PTS Board Update
Portage Township School Board of Trustees
May 11, 2020 Board Meeting
Audio recording of the May 11, 2020 PTS Board Meeting
Meeting Minutes
1. Mission/Convene/Pledge of Allegiance/Public Comment
1.02 Our mission is to educate, empower, and inspire excellence
1.03 All Board members were provided with background information to the various items on the agenda in preparation for the meeting.
1.04 Pledge of Allegiance
1.05 Live stream link
Today's meeting is not live-streamed. Per Indiana Governor Holcomb's executive order, school boards are permitted to host video conferences during the public health crisis in lieu of in-person public meetings. The Portage Township School Board of Trustees will continue to conduct one board meeting per month during the public health crisis in the interest of continuing school business.
2. Student/Staff Presentations
3. Agenda Adjustments
4. Superintendent's Consent Agenda
4.02 Donations Report (approved)
4.03 Claims docket (approved)
Reports for the Superintendent's Consent Agenda may be found in Board Docs on our website at www.portage.k12.in.us.
5. Board Consent Agenda
Reports for the Board Consent Agenda may be found in Board Docs on our website at www.portage.k12.in.us.
6. Board Developments
Trustee Maletta reported that the Park Board met virtually. They are currently preparing for their reopening, including making plans for upcoming leagues and facility rentals. There was no meeting of the Building, Grounds, & Innovation committee or the Finance committee.
6.02 Trustee Vazquez: PTEF; Food Pantry; Policy/Board Plan
Trustee Vazquez announced the 11 recipients of the Portage Township Education Foundation Grant:
- Bryan Bernacki, Portage High School
- Gayle Frank, Saylor Elementary School
- John Kappes, Portage High School
- Megan Monahan, Portage High School
- Troy Pawlak, Fegely Middle School
- Sarah Smith, Crisman Elementary School
- Heather Stamper, Alyesworth Elementary School
- Taria Taylor & Staff, Alyesworth Elementary School
- Heidi Thibideau, Portage High School
- Lisa Warne, Willowcreek Middle School
- Keary Weaver, Fegely Middle School
Dr. Alaniz will schedule the grant recipients to attend an upcoming in-person school board meeting to present their project proposals. Trustee Vazquez also thanked the many generous businesses and individuals who have donated to the Portage Township Food Pantry. Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy has worked diligently to obtain as much food in bulk as possible, and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has assisted with this as well. Their staff has worked tirelessly to organize and run high-demand food distributions each week. Since mid-March, the Pantry has served 564 families, 172 seniors, and 1,522 individuals. This is a drastic increase compared to their usual numbers.
6.03 Trustee Clancy: Finance; Policy/Board Plan
No update at this time.
6.04 Trustee Finley: RDC; Legislative; Legislative Liason
Trustee Finley reported that the Portage Redevelopment Commission has started construction on Willowcreek Road in front of Willowcreek Middle School. Trustee Finley also congratulated Trustee Maletta on receiving the Indiana School Board Association Exemplary Governance Award. In addition, she thanked ISBA for their work on keeping school board members and superintendents up-to-date on all legislative changes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
6.05 Trustee Williams: Building, Grounds & Innovation; Wellness
Trustee Williams reported that the PTS district paving project has begun. He also thanked Dr. Alaniz and the PTS staff for the work they are doing reaching out to students during this time.
7. Old Business
8. New Business
Dr. Alaniz provided details of advertising the Request for Proposals for the East Pool Renovation Project. The RFP will be advertised in the newspaper from May 12 through May 19. June 2 is the deadline to submit a proposal to Rhame, Elwood, & McClure. There will be a special board meeting on June 4 or 5 to discuss the proposals and award a bid. Dr. Alaniz is excited to move forward with this project for the students and community. Mr. Elwood added that all dates are driven by state mandates.
8.02 Approval of Memo for 2019/2020 Teacher Evaluation (Approved)
Dr. Alaniz advised that this memo details the guidance offered by the Indiana Department of Education for conducting teacher evaluations and outlines the PTS plan in light of our distance learning. This guidance removes the sections objective measures for student achievement and growth, local assessments, and observations not conducted prior to the school shutdown unless requested by the teacher. Dr. Alaniz wanted to make sure this was formalized so the Board could ensure the plan fits the requirements of the IDOE. Trustee Vazquez asked how many teachers had not been formally observed this year. Dr. Alaniz advised that all teachers had been observed, as PTS has strict timelines and benchmarks in place throughout the school year.
8.03 Food Procurement (Approved)
Dr. Alaniz explained that PTS is a member of the Food to School Purchasing Cooperative, and this is a recommendation to renew the membership. There is no cost to the district for this membership, and it allows our Food Service Department to team up with other districts and purchase food at special bulk prices.
8.04 Resolution R7-2020 for Graduation Requirements 2020 Cohort (Approved)
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the virtual instruction that has taken place since March 13, 2020, some students may have been negatively impacted and unable to meet their diploma requirements. In accordance with the IDOE and State of Indiana, the board will adopt the flexible graduation requirements for PTS students. Dr. Alaniz explained that this resolutions serves as a record of the plan and allows us to ensure we are in compliance with the IDOE. Trustee Vazquez asked how many students are on track to graduate this year, and Dr. Alaniz estimated the number to be around 555. Trustee Finley asked if students who are not able to graduate will have the option to complete their required courses in summer school. Dr. Alaniz confirmed that the students will be able to do this. Trustee Vazquez stated that the community has been appreciative of the district's recognition of the senior class.
