S-OCS approves policy updates, grants and personnel changes

The Spencer-Owen Community Schools Board of School Trustees met for a second quick meeting for the month of May.

Board president Derek Morgan, vice president Deana Stickels and members Mark Rogers, Chad Cooper, Rick Smeltzer, Lizz Bixler and Jack White were all present. Superintendent Andy Cline and attorney Christine Bartlett from Ferguson Law Office were also present.

The board began by approving their consent agenda, which only consisted of minutes from their May 14 regular session and an executive session also held on May 14. Rogers moved to approve the minutes, and Cooper seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

Next, the board addressed old business. The only item on old business was a request to have a second reading and approval of policies for NEOLA Volume 38, Number 2 updates. The board also waived the reading of the policies out loud. They approved the following policies:

• 0100 Definitions;
• 0151 Organizational Meeting;
• 1220 Employment of the Superintendent;
• 1662.01 Threatening and/or Intimidating Behavior Toward Staff Members;
• 3139 Staff Discipline;
• 3142 Cancellation of a Teaching Contract;
• 3362.01 Threatening and/or Intimidating Behavior Toward Staff Members;
• 3430 Leaves of Absence;
• 4150 Disciplinary Actions;
• 4362.01 Threatening and/or Intimidating Behavior Toward Staff Members;
• 5111 Determination of Legal Settlement and Eligibility for Enrollment of Students Without Legal Settlement in the Corporation; Proof of Indiana Residency;
• 5136 Personal Communication Devices;
• 5136.01 Personal Electronic Equipment Other Than Personal Communication Devices;
• 5310 Health Services;
• 5840 Criminal Organizations and Criminal Organization Activity;
• 7420 Hygienic Management;
• 7541 Electronic Data Processing Disaster Recovery Plan; and
• 8305 Information Security.

Cooper made the motion to approve the policies, and Rogers seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The board then moved on to new business where they:

• approved a request to declare band textbook materials as surplus;
• approved the minimum instructor pay for JROTC instructors for the 2026-2027 school year;
• approved the 2026-2027 FY High Ability Program Grant Allocation of $35,543;
• approved a $4,400 grant from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) for the Owen Valley High School (OVHS) Military Honor Wall Project;
• approved the purchase of an air conditioning package replacement for Gosport Elementary School (GES) for just under $150,000 using some of the remaining 2024 bond funds; and
• approved a contract with Elite Painting, LLC to paint the main hallways and remove peeling wallpaper at Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS).

The board then took all personnel items together where they approved the following:

Resignations

Molly Tamplin, Spencer Elementary School (SES) instructional assistant, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Daniel Bixler, OVMS custodian, effective June 3.

Madisyn Moats, Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) instructional assistant, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Cara Harmon, PES instructional assistant, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Felisha Medford, S-OCS behavior tech, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Ashlyn Boltinghouse, S-OCS school psychologist instructional assistant, at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Kirstin Richardson, OVMS softball coach.

Michael Hopkins, OVHS assistant varsity basketball coach.

Caleb Ward, OVHS percussion director.

Robert Boltinghouse, OVHS principal.

Tracy Patterson, SES kindergarten teacher.

Leave

Madison Glenn, S-OCS speech pathologist, from Aug. 3 to 31.

Employment

Elizabeth Anderson, OVMS social studies teacher.

Emma Johnson, GES second-grade teacher.

Chelsea Miller, S-OCS occupational therapist.

Leah Taylor, GES temporary kindergarten teacher.

Alyzah Yeryar, school psychologist.

Rogers moved to approve the personnel items. Stickels seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. June 11 in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.