To: Students, Parents, Staff, and School – Community Members; Media Fr: Kevin Smith, Superintendent Re: March 2020 School Board Meeting Information
During their monthly meeting, held on March
9, 2020, the Covington Community School Corporation Board – of – Trustees learned
how the school corporation is monitoring the ongoing situation with the
coronavirus outbreak.
“CCSC leadership staff is closely
monitoring information concerning the coronavirus situation and following the
guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, county health officials,
and state health officials,” corporation Superintendent Kevin Smith
stated. “It is important to rely on
factual information from reliable sources, including the CDC and the World
Health Organization. We will continue to
monitor and provide information to the school – community through the
corporation website, as well as email.”
In other business the board voted to
reject the two bids received for the facility improvement projects being
undertaken. Bids were received from CDI
Construction and Schomburg and Schomburg Construction for the work proposed at
the elementary and high school facilities.
“After completing a detailed analysis
the school board felt that it was in the best interest of the school
corporation to reject both bids,” Smith offered. “While the pricing we received moved us
closer to where we need to be, the numbers are not yet aligned with expectations. It is our commitment to ensure the identified
projects are successfully completed in a fiscally responsible manner.”
The board approved a proposed timeline
to revisit the scope of the bid package in order to continue to work for an
acceptable pricing structure that will allow the projects to proceed.
During the meeting the board approved
the acceptance of two (2) grants to be used for the launch and expansion of the
Project Lead The Way (STEM) initiative.
A $15,000 grant from the Covington Community Foundation will work to
assist with the training of instructors, while a $3,350 grant from Project Lead
The Way will be earmarked to cover participation fees at the middle school for
the launch of the Gateway curriculum.
“On behalf of the board I want to thank
Mr. Dale White and members of the Covington Community Foundation board for
their continued support of our children,” stated Smith. “The work the foundation does to serve our
community is outstanding and our children and families are blessed to have the
foundation working on their behalf.”
The board heard report outs from the
corporation counselors, building principals, and technology staff during the
educational excellence portion of the agenda.
Laura Myers and Yessi Girdler reviewed counselor duties, while Alison
Karrfalt and Michelle Beck discussed curriculum enhancements for the 2020 –
2021 school year. John Karrfalt updated
the board on the accomplishments in the area of technology during the past two
years, including opportunities for improvement moving forward.
The board also heard information and /
or conducted business on the following items during the meeting:
Received an
update from Randy Grubbs, River Group, on the status of the new district
office.
The delivery of
interior doors continues to be an issue with moving forward to complete the
facility.
The flooring has
been placed and cabinetry is 50% assembled.
Approved the
hiring of Tyler Campbell as the new varsity football coach and English
instructor at the high school.
For more
information reference the press release issued on March 9, 2020.
Approved two
summer school instructors:
Rachel Cotten,
CHS Credit Recovery
Sarah Martin,
English
Approved the
hiring of Laura Bell as a corporation bus driver.
Accepted the
retirement notification presented by Barbara Macy, elementary school
instructor.
Heard that
pricing proposals for two projects are due on Thursday, March 12, 2020
7th
Street sidewalk replacement
WRCTE Automotive
Facility
Received an
update from Randy Grubbs, River Group, regarding the status of the new public
restroom project for the athletic complex.
Bids have been
received and are currently being analyzed.
Learned a final
walk through was conducted of the former Covington city facility on March 4,
2020. The closing on the building
purchase is expected to occur before the end of March. The Wabash River Special Services Cooperative
will move their offices into the building.
Adopted a Board Policy
801 revision, which aligns with new federal regulations for the drug testing of
bus drivers.
Approved a
request for a post prom field trip on April 25, 2020.
Learned the food
services department has received an “A” letter grade from the Fountain and
Warren County Health Department inspection conducted in February.
Heard the next
meeting of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council has been moved to April 21,
2020.
Acknowledged the
recently released Indiana School Accountability grades for the CCSC schools:
Covington
Community High School – A
Covington
Elementary School – A
Covington Middle
School – B
Received a
schedule for the Hoosier Summer School events.
Heard a report
out from corporation Director of Operations Mike Howard related to on-going maintenance
projects.
Acknowledged
coach Adam Ballard and the boys basketball team for winning their fifth (5th)
consecutive sectional title.
The next scheduled meeting of the board
of trustees is Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Thank you for your support of our
children and of the Covington School – Community.
Cross Country
March Board Meeting – Information
- CCSC with Google Maps
(Phone) 765-793-4877
(Fax) 765-793-5209