District approves 2018-19 calendar

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LAPEL — The 2018-19 school calendar, performance-based payments for educators and a move to take a fresh look at future district needs were some of the topics at the final Frankton-Lapel Community School Corp. board meeting of 2017.

The board approved the corporation calendar for the 2018-19 school year; teachers will start Tuesday, Aug. 7, and students will head back to class Thursday, Aug. 9.

Students and staff will have a fall break from Monday, Oct. 15, through Friday, Oct. 19. Winter break will start at the end of the school day Friday, Dec. 21, with students returning to classes, Monday, Jan. 7. Spring break is set for Monday, April 5, through Friday, April 9.

The last day of school for students will be Friday, May 24. However, if school is canceled during the year for weather or other issues, additional days might be added at the end of the school year to meet the Indiana Department of Education’s 180-day requirement.

The board also set a tentative time for the Academic Hall of Fame Banquet for the Class of 2018: 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, at the Madison Park Church of God.

The banquet honors Class of 2018 members who earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Superintendent Bobby Fields reported on the Teacher Appreciation Grant monies the school corporation received from the state, to be paid to classroom teachers rated effective or highly effective.

Teachers rated effective received $528.35, while those rated highly effective received an extra $660.44. Teachers who did not rate in the top two categories did not receive funds.

The board agreed to use General Fund money to pay the same amount of money to school counselors and certified teachers who are not in the classroom using the same criteria used for classroom teachers.

On a longer-term issue, district leaders reported to the board they feel it’s time to assess the corporation and make plans on future facility needs.

The board gave approval for the district to work with Indiana State University professors to conduct a comprehensive demographic, facility and needs assessment in the immediate future.

An outside look at the district will give leadership a fresh look at corporation facilities as well as recommendations on how better to serve staff, students and the community in the coming years.

In other business:

• Lapel High School Spanish teacher Julie Storm and senior students Sophia Cline and Chance Green reported on their recent trip to Europe, including stops in London, Paris and Madrid. The board approved Lapel High School students to take another trip to Europe from Oct. 28-Nov. 6.

• The board approved Lapel Truck & Trailer’s $500 donation to Lapel Middle School for the Robotics Club, which has been participating in competitions and helping students work on science, technology, engineering and math skills.

The board’s next meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Jan. 11, at the district’s administrative office.

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