FAYETTEVILLE – The LCIS board passed a resolution for a retirement plan for its teachers during their meeting Thursday night. The board chose the TRF Hybrid plan. Teachers can determine whether they will participate in the Hybrid or My Choice plan. LCIS will have to determine who will contribute 3 percent to the plan, which will either be LCIS or the teacher themselves at a later time.
In other business:
- Brenda Mescher gave the board an update on a recent visit to the school after being in operation for the first two months. The visit on October 15 was overall positive and noted the strengths identified in the classrooms and other areas where there could be improvement
- Danny Marsh gave the board an update on the CSP grant the school received in the amount of $897,370. Some of the items and materials that were included in the grant were
- Supply budget for STEAM lab $5,000
- Bus purchase for transportation to special events and extracurricular activities
- Revitalize the Outdoor Nature Lab and partner with Hoosier National Forest to get it recognized ($2,000)
- Build and equip MakerSpace (two 3D printers and makerspace materials and units) $30,000
- Music curricular enhancements including instruments, sheet music, risers and music stands – ($83,000)
- Art curricular enhancements
- All inclusive playground equipment for school and community use – $125,000 and with community donations
- School maintenance tools, vehicles, and equipment – $45,000
- Project based learning professional development
- Media equipment in collaboration with IU Media program $8,200
- Complete media lab and production studio $1,000
- Teacher training and parent training in Google
- Jason Lyons LCIS board member gave an update on the sports programs. The first day of basketball practice for all grades will be October 18th. A basketball clinic for 4th graders will be held due to a large amount of interest, and the first home game will be held on November 11, 2021 against White River Valley
- List of Basketball coaches include 5th grade Boys – Jason Lyons
- Boys 6th grade – Don McFaddin/Rick Kattau
- Boys 7th/8th grades – Josh Davis
- Girls 6th – Cory Hudson
- Girls 7/8th grade – Jason Lyons with assistants Tim Baker and Donnie Thomas
- Mr. Thomas has scheduled basketball tryouts after fall break
- Tennis, Cross Country and Volleyball have all concluded for the year
- Principal Joanne Symcox gave an update on various activities and professional development during the schools first E-Learning day. School picture day was held on Monday with a retake day on October 19th.
- Chrome book insurance was purchased and includes accidental damage and theft which will cost each student $29.95. LCIS is getting Powerschool fees set-up so it can be paid online.
- LCIS is in the final stages of applying for Indiana Department of Education ESSER III which is a third stimulus and emergency COVID relief funding stream authorized as part of the American Rescue Plan that was enacted in March 2021. ESSERR III requires a plan to return to in-person instruction. This will require public comment on the plan and will be posted on the school’s website within 30 days of receiving the ESSER III funds. The grant will provide $89,834 to use for learning loss and accelerated learning expenses due to COVID-19.
- LCIS efforts to protect students and staff have made a significant impact as the school only reports one student that was quarantined through contact tracing after the mask requirement was approved and implemented. Beginning on Monday LCIS will return back to a option to wear masks after the county has returned back to a Orange Status.
- LCIS enrollment numbers include 303 students which includes 203 elementary students and 99 middle school students.
