Board reviews MOU for summer drumline program; trustees ask for clearer scope, background checks and limited scope to drumline activities

School district staff presented a proposed memorandum of understanding with Think Big Entertainment to provide a drumline enrichment program at Block Junior High School during the summer, with potential carryover into the academic year if the summer pilot succeeds.

The proposal covers instruction Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon for rising seventh through twelfth graders and includes instruments supplied by the program. Doctor Yanders and staff said the program aims to have students perform at community events, parades and athletic contests; they told trustees roughly 30 students had expressed interest.

Trustees asked multiple operational questions: how students will get to and from the program (transportation will be coordinated with district staff), whether instruments and uniforms will be provided (instruments yes, uniforms not at this time) and whether the contractor is registered with the Indiana Secretary of State and has an Employer Identification Number. Trustee Rodriguez requested documentation of the contractor’s legal registration and a W‑9; trustees also asked that the district require and verify vendor background checks for any staff working with students.

Several trustees raised program scope concerns. Trustee Smith asked the board to limit the MOU to drumline instruction and mentorship and to avoid unintended overlap with the district’s existing band and Top 20 dance programs. The board requested a cleaned, corrected draft of the MOU with clarified responsibilities, explicit language about background checks and the vendor’s legal status prior to contract approval.

District staff said the summer program will be run during summer school hours so students can get meals and that if the program proves successful the district will consider continuing it into the fall. No formal contract award or approval was recorded at the work session.