JANUARY BOE MEETING: BLAINE ELEMENTARY GETS $40,000 GRANT TO BOOST READING LITERACY

Lawrence County Board of Education

Regular Meeting

January 21, 2025

LCHS at 6:00 PM

The Lawrence County Board of Education held its regular meeting at Lawrence County High School in the library on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 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.

Mr. See called the meeting to order. The board amended the agenda to include a request for assistance from LCHS Softball.  The board members then approved the agenda.

In annual organizational items:

• The board nominated and approved Jim See as the Chairperson and Maddlene Roberts as the Vice Chair of the LC BOE for 2025.
• The schedule for the 2025 calendar year was set.  LC BOE meetings will begin at 6:00 PM on the third Monday of each month.  There will be exceptions for the January and February meetings due to federal holidays (MLK Jr/Presidents Day) on those Mondays. The January and February meetings will be on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. The location is set at the LCHS library, except for the March meeting held at BES and the October meeting held at FES.
• The LC BOE approved acknowledgment of the receipt:

• KY Open Records & Open Meeting Acts
• Managing Public Records
• Procedure Request to Receive Special Meeting Notification by Email and Special Called Meetings

In students and staff presentations and recognitions:

• A moment of silence was held for LC School’s former employee, Ms. Trina Jane Hewlett-Jenkins. Ms. Hewlett-Jenkins passed away on December 24, 2024.  She served LC Schools as a rehabilitation coach, helping students to develop skills to obtain employment.  Her work eventually led her to the University of KY. LC Board Member, Mrs. Rice commented, “Our students and staff loved her. She did an amazing job helping our students to gain employment.”  LEES Principal, Mr. Dixon added, “She helped students become successful in life!”
• January is School Board Recognition Month!  Mrs. Webb gave the board members appreciation certificates from LC Schools and the KY School Boards Association.  Mrs. Webb also read a proclamation signed by LC Judge Executive, Phill Carter, stating that January was School Board Recognition Month in Louisa, KY.
• LEES attended the board meeting to spotlight activities happening within their school.  Mr. Dixon introduced Mrs. Rowland and Mrs. Roe, the current LEES Academic team coaches. They presented a slide show highlighting LEES as the first school in history to receive a state title for Future Problem Solving.  Mr. Dixon presented the school Safety Patrol program.  Students are referred to the program through GPA, teacher recommendations, and other criteria. The students work in the drop-off area each morning, beginning at 7:15 AM.  They also help with projects throughout the school. The program has an end-of-the-year trip to visit historical sites such as Monticello, Jamestown, Mount Vernon, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian museums.

In Communications:

• In the Superintendent’s Update, Mrs. Webb discussed the impact of the weather on the beginning of the new year.  Traditional Snow Days and NTI Days have been used to address the weather conditions.  There will be school calendar adjustments because of the excess winter weather conditions. Commissioner Fletcher has requested five additional NTI days from the KY legislature, but they have not yet been approved.
• The LCHS Choir has been selected to perform the National Anthem at the 2025 KSBA (KY School Boards Association) Annual Conference in Louisville, KY, on February 21-23.  The LCHS JROTC Color Guard will accompany the choir and present the National Colors.
• The LC Youth Football League is donating $10,000 toward revitalizing the original football concession stand, which is currently being used for storage. The building’s current state includes a leaky roof and siding issues. Since the league is helping to repair the building, space will be allocated for them to use the area for storage.
• Congratulations to Blaine Elementary School, which was awarded the Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund Grant (K-3) to implement structured literacy interventions, instructional training, and other resources. The grant, valued at $40,000, will be used for these purposes.
• LC School’s new Aspiring Leaders Program, facilitated by Chief Academic Officer Myram Brady, is designed to nurture professional growth and the future. Twenty-five educators are currently participating in the program.
• The District Middle School KY Governor’s Cup is scheduled for Saturday, January 18^th. However, due to weather conditions, the academic competition may be delayed.
• The January LCS Security Committee Meeting has been rescheduled to February because of inclement weather conditions.
• Mrs. Webb discussed the Annual Wellness Report: Nutrition and Physical Activity Report and the “Alliance for Healthier Generation Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment” District Summary Report. Mrs. Kyla Farly, our Director of Food Service, currently has our school system enrolled in the National School Breakfast Program.  We are also enrolled in the Community Eligibility Program, where no students are charged for their meals.  LC Foodservice has provided 86,844,000 breakfast meals and 127,578,000 lunches.  Mrs. Farly has set a goal to offer more selections of breakfast items for students so that breakfast numbers may increase.  She also hopes to reduce sodium levels in prepared foods.  The LC Foodservice held grand Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners throughout the district.  We appreciate all their dedication and hard work!

