Lawrence County Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Oct. 16, 2023
LCHS at 6:00 PM
By Sarah Gauze
Lawrence Co. BOE reporter
The Lawrence County Board of Education held its regular meeting at Lawrence County High School in the library on July 17, 2023, at 6:00 PM. Board members Jim See (Chairman), Maddlene Roberts (Vice Chair), Barbara Robinson, and Susie Rice were all present in person. Ms. Garnett Skaggs was excused from the meeting, so she could attend a memorial service for a family member.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. See. The first order of business was to approve the agenda, as presented. A moment of silence was held in honor of Mr. William Luther Hardin, who recently passed away. Mr. Hardin had previously been a past LC Board of Education member. Ms. Ronda Colvin remembered Mr. Hardin as always being kind and dedicated to our community.
The October Board of Education meeting was hosted by Fallsburg Elementary School. The first presentation given was by the Fifth Grade Teacher, Ms. Pack. Ms. Pack gave a demonstration with students on the program, Number Talks, which was introduced at a training by KDEC. Ms. Pack works with fourth and fifth-grade students in ten-minute sessions. The students do mental math only during the session. They cannot use paper or their fingers. It is an exercise using only their minds to complete the math problems. Ms. Pack gave the students a math problem and they explained their mental process of completing the problem.
The next presentation was given by the FES Principal, Ms. Kise. On November 14, 2023, FES will be hosting a Teen Summit. This summit will be for middle school grades sixth through eighth grade students. The summit will focus on the social and emotional well-being of students. There will be various sessions presented by community partners, teachers, and LC School administration. Some of the session topics include social media etiquette, vaping, ways to cope with addiction within the family, etc. Students were asked what topics they would like to learn about, and the summit creators have worked to fulfill those topic wishes. The students will attend the topic sessions of their choice through the morning, break for lunch, and finish with key speakers, Matt Runyon, and Vanessa Keeton.
In communications, Dr. Fletcher gave the Superintendent’s update.
- The double nickel tax was discussed. The main focus projects through the double nickel tax funding would include a new Louisa West Elementary School, LMS roof, safety vestibules in all schools, and new cafeterias for Blaine Elementary and Fallsburg Elementary Schools.
- The LC Board of Education is providing an opportunity for the district schools to showcase great things happening in their buildings during the regularly scheduled board meetings. The showcase schedule is as follows:
November- Louisa West Elementary School March- Blaine Elementary School
January- Lawrence County High School April- Louisa Middle School
February- Louisa East Elementary School
- Ms. Janelle Brojakowski was selected to be an ambassador for the GoTeachKY initiative by the Kentucky Department of Education.
- Dr. Fletcher chaired the second meeting of the Appalachia Region Advisory Committee, which includes the states of KY, TN, VA, and WV. The group has identified teacher recruitment retention, mental health (students/staff), workforce development, chronic absenteeism, and family engagement (kinship care) as priorities in a report to the USDOE.
- The LMS 8th grade girls’ basketball team won the OVC tournament championship. The LCHS boys’ soccer team won the 15th Regional Tournament.
- There were no public comments.
In student learning and support services, the LC BOE approved the minutes of the September 18, 2023, Regular Meeting and the September 26, Special Meeting and Working Budget Work Session.
In finance, the Monthly Financial Report was presented by Finance Officer, Brandi Peters.
The beginning balance was $3,583,766. The total revenue was $3,560,644. The expenditure was $2,761,880. The Fund 1 Cash Balance was $809,516. The ending balance for the month was $4,937,197.
The Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023 was presented by Darrell Blair, CPA, Wells & Company, P.S.C. The LC BOE approved acceptance of the 2022-2023 LC School District Audited Annual Financial Report from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Mr. Blair gave praise and commended the work of the LC Schools Financial Department.
In the consent agenda, there were several out-of-state trip requests. The LCHS Baseball Spring Break Baseball Tournament to Knoxville, TN was approved. The EF Tours Costa Rica Study Abroad trip was approved. The LCHS BETA Club students’ trip to the Pumpkin House in Kenova, WV, to complete community service hours was approved.
In construction and building & grounds projects/updates, the LCHS LAVEC renovation and expansion, the LC BOE members approved the invoice payment of $32,693.98 to Codell Construction. The amount is the standard percentage of beginning fees for the project. The board also approved the motion to give permission to bid Leased Lit Network Capacity to provide Standalone Data Transmission (WAN) Service Between four school sites (BES, FES, LEES, LWES) and the network head-end (Technology Building).
In other action, LCHS Principal, Ms. Brady, provided a progress report on the 2023-2024 LCHS Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Ms. Brady relayed that MAP scoring had been at 39.3% and they had profoundly risen to 59.2%. Special Education teachers are required to turn in lesson plans on Monday morning and have regular observations, which will continue after the Targeted Support and Instruction is no longer mandatory.
The bid for snow removal was awarded to Lawn Express.
The LC Board members approved to accept the PY2024 KETS First Offer of Assistance for Education Technology in the amount of $24,228, with equal match by the district.
They also approved the purchase authorizations for two buses by financing through the KY Interlocal School Transportation Association (KISTA).
The LC Board approved entering Executive Session for the purpose of a Student Discipline Hearing. The LC Board approved the return to Open Session.
The LC Board members approved the request for Unpaid Leave of Absence for Scott Smith through December 30, 2023.
The acknowledgment of the Superintendent’s Personnel/Action Update was approved.
The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on November 20, 2023, 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.
July meeting???????