Crown Point Community School Corporation Board Meeting Summary

November 24, 2025 - 6:00 PM

 

Opening Items (2:51)

• Mr. Smith called the meeting to order, followed by Mr. Vassar leading the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence. 

 

Board Commendation Awards (3:40)

• Taft Middle School Spell Bowl Team
  • Mr. Smith presented commendation awards to the Taft Middle School Spell Bowl Team for winning first place in Lake County at the Regional Junior Spell Bowl Competition. Team members studied 1,400 words from multiple languages including Latin, Spanish, German, Russian, and French. Dejan Josifoski and Alex Pulkowski achieved perfect scores, while Tanner Bull and Alex Dunlap missed only one word. The team also competed at Purdue for state competition. Coach Karen Snoddy submitted remarks praising the team's dedication. Motion carried 4-0.
• Crossroads Chamber Inspiring Educator Awards
  • Mr. Smith presented awards to Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2025 Inspiring Educator Award winners. Overall corporation winners were Brian Trapp (Crown Point High School) and Tamara Betz (Colonel Wheeler Middle School). School-level finalists included Jennifer Menear (Eisenhower), Julie Uylaki (Lake Street), Christina McClelland (MacArthur), Candice Dacey (Solon Robinson), Lauren Chaney (Timothy Ball), Kristin Nguyen (Winfield), Kristin McCormick (Jerry Ross), and Mary Jones (Taft). Ms. Betz thanked families for entrusting their children and called teaching a privilege and gift. Motion carried 4-0.

 

Patrons' Comments (21:42)

• No patrons registered to comment.

 

Consent Agenda (21:49)

 

Action Items

Federal Grant Applications (32:20)

• Title II Part A Grant: $164,605.88 for professional development including elementary math curriculum training, blended learning support, AP teacher training, and AI literacy. 
• Title III Language Instruction Grant: $35,624 for multilingual learner interventionists, family engagement programs, and supplies. 
• Title IV Part A Grant: $48,456.28 for technology initiatives including blended learning, typing.com for STEM, AI/Magic School platform, and multilingual learner workbooks. 
• STEM Integration Grant: $37,500 competitive grant (63 of 119 awarded). Funds licenses for middle school computer science, SAM lab subscriptions for elementary STEM, supplies, and professional development. 

Policy Updates (42:09)

• Mr. Equihua presented second reading approval for policies introduced in October:
  • ISBA Policy 1200: Extends board organization window to 30 days (replaces NEOLA 0151)
  • NEOLA Policy 142: Lowers board member minimum age from 21 to 18 years
  • NEOLA Policy 8400: Removes state-mandated Stop the Bleed language
  • ISBA Policy 2740: New standalone Stop the Bleed policy without mandate references 

Best Buddies Donation (45:03)

• Mr. Ruess requested approval to accept a $7,400 donation from Rick and Bridget Mangan for Crown Point High School Best Buddies program. 

 

Information/Recognition Items

• Elementary Education Update (47:07)
  • Dr. Ciochina congratulated elementary spell bowl teams who competed at Colonel Wheeler, thanking organizer Heather Corsey and volunteers. 
  • Reported 3,930 parent-teacher conferences held (97.1% participation rate), with kindergarten achieving 98% and fifth grade 96.7%. 
• Secondary Education Update (51:34)
  • Mrs. Ramirez thanked Stephen Dean and Wheeler team for Footloose production, Natalia Mommsen and Taft team for Alice in Wonderland, and J. Flewelling and Crown Point High School team for Wizard of Oz. Highlighted student progression from elementary through high school performing arts. Announced upcoming holiday concerts featuring band, choir, and orchestra.
• Exceptional Education Update (53:46)
  • Mrs. Paskis provided additional details about Mangan family donation, noting their daughters served as Best Buddies mentors and funds come from annual golf outing auction. Money supports state conference attendance and program events. 
  • Reported successful first SEPAC parent-led workshop on November 12 with 25 parents attending, featuring IEP walkthrough and connections with state advocacy agency InSource. Thanked parent leads Elise Biro, Stephanie Edwards, and Alicia Raymond.
• Assistant Superintendent Update (56:26)
  • Mr. Gianfermi recognized Rebecca Springer, art teacher, for receiving the Art Education Association of Indiana Outstanding Secondary Art Educator 2025 Award. 
• Human Resources Update (58:06)
  • Mr. Equihua thanked Crossroads Chamber for hosting the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill tour for high school and middle school staff, promoting career opportunities in trades. 
• Financial Officer Update (59:45)
  • Mr. Ruess recognized custodial staff and Mike Maski for attendance initiative achieving 96.68% attendance rate (96% goal). Eisenhower Elementary custodial team achieved perfect attendance since January 1.
• Communications Update (1:00:51)
  • Mrs. Allen thanked the high school guidance team for collaborating on a redesigned high school guidance website with interactive course catalog allowing students to search by grade, AP, dual credit, pathway, and department. 
• Superintendent Update (1:02:28)
  • Dr. Terrill expressed gratitude for the district's excellence across all areas (athletics, fine arts, academics). Highlighted elementary preview performance of Wizard of Oz showing 150+ student crew members and elementary school connections. 

 

Other Business of the Board (1:04:15)

• Mr. Vassar proposed board members forgo $2,000 annual salary in 2026. Mr. Smith noted the board would discuss the proposal at the January reorganization meeting.
• The board discussed reorganization meeting scheduling, noting the new state statute allows the entire month of January instead of a 15-day window. Board tentatively scheduled January 26, 2026 for reorganization and board of finance meetings.
• Mr. Warne emphasized the importance of building administrators' input in budget decisions, thanking them for speaking honestly about impacts. He also emphasized the need for patience and communication as the district continues to navigate these conversations in upcoming months. Dr. Terrill confirmed decisions came from ground-level conversations with principals working as elementary, middle, and high school teams, with voices heard and dissenting opinions discussed.

 

Board Recognition Statements (1:15:12)

• Mr. Warne thanked behind-the-scenes play volunteers including parents helping with sets and costumes.
• Mr. Vassar thanked the teachers union with contract negotiations. 
• Mr. Smith commended Wizard of Oz production quality, comparing it favorably to professional performances, and thanked all staff and teachers.