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To: Students, Parents, Staff, and School – Community Members; Media
Fr: Kevin Smith, Superintendent
Re: January 2021 School Board Meeting Information

The Covington Community School Corporation School Board met for their monthly meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021. The meeting was conducted in alignment with social distancing guidelines.

At the annual organizational meeting Mr. Doug Hunter was selected to serve as board president for Mr. Jason Beck was selected as board vice – president and Mr. Kevin Cates as board secretary.

In other organizational business, the board approved Ms. Vicki Jones as school corporation treasurer and Ms. Jennifer Linville as extra– curricular treasurer. The law firm of Henthorn, Harris, and Weliever was approved to continue as legal counsel for Covington Community School Corporation.

During the business portion of the agenda the board:

• During the finance committee agenda

o Selected Mr. Doug Hunter as president of the finance board.

o Selected Mr. Kevin Cates as secretary of the finance board.

o Reviewed the investment policy.

o Received its’ annual financial analysis.

o Was informed that no new investments had been made during 2020.

• Agreed to maintain the current level of board compensation for 2021 – $1,000 annually.

• Received an update on the start of the second semester from elementary school principal Ms. Michelle Beck.

• Approved the following hires:

o Brooke Ahrens, CMS Instructional Aide

o Cathy Busik, CHS Interim English Instructor

o Cindie Holliday, Interim SEL Coordinator

o Susan Smaltz, CHS Pep Club Co – Sponsor

o Trevor Dickerson, CHS Pep Club Co – Sponsor

o Steve Pierce, Assistant Baseball Coach

o Bradley Slider, Volunteer Junior Varsity Baseball Coach

o Matt Gerling, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach

o Luke Taylor, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach

o Meghan Hall, Junior Varsity Softball Coach

o Aliah Larsen, Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach

o Keddy Sowers, Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach

o Judy Hegg, Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach

o Jamie Hughes, WRSSC Blind and Low Vision Teacher (.2 Role)

• Learned that the analysis and negotiations for the award of transportation contracts has entered final stages.

• Approved a resolution for the continued monthly transfer of funds from the Education to Operations Fund, maintaining the same level as in 2020.

• Approved a recommendation from the school corporation calendar committee in adopting the 2022 – 2023 school calendar.

o The calendar follows the same format as in use in 2020 – 2021 and that which has been adopted for 2021 – 2022.

• Approved Ms. Beck’s recommendation to accept two out – of – district students.

• Authorized the acceptance of a $5,000 donation from the Western Indiana Community Foundation for the use of Covington Elementary School in providing for needs of students.

o Board President Doug Hunter expressed appreciation, on behalf of the board and the school corporation, to Mr. Dale White and the foundation for their continued support of the community’s children.

• Reviewed its’ intent to conduct a working session board meeting, in the near future, with a focus on providing a collaborative opportunity for stakeholders of the school corporation to participate in identifying go – forward opportunities for improvement.

• Received public comment on the meeting format, the school corporation property and casualty insurance process, and the identification of the school corporation legal counsel.

The next scheduled meeting of the board of trustees is set for Monday, February 8, 2021. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thank you for your support of our children and of the Covington School – Community.

Kevin R. Smith Superintendent

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 2nd Quarter
6th Grade – Distinguished
Aaron Asbury
Reagan Bealer
Beau Bishop
Gavin Guthrie
Allie Hunt
Gabrielle Lewis
Connor Maertens
Dylan McLain
Emma Poll
Brooke Rottmann
Nathanael Webster
Chloe Whittington
Adaline Winn
Andrew Wright

6th Grade – Honor Roll
Lillian Cook
Naomi DeRosier
Jasmine Hernandez
Alainee Hoaks
Claire Jacobs
Ridley Keele
Creux Rieman
Kaden Smith
Ava Stein
Zachary Stump

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 2nd Quarter
7th Grade – Distinguished
Jalyn Allen
Rhyane Beck
Lydia Bennett
Asher Cadman
Maya Clemence
Andrea Estes
Makiah Glidewell
Lucas Hauck
Luke Holycross
Clyde Keller
Keira Smith
Gwyndelyn Story

