Lawrence County Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 21, 2023
LCHS at 6:00 PM
The Lawrence County Board of Education held its regular meeting at Lawrence County High School in the library on August 21, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Board members Jim See (Chairman), Maddlene Roberts (Vice Chair), Garnett Skaggs, Barbara Robinson, and Susie Rice were all present in person.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. See. The first order of business was to approve the agenda, as presented. A moment of silence was held for Sgt First Class Carl Edward Phillips, who recently passed away. Sgt Phillips had previously been the LCHS JROTC instructor, who worked to develop the program. Many of Sgt Phillips’ past students and co-workers praised him for being a very good teacher and kind individual.
In communications, Dr. Fletcher gave the Superintendent’s update.
· The number of students has increased at Louisa East and LCHS, but the total number of students within the district has decreased by 10 students, as of Aug 18, 2023.
· The LC Board members and community are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the first home football game of the 2023 season. Community groups such as the LC Fiscal Court and Maintenance Department are invited. The soil removal, in the first stages of construction, saved LC Schools an estimated $60,000.
· LC Schools would like to express our gratitude for the student tickets donated by Foothills Rural Telephone (1000 tickets), LC Attorney- Johnny Osborne (1000 tickets), and by LC KY Farm Bureau (100). We also appreciate LC KY Farm Bureau, which is also sponsoring the entirety of the football game on August 25, 2023, against Shelby Valley. We welcome other businesses to participate in the donation of sponsorship for the LC free athletic admission student tickets. A total of $6,000 has been donated to this to date.
· Several construction projects have been completed or are in the process of being completed throughout the school district.
- LCHS Band Room was upgraded with new paint, ceiling tiles, and lighting.
- The LCHS football field turf renovations have been completed. The field is being utilized by the LCHS football team and LC girls’ and boys’ soccer teams. The youth league football teams are also using the field. A new sound system was installed to announce games, which has been a huge improvement from the old system. There have also been fence repairs and replacements surrounding the football field.
- The LAVEC (Local Area Vocational Education Center) project, which will be funded through a grant, may begin construction within the next couple of months.
- The Louisa Middle School roof needs dire repair. There are plans to work on this construction need soon.
- Blaine Elementary and Louisa East Elementary will be receiving new playground equipment soon. Blaine Elementary received a donation of $5000 for new playground equipment. Both schools will also be receiving ESSER funds for new equipment.
- Dr. Fletcher will be serving on the accountability standards-setting committee. He has also been asked to collaborate on various aspects of the new accountability model and will be Chair of the LSAC Committee.
- The increase in property value assessments and collection rates decreases the double nickel rate. The rate will drop from 12.4 cents to 11.8 cents on $100.
- LC Schools held their Opening Day Breakfast, which was a great success. The sponsorship by Pathways was greatly appreciated. Maverick Insurance also donated various gift cards that were given away to the staff, which were greatly appreciated.
- In public comments, Blaine Elementary will be receiving the refurbished flagpole from the football field. There had been previous requests and conversations on the need for a flagpole at BES. Also, Mrs. Skaggs had a complaint from a community member about the hiring of a coach. Mrs. Skaggs requested that we look into the policy on hiring coaches to make sure that everything is done properly. Dr. Fletcher assured her that we follow policy in our hiring practices. (After the meeting, Mrs. Skaggs withdrew her request.)
In student learning and support services, the board approved the minutes of the July 17, 2023, Regular Meeting and the July 24, 2023, Special Meeting. Items in the claims and orders of the treasurer included a Sprinturf payment of $303,000, a bond payment of $41, 000, copier paper for all schools totaling $20,640, and a softball facility payment in the amount of $36,000.
The monthly financial report was given by Finance Officer, Brandi Peters. The beginning balance for the month of July was $5,120,345. The total revenue was $1,975.285. The expenditures totaled $1,263,344. The Fund 1 cash balance for the month of July was $1,697,235. The ending balance of all funds was $5,246,550. The balance sheets reflect the balance for each fund as of July 31, 2023. The monthly financial report was approved by the board. The LC Board also set a special meeting for August 31, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the LCHS library.
