Board approves IU Lincoln Title I behavior program pending attorney review; consent items, donations and personnel motions pass

At its March 18 meeting the North Newton School Corp board approved its consent agenda and several action items, including a Title I-funded contract with IU Lincoln for schoolwide behavior strategies, contingent on attorney review.

Board members discussed the IU Lincoln program during the consent-agenda discussion, describing it as a schoolwide set of behavior-management strategies coordinated through Lincoln and funded by freed Title I dollars after a staffing change. Board members said the cost is roughly $9,000 and the services run through June. The board amended authorization so the district's attorney could review the contract before the superintendent signs it. "I would either Tyson, you who made the motion ... are you fine with me signing that if Todd says it's okay?" a board member asked; trustees agreed to the contingency.

The board also approved the consent agenda items (minutes from March 4, financial claims and reports) and accepted donations totaling at least $6,205: $350 from Kul Kax Township Trustee and $2,000 from Jackson Township Trustee (prom expenses), $200 from Bring Change to Mind, and $3,655 from Athletic Boosters for a custom media backdrop and tablecloths. The board approved a personnel report that included a retirement effective April 1 (Car Mora), a resignation (John Ewing) and several extracurricular appointments for spring sports and activities.

Routine action items passed as well: approval of a facility-use request for a local driver's education provider (Mr. Cunningham), authorization to dispose of obsolete Lincoln Library items (VHS, DVDs, worn books), and sale of surplus bus #29 to Donovan School District (Illinois) for $4,000; the proceeds will go to the operations fund. The board recorded the disposal vote as "5 to two."