SPECIAL LC BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

By Sarah Gauze

Lawrence County Schools

The Lawrence County Board of Education held a special meeting in lieu of the January regular meeting at Lawrence County High School in the library on January 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The regular meeting was canceled due to inclement weather conditions. Board members Jim See (Chairman), Maddlene Roberts (Vice-Chair), Barbara Robinson, Garnett Skaggs, 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, which was approved. The annual organization items were brought to a vote. The board nominated and voted for Mr. Jim See to continue as Chairman. They also nominated and voted for Ms. Maddlene Roberts to continue as Vice-Chair. The board approved and set the Schedule of Regular Board Meetings for the 2023 Calendar Year. The time for regular meetings is set at 6:00 PM. The dates are set for the third Monday of each month, except for January and February meetings that will be held on the Tuesday following the third Monday, due to federal holidays. The locations are set for LCHS, except for the March meeting that will be held at BES and the October meeting that will be held at FES. Each of the board meetings will have a rotation of school/student presentations.

Next, the student and staff presentations/recognitions were presented. Dr. Fletcher requested a moment of silence for past LC School educators, Mrs. Sheryl Sue Perry, and Ms. Kay Maynard.

Ms. Perry started substitute teaching in 1996, was an instructional aid from 2003-2008, and was a special education teacher from 2008-2018. Ms. Rhonda Colvin elaborated, “Ms. Perry was one of the kindest people we had on staff. All her students knew they were loved by her. She was very beloved and will be deeply missed.” Ms. Susie Riced also commented, “She was just a super great lady, both inside and outside of class. She loved her students, and they loved her.” Dr. Fletcher added, “Teaching wasn’t just an 8:30-3:00 job for Ms. Perry. You could definitely tell she loved the kids.”

Ms. Kay Maynard was a retired instructional aid from LC Schools. Ms. Barbara Robinson commented, “She was always so happy and jolly. She was just a wonderful person. Ms. Susie Rice also added, “She was jolly and a really nice lady.” Dr. Fletcher concluded, “Students really appreciate those who work with a smile on their face. It seems Ms. Maynard was this way.” Dr. Fletcher asked for a moment of silence in honor of their service to LC Schools and their families.

January is School Board Recognition Month! Mr. Phillip Carter, LC Judge Executive, signed a proclamation that January 2024 is KY School Board Recognition Month. Dr. Fletcher added, “We are blessed to have our board members They each want what is best for our students!” He went on to elaborate that the board works well together. If disagreements ever arise, they have always been able to work out any of the issues.”

In communication, Dr. Fletcher gave the superintendent’s update.

The LCHS staff and students recently hosted the Louisa Rotary for a tour of the Career & Technical Education classrooms. They learned more about the CTE pathways that are offered. LC Board members Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Roberts, and Mrs. Rice were also in attendance. Many of the Rotary members commented on the level of technology that is being used in the classrooms. The group visited the aviation and heavy equipment classrooms and tried their hand at the simulators. They also viewed the Anatomage table from the science wing. This high-definition table provides several cadaver depictions and other detailed views of the body systems.

The Louisa Freewill Church and Riverside Generating sponsored a senior class breakfast. Kim Prater, Ellie Webb, Gary, and Nikki Nelson served and provided food for the event. LC Board Member, Mrs. Rice was also in attendance. Ms. Rice commented that she enjoyed the event very much, especially having the opportunity to visit and talk with students about their future hopes and endeavors.

The LCHS Wrestling team is having a great first season. The academic teams, along with the basketball season are in full swing. The middle and high school academic teams have recently competed in the Governor’s Cup District competitions. The elementary schools will be competing in districts on Feb 3, 2024, which will be hosted by The Millard School.

Dr. Fletcher and the LSAC group have been invited to attend a dinner with the Senate educational committee.

Ms. Webb, CAO, and Ms. Brady, LCHS principal, continue developing the dentistry pathway in partnership with Dr. Lester and the UK College of Dentistry. The western KY counties of Hickman and Fulton will also be participating in the beginning stages of this program.

The LC Central office staff held an annual Christmas dinner. We appreciated the attendance of Mr. See and his kind words for the staff.

The LCHS Softball Facility is now open for student use. However, there are several finishing touches to be completed throughout the building.