The items within the consent agenda were approved by the board, with a motion from Ms. Roberts, and seconded by Mr. Robinson. The agenda had several service agreements and partnership renewals. Other items included the continuation of the Walsworth Yearbook Agreement with LCHS for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $8,580. An out-of-state trip request was also approved for the LCHS Softball Tournament/Spring Training to Myrtle Beach, SC from March 30-April 5, 2024.
In the construction/building and grounds projects/updates, the LCHS Football Field Upgrades were performed and were approved in the amount of $303,401.28. The board approved an invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the Vocational Education Center (LAVEC) Renovation & Expansion in the amount of $4,262.73.
The board approved the use of $49,000 of a soon-to-expire School Facilities Construction Commission/SFCC Offer of Assistance toward Phase 1 of the LAVEC project. The total bonding is approximately $660,000. RossTarrant Architects, Vice President, Lincoln Theinert will facilitate the process.
The board approved the invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the Softball Facility Project in the amount of $1,247. They also approved a payment of $36,726.65 to CPR Construction for work performed on the LCHS Fieldhouse Project. An addition of days was added to the completion time due to adverse weather, with a no-cost change order for CPR Construction.
In buildings and grounds, the board approved the purchase of 48 tons of Red Rock Infield Material from Quicksand Farms, LLC in the amount of $6808, and 75 tons of masonry sand from Tri-Span Companies for $ 2137.50 for the LCHS baseball field. Labor costs will be supplied by the Booster Club.
An agreement with Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC regarding the delay in de-mobilization from the property near LEES was approved. The school district will be compensated an estimated $2000 for the delay, due to water testing.
The LC Board approved the Unaudited Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal year of 2022-2023. They also set and approved the 2023-2024 tax rates. The real property rate will be 57.2 cents, the same as last year. The personal property tax rate will decrease from 58.7 cents to 57.2 cents. The motor vehicle tax rate will stay at 35.0 cents, the same as last year. The utilities tax will remain at 3%, the same as last year. They set and approved the 2023-2024 Sheriff Collection Rate at 3.5%. If the collection rate is above 94%, then the collection rate will be set at 4%.
The LC Board approved the master bell schedule of all schools. They also approved the First Reading of the Absences and Excuses Policy. This policy allows 6 parent notes for student absences and an additional 3 parent notes for tardies (within 2 hours). The board approved a shortened school week/day waiver request for (3) special needs students. The LC School District Special Education Procedures (2023) updates were approved. The LEES student fees relating to field trips, travel, and chrome book repair were approved.
The Settlement Agreement with Altria, as part of the Juul Lab, Inc. Litigation was approved. The settlement agreement totals $13,405 and will be used towards the purchase of vape protectors.
The annual acknowledgment of the Board’s review of the Data Security and Breach Notification Best Practice Guide and the implementation of the best practices that meet the needs of personal information reasonable security in the LC District were approved.
The LC Board approved the abolishment, creation, and changes regarding positions. They also approved the update to the 2023-2024 LC Schools Pay Scales/Salary Schedules. The request for an Unpaid Leave of Absence for Sherry Greene for the 2023-2024 school year was approved. The Declaration of Emergency regarding the BES Middle School Math and the English/Language Arts (ELA) teachers was approved for the 2023-2024 school year.
Dr. Fletcher briefly discussed the influential leadership role, relating to professional growth and evaluation. He discussed the effects of being involved in the regional and state boards, accountability meetings, and Chairing the LSAC Committee.
The acknowledgment of the Superintendent's Personnel/Action Update was approved.
The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on September 18, 2023, at the LCHS library at 6:00 PM. All residents are always invited to attend the Lawrence County Board Meetings to become aware of the issues affecting our students and schools. The meetings may also be viewed virtually through the public viewing link. A copy of the most recent Lawrence County Board agendas and meetings may be found on the current Lawrence County District webpage at www.lawrence.k12.ky.us.