Board Recognizes LCHS Girls’ Soccer; Hears Academic Plans
Louisa – In their regular November meeting Monday evening at the Lawrence County High School library, the Board of Education had the pleasure of recognizing the LCHS Soccer Dawgs girls’ soccer team which made the Elite Eight of the KHSAA State Soccer Tournament as 15th Region champions.
Senior Makenzie Frazier read a first-hand account of the team’s victories in the regional tournament and their march through Perry Central and on to the Elite Eight.
“No matter what anybody said, we never got lucky. We worked for the championship and wanted it and we earned it,” she told the meeting crowd.
The Board gave certificates of recognition out to the team members to commemorate their remarkable season.
Attendees were also treated to a presentation by participants in the LCHS Youth Career Connect project, which has paired up students with mentors in the workforce who allow students to shadow them on the job and given them an inside glimpse of the career fields they have chosen to examine.
Cassidy Cyrus, Emily Vance and Tanner Waugh did the presentation using a PowerPoint format that classmate Karli Beck had helped develop, although she could not attend.
In the communication segment of the agenda, Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher talked with the Board about bringing all information together using more streamlined communication in the school district; he addressed the focus on novice reduction in accountability testing, which was one of the areas of difficulty for Lawrence County Schools. Dr. Fletcher informed the Board of a visit from Menifee County Schools Central Office staff to the recent District Managers Administrators and Principals (DMAP) meeting and updated them on the Louisa East Elementary School Principal selection process.
Fletcher took a moment to detail the work being done by the district’s organizational effectiveness group, which is zeroing in on improving one key process per segment in order to enhance overall organizational effectiveness. He also reminded attendees that LCHS will open its gymnasium to Sheldon Clark to host the Zip Zone Classic this weekend as it has in recent years.
Each building principal addressed the Board of Education and talked to them about the plans they have put in place to address the issue of novice reduction and move toward greater academic achievement in this school year. Many reference involving retired educators who excelled in reading and mathematics to tutor kids who were most in need of assistance in order to raise their achievement levels.
There was discussion about plans to possibly partner with Three Rivers Medical Center to employ a nurse practitioner within the school system to efficiently address health concerns and streamline processes related to student health needs. Dr. Fletcher said that conversation is continuing. The Board approved out-of-state trips for LCHS softball and bio-medical programs, for the LMS 8th grade trip to Tennessee and the LMS cheering squad’s trip to Orlando in February of 2017 for UCA Nationals.
Additionally, Dr. Fletcher and the Board decided to support the LCHS band in a unique opportunity to acquire equipment due to the closing of Mack and Dave’s in Huntington, which was a supplier of band instruments across the Tri-State. After discussion, Dr. Fletcher and the Board decided. The Board committed to give the band $5,000 in order to acquire and upgrade equipment.
“I don’t know if you all have seen our band lately, but they look and sound great,” said Dr. Fletcher of the LCHS and middle school band programs, now under the direction of Mr. Scott Smith.
Finally, the Board, Dr. Fletcher and Technology/Public Information Officer Tommy Burns talked about the need for the district to voice support for the Dataseam Project, which utilizes computers housed at LCHS to link with others for research purposes and also helps fund scholarships used on LCHS students to attend Morehead State University. It was agreed that a letter from the Board and District supporting the Dataseam project would be produced and sent to legislative representatives.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting will be December 19, 2016 at 6 p.m. at Lawrence County High School.
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
November 21, 2016
By Betty Mullins
November 21, 2016
Hiring
Jo Ann Chaffin – FMD Teacher at Louisa East Elementary School
Diana Thompson – Teacher at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year)
Gracy Cook – District School Health Nurse/District Special Needs Nurse (1-Year)
Donnie Shapaka – Instructional Assistant at Middle Grades Alternative Education Program (1-Year)
Kristi Parks – Instructional Assistant at Middle Grades Alternative Education Program
Karen Peck – Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School
Kristen O’Brian – Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
Ray Thornsberry – Full-Time Bus Monitor
Cassie Robinson – Full-Time Bus Monitor
Melissa Collins – Part-Time Custodian at Blaine Elementary School (15hrs/week)
Substitute Teachers
Jessica Blevins
Thomas Brady
Taylor Henry
Travis Holt
Nicola Nelson
Charles Sparks
Krystal Vance
Kyra Wheeler
Erma Williams
Substitute Instructional Assistant
Melissa Dotson
Deborah Burke
Kristina Sandefur
Substitute Cook/Bakers
Rose Marie Pfost
Brenda Preston
Substitute Custodian
Vernessa McKinster
Substitute Bus Monitor
Savannah Mullins
Change of Position
Mary Hall – from Principal at Louisa East Elementary School to Director of Federal Programs/District Assessment Coordinator/Innovations Coordinator
