South Gibson School Corporation Board of Trustees Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of Board

Minutes

Mike Bengert called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.  The YouTube Live stream (https://www.youtube.com/@southgibsonschoolboardlive) started a few minutes later due to technical issues. In addition to Board members and Administration, Angela Cooper of the South Gibson Teachers Association, as well as Corporation Attorney Pam
Partenheimer was also present,

 


1.1 Public hearing on collective bargaining SEA 390
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of Board

Minutes

Mike Bengert opened the public hearing on the collective bargaining per SEA 390 and asked for public comments.  None were made, so the hearing was closed.


1.2 Public Meeting on Superintendent's Contract Extension
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of Board

Minutes

Mike Bengert opened the public meeting on the superintendent contract extension.  No comments were made, so the public meeting was closed.

Bension Davenport made a motion to extend the contract as advertised.  Steve Gruszewski seconded the motion, and the action passed on a vote of 6-0.

Motioned: Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

2. PATRON CONCERNS and AGENDA ITEM COMMENTS
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of Board

Minutes

Mike Bengert opened the floor to patron concerns.  None were voiced.


3. REPORTS
Mr. Tim Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent

Facilities

With the winding down of the OCS phase 2 this summer, we are planning for HCS HVAC phase 3 for next summer.  We are looking at this timeline:

8/1: Drawings to contractors
8/12: Pre-bid meeting at Haubstadt Community School at 4:00 CST. 
9/9: Bids due at SGSC admin building by 2:00 CST. Bids will be opened privately and read aloud at the 9/16 board meeting. 
9/17: Award contract

The project will include the following pricing breakdowns:
Base bid of the Area C, office air handling unit (AHU-8) and associated VAV boxes
Alternate No. 1: Price to be added to the base bid for Area A (kindergarten) work associated with AHU-6 and associated VAV boxes
Alternate No. 2: Price to be added to the base bid for Area B (middle school) work associated with AHU-7 and associated VAV boxes
Alternate No. 3: Price to be added to the base bid for work associated with removing and replacing the ceilings in corridors. Remove and reinstall will be the base bid.

General Obligation Bonds update

Baker Tilly is currently in the process of preparing the official statement, which will be used to market the bonds, and they anticipate sending out a draft by 22 August.  Once the official statement is finalized, there will be a signature page with this that will need the board president and secretary to sign.

Baker Tilly is planning to submit a rating request to S&P by 15 August.

After we receive S&P's availability, we'll schedule a rating and due diligence call with the School, S&P, Baker Tilly, and Ice Miller. The call is anticipated to occur at the end of August or the beginning of September.

Baker Tilly will send out the preliminary official statement to potential underwriting banks about a week before the sale

The bond sale is currently scheduled for September 16th, but there is a federal open market committee meeting that day, so we will probably want to shift the sale a few days

The day of the sale, the final sale result will be shared with the board. 

 Once Gibson County’s Net Assessed Valuation data becomes available for 2026, we can work on updating our debt service tax rate projection for 2026.

 

Financials

The July 2025 financial reports are attached.  Also included is a historical document showing fund balances at the end of July, going back to 2016.

Cafeteria

We are still planning on implementing the Alternative Meal for students with negative accounts over $20 after Labor Day.  We are working on how to communicate this and address concerns we see forthcoming.  As of today, this policy would have resulted in 45 students receiving alternative meals if this were being enforced now.   

 


4. CONSENT ITEMS
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

Minutes

Benson Davenport made a motion to approve the consent items as presented.  Stacy McClellan seconded the motion and the items were approved on a vote of 6-0.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Stacy McClellan, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

4.1 Approve Minutes from July 15, 2025 Regular Board meeting and Executive Session
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

4.2 PERSONNEL
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

4.2.1 RESIGNATIONS

     4.2.1.1  Katerina Shade, Aide at FBCS effective 5/21/25
     4.2.1.2  Cathy Wagner, Aide at FBCS effective 8/31/25

4.2.2 ECA

     4.2.2.1  Nick Ivy, Middle School CC Coach for 25-26
     4.2.2.2  Nathan Wilzbacher, Middle School CC Coach for 25-26
     4.2.2.3  Doug Schwartz, Middle School CC Coach for 25-26
     4.2.2.4  Kasey Knaebel, Senior Class Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.5  Jane Toth, Senior Class Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.6  Kristin Brasher, Junior Class Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.7  Kyle Brasher, Junior Class Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.8  Jessie Mraz, Volunteer FFA Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.9  Jill Vieira, FCCLA Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.10  Kristin Brasher, Beta Club Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.11  Kendra Barrett, Sunshine Club Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.12  Amanda Sefton, Chorus Line Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.13  Marvin Susott, Spell Bowl Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.14  Jared Grigsby, Yearbook Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.15  Diane Nurrenbern, Math Dept. Head @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.16  Jared Grigsby, English Dept. Head @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.17  Adam Bledsoe, Theatre Club and Drama - Fall & Spring Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.18  Laura Russell, Art Club Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.19  Brent Winstead, Band Director @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.20  Rob Hutchinson, Chorus Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.21  Phil Minnis Assistant Band Director @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.22  Joe Mraz, Science Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.23  Diane Nurrenbern, Math Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.24  Marvin Susott, Social Studies Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.25  Jennifer Davis, English Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.26  Laura Russell, Fine Arts Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.27  Joe Mraz, Volunteer Head Academic Team Sponsor @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.28  Jenna Gengelbach, Co-sponsor for Student Council @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.29  Kara Martin, Co-sponsor for Student Council @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.30  Mark Rohrer, Assistant AD @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.31   Paige Rohrer, JV Volleyball Coach @ GSHS for 25-26
     4.2.2.32  Josh Adler, Volunteer Middle School Football Coach @ SGSC for 25-26
     4.2.2.33 Sean Whitten, Volunteer Middle School Football Coach @ SGSC for 25-26
     4.2.2.34  Amanda Boruff, Yearbook Sponsor @ FBCS for 25-26
     4.2.2.35  Lindsey Rodriguez, Volunteer Volleyball Coach @ FBCS for 25-26
     4.2.2.36  Krista Coleman, Volunteer Volleyball Coach @ FBCS for 25-26
     4.2.2.37  Matt Monroe, Head Boys Golf Coach @ GSHS for 25-26

