A special meeting of the Lawrence County Board of Education was held in the library of LCHS on November 1, 2022, at 6:00 PM. Board members Jim See, Garnett Skaggs, Maddlene Roberts, and Barbara Robinson were all present in person. Chairman, Heath Preston was present virtually.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Heath Preston. The board approved the claims and orders of the treasurer concerning student learning and support services. These items include student textbooks for Craft and Gatton students, Chromebooks, and other various school supplies.
The Consent Agenda items included the training and travel expenses of the board members to the annual KSBA Winter Symposium held on December 9-10, 2022, in Louisville, KY. The LCHS senior trip to Gradbash-Universal Studios, Orlando FL requested date changes from the original date of April 26- 30, 2022 to April 19-23, 2022, due to events being sold out. Ms. Brojakowski, along with other ELA teachers at Fallsburg Elementary requested permission to apply for the Excellence in Education Grant. A motion was made by Garnett Skaggs to accept and seconded by Barbara Robinson. The motion was approved.
A motion to enter an Executive Session for a student discipline/expulsion hearing was approved.
Once the executive session concluded, the regular meeting resumed with the issue of the updates on construction, building, and grounds projects. A motion was made to approve the owner and contract agreement between the Lawrence County Board of Education and CPR Construction for BG-22-147 LCHS Softball Fieldhouse & Upgrades Rebid. The motion was approved by the board.
The LCHS football field upgrades of turf are still in the process of collecting cost estimates. The districtwide safety and security upgrades project began installation on Nov 1, 2022. The District Facility Plan/ Local Planning Committee will be held on Nov 3, 2022, at Louisa West Elementary School at 5:00 PM for the public forum. The regular meeting will resume directly after the public forum at 5:30 PM.
The board members approved a bid for snow removal on school property. This bid was the only bid turned in to the board. The bid was awarded to Lawn Express, Inc., Catlettsburg, KY. The board also approved the Lawrence County Schools updated section of the 504 forms.
Next, was the review of the 2021- 2022 State Assessment Results presented by Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Superintendent, and Katie Webb, Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Fletcher discussed how coming out of the Covid era had affected test scores throughout the schools in the county and state. He also presented handouts on the way elementary and middle schools are rated by subject. The high school is rated by subjects, but also by their graduation rate, and postsecondary readiness. The schools were all given a color rating consisting of the highest to lowest scoring based on a color-level grid. The highest scores are represented by blue, next green, yellow, orange, and finally red. Red reflects the need for state intervention. Fallsburg Elementary received a color of green and test scores revealing the school as one of the top 25% of elementary schools in the state of KY. The overall average test scores placed Louisa East and Louisa West as schools in yellow. Louisa Middle, Fallsburg Middle, and Blaine Middle also averaged test scores in yellow. Blaine Elementary and LCHS overall test scores placed these schools within orange. No Lawrence County Schools scores were in the color red.
Dr. Fletcher invited each of the school’s principals to discuss their plans for their schools going forward. LEES Principal, Ed Dixon discussed the school is working with ELA staff on professional development and instructional strategies. The school is working toward adding ESSER positions. They also are adding a teacher for this school year, to help reduce class size and allow for more student-teacher instruction. He also is scheduling the Math DRT (District Resource Teacher) Ms. McClanahan to help work with third through fifth-grade classes. LWES Principal, Matt Maynard discussed instructional training and student engagement strategies, collaboration, and the mentoring of newly hired teachers. FES Principal, Ms. Sara Kise is touring Star Elementary, a blue school, in Rush, KY on Nov 17, 2022. Ms. Kise hopes to take away positive instruction and information to continue growth at FES. BES Counselor, Susan Little discussed math intervention for third through fifth grades with their math interventionist teacher, Ms. Adams. LMS Principal, Kristy Sammons discussed how the school is utilizing the WIN (What I Need) program. This program allows specific teachers to work with students that have tier-three intervention needs and focus on specific areas. LCHS Principal, Myram Brady discussed how the school is working to promote whole-school ACT testing. She discussed working with school counselors to increase students’ knowledge of career and technical programs and hiring companies.
Dr. Fletcher applauded our Lawrence County Schools principals. The LC principals have met on their own accord and collaborated on issues within their schools. They have discussed what programs are working or not working for their schools. Dr. Fletcher emphasized although we strive for high test scores for our students and schools, the implementation of a good work ethic, ability to collaborate, good communication skills, and empathy toward others should be taught and valued by our students.
The next order of business was personnel. There was a request for an unpaid leave of absence for Amy Taylor for the remainder of the 2022- 2023 school year. The motion was approved. The superintendent’s personal action/update was also approved.
The next regular LC School Board Meeting will be held on November 21, 2022, in the library at LCHS beginning 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 & meetings may be found on the current Lawrence County District webpage at www.lawrence.k12.ky.us.