Christopher Bearden

This document outlines a comprehensive Social-Emotional Strategic Plan for the Tippecanoe School Corporation, focusing on supporting the community's wellness and mental health needs. It integrates wellness frameworks, applied educational neuroscience, and a multi-tiered system of behavior supports (Tier One, Two, and Three). Key priorities include cultivating regulated educator brain states, building attachment within learning communities, and providing extensive staff professional development. The plan leverages the North Central Health Services Grant to enhance resilience, life readiness, and coping skills among students, address substance use, and empower staff with essential tools for social-emotional learning.

The Board of Finance Annual Meeting addressed the election of officers, including the recommendation that Julie Cummings serve as President, William Sondgerath as Vice President, and Holly Keckler as Secretary, which was approved unanimously. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved the annual Board of Finance Report and the corresponding Board of Finance Resolution as presented.

The organizational meeting involved the election of Board Officers, resulting in Julie Cummings as President, William Sondgerath as Vice President, and Holly Keckler as Secretary. Brad Anderson was appointed Assistant Secretary to sign documents. The Board retained Amanda Brackett as Treasurer and Karmen Redinbo as Deputy Treasurer, and set their respective bonds at $200,000. Professional services appointments included retaining Mark DeYoung, Jim Olds, and Stuart & Branigin as Corporation Attorney; Pamela Flora as Recording Secretary; Dr. Marshall Criswell as school physician; Lafayette Journal and Courier as the newspaper for legal notices; and Amanda M. Brackett as Corporation purchasing agent for 2026. The Board also adopted the Calendar of Board Meeting Dates for 2026.

The Executive Meeting agenda items were focused on specific statutory discussions. These included strategy concerning initiation of litigation or litigation that is pending or threatened in writing, discussion of a real property transaction (purchase, lease, transfer, exchange, or sale) up to the point of contract execution, discussion regarding the assessment, design, and implementation of school safety and security measures, and receiving information concerning an individual's alleged misconduct to discuss their status as an employee or student prior to a determination.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included a presentation by Klondike Middle School and Klondike Intermediate School counselors regarding the upcoming Junior Achievement Career Fair. The consent agenda involved the Superintendent's Report, Financial Reports including the Accounts Payable Register and Financial Report ending November 30, 2025, and Instruction Reports covering staff development and field trip requests. The personnel report for certified teaching staff, support staff, ECA, and supplemental personnel was also approved. Under New Business, the Board granted permission for the Business Office to pay 2025 invoices received after the December claim register cut-off. The Board awarded cash farm leases for 2026 farm season properties. Furthermore, a resolution was adopted authorizing a temporary loan of up to $3,000,000 from the Rainy Day Fund to the Self Insurance Fund, and Authorizing Resolutions for Purchase and Closing related to a Developer Water Utility Easement and WeaTon were approved.