MSD of New Durham Township board adopts textbooks, approves contracts and moves summer programming online

The MSD of New Durham Township school board met on June 10, 2020 and approved several routine personnel and contract items, reapproved a corrected high‑school English textbook quote and moved summer programming online while tabling an operating agreement for review.

Superintendent Sandra Wood opened the board’s administrative report by thanking staff for a well‑received graduation celebration and reporting that the district received its tax draw. Wood said the Tax Anticipation Resolution approved the prior month will not be used now and will be revisited in December; she said Baker Tilly advised the district is in good financial shape. The meeting minutes record two Health Care Foundation grants were approved: one for the Little School and a separate grant to fund a new mentor program for middle and high school students.

Responding to state guidance and administrative review, the board set summer school to run July 20 through Aug. 7 and decided the district’s efforts would be better spent preparing for an in‑person return in August by offering summer school online. Wood reported the Summer Food Program has seen a decline in participation of more than 50 percent and recommended suspending the program at the end of June; the minutes record that recommendation.

District staff outlined operational steps tied to the pandemic. Mr. Ton described a grade‑by‑grade, drive‑thru process during the last week of June for returning Chromebooks and textbooks; returned materials will be held in quarantine because the district said there is no adequate way to disinfect them. Parents were told they may also pick up yearbooks and other personal items; staff participation will be limited and PPE will be used.

On motions and formal actions, the board recorded unanimous or carried votes (no roll‑call tallies included in the minutes) on routine business: the May 8, 2020 meeting minutes were approved (motion by Vicki Hannon, seconded by Lynn Wilson); personnel recommendations including hiring Grayce Roach as girls basketball coach were accepted (motion by Lynn Wilson, seconded by Wayne Hodge); a corrected quote for the high‑school ELA textbook adoption that added digital access codes was approved (motion by Lynn Wilson, seconded by Mark Parkman); administrative contracts were renewed (motion by Mark Parkman, seconded by Vicki Hannon); a NIESC dietician contract was accepted (motion by Lynn Wilson, seconded by Wayne Hodge); and the LaPorte Special Education Cooperative Agreement was approved (motion by Vicki Hannon, seconded by Lynn Wilson).

Board President Karen Jedrysek asked whether pandemic conditions had prompted fee adjustments in the AK Smith operating agreement; Dr. Wood said there had been no adjustments to date and that the CTE program understands changes may be necessary if conditions change. Mr. Kaminisk recommended tabling the item to the July meeting to obtain clarification; the board agreed to table the operating agreement until July.

When the financial report was presented, Mrs. Jedrysek asked about pandemic‑related expenses. The minutes record that Mr. Kaminski recommended approving what has occurred retroactively and revisiting pandemic changes next month; Mr. Hodge moved to accept the financial report and Mrs. Wilson seconded. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.; the next regular meeting was scheduled for July 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center.

The meeting minutes reiterate the district mission: "Inspire, Challenge, and Educate."