HomeMy Public PortalAbout6/17/2008 specialGreencastle Common Council Special Meeting
June 17, 2008
Call to order: 6:00pm
Roll Call: John Lanie, Mark Hammer, Jinsie Bingham, Adam Cohen, Terry Smith; a
quorum was confirmed.
Present: Mayor Sue Murray, City Planner Shannon Norman, City Attorney Laurie
Robertson Hardwick
A special meeting was held to conduct interviews for candidates for the Greencastle
School Board; the Greencastle Common Council appoints one (1) member to the School
Board for a 4 -year term.
Mayor Sue Murray opened the meeting by announcing that the Council interviewed
Bruce Stinebrickner at the regular session on June 10, 2008. Mayor Murray announced
that Charlene Shrewsbury withdrew her application on June 17, 2008.
There were two (2) applicants for the position; the first candidate was Tim Trigg.
Councilor Mark Hammer noted that Trigg had served on the Park Board and Planning
Commission and asked how working with those boards had prepared Trigg for the School
Board. Trigg indicated that he had experience in dealing with people and budget and
managing change.
® Council President asked what Trigg believed he could bring to the appointment; Trigg
discussed having four (4) children going through the Greencastle system as well as
offering diversity.
Councilor Jinsie Bingham questioned whether Trigg's business experience would be an
asset; Trigg indicated that he has a financial background and experience dealing with
public and private entities.
Councilor Adam Cohen discussed diversity in the school district and asked Trigg how Ile
believes diversity affects the schools; Trigg noted that he could offer open- mindedness
and insight in the position.
Councilor Terry Smith questioned Trigg on he feels about police presence and
involvement in the schools; Trigg noted that the involvement is positive. Smith also
discussed issues with drugs in the schools; Trigg discussed the idea of random drug
testing outside of those in athletics.
Adam Cohen discussed programs for students who were not college bound; Trigg talked
about increasing or enhancing vocational opportunities. Trigg also talked about offering
more arts education and expanded physical education options.
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John Lanie talked about the relationship between sports and education. Trigg noted that
students learn a lot from playing sports — namely diversity and the ability to develop •
long -term relationships.
Mark Hammer discussed Trigg's commitments to Park Board and Plan Commission and
the possibility of becoming "burnt out "; Trigg indicated that he would retain the positions
and that he saw no conflict.
There was additional discussion on appointed versus elected school boards.
Adam Colien questioned what made Trigg decide to apply; Trigg indicated that he had
many discussions with others and decided that the time to get involved was right. Trigg
noted that involvement in the School Board will be more intensive than with the township
appointment, which he sought earlier.
Jinsie Bingham brought up the idea of consolidation; Trigg noted that he didn't think it
was necessary but could support an action if it met the needs of Greencastle Schools.
There was discussion on a mandatory retirement age for teachers; Trigg noted that with
today's economy it is necessary for people to work longer.
Laurie Robertson Hardwick asked Trigg to discussion some of the accomplishments of
Plan Commission and Park in which lie has been involved; Trigg noted the improvements
at Big Walnut Sports Park, Clearwater's Park Addition, and People Pathways as
important achievements.
Trigg thanked the Council for their time; the Tim Trigg interview ended at 6:18pm.
The Greencastle Common Council resumed interviews at 6:20pm with an interview of
Phil Gick. Gick provided the Council with a cover letter and resume prior to the meeting.
Gick discussed his Army service and education as well as his membership and leadership
role with the Greencastle Heritage Preservation Society. He noted that while he travels
for work, he hasn't missed a regular meeting of the Heritage Preservation Society since
accepting his position. He stated that his motivation in applying is to give back to the
community through his principle and training from the military and industry. Gick noted
that lie believes in engagement between individuals inside and outside of the classroom
as well as discipline and structure.
Council President John Lanie asked what Gick sees as his strongest attribute; Gick stated
that he can offer an enlarged perspective having lived outside of the community. There
was discussion on the experiences of the Gick Family in other school districts as there
children attended several schools while the Gick was in the military. Gick noted that
Greencastle can have a higher level of credentials because of DePauw.
Councilor Adam Cohen asked how Gick would handle issues of diversity; Gick noted
that his military background was good training in diversity and that the schools have
cannot "tolerate intolerance ". Gick also discussed the newly formed committee on drug
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issues in the schools. Gick also stated that he had limited knowledge of the current
® school board but hopes that his experience could fill a need on the Board.