7th Grade – Honor Roll
Cadence Clausen
Bayleigh Daniels
Seth Ellmore
Julianna Girdler
Landon Herzog
Kyven Hill
Tyler Kindell
Jayleigh LaGue
Glennys McGurk
Amelia Nix
Kailey Pettit
Kynley Powell
Hope Smaltz
Benjamine Stewart
Aleksander VanDorn
Emberlee Whitaker

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 2nd Quarter
8th Grade – Distinguished
Savannah Bishop
Kennedie Cadman
Sydni Crain
Kyla Culotti
Brookelyn DeZarn
Landon Hardy
Haley Holycross
Summer Krepton
Haley Nichols
Addison Streuer
Kelly Yang

8th Grade – Honor Roll
Peyton Brown
Westin Coffing
Erica Critser
Josef Goeppner
Jaxon Keller
Angel Krout
Eleeanna Lawson
Leland Pickett
Bleron Saliji
Carson Schaeffer
Austin Stein
Alexandra Sutherlin
Emma Wade

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 1st Semester
6th Grade – Distinguished
Reagan Bealer
Beau Bishop
Allie Hunt
Gabrielle Lewis
Connor Maertens
Dylan McLain
Emma Poll
Brooke Rottmann
Ava Stein
Nathanael Webster
Chloe Whittington
Andrew Wright

6th Grade – Honor Roll
Aaron Asbury
Breanna Batley
Lillian Cook
Naomi DeRosier
Gavin Guthrie
Jasmine Hernandez
Alainee Hoaks
Claire Jacobs
Ridley Keele
Creux Rieman
Kaden Smith
Zachary Stump
Adaline Winn
Deven Wise
Grace Young

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 1st Semester
7th Grade – Distinguished
Jalyn Allen
Rhyane Beck
Lydia Bennett
Asher Cadman
Andrea Estes
Makiah Glidewell
Lucas Hauck
Luke Holycross
Clyde Keller
Gwyndelyn Story

7th Grade – Honor Roll
Cadence Clausen
Maya Clemence
Bayleigh Daniels
Amber Drummond
Seth Ellmore
Julianna Girdler
Landon Herzog
Kyven Hill
Jayleigh LaGue
Glennys McGurk
Amelia Nix
Kailey Pettit
Kynley Powell
Hannah Shank
Hope Smaltz
Keira Smith
Benjamine Stewart
Aleksander VanDorn

Covington Middle School Honor Roll – 1st Semester
8th Grade – Distinguished
Savannah Bishop
Kennedie Cadman
Sydni Crain
Landon Hardy
Haley Holycross
Summer Krepton
Haley Nichols
Addison Streuer
Kelly Yang

8th Grade – Honor Roll
Peyton Brown
Bennett Christoff
Westin Coffing
Erica Critser
Kyla Culotti
Brookelyn DeZarn
Josef Goeppner
Joel Holycross
Jaxon Keller
Angel Krout
Eleeanna Lawson
Cian Moore
Leland Pickett
Bleron Saliji
Carson Schaeffer
Austin Stein
Alexandra Sutherlin
Maxwell Waddell
Emma Wade

Executive Session Board Meeting

The Covington Community School Corporation Board – of – Trustees will have an Executive Session
Board Meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m., prior to the regularly scheduled
session. The meeting will occur at the CCSC Conference Room, located at 601 Market Street,
Covington, Indiana 47932 for the following:

I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b)(9) Job Performance Evaluation

I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b)(3) School Safety and Security Plans and Implementation

I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b)(6)(B) Employee, student, or contractor status

**Adjournment

Board Member Oath – of – Office Administered prior to the Board – of – Finance and Regular Session
Board Meeting

Covington Community School Corporation Board – of – Finance Meeting

The Covington Community School Corporation Board – of – Finance will meet in regular session on
Monday, January 11, 2021, beginning at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Covington High
School Multi – Purpose Room, located at 1017 6th Street, Covington, Indiana 47932.