4.2.3 EMPLOYMENT

     4.2.3.1  Julie Plasse, Title I aide @ OCS for 3 days/week for 7 hrs/dy effective 8/6/25
     4.2.3.2  Kimberly Griess, Title I aide @ OCS for 4 days/week for 7 hrs/dy effective 8/6/25
     4.2.3.3  Cortney Daugherty, Increase of hrs to 7.75 hrs/dy @ HCS effective 8/6/25
     4.2.3.4  Lesa Bond, Increase of hrs to 7.75 hrs/dy @ HCS effective 8/6/25
     4.2.3.5  Rick Coleman, Part time Work Based Learning Coordinator @GSHS effective 8/6/25 

4.2.4 FMLA

     4.2.4.1  Employee # 20017
     4.2.4.2  Employee #20170


4.2.5 TRANSFERS

     4.2.5.1  Angie Reavis, Bus Driver, increase to 8 hrs/dy effective 08/25/25  for the 25-26 school year 

4.2.6 RETIREMENTS


4.3 CLAIMS
Mr. Tim Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent

Minutes

Claims approved included:

Payrolls

July 18, 2025, for $445,808.62

August 1, 2025, for $448,959.28

August 15, 2025, for $479,801.28

Payables, including checks 67089-67256, ACH, and EFT for $3,096,318.94


5. ACTION ITEMS
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

5.1 2nd Reading of Neola policy updates Vol 37 No 2
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

Minutes

Steve Gruszewski made a motion to approve the 2nd reading of the policies.  Rachael Hileman seconded the motion, and the policies were approved on a vote of 6-0.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board Member

Seconded: Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of Board

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  
Attachments

5.2 Approve contract with Sunbelt for SLP services for 25-26
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent
2 minutes

The contract provides for in person instruction of students meeting the needs for the special education department.  

Minutes

Rachael Hileman made a motion to approve the contract with Sunbelt for SY25/26.  Eric Harper seconded the motion, and the contract was approved on a vote of 6-0

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of Board

Seconded: Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of Finance

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

5.3 GSHS weight room renovation with bond proceeds
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent
10 minutes

We propose replacing the floor and equipment in the high school weight room.  The equipment is at the end of its useful life.  The new equipment utilizes the available space of our weight room.  The cost is $176,875.36 for the proposed renovation.  The lead time is 15 weeks allowing for installation over Christmas break potentially.  The cost is significantly better than anticipated and provides much needed upgrades for the facility.  

Minutes

Benson Davenport made a motion to approve the weight room at GSHS as presented with GO25 bond proceeds as part of the project.  Rachael Hileman seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of Board

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

5.4 Tennis Overnight Trip
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent
2 minutes

The tennis team will travel to Silver Creek for a tournament Sept. 5 - Sept. 6.  They request permission to spend the night.  Tennis will pay the expenses. 

Minutes

Eric Harper made a motion to approve the tennis overnight trip as presented.  Steve Gruszewski seconded the motion and the trip was approved on a vote of 6-0.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board Member

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

5.5 Football Overnight
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent
2 minutes

The football play in Rochester, Il on August 30th for an afternoon game.  They request permission to spend the night on August 29th for the game.  The funds will be provided by the Football Boosters.

Minutes

Benson Davenport made a motion to approve the football trip as presented.  Eric Harper seconded the motion, and the trip was approved 6-0.

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of Finance

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX  

6. DISCUSSION ITEMS
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

6.1 Discussion on Budget 2026
Mr. Tim Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent

Minutes

The estimated maximum levy for the Operations fund 2026 moves to 6,636,852, up 4% from 2025's 6,381,588; in dollars, 255,264. Tax credits, local credits, and homestead credits will impact net levy in Operations by 424,930

The Debt estimated property tax levy will increase to be able to maintain the fully allowed balance of 1,424,500. This would raise the estimated property tax levy to 4,002,500-4,133,954 from 2025's 2,399,448.  SEA 1 does not shield debt service, local, and Homestead Credits. The current estimation is a reduction in Levy for Debt Service of $120,270.

The Education fund state support can only increase if enrollment goes up.  SGSC will receive between $94,000 and $162,616 over 2025 levels. That range is about a 1% increase. 

 

The proposed budget for 2026 will be presented in the September 2025 Board meeting.


7. ADMINISTRATIVE/BOARD CONCERNS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dr. Bryan Perry, Superintendent

Minutes

Dr. Perry reported enrollment up from last year, and the outstanding testing scores obtained by the district in the last round of standardized testing.


8. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of Board

Minutes

With no further business to conduct, Eric Harper made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 PM.  Rachael Hileman seconded the action, and the Board adjourned on a vote of 6-0

Result: Approved

Motioned: Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of Finance

Seconded: Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of Board

VoterYesNoAbstaining
Mrs. Robin Angermeier, Secretary of the Board   
Mr. Michael Bengert, President of BoardX  
Mr. Steve Gruszewski, Board MemberX  
Mrs. Rachael Hileman, Vice President of BoardX  
Stacy McClellan, Board MemberX  
Mr. Eric Harper, Secretary of the Board of FinanceX  
Mr. Benson Davenport, President of the Board of FinanceX