Mr. Younghans introduced teaching staff from Merit Learning Center who had planned the Beautify Goshen Service Project.  Merit students participated in this Service Learning project which was incorporated with the curriculum.  Teachers presented Certificates of Appreciation were Nancy Peters, Denise Tahara, David Post, Julie Steffen, Carrie Fenner, and Jeremy McLaughlin.

Dr. Stahly introduced Mr. Mark Potuck of the Elkhart County Health Department who presented a short program outlining the results of the Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey.  Goshen High School students voluntarily participate in this survey which indicates youth smoking is on the decline.

Mr. Helmuth introduced Master Gardner/Naturalist Ed Farmwald.  Mr. Farmwald will develop an outdoor nature classroom at Prairie View Elementary School with support from The Elkhart County Soil and Water Division, the Elkhart County Extension Education manager for Conservation and Agriculture and the Indiana Wildlife Federation along with the Elkhart County Conservation Center.  Area master gardeners have volunteered to assist Mr. Farmwald with this project.

Mr. Holsopple introduced members of the Assembly Mennonite Church who have donated their property tax refund checks to Goshen Middle School.  This donation of $4,117.19 plus $2,000 in-kind will go toward the Olweus Bully Prevention Program which will begin this fall at GMS.  The Board expressed their appreciation to the church members for this generous donation.

Dr. Stahly shared a letter from DLZ Engineers & Planners regarding the US 33 Added Travel Lanes – CR 40 to SR 15.  There were five maps showing alternatives to the project which calls for the widening of US 33.  The Board favored alternative #4 which shows US 33 being routed along the railroad corridor beginning at approximately 11^th Street and continuing to Main Street. 

Mr. Younghans reported to the Board on the Title I Extended Year Program at Chamberlain and West Goshen for kindergarten students targeted as needing additional instruction.  West Goshen will also be providing literacy classes for primary and intermediate students.  Chandler will be providing grade level programs throughout the summer. 

Dr. Woodworth shared Dr. Royer’s memo concerning the Employee Benefits/Wellness Coordinator position for 2008-09. 

Mr. Jesse reported the Music Council has been successful in securing a concession stand at the Notre Dame stadium for the 2008-09 football season.  The orchestra, band, and choir students will man concession stand #48 as a fundraising project.

Mrs. Troup entered a motion to pull the Follett Media Services Contract from the table.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Hartsough and passed 6/0.  Dr. Woodworth in the absence of Mr. Clendening then presented the Agreement between Follett Software Company and Goshen Schools for the Destiny Resource Management Solution program.  Dr. Woodworth reported the initial cost of the software package is $53,210.41 with an annual licensing and maintenance fee of $7,426.08. Mrs. Troup entered a motion to approve the Agreement as presented.  Mr. Hartsough seconded the motion which then passed 6/0.

Dr. Woodworth presented a change order from Pettigrew Roofing in the amount of $36,977 for additional work on the roofs at Riverdale, Goshen High School, and Goshen Middle School.  Mrs. Troup entered a motion to approve the change order as presented, seconded by Mr. Hartsough.  Motion passed 6/0.

Mr. Younghans presented a list of Reading Textbooks for use by the ENL Academy at Goshen Middle School.  Mr. Younghans reported a textbook waiver application for the use of these books was submitted to the Department of Education on May 28^th.    Mrs. Troup entered a motion to approve the textbooks.  Mr. Hartsough seconded the motion, motion passed 6/0.

Mr. Younghans presented a Textbook Adoption Waiver application for the adoption of the “Being a Writer” series to be used at the elementary level. Mr. West entered a motion to approve the textbook adoption waiver application.  Motion was seconded by Mrs. Troup and passed 6/0.

Dr. Woodworth presented a contract with Hospital Purchasing Services through the Northern Indiana Educational Services Center for the 2008-09 school year.  Mr. Jesse entered a motion to approve the contract, seconded by Mrs. Troup.  Motion passed 6/0.

Mr. Younghans requested Board permission for out-of state travel to Atlanta, Georgia for GHS staff members Jim Graves, Javier Ponce, and Carl Weaver to attend IB training in July.  Mrs. Troup entered a motion to approve the travel, seconded by Mr. Jesse.  Motion passed 6/0. 

Dr. Stahly, in the absence of Mr. Clendening, requested Board approval of a contract with Kendall Pictures (Dave Kendall and Carrie Lee Bland-Kendall).  This contract is for the production of a promotional DVD at the cost of $5,200.  Mr. West entered a motion to approve the contract, seconded by Mr. Hartsough.  After some discussion the Board agreed they would also like a hardcopy folder with school information inserted along with the distribution of the DVD as not all prospective patrons will have access to a DVD player.    Motion passed 6/0.

Dr. Stahly introduced Mr. Rob Staley, director of The Crossing, who outlined for the Board the proposed contract between Goshen School and The Crossing.  Mr. Staley reported The Crossing is an alternative educational offering for up to 40 students whose legal settlement is in Goshen Community School.  The program is for 9^th – 12^th grade students who struggle in the normal school setting or are not enrolled in school due to behavior problems.  Mr. Staley said the program is to “catch high school dropouts” and help them become successful.  Expelled Goshen students would be referred to the program by GHS administrators. 

Mr. Younghans presented the 2008-09 Textbook Rental Fees for Board review.  The high school fees are available in the Board’s “file drawer” since the fee is dependent on student course selection.  The proposed fees for elementary and middle school students were attached to this Board agenda.  This item will return at the June 23^rd Board meeting for action.

Dr. Stahly discussed with the Board the scheduling of a 1028 Hearing.  He reported receiving an email from the Department of Local Government Finance stating a 90- day extension has been given on their decision.  The Board discussed scheduling a 1028 Hearing sometime in late July or early August during the next Board meeting.

Mrs. Borg, Chandler principal, and Mr. Metcalfe, West Goshen principal, presented student achievements for the 2007-08 school year and their proposed learning interventions and achievement goals for the 2008-09 school year.