The KY House budget proposes a base guarantee of $4368 per student for the average daily attendance in FY2025 and $4455 for FY2026. In contrast, the current base guarantee for FY2024 is $4200 per student.

The Public Forum for the Annual Wellness Report: Nutrition and Physical Activity Report and “Alliance for a Healthier Generation District Results Summary Report” showed LC providing 104,000 breakfasts served and 150,000 lunches for students. Dr. Fletcher recognized the efforts of Ms. Farley having worked diligently on the new and improved food menus for students.

There was no public comment.

In student learning and support services, the board approved the minutes of the Dec 18, 2023, Regular Meeting. They also approved the Claims and Orders of the Treasure. Some of the items included bond payments, construction costs for the softball facility, and the LAVEC project. AEDs were also serviced in all buildings. The Monthly Financial Report was presented by Finance Officer, Brandi Peters. The beginning balance for the month of December totaled $6,197,200. The total revenue totaled $2,694,788. Expenditures for the month totaled $2,429,582. The Fund 1 cash balance for the month of December was $2,361,695. The ending balance was $6,420,930. The balance sheets reflect the balance for each fund as of December 31, 2024.

The board approved the travel and expenses for the KSBA 2024 Annual Conference. The training is a KRS-mandated annual training provided through the Conference for the 2024 calendar year. They also approved the MNA Program Clinical Memorandum of Agreement between LCHS and The Jordan Center, Louisa, KY effective Jan 1, 2024. There were also many use of facility requests and school-related trips. LEES Safety Patrol requested assistance due to families facing financial difficulties for $100 per student for the trip. The LC Board approved the amount of $3000 for the request. The board also accepted donations to the Elevate Early Learning Collaborative with Johnson County Public Library in the amount of $23,100. The donation of $6002 was accepted from the LC Tourism Commission’s Turkey Trot event. The final donation was $2298 from the LC 4-H Council for the Farm to Table Gala dining event. There was no action (questions or comments) regarding the review items.

In construction/building, grounds projects, and updates, the board approved an invoice for the professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the LCHS LAVEC Phase 1 project. They approved an invoice for the amount of $4,266.79. The Codell Construction Pay Estimate 2 for a total of $321,210.66 was approved, which includes contractors, suppliers, and construction manager invoices.

The invoice for the professional services from RossTarrant Architects for the LMS Roof Replacement was approved in the amount of $24,650. The board considered and approved a quote, having received no bids by December 26, 2023, for the purchase of a utility vehicle, with three quotes provided. The company/quote was by Hatfield & McCoy, Belfrey, KY for the amount of $13,899 for a Honda Pioneer Deluxe 700. In the Softball Facilities Project, the board considered and approved a quote for the purchase of lockers for the facility from local donors, with three quotes provided. The vendor is All Wood Lockers, Newcomerstowns, OH in the amount of $23,114. The board considered and approved the pay application to CPR Construction in the amount of $25,033.18 for work performed on the LCHS Softball Fieldhouse and upgrades project. In districtwide safety and security upgrades the LCHS Security Camera System, bleacher project, and turf project closeouts are all pending KDE review. The LC Board approved the acceptance of the School Facilities Construction Commission (SECC) Offer of Assistance in the annual debt service amount of $44,692.40, funding for the 2024-2026 biennium. The money may go toward the LMS roof project or the LAVEC project. The diabetic plan form for the LC Schools Section 504 Procedures was approved upon recommendation by Ms. Combs, Special Education Law Consultant, and Ms. Colvin, LC Director of Special Education. There was also approval to donate surplus property from the Special Education Department.

The LC Board approved entering an Executive Session for the purpose of Student Discipline/Expulsion hearing.

There was no new business.

The board approved the abolishment, creation, and changes regarding positions. The 2023-2024 LC Schools Pay Scales/Salary Schedules update was also approved.

Dr. Fletcher gave a short update on the Professional Growth and Evaluation Standard 5 on Managerial Leadership regarding safety and security. He discussed the review by the KY Center for School Safety’s advisory assessment at LMS and LCHS.

The acknowledgment of the Superintendent’s Personnel/Action Update was approved.

The LC Regular Board meeting was adjourned.

The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on February 20, 2024, 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.