Harman, Christy Wrightsman, Gavin Steele, Trent Austin, Charles Hutchins, Greg Pagnard, Shane Killinger, Kelli Bruner and Mark Bruner.
• Donations to the BCHS football program: $250 from Blue Elk Family Clinic to be used as needed; $250 from realtor Matt Burkett to be used as needed; and $1,500 from Rise Autism Therapy Services to be used for the Hudl Sideline subscription.
• Separating Helmsburg Elementary School paraprofessional Erin Hardin, effective May 24. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES preschool teacher Staci Hardin, effective May 25. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS cross-country assistant coach Amanda Austin, effective May 25. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS sixth-grade girls basketball coach Caitlyn (Gracie) Matlock, effective May 20. This was not a termination.
• Separating Sprunica Elementary School preschool paraprofessional Mya Wall, effective May 25. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS fifth-grade girls basketball coach Kyle McGaha, effective May 31. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS wrestling coach and BCMS seventh-grade football coach Andy Rudd, effective June 1. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS fifth-grade boys basketball coach Josh Hawley, effective June 2. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS eighth-grade football coach Donald Asher, effective May 31. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS sixth-grade boys basketball coach Jim McFall, effective June 2. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS art teacher Laurette Roales, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS special education teacher Kristen Sample, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCHS biology teacher Christopher Driver, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES fourth-grade teacher and BCHS varsity basketball coach Jacob Guernsey, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES counselor Skylar Guernsey, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCS Transportation Director Scott Waddell, effective July 22. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS after-school supervisor Jada Shepard, effective immediately. This was not a termination.
• Separating Van Buren Elementary School teacher Alyssa Daffron, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES paraprofessional Deihdre Alltop, effective immediately. This was not a termination.
• Separating VBE special education teacher Makenzie Duncan, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCS maintenance worker Drew Minett, effective July 8. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES paraprofessional Amy Kakavecos, effective immediately. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCMS social studies teacher and eighth-grade girls basketball coach Kyle McGaha, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES teacher Jill Miller, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating HES special education teacher Kortney Lemieux, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCHS guidance counselor Bradley Harting, effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating BCHS social studies teacher and softball coach Elyse Babb (Snider), effective at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. This was not a termination.
• Appointing BCHS English teacher Amanda Condra, $46,250 per year, bachelor Level G, 18 years experience, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Alexis Martin.
• Appointing BCHS boys assistant soccer coach Logan Fittz, Group 10, $1,535 stipend, effective 2022-2023 school year. This is a replacement for Samuel Newell.
• Appointing BCHS girls basketball coach Kamady Lewis, Group 1, $6,392 stipend, effective 2022-2023 school year. This is a replacement for Emily Lewellen.
• Appointing BCMS vocal teacher Jenna Sears, masters Level A, $45,000 per year, full time with benefits, 184 days per year, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Mary Pearson.
• Appointing BCMS fifth-grade boys basketball coach Jim McFall, Group 14, $933 stipend, effective Aug. 10. This is a replacement for Josh Hawley.
• Appointing BCMS sixth-grade boys basketball coach Josh Hawley, Group 14, $1,023 stipend, effective Aug. 10. This is a replacement for Jim McFall.
• Appointing BCMS eighth-grade football coach Justice Guerrero, Group 7, $2,302 stipend, effective July 11. This is a replacement for Donald Asher.
• Appointing BCMS boys tennis coach Heath Young, Group 11, $1,342 stipend, effective July 11. This is a replacement for Andi Rogers Bartels.
• Appointing HES second-grade teacher Briana Bailey, bachelor Level C, $42,750 per year with four years experience, full time with benefits, 184 days per year, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Karen Hedrick.
• Appointing SES gym paraprofessional Lindi VanSickle, $16.25 per hour, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Suzie Watson.
• Appointing VBE health assistant Andri Kalchik, $12.25 per hour, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Haley Downs.
• Appointing BCMS art teacher Brittney Ketring, masters Level A, $45,000 per year with zero years of experience, full time with benefits, 184 days per year, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Laurette Roales.
• Appointing BCHS Eagle Manufacturing paraprofessional Cheyenne Dinsmore, $12 per hour, part time without benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a new position.
• Appointing VBE teacher Christine Peel, bachelor Level E, $44,500 per year with five years experience, full time with benefits, 184 days per year, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Abigail Magner.
• Appointing BCHS math teacher Tanner Stevens, bachelor Level A, $41,000 per year with zero years experience, full time with benefits, 184 days per year, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Ashley Christman.
• Appointing SES preschool teacher Audrey Morgan, $20.25 per hour, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Maggie Hendershot.
• Appointing SES extra-curricular appointments for 2022-2023 school year: Math Bowl Coach Ben White, Science Bowl Coach Abigail Magner, Spell Bowl Coach Lauren Lockdall, master teacher Steffanie Davis, mentor teachers Brittany Dunkley, Erika East and Becky Higgins, high ability coach Alyson Hanus and technology coach Lindsay Wheeler.
• Appointing HES special education teacher Staci Harden, master’s Level A, 31 years experience, $45,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Kortney Lemieux.
• Appointing BCHS science teacher Allison Gootee, bachelor’s Level A, zero years experience, $41,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Christopher Driver.
• Appointing HES fourth-grade teacher Amanda Middleton, bachelor’s Level A, zero years experience, $41,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits. This is a replacement for Jacob Guernsey.
• Appointing BCS Transportation Director Dennis Mills, $75,000 per year, 260 days, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 3. This is a replacement for Scott Waddell.
• Appointing HES second-grade teacher Annah Harris, master’s Level A, zero years experience, $45,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a new position.
• Appointing Educational Service Center preschool paraprofessional Amy Sumpter, $12 per hour, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 10. This is a new position.
• Appointing BCMS English teacher Morgan Tucker, bachelor’s Level A, zero years experience, $41,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Jane Phillips.
• Appointing BCMS science teacher David Gerchak, bachelor’s Level A, zero years experience, $41,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Amanda Austin.
• Appointing BCMS computer science teacher Tim Reeves, bachelor’s Level A, zero years experience, $41,000 per year, 184 days per year, full time with benefits, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Lauren Lykins.
• Appointing HES paraprofessional Anna McMillion, $12 per hour, part time without benefits, effective Aug. 10. This is a replacement for Amy Kakavecos.
• Appointing SES paraprofessional Courtney Corder, $12 per hour, part time without benefits, effective Aug. 10.
• Appointing SES intense intervention paraprofessional Angela Joy Smith, $12.25 per hour, part time without benefits, effective Aug. 8.
• Appointing SES paraprofessional Jessica Elliott, $12 per hour, part time without benefits, effective Aug. 8.
• Transferring BCHS English teacher Rebekah Bryan to BCHS guidance counselor. This is a replacement for Bradley Harting.
• Transferring VBE master teacher Sarah Cochran to BCHS English teacher, effective Aug. 8.
• Transferring SES preschool teacher Maggie Hendershot to VBE preschool teacher, effective Aug. 8.
• Transferring VBE teacher Darlene Radloff to HES kindergarten teacher, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Jodie Silbaugh.
• Transferring BCMS science teacher Amanda Austin to VBE fourth-grade teacher, effective Aug. 8. This is a replacement for Alyssa Daffron.
• Transferring SES paraprofessional Erin Schultz to Educational Service Center preschool paraprofessional, effective Aug. 8. This is a new position.