Poor teachers, construction plans, cost savings at TSC meeting

TIPPECANOE CO., Ind. (WLFI) - A plan was approved Wednesday to help underperforming teachers in the Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC). Those who don't improve may no longer be teaching in TSC.

The TSC school board approved a remediation plan as part of the state-mandated educator development and improvement system.

It's a two-tier process. Teachers who grade out as ineffective or in need of improvement will get administrative coaching, followed by, if necessary, more intensive support for 90 days. Those who don't improve may not have their contract renewed the next year.

"We think remediation very much works," said TSC Assistant Superintendent Susan DeLong. "Our entire system is about development. We really will be working toward the coaching/development model, but unfortunately there is an ugly side to evaluation and I anticipate there may be a very small percentage of teachers who will need some type of intensive support."

The trustees also approved a partnership with the Lafayette School Corporation for the Health and Wellness Centers which opened up a year ago for eligible employees.

Superintendent Scott Hanback said, if approved by LSC trustees, the city district will pay more than $102,000 as reimbursement for start-up costs for TSC. Then the corporations will split ongoing monthly expenses for rent and utilities.

However, health care costs will be separated based on which district the employee works for.

Hanback hopes combining resources will allow the both locations to remain open five days a week, instead of the current 2.5 days at either location.

"In addition to the financial savings that I think both school corporations will reap, we believe this will be a further incentive for our employees," Hanback said.

The school board also gave its approval to several projects Wednesday.

Trustees approved $2 million worth of paving and site projects, including $450,000 at Dayton Elementary and $250,000 at Hershey.

They also approved the construction projects for this summer which will go out to bid soon. Most notably is the $4.4 million project at Wea Ridge Elementary to add eight classrooms and eliminate portables.