James DuBois

The Board of Education conducted their annual reorganization meeting, which included the election of board officers and the appointment of the corporation treasurer and school attorney. The meeting also involved the establishment of board meeting dates and locations for the year, the re-adoption of the board compact, and committee appointments for various school-related roles. Additionally, there was a discussion on the adoption of a responsible bidding policy and a suspension of the regular board meeting to conduct a board of finance meeting, which included an investment policy review.

The Goshen Community Schools Board of Trustees provided an update on district finances following a comprehensive review initiated in the spring of 2021 due to financial concerns. Corrective actions included hiring a new Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Bob Evans, and engaging public finance experts, Baker Tilly, to conduct a thorough historical review of accounts. The board and administrators implemented tighter accountability practices, such as monthly reconciliation of accounts and semi-annual reports, to ensure accurate budgeting. Staffing efficiencies were achieved without teacher layoffs, and administrative cuts were made. These measures have positioned GCS for financial stability, enabling the continuation of quality education.

The GCS Self-Contained and Clustered High Ability Program is designed to foster academic excellence and social-emotional development among high-ability students. The program focuses on providing a challenging curriculum, integrated classroom experiences, and differentiated instruction through creative problem-solving, inquiry-based learning, and hands-on exploration. Key objectives include cultivating a growth mindset, helping students overcome challenges like perfectionism and anxiety, and encouraging positive risk-taking to ensure students reach their full potential as global citizens. It accommodates diverse student backgrounds and offers flexibility in learning models.

The meeting addressed several key areas including procedural items for virtual attendance, a review of the mission and vision statements, and the approval of the agenda and previous minutes. A significant portion of the meeting involved staff recognition, notably honoring students involved in the Student Athletic Council and staff members for their efforts in implementing COVID-19 safety protocols for band and sports activities over the summer. The COVID-19 update detailed the preparation of isolation areas in each building, coordination with the Elkhart County Health Department for PPE and contact tracing protocols, and efforts to organize classroom pod settings. There was also a presentation recognizing a donation from the Indiana Airstream Club to the West Ocean Food Bank. Finally, a report on the Summer Foods Program highlighted the rapid implementation of meal delivery via buses in response to initial conditions, transitioning to a 10-site model later, and recognized staff contributions across nutrition, transportation, maintenance, and finance departments.

The meeting included discussions on Superintendent reports, specifically a partnership with Goshen College focused on the Teach Elkhart County program designed to recruit, train, and retain local minority teachers. The board also addressed the extension of the USDA Summer Food Program waiver, which allows meal distribution without requiring students to be present on-site. Furthermore, the board reviewed the process for issuing refunds for canceled student trips, including lodging and fees, noting that the legal team was ensuring compliance during the refund process. Finally, there was a report on the DRIVE mentoring program, an initiative focused on developing middle school students through intentional volunteering to support their future success.