Lawrence County Board of Education
Regular Meeting
July 17, 2023
LCHS at 6:00 PM
By Sarah Gauze
BOE public relations
(July 26, 2023) 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), Garnett Skaggs, Barbara Robinson, 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, as presented. A moment of silence was held for Ms. Mary Lois Butler, who recently passed away. Ms. Butler had previously taught fourth grade at Fallsburg Elementary School.
In communications, Dr. Fletcher gave the Superintendent’s update.
- The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is now “LIVE” in Lawrence County. There have been 278 pre-K children registered for the program to date. Ms. Webb has been the driving force in the start-up of this program within our county. There was a discussion about having a sign-up center for the program at each school’s upcoming Readifests.
- Lawrence County Schools will be offering another year of “free preschool” to all Lawrence County families. Ms. Colvin, Ms. Peters, and Ms. Hall have worked diligently on this program.
- There will be a ceremony in celebration of the new turf football field. Coach Short would like to invite board members and the community to the LC Farm Bureau Bowl on August 25, 2023, where the LC Bulldogs will be versing Shelby Valley. The ceremony will honor the local county government and maintenance department, who provided the early stages of land excavation of the football field. This work allowed a savings of $60,000 on the project. LC Schools appreciates the partnership between the school system and the Lawrence County local government. It is important to note that our LC soccer teams may also use the field. There are lines in gray provided on the field and soccer goals may be placed underneath the goalposts.
- Dr. Fletcher introduced a change to the order for the finishing of the interior of the softball facility project. The change involved $37,000 being used from the contingency fund and $19,000 being used from the special construction fund. This would total $56,000 for the interior costs of the facility.
- In discussion of other potential projects, Dr. Fletcher requested the LC Board approve the cleaning and striping of the track. As well as adding repairs to the cracking tennis courts and fence additions. The track repairs would total $52,000 and the tennis court repairs would total $23,000. The total in repairs is estimated at $75,000.
- A three-day principal training will be held on July 21, 24, and 25th at the Yatesville Lake Conference Center. There will be a book study on Motivating & Inspiring Teachers by author Todd Whitaker.
- There will be an Opening Day Breakfast held on August 8th, 2023. The first day of school will occur on August 9, 2023. The breakfast is being sponsored by Pathways.
In public comments, LC Board Member, Ms. Garnett Skaggs, inquired about the flag relocation at Blaine Elementary School. There was also a discussion of the KSBA unemployment refund in the amount of $15,672.49 being added to the construction fund.
In student learning and support services, the minutes of the June 19, 2023, Regular Meeting and the June 21, 2023, Special End of Fiscal Year Meeting were approved with a motion by Ms. Maddlene Roberts and seconded by Ms. Barabara Robinson. In the claims and orders of the treasurer, there was a discussion of the LC Schools District insurance in the amount of $415, 805 will be paid by using ESSER funding. This will allow savings to the LC Schools general fund. In the monthly financial report by Finance Officer, Ms. Brandi Peters, a beginning balance of $7,526,047. The expenditures totaled $4,738,853 and the total revenue was $2,632,147. The Fund 1 account totaled $1,825,370. The ending balance was $5,077,773.
In the consent agenda, there were many lease agreements, office supplies, renewals, and start-of-the-year requests. There was also a MOA between Ashland Community & Technical College for dual credit purposes and requests for facility use.
In construction/building and grounds projects/updates a service agreement with The MOTZ Group for the track and tennis courts maintenance was approved. The amounts included $52,076.69 for the repairs of the track and $22,270.56 for the tennis courts. A service agreement with DR Painting for the band facility was approved in the amount of $6,463,80. An invoice was approved for the professional services of RossTarrant Architects for the LAVEC (Vocational Center) in the amount of $6,495.90. And an invoice for the softball facilities in the amount of $1,247.00. The pay application for CPR Construction was approved in the amount of $74,545,60. An invoice for geotechnical services by LE Gregg Associates for the softball facilities project was approved in the amount of $465.00. A change order was approved for CPR Construction for the addition of days to the contract times for completion due to material delays. A change order was approved for the LCHS Softball Fieldhouse project for refinishing the interior of the building, which is estimated to cost $56,839.
In the safety and security upgrades, an ADT Commercial Agreement for Vape Detectors in LCHS and LMS was approved. The total for the vape detectors is $35,476.60.
The LC Board approved the Superintendent or designee to delay or cancel school for the 2023-2024 school year.
The revised LCHS JumpStart/Transition Plan with the budget was approved. The 2023-2024 student fees were also approved. The District Funding Assurances Fiscal Year 2024, which mandates the school district follow all state and federal laws was approved.
The 2023-2024 Letter of Commitment with the KDE for the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network was approved. Ms. Webb applied and received a grant, which will help provide training.
A MOA with KDE for Local Laboratories of Learning-ARP ESSER, effective July 15, 2023- Sept 30, 2024, for a total of $50,000 was approved.
There was no new business.
In personnel, there was a discussion that the Social-Emotional Learning position was empty for the 2023-2024 school year. The decision was made to allow for this school year to give each of the seven school counselors a $4,000 stipend to provide SEL to their students, which will be funded through a grant from KDE. There will be a new position hired for SEL, in the following school year.
The LC Board approved a Declaration of Emergency regarding the Physical Education Teacher at FES. The school had zero certified applicants.
The 2023-2024 LC Schools Pay Scales/Salary Schedules from previous board action was approved.
Ms. Teresa Prince and Sarah Blevins were approved/appointed to replace retirees Scott Osborn and Pam Puryear as Certified Evaluation Appeal Panel Members (with Lisa Withers as a Certified Evaluation Appeal Panel Alternate Member) for a two-year term effective July 17, 2023- June 30, 2025.
In the Superintendent Professional Growth/Evaluation, goals included the comparison of the salary schedule of LC to those of surrounding counties, implementation of the LC Portrait of a Graduate, and LC School safety. The KY Center of School Safety would be asked to evaluate each school campus and provide safety data.
The acknowledgment of the Superintendent’s Personnel/Action Update was approved.
The next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on August 21, 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 & meetings may be found on the current Lawrence County District webpage at www.lawrence.k12.ky.us.