Agenda

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Board – of – Finance Officer Selection

a. Selection of Board – of – Finance President

b. Selection of Board – of – Finance Secretary

3. Board – of – Finance Investment Report Review
4. Board – of – Finance Overall Investment Policy Review
5. School Corporation Financial Review

a. 20-19-7-4 (Fiscal Indicators)

6. Adjournment

Regular Session Board Meeting

The Covington Community School Corporation Board of Trustees will meet in regular session on
Monday, January 11, 2021, beginning at 6:40pm. The meeting will be held at the Covington High
School Multi – Purpose Room, located at 1017 6th Street, Covington, Indiana 47932.

Agenda

7. Call Meeting to Order

a. Verify Members in Attendance and Establish a Quorum

b. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

8. 2021 School Board Organization of Officers

a. Selection of Board President

b. Selection of Board Vice – President

c. Selection of Board Secretary

9. 2021 Board Member Compensation
10. Assignment of Treasurer
11. Assignment of Extra – Curricular Treasurer
12. Designation of CCSC legal counsel
13. Approval of Agenda
14. Educational Excellence

a. Rigor – Relevance – Relationships

i. Best Practices

15. Consent and Approvals

a. Review and Approve Minutes

b. Review and Approval of Claim Dockets

c. Consideration of Human Resources

i. New Hires

ii. Retirements

iii. Resignations

iv. Professional Leave

d. Review and Approval of Travel Requests

i. Field Trips

ii. Staff Development

16. District Project and Business Updates

a. Administration

b. Finance/Business

c. Curriculum (Technology)

d. Buildings and Grounds

e. Transportation

i. Bus Bid Status

f. Other

17. New Business

a. Administration

b. Finance/Business

i. Education Fund Transfer To Operations Fund Resolution

ii. 2022 – 2023 Proposed School Calendar

c. Curriculum (Technology)

d. Buildings and Grounds

e. Transportation

f. Other

18. Superintendent Report Out

a. Pathfinding

b. Aligning

c. Empowering

d. Modeling

19. Public Comments
20. Dates – of – Interest

a. Spring ADM Count Day – February 1, 2021

b. Superintendent Open Office Hours – February 1, 2021

c. Girls Basketball Sectional – February 2, 5, 6, 2021

d. February Board Meeting – February 8, 2021

e. Flex Day 1 – February 12, 2021

f. President’s Day/No School – February 15, 2021

g. Superintendent Advisory Council – To Be Determined

h. Flex Days 2, 3 – March 18, 19, 2021

i. Spring Break – March 22 – 26, 2021

21. Board Comments
22. Adjournment

January 4, 2021

To: Staff, Students, Parents, School – Community Members
Fr: Kevin Smith, Superintendent
Su: Second Semester Protocol Adjustments

With the start of the second semester upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to provide information related to the school corporation reentry protocol. Taking into account data, both quantitative and qualitative, collected throughout the first semester, adjustments made to health guidance by the CDC, Indiana State Department of Health, the Fountain/Warren County Health Department, and the input from our school – community, modifications have been made to our protocol.

Rest assured, the changes in our reentry protocol have been made only after conducting a due diligence into the collected data, as well as through much discussion and consideration.

If at any time you would like to discuss an item related to our protocol, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for the continued support of our children and school – community.