8.05 Resolution R8-2020 to Extend Delegation of Authority during Health Emergency (Approved)
This resolution was initially passed at the April 13, 2020 meeting. Dr. Alaniz explained that this is to extend this resolution to May 31.
8.06 Roll Out Plan and Presentation for the Math Adoption (Approved)
Dr. Alaniz stated that Portage High School has completed the review process for their math textbook adoption. The committee consisted of an assistant principal, Dr. Stephens, and several teachers from the math department. The committee looked for materials that have a high level of rigor, differentiated instruction, enrichment, English learner supplements, special education supplements, etc. Dr. Alaniz also explained that the middle school math adoption team was very close to finalizing their choice prior to the school closure. They are meeting virtually and will give a virtual presentation soon. The elementary schools are not adopting new math materials this year, as they have three of six years remaining on their Pearson materials. Trustee Maletta thanked Dr. Alaniz for supplying this information in the recently implemented roll-out plan, stating this makes reading and approval easy.
8.07 Summer School Proposal (Approved)
Dr. Alaniz explained that this proposal documents plans for two sections of virtual summer school for students in grades 8-11 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Elementary and middle school students will not participate in summer school this year due to the extensive distance learning that has already taken place. All students in grades K-11 will keep their devices over the summer and have access to our technology resources. PTS is also planning for enrichment activities throughout the summer. Trustee Clancy asked how the school will monitor the curriculum for physical education classes. Dr. Alaniz explained that the online course is accredited through the IDOE. The curriculum, offered through Edmentum, features physical challenges and health and wellness lessons. Teachers can monitor student progress throughout the course. Trustee Vazquez asked how families can find the additional resources that are available over the summer. Dr. Alaniz said principals will communicate these with their families and offer challenges to complete. The district will also share this in a variety of methods. Trustee Vazquez also asked how the district is keeping track of and helping families who do not have access to internet. Dr. Alaniz said teachers and principals have been in contact with families and visiting them at their homes, often with supplies such as groceries. Some students who do not have internet access have received printed learning packets from their teachers. Dr. Alaniz said the distance learning experience has been eye-opening regarding the number of families who do not have adequate internet access. PTS will be a partner in this moving forward. Dr. Alaniz said she is collaborating with other districts on this topic.
8.08 Acceptance of Indiana Toll Road Grant Monies (Approved)
On behalf of PTS, Mrs. Williams applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Indiana Toll Road School Relief Fund. Dr. Alaniz explained that this money will be used to support our summer Backpack Program.
9. Superintendent Reports/Updates
- Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. Dr. Alaniz sent a video and letter to highlight all they do for our students and the community. She said Portage teachers are "knocking it out of the park" during our our distance learning. Legislators are paying attention to this, and those who aren't need to see that teachers didn't need an assessment or evaluation to do what was best for our kids during these unprecedented times.
- Portage High School will be distributing senior graduation materials next week. They will also be receiving yard signs and t-shirts.
- The district continues to monitor the latest guidance form the IDOE, health departments, CDC, and Indiana governor's office to formulate a re-entry plan. This will be shared with the Board as guidelines formalize.
- The district will participate in the facility review with Skillman this week. Dr. Alaniz is recommending a virtual work session with the Board to review their assessment and discuss possible future projects.
- Dr. Alaniz has received a great deal of positive feedback from the community during out distance learning. In particular, families are impressed with the availability of teachers, the amount of interactions teachers continue to have with students, meal distribution, and keeping devices over the summer.
10. Other
- Trustee Vazquez commended our food service director, Mrs. Anderson, on the work she, her staff, and the volunteers, have done for the Meal Pick-Up Program. Trustee Vazquez has volunteered and saw all of the hard work everyone is putting into it. Dr. Alaniz stated that we are averaging about 10,000 meals served per week.
- Trustee Finley thanked the Portage Police Department for their assistance with food distribution each week and for leading the school parades during this time.
- Trustee Maletta recently participated in a meeting with the Indiana Region 1 and Region 2 school board presidents. He stated that PTS was clearly at the forefront going into distance learning, as we have been conducing e-learning and trained our teachers prior to the school shutdown. He commended the teachers for handling this "like champions." This has been a difficult experience for everyone, but they are going above and beyond for their students.
- Trustee Maletta expressed his thanks to Portage High School and the athletic department for organizing the Be The Light celebration for senior spring athletes. It was great for the athletes to be together (while social distancing), and he appreciated all of the community support. Dr. Alaniz said many community members who do not have children at PHS also came to show their support.
- Trustee Maletta asked if Dr. Alaniz could look into updating the scoreboard with advertisers. At least one local business is interested.
- Trustee Vazquez thanked the parents, grandparents, and caregivers for working on distance learning with their students.
10.02 Items not on the agenda
The next discussion/regular board meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m.
11. Adjournment
Portage Township Schools
Email: ptscommunications@portage.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.portage.k12.in.us
Location: 6240 U.S. 6, Portage, IN, USA
Phone: (219)762-6511
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/portagetownshipschools
Twitter: @portage_schools