Councilor Jinsie Bingham questioned whether Gick himself had a positive experience
while in the Greencastle School system; Gick noted that he had a positive experience and
was well prepared for college and military service. Gick noted the importance of parents
being engaged and civic - minded.
Councilor Mark Hammer questioned whether it was an issue that Gick didn't have
children in Greencastle schools; Gick indicated that he didn't see it as a problem —he has
the experience from schools where his children attended and also his grandchildren to
reflect on Pbr perspective. Gick also noted that he does live across from Greencastle High
School and relayed multiple anecdotes in regards to students and staff.
John Lame questioned whether Gick could be strong in his stance on issues of importance
and speak his mind; Gick noted that he does have strong convictions and that he
understands having to explain things to the public.
Jinsie Bingham asked Gick what influenced him to apply for the position; Gick noted that
at first he was unsure if should dive -into community work, but his work with the Heritage
Preservation Society and his desire to work for the community pushed him forward.
Gick noted that because of his work travel he does have some time constraints, but he
believes he can make time for the meetings.
e The members of the public were given time to ask questions. Leslie Hanson stated that
she believed that Gick's time constraints could be an issue because of there is more to
service on the Board than just monthly meetings; Gick noted that he believed that he
could make time for other meetings.
The Council took time to deliberate. Adam Cohen questioned the protocol for appointing
an individual; John Lanic noted that Councilors could make recommendations or motions
to appoint. Mark Hammer and Adam Cohen discussed calls and inquiries they had
received in regards to the appointment. Mark Hammer stated he believed that three (3)
great candidate had applied. Adam Cohen stated that the School Board must consider
many issues — athletics, diversity, academics —which need to be discussed in a public
forum. Jinsie Bingham noted that she was surprised at the lack of public participation in
the selection process. Mark Hammer stated that he didn't believe that not having
children in the district should be a disqualifying factor.
Terry Smith discussed Phil Gick's extensive travel and exposure to diversity in the
military as positive attributes.
Adam Cohen noted differences between the candidates: Bruce Stinebrickner's
background in academics, Tim Trigg's community awareness, and Phil Gick's worldly
exposure and diversity training. Cohen discussed that he believed that each of the
40 candidates were capable of speaking their mind on the Board.
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Terry Smith noted that Phil Gick came across as a leader. There was additional •
discussion on leadership; Mayor Sue Murray indicated that because it is a small school
board, one person has the potential to make a large impact.
A motion to appoint Phil Gick to the Greencastle School Board was made by Terry Smith
and seconded by John Lanic. There was discussion on the motion; Adam Cohen noted
the disparity between Gick's experience and his knowledge of the Greencastle Schools.
Mark Hammer noted all three (3) applicants are qualified and that it was difficult to
weigh the options. A roll call vote was taken on the motion; Terry Smith voted to
appoint Phil Gick. Mark Hammer, Jinsie Bingham, John Lanie, and Adam Cohen voted
nay. The motion is denied (4 -1).
A motion to appoint Bruce Stinebrickner was made by Mark Hammer and seconded by
Jinsie Bingham. John Lanie noted that he was impressed with Stinebrickner's interview
and Adam Cohen noted his commitment to Putnam County, DePauw and Greencastle. A
roll call vote was taken on the motion; Mark Hammer, Jinsie Bingham, John Lanie, and
Adam Cohen voted to appoint Bruce Stinebrickner. Terry Smith voted nay. The motion
carried (4 -1).
Bruce Stinebrickner is appointed to the Greencastle School Board and will be notified
after the meeting by Council President John Lanie.
Mark Hammer discussed the process for the Council making appointments. Hammer
discussed an email from Monica Fennel in regards to perceived miscommunication in
regards to the application process. There was additional discussion; it was noted that
Fennel could not be present for the interviews and was offered a chance to interview by
phone and declined. Hammer noted that if the process is flawed, changes should be made
so that there is no perception of unfairness.
Mayor Sue Murray stated that it is a unique situation and that no one can reconstruct what
happened, however flaws in communication should be avoided in the future.
Adam Cohen stated that withdraws of applications should go to the President of the City
Council. It was noted that a new policy would need to be derived and Jinsie Bingham
suggested an application form. Mayor Sue Murray stated that the Council members
should formulate a process that the believe to be fair and that it can be reviewed for
compliance with statute.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:24pm on a motion by Adam Cohen, seconded by John
Lanie.
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Susan V. Murray, Mayor
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ATTEST: ,
Teresa P. Glenn, Clerk Treasurer
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