Kevin
——————————————————————————————————————–
Reentry Protocol Modifications

1. Student temperature checks will be conducted on a random basis, when entering a school corporation facility, beginning January 6, 2021.
   a. Data collected throughout the first semester, as well as input from the county chief health officer, supports moving from a 100% check to the random review as students enter a school corporation facility.
2. Staff member temperature and health screens will continue to be conducted daily at the time a facility is entered.
   a. An updated screening checklist has been provided for use.
3. An editorial change has been made in order to allow for a more efficient flow when reviewing the return to instruction document.
   a. This includes a reference to the first day of the second semester, January 6, 2021.
4. A reminder has been added for parents who would like to better understand the instructional options offered to our students.
5. Due to a problem with the IHSAA Return To Play link provided in the document, it has been deleted.
6. An additional link to the new CDC quarantine release guidance has been placed in the sidebar portion of the document.
7. Items that are no longer relevant, such as back – to – school planning, have been deleted.
8. An effort to align the reentry document with the second semester of the school year has been made.
9. Student assemblies of no greater than 25 individuals are allowed.
   a. Adjustments may be made to this number, subject to the status of the COVID impact to the school, county, and/or region at a given point and time.
10. Close exposure quarantine release protocol has been modified in accordance with the recent CDC and state department of health guidance.
11. A process for the utilization of the critical infrastructure worker designation has been identified and inserted into the reentry protocol.
    a. This process will be utilized as deemed appropriate, in particular when the continuation of effective instruction and operations may be at risk.
12. The food services serving process will be adjusted, where deemed appropriate, for the second semester.
    a. For the high and middle schools, this will mean a return to the regular serving line, with limitations being placed on the self – serve process, during lunch.
    b. The elementary school will continue forward with the serving processes utilized during the first semester due to spacing restrictions.
13. Additional equipment has been opened for use, during recess, at the elementary school.

January 4, 2021

To: Staff, Students, Parents, School – Community Members
Fr: Kevin Smith, Superintendent
Su: Returning to In – Person Instruction

We are excited to have students and staff back for the first day of the second semester on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

In order to help us prepare for the return of students and staff, we need your assistance as follows:

If you, or a family member have had COVID-19 symptoms, or been diagnosed with the virus, from the period of December 25 – January 4 please contact our nursing staff prior to Wednesday.

You may reach a nurse by phoning 765.793.4877, Extension 7, or via email at covid19@covington.k12.in.us.

We appreciate your assistance.

Thank you.
Kevin

To: Students, Parents, Staff, and School – Community Members; Media
Fr: Kevin Smith, Superintendent
Re: December 2020 School Board Meeting Information

The Covington Community School Corporation School Board met for their monthly meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020. The meeting was conducted in alignment with social distancing guidelines.

Scott Steftenagel, of the Steftenagel Group, provided the board with an update on the status of the classroom renovation project currently underway, while reviewing a proposal for the second phase of classroom enhancements. Steftenagel pointed out that a total of nine (9) classrooms have been completed, as of the date of the meeting, with five (5) at the elementary school and four (4) at the high school included in the first semester work. Further, it was noted during the presentation that the third round of classroom renovation is set to occur in earnest during the upcoming winter break. The board also learned that the placement of new windows is set to begin during the break.

The proposal made during the meeting for the second phase of renovations involves the middle school classrooms. The board will utilize the information presented to consider the proposal during a future meeting.

Prior to adjourning, Doug Hunter, school board vice – president, presented board president Carolyn Lloyd with a plaque in appreciation of her 40 years of service to the school corporation.

During the business portion of the agenda the board:

• Approved the following hires:
o Guadalupe Batley, Speech and Language Instructor
o Craig Sowers (ECA), Community Relations

• Accepted the following resignations:
o Lacy Pasquale Speech and Language Instructor
o Rachel Cotten, CHS English Instructor
o Scott Heatherton, CMS Instructional Aide
o Garrett Reynolds, Middle School Wrestling Coach

• Received an update on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to school operations.

• Received the following project updates:
o The fencing replacement project, at the elementary school, has been completed.

• Approved Mr. McCormick’s request to launch an on – line ticketing program (Go Fan) for utilization with corporation extra– curricular events.
o The tentative launch of the program is scheduled for the spring of 2021.

• Approved the payment of any unplanned expenses, during the final two weeks of the budget year, as deemed necessary by school corporation treasurer, Vicki Jones.

• Learned that the corporation’s property and casualty insurance premium is increasing by approximately 15.9%

• Approved a proposal to provide non – certified staff salary increases, including the award of stipends, effective with the December 18, 2020 payroll.

