Going outside?

Jay School Board members will be asked in April to consider contracting school food service and, perhaps, custodial services to an outside firm.

Superintendent Jeremy Gulley told board members Monday he continues to be in talks with Compass Group Managed Services about how such a transition might take place.

School corporations are under increased pressure from the state to reduce the level of spending on non-instructional expenses and redirect those dollars to the classroom.

“I’ve been very pleased with the level of detail we’ve been able to get to,” said Gulley.

Based upon the feedback he has been getting, Jay Schools would retain all current Jay Schools food service and custodial employees with sufficient seniority to be qualified for the Public Employees Retirement Fund. Those who don’t qualify for PERF would become employees of Compass.

“They won’t go backwards in their pay,” Gulley said.

Whether Gulley will recommend privatizing food service, custodial services or both is an open question, he noted.

At Gulley’s recommendation, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Watch Communications, a sister company of Community Fiber Solutions, in connection with that company’s efforts to expand broadband internet access in rural Jay County under a Connect America federal grant.

That approval came on a 6-0 vote from Ron Laux, Chris Snow, Krista Muhlenkamp, Donna Geesaman, Mike Shannon and Kristi Betts. Board president Phil Ford had convened the meeting but had to leave prior to that vote. 

Under the terms of the MOU, Watch and Jay Schools will institute a technology and student safety program to be funded by a royalty agreement that is still being discussed.

“We’re going to negotiate a percentage,” Gulley said. “I’m very excited about this.”

Gulley also told the board that the transition to a six-school configuration is still on track with no change in the timeline.

“This is preparation, the entire year,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to re-invent.”

In other business, the board:

•Heard new business manager Tarinna Morris report that all of the corporation’s fund balances “are in a good position at this time.”

•Named Morris school corporation treasurer and Violet Current deputy treasurer.

•Accepted a $1,000 donation from the Dunkirk Elks Lodge for the West Jay Middle School student trip to Washington, D.C.

•Approved participation again this summer in the free student school lunch program. About 1,900 lunches will be served each week for seven weeks beginning June 10. Open public sites include General Shanks Elementary School, Redkey Elementary School, Westlawn Elementary School and East Jay Middle School.

•Approved $161,980 in roof work at East Elementary School by McGuff Roofing Inc. of Muncie. McGuff was the low bidder on the project, which also includes $3.95 per square foot for removal and replacement of wet insulation and $4.35 per square foot for removal and replacement of deteriorated wood blocking.

•Approved a new job title for Trent Paxson — assistant superintendent for instruction — at Gulley’s recommendation. The change, which does not involve any increase in pay or benefits, is intended to clarify the leadership chain at the school corporation.

•Accepted a $2,000 donation from Stylus Technologies and a $2,200 donation from Ballistiglass Inc., both for school safety.

•Learned that Jay Schools has joined Food2School a cooperative that provides substantial savings by leveraged buying power for food services.

•Approved the list of summer school classes for 2019.

•Added introduction to engineering design to the Jay County High School curriculum for the 2019-20 school year.

•Hired Kendra Lyons as a technology/network support analyst, Melissa Cox and Dominic Martyne as instructional assistants, Ted Habegger as a driver education teacher and Debra Losch as a science teacher.

•Approved the retirement of vocational teacher Doug Tipton effective March 22.

•Accepted the resignations of instructional assistant Liana McLaughlin, special education teachers Brittney Watson and Megan Hunley and custodian Roxanna Gaines.

•Approved leaves of absence for instructional assistant Caitlin Gilbrert, library instructional assistant Brenda Cash and teacher Ashley Drees.

•Approved extracurricular assignments for Chloe Steigerwalt as an assistant softball coach, Adam Homan as assistant baseball coach, Cindy Denney as middle school golf coach and Whitney Gray as Best Buddies adviser.

•Approved field trips by the JCHS PVE Club, East Jay seventh graders, the archery club and the robotics team.

•Approved a bus request by Zion Early Learning Center.