Lawrence County Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 15, 2024
LCHS at 6:00 PM
The Lawrence County Board of Education held its regular meeting at Lawrence County High School in the library on April 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM. Board members Jim See (Chairman), Maddlene Roberts (Vice-Chair), Barbara Robinson, Garnett Skaggs, and Susie Rice were all present in person. Dr. Fletcher joined the meeting virtually, due to his confirmation appointment as the KY Commissioner of Education with the KY State Senate in Frankfort, KY.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. See. The first order of business was to approve and amend the agenda to include a use of facilities request.
In the student/staff presentations and recognitions:
· The Louisa Middle School with Mrs. Sammons, LMS Principal, gave presentations on activities happening within the school. They discussed programs such as PLTW, the academic team’s 2024 performance, the STLP 2024 conference, and student introductions to the CTE programs from the LCHS students. Mrs. Vanhoose discussed in depth the STLP’s project, which was submitted to the state. The STLP students discussed how they visited the Jordan Center residents, helping to provide activities. Mrs. Sammons discussed CTE exploration of LCHS programs. All of the LCHS CTE programs have been introducing their programs to the 8th-grade students. This will help them make better-informed decisions when filling out their high school schedules for the upcoming year.
· Next, Fallsburg Elementary School discussed their STLP project entitled “Digital Window,” which won the students the state title in the middle school division. Mr. McDavid, the STLP instructor, and the team discussed how the window works to keep students safe in the event of an emergency. There is a camera above the doorway and a monitor in the classroom, which allows the teacher and students to view the visitors outside of the door and into the hallway. It is a very effective idea and won the FES STLP team first place at the KY STLP state competition.
· Finally, Louisa East Elementary School with Mr. Dixon, LEES Principal, and Mrs. Rowland, LEES Academic Coach, discussed their regional win in Future Problem Solving. They also discussed the events leading up to the school receiving the first-ever title of KY Elementary FPS Governor’s Cup Champions!
In communication, the Superintendent’s update was provided:
· LC Schools had tremendous success in the KY STLP Competition, which was held at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. Blaine Elementary and Louisa Middle Schools received a Level 3 for their entries into the competition and were in the top 80 schools in KY. Fallsburg Elementary School was awarded state champions for the middle school division for their entry of “Digital Window” out of 574 projects.
· Louisa Elementary School was notified they are the 2024 Elementary Future Problem-Solving State Champions! This is the first title bestowed on an elementary school in KY.
· The Spring Bridge Day included programs such as the Reality Store provided by the LC Extension service. There were also scavenger hunts throughout the high school to help 8th-grade students familiarize themselves with the building. There were fun activities in the library, including Dr. Marc Lester, providing insight into a future dentistry program. Spring Bridge Day was a great success for the 8th-grade students.
· Ms. Horn’s LCHS Biology Class participated in the Yatesville Lake Spring Clean-Up. The student enjoyed serving in the community service project. The students were surprised by the amount of debris and garbage that was collected. They were appreciative to be a part of the clean-up crew!
· LC Schools participated in a district attendance competition for four weeks with positive results. There was an increase in student and faculty attendance, and chronic absenteeism decreased.
· The LCHS carpentry class and our LC Schools maintenance teams added a concrete walkway between the tennis building and the lower court. A plan for another walkway from the high school to the lower football parking lot is currently “in the works.”
· The KY legislature has approved one of the best education budgets in recent memory! The LC Board of Education will consider a potential raise for all certified employees with the new budget. The Board gave raises to Classified LC employees in December of 2023.
· The LC Central Office team has listed a set of goals to be accomplished by June 30 of this year. Some items on the list are the BES bleachers getting sanded and repainted. Also, FES needs a bleacher inspection.
In student learning and support services, the minutes of the March 26, 2024, Special Meeting in Lieu of the Regular March Meeting were approved. The Claims and Orders of the Treasurer were also approved. Some of the items approved included food service, transportation, and sewer sanitation. Ms. Brandi Peters, LC Finance Officer, gave the monthly financial report. The beginning balance was $6,676,769. The total revenue was $2,652,014. The expenditures for the month were $3,275,561. The Fund 1 was $1,842,811. The ending balance was $6,097,584. The financial report was approved by the board.
In the consent agenda, there were several contracts and services, including a lease agreement for a new postage machine and permission to apply for the mobile Science Activity Center Program for the 24-24 school year for LEES. In requests, there were several fundraisers and out-of-state trips. This included permission for FES STLP students and district staff to attend the National International Science Technology in Education in Denver, CO in June of 2024. There were use of facilities requests and requests for assistance also on the agenda.
In construction/building, which included the invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the LCHS LAVEC Phase 1 for a total of $3,902.60. The Codell Construction Pay Estimate 5 was approved for a total of $654,006.88. A change order was approved for the Infinity Design & Construction Group for $26,724.06 for the relocation of a water line. The board accepted a change order for the Rising Sun Developing Company for a $2,314.18 credit.
In the building and grounds maintenance/upgrades, the board approved to award bids for surplus school buses. Mr. Green was awarded buses 12,21,52, and 53. Mr. Neil was awarded, as the highest bid on the rest of the buses. The LC Board also approved bidding on the LMS Roof Replacement Project. The LC Softball Facilities are almost complete. They are working on the final closing out of documents. There may be an opening ceremony scheduled soon.
In other action:
· Mrs. Katie Webb, CAO of Lawrence County Schools, discussed the update and progress of the monitoring report of the 2023-2025 Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP).
· Approved the LC School District Letter of Support in partnership with the National Performance for Education in the Apprenticeship Building America Round 2 Grant Program.
· Approved 2024-2025 LC School District Technology Plan
· Approved Shortened School Day Waiver Requests for special needs students.
· Approved participation in the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Continuation Grant for Regional Collaboratives in partnership with Johnson County and Martin County.
· Approved NTI Continuation of Learning Plan for District (2024-2025) including District Assurances (Non-Traditional Instruction/NTI)
· Approved the Second Reading of the revision to Policy 9.123 Absences and Excuses
· Approved to acknowledge Review of Revision to Procedure 9.123 AP.1 Attendance Intervention Procedures
· Approved to declare surplus (Food Service)
There was no new business.
In personnel, the board approved the abolishment, creation, and changes regarding positions. This included the extension of a 1-year position and a nurse needed in the assistance of a student for the rest of the year.
The board considered and approved the proposed 2024-2025 Certified Salary Schedule, including a $10 per day increase for substitute teachers. The board approved extending the Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence for Sherry Greene through December 31, 2024. They also approved extending the Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence for Katrina Maynard through June 30, 2025. The board approved to acknowledge receipt of the Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update.
The LC Board approved to accept Dr. Fletcher’s resignation as Superintendent, effective June 30, 2024. He was officially confirmed as Kentucky Commissioner of Education by the KY State Senate the same day.
The board approved to enter Executive Session for discussion that may lead to the appointment of an individual employee. Once the meeting returned to Open Session, the meeting was adjourned.
The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at LCHS 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.