Others present: Superintendent Tom House, Jacob Sullivan, Business Manager and Recorder, Tammy Harcourt.
President Hardy led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

There were some additions and changes to the agenda. Superintendent House asked the Board to please move # IV Public Participation to # III; # V Informational to # IV; and # III Action Items to # V.  Superintendent House also added under #V Informational: letter f: Exploring changing the Election dates from May to November. Letter g: Business Manager Jacob Sullivan had information on reselling the Bonds.

Motion by Cobb and supported by Haskin to approve the minutes for December 8, 2008 as presented. Yeas: Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, Roth, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Board Member Roth had a couple of questions for Business Manager Sullivan on two checks.  Motion by Haskin and supported by Cobb to approve General Fund checks as listed for the period December 9, 2008 through January 12, 2009. Yeas: Dennis, Cauchi, Haley, Roth, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Cauchi and supported by Haskin to approve the financial reports for the General Fund, 1998 and 1999 Debt Retirement Funds. Yeas: Haley, Roth, Dennis, Cauchi, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

The Building and Grounds Committee have met to discuss and get bids on the Snow Plowing for the district. It is on the Agenda for a vote. No other committees have met at this time.

January is Board Appreciation Month and Superintendent House presented each member with a certificate and a Hornet pin. Superintendent House expressed his appreciation to the Board for all of their hard work and dedication to the students of Harrison Community Schools.

At this time, no one asked to address the Board.

Superintendent House explained the first reading for the AED Policy. Board member Haley asked if there was one also located at Hillside and School Nurse Robinson stated at this time there was not one located at Hillside on a permanent basis. Superintendent House said he wasn’t sure if Athletic Director Jim Cooper transported it over during athletic contests.

Superintendent House explained the status of the Amble School Property and that he’s been in contact with all of the appropriate persons to get this resolved as quickly as possible. 

Business Manager Jacob Sullivan explained to the board the outsourcing to the RESD for extra help in the Business Office and stated that so far it was running pretty smoothly. He then stated to the board that the pre bid for food service is to be on January 22, 2009 and that the bids would be due on February 12, 2009.  Business Manger Sullivan also briefly explained the enclosure that talks about School Aid. He stated that yes it is good news for now, but as we all know it could be here today and gone tomorrow. 

Board Member Roth asked to explore the possibility of moving our election date from May to November. She stated that there were many schools that have already done this and there’s quite a savings involved.

Business Manager Sullivan explained to the board that he received word that reselling our bonds would save the tax payers about $468,000 for the district. He has a conference call scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on January 22nd with Thrun. If all goes well, the sale of the bonds could happen as soon as February 5th.

Motion by Haskin and supported by Roth to accept the bid for snow plowing from Stacy Stocking.  Yeas: Roth, Dennis, Cauchi, Haskin, Haley, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Roth and supported by Dennis to grant MEGAN LOOMIS, Middle School Art Teacher, a leave under the Family Medical Leave Act for the remainder of her maternity leave. Yeas: Cauch, Haskin, Haley, Roth, Dennis, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Haley and supported by Haskin to accept the Superintendents recommendation to hire DIONNE COUGHLIN as the Varsity Volleyball Coach. Yeas: Haley, Roth, Haskin, Dennis, Cauchi, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Superintendent House asked the Board permission to sell the covered trailer which does not meet our needs and purchase a landscaping trailer with revenue from the sale. Motion by Haskin and supported by Cauchi. Yeas: Cauchi, Roth, Haley, Haskin, Dennis, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Roth and supported by Cobb to give Superintendent House authorization to sell the older photo copiers. Yeas: Roth, Haley, Cauchi, Dennis, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Cobb and supported by Haskin to retain Karen Willing as the districts local attorney taking the place of Josh Farrell. Yeas: Haley, Cauchi, Dennis, Roth, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Cauchi and supported by Haskin to allow Harrison Community Schools to contract with the RESD to provide Food Services beginning on February 1st through June 30th. Yeas: Haley, Cauchi, Dennis, Haskin, Roth, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Cobb and supported by Haskin to go into closed session at 7:48 p.m. to discuss the possible expulsion of a high school student. Yeas: Cauchi, Dennis, Haskin, Roth, Haley, Cobb and Hardy.  Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Haskin and supported by Dennis to go back into open session at 8:21 p.m. Yeas: Dennis, Haskin, Roth, Haley, Cauchi, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Dennis and supported by Cauchi to expel the high school student effective immediately until March 9th, 2009. At that time he must appear before the board for readmission. He will be given two 1 hour non consecutive meetings to do his school work with a certified teacher. Yeas: Haskin, Dennis, Roth, Haley, Cauchi, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Cobb and supported by Haskin to adjourn the meeting. Yeas: Dennis, Cauchi, Haley, Roth, Haskin, Cobb and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.

President Hardy adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.

Denise Haskin, Secretary

Tammy Harcourt, Recorder