Prairie Heights board adopts ISBA policy updates, approves staff hires and 20¢ lunch increase

At its regular meeting, the Prairie Heights Community Sch Corp. board voted unanimously to adopt a package of Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) policy updates, approve multiple personnel actions and contract extensions, and raise student lunch prices by 20 cents.

The board approved final adoption of ISBA-related policy changes — including updates on board member compensation, staff dress code, social media, reduction-in-force procedures, student transfers, emergency-medication language and pesticide notifications — after the superintendent recommended suspending the usual second-reading requirement so the policies could take effect before the school year. "The new law is taking effect July 1 ... I'd like to have these policies and types enacted before the school year starts," said Rudy, the superintendent, explaining the rationale for the expedited process. The board adopted the policies 5–0.

The meeting recorded a series of personnel actions that the board approved as part of the consent agenda and separate motions. Rudy presented a slate of new hires and reassignments that included Emily Bridal and Jenny Pitts as middle school special-education teachers, Jasmine Garcia as an ELL instructional assistant/interpreter, and additional coaching and paraprofessional assignments. The board also acknowledged several resignations and one retirement. The consent agenda, which included the minutes, payroll and July claims, passed unanimously.

Rudy also described changes to the Northeast Indiana special education cooperative joint services agreement, including the removal of East Noble from the cooperative and a restructuring of standing committees with an advisory council of county superintendents; the board approved the revised cooperative agreement 5–0.

On compensation and contracts, the board approved rolling administrator contracts and a recommended change that moves the athletic director from 223 to 233 contract days with a corresponding pay increase. "He probably works far more days than that as well ... so his salary does increase by what his daily rate was," Rudy said, noting the athletic director's new annual salary of $87,943 under the adjusted day total. The contract extensions were approved unanimously.

To address food-service shortfalls and rising food costs, the board voted to raise student lunch prices by 20 cents: elementary lunches to $2.65, middle school lunches to $2.75 and high school lunches to $2.85; breakfast will remain free for all students. "I would recommend that we increase that 20¢," Rudy said, adding that the food-service program had operated in the red and carried a small outstanding debt. Board members asked whether the increase would close the deficit; Rudy said it would move the program toward break-even and the board approved the change 5–0.

Rudy said the district will retire policy 3540 (teacher appreciation grant) and replace it with a competitive grant program in three categories with capped eligibility: recognition awards at $3,500, an intermediate exemplary award at $5,000 and a higher exemplary award at $7,500; only 20% of teachers are eligible to receive awards under the new structure. The board voted to retire the old policy and proceed with the new grant framework.

In his superintendent comments Rudy said some federal funds remain withheld and that legal avenues for release have not yet produced results; he estimated the withheld amount would affect the district by roughly $70,000–$75,000. Rudy also said the BASE after-school program, run by the Steuben County Literacy Coalition, currently has funding and 40 children signed up for the coming year. He provided updates on ongoing facilities work — new projectors and boards, painting across buildings, restroom renovations, a completed bus lift to service full-size buses, and a delayed high-school gym floor installation — and closed by noting the board will reschedule the September meeting to Sept. 18 to accommodate members attending the ISBA conference. The board adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, payroll, July claims): approved 5–0. - Northeast Indiana special education cooperative agreement (revisions): approved 5–0. - ISBA policies (first reading, suspension of rules, final adoption of listed policies): approved 5–0. - Retirement of policy 3540 (teacher appreciation grant) and adoption of new grant structure: approved 5–0. - Administrator contract extensions and athletic director day/salary change (223 → 233 days; salary to $87,943): approved 5–0. - Student lunch price increase (elementary $2.65; middle $2.75; high school $2.85): approved 5–0. - September meeting date change to Sept. 18: approved 5–0.

What’s next: The newly adopted policies reflect state law changes effective July 1; the district said it aims to implement the adopted policies and the updated grant process before the start of the school year. Several program and facilities updates remain in progress.