• Approved a proposal to provide salary increases for the Wabash River Special Services staff, in alignment with recently awarded increases for the school corporation’s certified and non – certified staff.

• Approved a proposal to provide salary increases, and / or stipends, for CCSC administrators.

• Learned that the recently submitted bus bids are undergoing analysis, with a decision on the awarding of routes to occur early in 2021.

• Was informed the first payroll in 2021 will be scheduled for Monday, January 4 due to January 1 falling on the New Year’s Holiday.

• Learned the school corporation has been awarded an additional $10,000 as a component of the CARES Act funding.

• Was informed the next ADM count is to occur on February 1, 2021.
o The school corporation enrollment has dropped by an additional six (6) students since the fall count.

• Informed the public of interest being received, around filling an open board seat, from three (3) community members.

• Received public comments from patrons in attendance, with topics including:
o The status of filling the open board member seat.
o The loss of a recent staff member to another industry.
o Board agenda items.
o Rumors regarding the status of the superintendent’s contract.

The next scheduled meeting of the board of trustees is set for Monday, January 11, 2021. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thank you for your support of our children and of the Covington School – Community.

Kevin R. Smith Superintendent

Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Covington High School Announcements

Any junior planning on attending a 4-year college/university should plan on taking the SAT. We will be offering the SAT on the morning of Wednesday, March 3rd. Interested juniors
should sign-up on the Google Sheet (titled “SAT School Day) that was shared with you. The cost is $52 – the deadline for signing up and paying is January 28th.

SCHEDULED EVENTS ⇦ ⇦ ⇦

DECEMBER 23 – January 6 — ENJOY YOUR BREAK!!!

Girls Basketball 12/29/20 6:00 pm VGBB Holiday Tourney @ Seeger
12/30/20 5:30 pm VGBB Holiday Tourney @ Attica

Boys Basketball 12/22/20 6:00 pm JV BBB @ Western Boone
7:30 pm V BBB @ Western Boone
12/29/20 7:30 pm VBB Holiday Tourney @ Seeger
12/30/20 4:00 pm VBB Holiday Tourney @ Attica
7:30 pm VBB Holiday Tourney

Pick your project – Fountain County Mini 4-H
Mini 4-H Membership Mini 4-H is open to students in Grades 1-2. Fountain County Mini 4-H Program Fee is $5. The $5 fee can be paid online at time of enrollment or paid to the Fountain County Extension Office.

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Pick your project – Fountain County 4-H
4-H is open to students in grades 3-12. Indiana 4-H Program Fee is $15. Fountain County 4-H Program Fee is $5. The $20 fee can be paid online at time of enrollment or paid to the Fountain County Extension office. Youth will not be denied membership based on the inability to pay.

November 2020

Dear Parent,

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are offering or requiring students to learn remotely this year. Teachers are able to use many tools, tests, and classroom strategies to identify what students know and can do while providing remote instruction. However, Indiana’s statewide summative assessments, like ILEARN and IREAD-3, must be administered to
students in person. Here are four things you need to know about statewide testing for Spring 2021:

1. Schools are required by state and/or federal legislation to administer assessments, such
   as ILEARN, ISTEP+, I AM, and WIDA.
2. Statewide summative assessments are considered high-stakes and may not be given to
   students remotely since doing so would pose a risk to the accuracy of test data.
3. IDOE provided schools guidance for administering state assessments to students who
   are learning remotely. Some strategies schools can use to safely administer tests
   include:
   ● Bringing students onsite for 1:1 or small group testing.
   ● Administering tests for remote learners at different times than onsite learners.
   ● Administering tests at a secure, alternative location using IDOE’s Homebound
   Students guidance (see page 27 of the Indiana Assessments Policy Manual).
   ● Administering tests to groups of students on different days.
4. Although state summative assessments may not be administered from home, schools
   and teachers may decide to have students take classroom tests or benchmark tests
   while learning from home.

Please contact your child’s school for more information regarding specific information about testing plans for your child.

Sincerely,
The Indiana Department of Education