The Decatur County Community Schools Board of Education held its reorganization meeting. They voted to select their 2025 officers: President- Todd Mauer, Vice President- Matthew Hoeing, Secretary- Lizette Bell, President Board of Finance- Cory Ross, Secretary Board of Finance- Liz Hostetler, ISBA Legislative Representative/ISBA Policy Liaison- Todd Mauer, Treasurer- Melissa Leap with a bond of $100,000. The board appointed Doug Wilson as their Legal Counsel. The board voted to continue with monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. The board also approved their compensation which is $112 regular meetings/$62 special meetings/ Max $112. The meeting was adjourned.
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The Decatur County Community Schools held their annual Board of Finance meeting. Melissa Leap provided a review of the investments for 2024 including the interest earned on the Corporation’s First Financial Bank Account and Trust IN Account which was $212,665.79. She provided other financial information including the 2023-2024 Fall Student Average Daily Membership (Student County) which was 1,806. 2024 Net Assessed Value: $1,045,295,554. Melissa went on to provide other data for the board. The meeting was adjourned.
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The Decatur County Community Schools held their Regular Board Meeting.
The board approved- December 11, 2024, regular meeting minutes, December 16, 2024, Executive Session meeting minutes, Order of Claims and Payroll, 2 conferences, 1 field trip, 3 resignations, and 1 appointment.
The board opened for public comments. With 7 individuals that had signed up to speak the board heard from a few that were focused on the positives of the decision to move Barb Lecher from a Guidance Counselor to a District Coordinator. It was stated that even with this move that there would still be 1 full time guidance counselor and 1 guidance secretary at each school. It was pointed out that even after making this change that the school district would continue to be above surrounding schools on the ratio of students to Guidance Counselor. One of the speakers stated that the administration at each building would be stepping up and will taking on additional roles to offset tasks such as scheduling from the Guidance Counselor’s duties. With this new position created Barb would be focusing on the mental health aspect of the students more. Linda Smith stood to speak highly about Barb and her dedication and unique ability to work with the students and feels that this will be positive for everyone. She mentioned the decrease in enrollment across the district of 403 in the past decade and stated that we must adapt to this.
The board did hear from a few individuals who feel that this is going to have negative consequences to the students, teachers, and staff. It was stated that with having only one Guidance Counselor at the Jr.-Sr. High Schools compared to the two that they have had in prior years would create a problem of students not being able to form strong relationships, which are sometimes needed in stressful situations. The same individual stated when the students need assistance, they need assistance immediately and not have to wait until Barb is in the building to provide that assistance because the other Guidance Counselor is busy handling other concerns. A previous Guidance Department Secretary spoke and said that her concern is that there were times that with two Guidance Counselors they were over ran with tasks and with the new graduation requirements coming out next year this is just going to make it more difficult. She also said that her concern is what happens when a student is being bullied, suffering a mental health crisis, or having suicidal thoughts what will they do when they can’t get into see the Guidance Counselor.
Barb Lecher was the last to stand during the public comment period. She stated that she is committed to do whatever it takes to support the students in the district. Barb stated that she was presented this idea of moving to a district position before Christmas break and it was presented as a raise. However, the position requires her to work 3 extra weeks per year and not receive a raise or any type of mileage reimbursement as she will be traveling between the schools. Barb added that this was then presented to administrators, staff, and even seen on Facebook before she had a chance to “really ever agree to the position.” She stated that she did not start the information on Facebook and doesn’t who the person is that began that conversation. Barb stated that the school received funding from the Lilly Endowment for mental health and this is not moving in the direction of what is needed for the students. Barb stated that she will always advocate for students and parents and her words this evening is not in any way meant to be negative to the administration or the board. Barb finished her time by saying that there has to be another way to make this work.
After all public comments Board President Todd Mauer thanked everyone for attending the meeting and speaking. He then said that the board would take their comments under advisement.
Rob Smith, NDES Principal and Jeremy Sherman, NDES Assistant Principal presented all of the North Decatur Elementary School 3rd Grade Teachers for the hard work and dedication that they display each and every day. During a recent Cheer Fund Food Drive the 3rd graders successfully collected 4,041 items. IREAD scores are 95%, ILEARN scores consistently are 15-20% above state average.
Stewart Durham, ND Jr.-Sr. High School Assistant Principal presented the Extra Effort Award to Dalton Jones, Student Resource Officer and K-9 Rosco. Mr. Durham told the board about a situation recently where a student was not having a positive day and was upset in the hallways. When she came upon Rosco she was instantly calmed down and was able to discuss her feelings with the staff. He stated that Dalton goes above and beyond what is expected of him. He said that he is always on top of everything and joked that if he needs to review security footage Dalton is able to pull it up in seconds when it takes Mr. Durham an hour.
The board approved the Transportation Contract Terms and Specifications and approved 9 bus contracts. They also approved 2 student fundraisers, and donations.
Rob Smith, Principal of North Decatur Elementary School provided an update by stating that boys’ basketball starts next week, he said that they will have a student teacher at the school, and that he is excited that they will also have an Occupational Therapist Inten at the school. Rob also said that when students back to school they will be bringing report cards home.
Nick Messer, Principal of North Decatur Jr.-Sr. High School provided an update by stating that the FFA Candy Cane Lane went great in December and that they had 45 vendors who are all eager to return next year. He said that on December 12, 2024, North & South Spanish classes had lunch together at a local Mexican food restaurant. He said that the Holiday Concert went well.
The meeting was adjourned.
