Union School Corporation board approves coach hires, staff raises and facility upgrades

The Union School Corporation board on Monday approved several personnel appointments and facility projects and adopted a recommended update to the student cell‑phone policy.

Board members voted to approve varsity volleyball coach James Tongate, a junior high volleyball coach identified as Ken, and Jeff Burke as girls varsity golf coach. The board also approved raises for eight full‑time non‑certified employees for the 2026–27 school year.

The meeting featured discussion of multiple facilities projects. A staff presentation recommended replacing the school’s public‑address system to update speakers, classroom push‑buttons and clocks and to enable integration with emergency alarms. ‘‘When we press buttons, it would actually play audio automatically. We wouldn’t have to have someone do the alert. It does it automatically,’’ said Jeff Burke, who was introduced earlier in the meeting and answered technical questions about the proposal. The transcript does not record a firm total cost for the PA replacement; staff said a written quote was provided and asked the board to consider the upgrade.

Board members also reviewed hallway flooring options for the elementary and high school. Staff described carpet tile as quieter, easier to maintain and safer for students, and noted runner mats were quoted at just over $18,000 while the full flooring scope was discussed at roughly $28,000 (amounts presented in discussion and treated as approximate). The board moved to replace the carpet squares and approved that purchase.

Other business included adoption of a recommended update to the student cell‑phone policy "according to state law," updates on summer projects (concrete curbs to be poured later in the week, follow‑up on a fence/cage project) and a plan to solicit vendors for community pickleball courts with an unveiling planned when finished. Staff reported summer school runs Tuesday–Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., bus inspections went smoothly, and administrators are preparing for an upcoming meeting with opposing counsel; staff thanked attorneys Michael and Jason for their assistance.

Votes at a glance
- Approve agenda: approved (motion and second recorded).
- Approve May minutes and financials: approved.
- Appoint James Tongate, varsity volleyball coach: approved.
- Appoint Ken, junior high volleyball coach: approved.
- Appoint Jeff Burke, girls varsity golf coach: approved.
- Adopt updated student cell‑phone policy (per state law): approved.
- Consider/approve PA‑system replacement: motion to proceed recorded and approved to move forward with next steps (quote review noted; final contract details not specified in the record).
- Approve hallway carpet replacement (runners quoted ~ $18,000; full scope ~ $28,000): approved.
- Approve raises for eight full‑time non‑certified employees for 2026–27: approved.
- Adjourn: approved.

The meeting included routine procedural motions and several brief question‑and‑answer exchanges about costs and technical features; the board did not disclose final contract totals for the PA work during the session. The board adjourned after the items above.