Submitted by Tipton Community Schools
Tipton Community School Corporation Board Briefs is designed to share highlights from the most recent School Board of Trustees monthly meeting. Official minutes of each Board meeting are posted on the district website and are available for public viewing.
The next scheduled meeting of the Board of School Trustees is Feb. 10. School board meetings are conducted from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the TCSC Board Room at the Administrative Offices and are open to the public.
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Tipton Mayor Kegan Schmicker was in attendance to present a proclamation recognizing January as School Board Appreciation Month, thanking the Board for its service and commitment to Tipton students and families.
The Board completed its annual reorganization. Nominations and votes were held for President, Vice President, and Secretary, following standard procedure. Robert Cochrane, II was named president, Jennifer Humrichous as Vice President, and Kimberly Fague as secretary. The Board also recommended the reappointment of Brook Cleaver as Treasurer and Dawn Benefiel as Executive Secretary. The Board voted to continue meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
The Board recessed briefly to conduct its annual Board of Finance Meeting.
Blue Future Awards
TCSC Superintendent Dr. Ryan Glaze presented this month’s Blue Future awards to:
- Valerie Boyd, Erica Hawkins, Madison Holloway, Josh Ireland, Mara Isenhower, Jenna Smith, NaTasha Surface, and Ashley Winn: TES Kindergarten Team Praise from Indianapolis Children’s Museum
- Diane Mast and Missy Henry: iLEARN Checkpoint 1 Opportunity 2
- THS Guidance Department, Staff, and Administration: THS Class of 2025 Graduation Rate of 100 percent
Superintendent Report
Dr. Glaze updated the Board on the following:
TES Playground Project
The district received a $200,000 contribution from the Tipton County Foundation and paid a $249,586 invoice covering turf and the final pieces of equipment. TESO is expected to provide an additional $25,000 in the coming months. The only remaining project cost is labor for installation.
Auditorium Sound System Upgrade
The Board reviewed a $66,146 quote from Sound of Music and has already paid a $33,000 deposit. Installation will take place over the next few months, with completion expected before Spring Break and in time for the High School Musical. The project includes a new sound system and updated wireless microphones.
Reroof Project Update
Work on the auditorium roof is progressing, with only minor delays due to weather and the holiday period. The project remains ahead of schedule, and gutter and downspout installation is set to begin soon.
Student Scholarship Honors
He shared congratulations to seniors’ Lillian Cloud, recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and the Myerly Scholars Josie Butler, Grant Day, Brogan Foerg, Alyssa Hoover, and Noah Walker, who earned five of the six Tipton County scholarships awarded for the Class of 2026. In addition, Dr. Glaze gave a short out to Girl’s Wrestling Regional/State qualifiers: Analeigh Hood-(Regionals) and Emersyn Adkins (Regionals – Placing 2nd Overall) and a State Finalist for the Second Year.
Associate Superintendent Report
Associate Superintendent Scott Jaworski shared early Winter assessment results for grades K–2, the only grades still using the i-Ready Diagnostic following the state’s transition to ILEARN Checkpoints in grades 3-8. Results for 2025-2026 show a strong start, with student growth in Reading and Math consistent with the district’s stable four-year trend. Reading remains a relative strength, and Math – while lower overall – shows meaningful gains from Fall to Winter, suggesting instructional supports are taking hold. Spring data will offer a fuller picture, but early indicators point to steady growth and effective instructional systems.
Jaworski also summarized Veregy’s preliminary Micro-Turbine Feasibility Study, which examined installing microturbine generators and capacitor banks to reduce long-term electric costs by producing a portion of the district’s power on site. The $2.95 million project is projected to generate more than $5 million in savings over 20 years, with an estimated return on investment around year 14. While the long-term outlook is favorable, the upfront cost is not feasible at this time. Jaworski and CFO Brook Cleaver recommend revisiting the concept during a future bond cycle, when capital financing options may make the project more viable. For now, the study will serve as a planning tool as the district continues monitoring energy costs and long-term sustainability strategies.
Jaworski reported that first-semester attendance for 2025-2026 shows notable improvement across the district compared to the past two years. Districtwide, 79.2 percent of students met the 94 percent attendance benchmark, with stronger and more consistent patterns than typically seen heading into winter. Tipton Elementary posted the largest gains, with more than 80 percent of students meeting the benchmark – its strongest performance in three years and a sign of reduced chronic absenteeism. Tipton Middle School also improved, ending the semester at 80.5 percent following its strongest Quarter 1 in recent years.
Tipton High School’s attendance remains more challenging, with 76.8 percent of students meeting the benchmark. However, the number of students with very low attendance (below 90 percent) is comparable to other buildings, suggesting the primary issue is consistency among students just shy of the benchmark. Districtwide average daily attendance remains strong at 95.8 percent, and fewer students are falling below 90 percent. Overall, the first semester reflects steady, systemwide progress, with elementary and middle school gains driving improvement and high school attendance remaining a key focus.
Director of Food Service Report
Adam Proulx shared the Food Service Department is preparing for its upcoming State Department of Education Administrative Review, which will audit last year’s operations and examine current practices. The team is awaiting confirmation of the inspection date. Efforts continue to fill the open high school kitchen position using the current applicant pool, which would bring the department to full staffing. The search for substitute workers also remains active, as there are currently no substitutes available.
Old Business
Second Reading and Adoption for Batch #10 of CCHA Board Policy, Administrative Guidelines, and Forms
The following new policies were presented for a second reading were approved as written. (G425) Pledge of Allegiance Moments of Silence, (G450) Advertising, Sponsorship, and Naming Rights, (G475) Prohibition of Unmanned Aircraft, (G500) Intellectual Property Ownership and Revenue, (H125) Corporation Support Organizations, (H150) Public Records, H175 Questioning of Students, and (H200) Relations with Special Interest Groups. Retired NEOLA Policies: Policy 8800, Policy 9700.01, Policy 7440.03, Policy 9211, Policy 8310, Policy 5540, and Policy 9700.
New Business
Mileage Reimbursement Rate for 2026 Approved
The Board approved updating TCSC’s mileage reimbursement rate to 72.5 cents per mile, aligning with the new federal rate effective Jan. 1. The rate applies to employee travel for professional development and off‑campus meetings.
Conflict of Interest Disclosures
The Board reviewed and approved the annual Uniform Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statements, as required by Indiana Code 35‑44‑1‑1‑4, submitted by Tami Brown, Andrea Campbell, Robert Cochrane, Jennifer Humrichous, Kim Fague, Beth Woelfert, and Eric Underwood.
Participation Fees to Support Transportation Costs Approved
The Board approved implementing participation fees to help offset transportation costs associated with SEA 1 (2025). The plan includes a Fixed Participation Fee for co‑curricular and extracurricular activities beginning July 1, and a Field Trip Fee for curricular activities beginning Feb. 1.
RefReps Athletic Officiating Class Approved
To help address the statewide shortage of athletic officials, the Board approved offering a RefReps officiating course at THS for the second semester of 2025-2026. Eighteen students expressed interest. The course will be taught by Mr. Vester, with Mr. Leach supporting curriculum and certification questions
Important Dates
- Feb. 9: Staff PD Day (No Students)
- Feb. 10: Monthly Board Meeting
- Feb. 16: President’s Day (No School)