BOE Recognizes State Championship Bass Team, Outstanding Volunteers; Makes Statement on Bathroom Issue
LOUISA – The Lawrence County Board of Education had much to celebrate last night at their regular May meeting at Lawrence County High School, but the meeting was not without a level of concern after the White House issued “guidance” when dealing with restroom preference and transgender students.
Right before a public comments segment punctuated by calm, yet concerned statements by parents and grandparents, Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher provided a statement from the Lawrence County Board of Education.
Superintendent Fletcher stated that:
“Lawrence County Schools will continue to respect the right to privacy of each of our students as well as their civil rights. Since Kentucky law has not been enacted to the contrary, separate restroom facilities will be provided for male, female, and transgender students as necessary.
“In short,” Fletcher continued, “students who are biologically male will not be permitted the use of restroom facilities of those that are designated for females.”
Even though the statement was well received, some parents and grandparents expressed concerns of whether state lawmakers would adopt the President’s “guidance” as law and how the Board would then proceed. In a brief statement after the board meeting, Fletcher added that the board would continue to protect the privacy and civil rights of all students, and that the school system would have to see what options that they had available, if the “guidance” became law.
Even a tinge of national controversy could not dampen a mood of pride in achievement, though, as there were recognitions aplenty.
First, Dr. Fletcher and the Board members – Heath Preston, Garnett Skaggs, Maddlene Roberts and Barbara Robinson (Jim See was unable to attend) – congratulated Dr. Cassandra Hayes Webb on her achievement of a doctoral degree from Morehead State University.
“This marks the end of three hard years of work by Dr. Webb,” Fletcher noted and Preston added: “Thank you from the Board for earning this to help in your work with our schools and kids.”
Next, Dr. Fletcher recognized the outstanding volunteers of each school in the district and then the outstanding overall volunteer for the 2015-16 school year.
They were: Atasha Hughes (Louisa West Elementary), Jennifer Boggs (Blaine), Elizabeth Owens (Louisa East) Carla Webb (Fallsburg), Marianne Mueller (Louisa Middle), Lori Kiser (LCHS).
Jennifer Boggs was recognized as the district’s top volunteer, having logged over 1,400 hours of service this school year at Blaine.
Lawrence County’s newest state championship team, the 2016 State Bass Fishing Champions, was recognized next. Coach Brandon Meddings – who has guided the program from its inception three years ago – introduced the substantial crowd which had followed the team on a parade route through downtown Louisa and culminating at the BOE meeting at LCHS. (See Lazer story on Sports section)
Freshmen Eric Price and Noah West went from finishing 15th in the region last year to winning the state championship this past weekend with a 35.4-pound haul in the two-day event held on Kentucky Lake.
Meddings introduced the triumphant pair along with teammates Michael Scaggs, Brayden West, Bradley Copley, Harley Davidson, Caleb Fletcher, and Nick Hayes, along with fellow coaches Jason Sexton, Glen Rowe, Dexter Maynard and Paul Arnette.
Dr. Fletcher informed the attendees of the second installment of the AEP Credits Count grant, which was delivered in the form of a $167,000 check on Monday at 11:30 a.m. to continue to fund the program. He also advised the Board that the graduation ceremony for LCHS was set for this Friday at 7 p.m. (See separate Lazer story on Main Page)
Finally, school principals and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Cassandra Webb presented the spring data to the Board and Chairman Preston stressed to the principals the importance of obtaining complete “buy in” on the part of students and staff.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Lawrence County Board of Education is June 20 at 6 p.m. at Lawrence County High School in the library.
Photos by James Ellis
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
May 16, 2016
Non-Renewal of Limited Contract
Amanda Elliott- Teacher at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
Wendy Rodriquez- Teacher at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
Joann Chaffin- Emergency Certified FMD Teacher at Louisa East Elementary School
Manis Shepherd- Teacher at Fallsburg Elementary School
Ronald Miller- Teacher at Fallsburg Elementary School
Jennifer Smith- Teacher at Louisa Middle School (1-Year)
Peggy Fisher- FMD Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
Ashley Church – English Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
Robert Allen- ESS Math Intervention Teacher
Karen Peck- Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
Joseph Hylton- Part-Time Custodian 15hrs/week at Blaine Elementary School
Suspension with Pay
William Richards- Teacher at Lawrence County High School
Resignations
Connie Sutton- Teacher at Louisa West Elementary School (effective 06/30/2016)
Wanda Ross- Instructional Assistant at Blaine Elementary School (effective 06/30/201
May 16, 2016
Re: Request to the Lawrence County Board of Education for Abolishment and Creation regarding Positions
Request the following positions be abolished effective June 30, 2016:
- (2) Teachers at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Preschool Teacher at Louisa West Elementary School Teacher (1-Year)—vacant
- (1) Teacher at Fallsburg Elementary School
- (1) English Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
- (1) FMD Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
- (1) LBD Teacher at Lawrence County High School—vacant
- (1) ESS Math Intervention Teacher (5-8)
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Instructional Assistant (Preschool) at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)—vacant
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year)—vacant
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Blaine Elementary School
- (1) Part-Time Credit Recovery Teacher (1-Year)—vacant
Request the following position be created effective July 1, 2016:
- (1) LBD/FMD Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
Request the following position (expiring on June 30, 2016) be extended for a period of one-year for the 2016-2017 school year effective July 1, 2016 to expire on June 30, 2017.
- (1) Teacher at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year)
