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Wabash City Schools board approves annual TAG and evaluation updates, multiple staffing moves and bus pay adjustments
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Wabash City Schools board approved the required annual Teacher Appreciation Grant policy and the 2024–25 evaluation plan (with a deletion attributed to Senate Enrolled Act 486), accepted resignations, approved hires and raises, and implemented retroactive bus-driver pay adjustments while hearing a July financial report showing a summer net loss.
The Wabash City Schools Board of Education on Aug. 19 approved required annual policy actions, a series of personnel moves and adjustments to bus-driver pay, and heard a July financial report that showed the district ran a larger-than-expected summer net loss.
The board unanimously approved the district’s Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) policy, required under Indiana law, which guides distribution of a pool of TAG funds to teachers rated “effective” and “highly effective.” Superintendent explained state rules require highly effective teachers receive 25% more than effective teachers. The board also approved the district’s 2024–25 evaluation plan; the superintendent said the only change from last year was removal of a “negative impact” section, which she attributed to Senate Enrolled Act 486.
In personnel matters the board approved retroactive salary adjustments (effective Aug. 5, 2024) intended to align pay with degree/licensure. The record references a raise that brings the behavioral interventionist (referred to in the meeting as Baker) to $31,700 and increases social worker Kim Frasier’s pay from $35,700 to $38,700. The board accepted resignations from district payroll/HR coordinator Jennifer Hopkins (effective Aug. 13) and Spencer Brown (secretary at OJ Neighbors, effective Aug. 30); it approved hires including Bob Stambazzi as an ISD teacher (WMS/WHS), April Fisher as a preschool paraprofessional (LHC) and several athletics appointments, including middle school tennis coach Matt Zickafoos.
The board approved a $600-per-week temporary stipend for Michelle Huff to cover additional payroll and HR duties retroactive to Aug. 12 while a replacement payroll/HR coordinator is sought.
Board members also approved retroactive adjustments to daily pay for eight bus drivers effective Aug. 7. District staff said the changes reflect a calculation based on an average of six days of driving plus extra minutes for getting to the lot and for refueling on personal time, with minutes above 180 compensated at $0.53 per minute; the superintendent said new routing software may allow the district to standardize rates next year.
On finances the superintendent reported July revenue was about $10,000 above projections but expenses were significantly higher, producing a net loss near $150,000 for the month (the board had projected a roughly $60,000 loss). Explanations included extra custodial help, maintenance supplies and the district’s first lease payment for LED lighting. The superintendent reported current enrollment at 1,382 students (official count day is Oct. 1) and said budget adjustments will be based on that figure.
All motions on the consent agenda and the new-business items brought for votes were approved by voice vote; the board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 3, 2024, at Wabash City Hall at 6 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows the board approved the consent agenda; TAG policy; the 2024–25 evaluation plan; travel for Justin Vail to the District Administration Technology Leadership Summit (district to pay flights and one night’s lodging from Title II); multiple hires and resignations; retroactive salary increases for specified staff; a temporary stipend for additional payroll duties; and retroactive bus-driver pay adjustments. Specific vote tallies by named board member were not recorded in the transcript.