In Student Learning & Support Services:

• The board approved the Minutes for the December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting.
• The board approved the Claims and Orders of the Treasurer.  Some items included a lease payment/repair for the Ford Edge.  Another payment included the Granger circulating pump for LMS.  There was also payment for Redbook Training for those individuals who could not attend the original training. Also, payment to KDMC for CPR training classes.
• The board approved the Monthly Financial Report.

Beginning Balance:                                       $8,563,644

Total Revenue for December:                       $1,917,415

Expenditures for December:                         $2,944,280

Fund 1 Cash Balance for December:            $2,865,066

Ending Balance on all funds for December: $7,580,889

Balance Sheets reflect the balance for each fund as of December 31^st.

*Expenditures exceeded revenue due to construction costs.

• A special board meeting was set for Monday, January 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the LCHS library.

In the Consent Agenda:

• Per diem expenses for board members in attendance; approval for travel and expenses to the KSBA 2025 Annual Conference and training.
• There were several contracts and service payments, including the KY Valley Educational Cooperative (KEDC) Annual Membership Dues of $7,886.
• There is also a membership agreement between WeLeadCS, Inc. (WLCS) and LC Public Schools.  This membership allows for the computer science program at LCHS.
• There is an MOA for the 2025 SEBT School payment from the Department of Community-Based Services (DCBS) Commonwealth of KY.
• A Mentoring Agreement to approve a partnership between the University of the Cumberlands and the LC School District for supporting the superintendent certification program.
• An application for credit with Harbor Steel & Supply Cooperation-KY Operations.
• In requests, there was a support request to assist the LEES Safety Patrol in the amount of $100 per student, which would total $4000.
• A request for assistance from the STLP teams, including BES, FES, LEES, LMS, and LCHS, for transportation costs and overnight hotel accommodation for the team members and their chaperones.
• Permission to apply for the Gear Up Program Grant, Operation UNITE Grants, and United Way Grants.
• Permission for Mr. Burns to travel to Washington, D.C., for the Apprenticeship for America Conference.
• Permission for the district to apply for the AdnvanceKentucky College Readiness Program for AP courses, environmental science, English, and math.

In Construction/Building & Grounds Projects/Updates,

• Approved the invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects, Dec 1-Dec 31, 2024, for $4,662.38.
• Approved Codell Construction Pay Application 14 for the LCHS Vocational Education Center Renovation work for $216,074.33.
• Approved the invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the LMS roof replacement for $6,064.96.
• Approved the Codell Construction Pay Application 5 for the work performed on the LMS Roof Replacement for $313,311.55.
• Approved the invoice for professional services by RossTarrant Architects for the LCHS Upper Bleacher Replacement for $16,610.71.
• Approved emergency repairs, including permission to bid repairs for the LEES and LWES due to damage.

In Other Action:

• LCS Security/Committee Update: Mrs. Webb discussed the committee meeting for their first meeting last week.  The groups identified the safety marks already in place across the district.  They also identified current safety processes and resources that need to be better explained to the community and our school staff.  Example: STOP TipLine, reporting safety concerns by our staff and community.  The STOP Tipline is an online resource for reporting safety concerns.
• Approved the 25-26 Comprehensive District Improvement Plan and Assurances.  Mrs. Brady explained the road map to help LC students grow even more.  It shows the district and individual school improvement plans. It has been identified that our needs are to work in math, science, social studies, and writing.  We had no schools assigned to TSI.  Our plans include continuing growth in Professional Development.
• Approved appointing board member Mrs. Maddlene Roberts as the board representative to the 2025-2026 District Calendar Committee.  And approved the appointment of the 2025-2026 District Calendar Committee.
• Superintendent’s Professional Growth & Evaluation:

Standard 6- Collaborative Leadership

Mrs. Webb discussed how our partnerships within our community and other organizations offer the best outcome for our students. These partnerships help to remove barriers for our students. There are several examples of these partnerships, such as AEP helping to clear Bulldog Lane and, in return, using the LMS parking lot as a staging area for their trucks and equipment. Another is LC Tourism, which sponsors the Turkey Trot.  LC Tourism then donates monies from this event to the FRYSC centers.  These are just a few examples of our Community Partners.  We appreciate all our community partners.  They make an impact and a difference in the education and lives of our students.

In Personnel:

• Approved the abolishment, creation, and changes regarding positions.
• Approve to add from previous board action an updated page 12 to the 2024-2025 LC Schools Salary Schedule.
• Approved the declaration of critical shortage regarding a Math Teacher vacancy at LCHS for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Approved the acknowledgment receipt of the Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update.

A special meeting will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the LCHS library to review the 2025-22026 district draft budget. The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM, at the LCHS. 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.