Lawrence County Board of Education Regular Meeting
January 17, 2023
(Lawrence Co. BOE press release)
The Regular Meeting of the Lawrence County Board of Education was held at the Lawrence County High School library on January 17, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The LC Board Members Jim See- Chair, Maddlene Roberts- Vice-chair, Barbara Robinson, and Garnett Skaggs were all present in person.
Before the meeting began, Ms. Garnett Skaggs and Ms. Maddlene Roberts were sworn back into their positions as Board Members of the Lawrence County Board of Education. These ladies were unopposed in the election. Ms. Skaggs and Ms. Roberts have been fixtures on the LC Board of Education. Ms. Skaggs has remained on the board for fourteen years, while Ms. Roberts has served for twenty-plus years. We would like to congratulate them on this accomplishment. We also want to thank them for their continued diligence and support in working for the students of Lawrence County.
Mr. See called the regular meeting to order. The first order of business was to approve the agenda and attend to organizational items. Each January, the Board is required to appoint a chairperson and a vice chairperson. Mr. See was nominated to act as Chairperson by Maddlene Roberts and was seconded by Garnett Skaggs. Maddlene Roberts was nominated to act as Vice-Chair by Garnett Skaggs and seconded by Barbara Robinson, and the motion passed by consensus.
The next order of business was setting the schedule of the regular LC Board of Education meetings for the 2023 calendar year. Voting determined the location of meetings to be held at the library of Lawrence County High School. The location will only change during the month of March to Blaine Elementary School and in October to Fallsburg Elementary School. The dates are set as the third Monday of each month, except for January and February, as they will be held on the Tuesday after because of federal holidays. The time for all regular meetings is set for 6:00 PM.
In the student/staff presentations and recognitions, a moment of silence was given for Mr. Jim Shannon and Ms. Tammy Jackson, who recently passed. Mr. Shannon was a well-known member of the community. He worked at LC Schools as a computer technician and bus driver. Ms. Jackson was a bus monitor and was remembered as having a great love for the students in her care. Next, Dr. Fletcher highlighted and presented the LC Board Members with a proclamation from Judge Executive, Phil Carter. There were also certificates issued by the KY School Board Association presented to each of the LC Board Members for their work and dedication to the LC School System.
In the Superintendent update, Dr. Fletcher discussed that the county government has started the dirt removal process for the high school turf project. The county’s efforts will save the school system an estimated $60,000.
Dr. Fletcher reviewed the LPC (Local Planning Committee) and has approved the DFP (District Facilities Plan) revisions recommended by the KDE (Kentucky Department of Education).
The EKEBC (Eastern KY Elementary Conference Tournament) ended with Blaine Elementary cheerleaders winning first place and Louisa East winning the A, B, and C team championships. Dr. Fletcher reflected on the way the elementary teams cheered each other throughout the season.
The LCHS girls’ basketball team won the 2A Sectional Championship and competed in the state competition.
The drafting phase of the LC Portrait of a Graduate is continuing to be developed.
The central office administration is completing a second round of classroom walkthroughs. The focus is on questioning techniques and the gradual release model.
Ms. Brady, LCHS principal, has been collaborating with Morehead State University to establish a future teaching program in Lawrence County.
Dr. Fletcher continues to participate in legislative updates and discussions as part of the Local Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
The last day to apply for the vacant position on the LC Board of Education is on January 18, 2023, at 4:00 PM.
In public comments, a question was raised about how the LC curriculum is selected. Dr. Fletcher also addressed a question from Mr. See concerning the selection of curriculum in each school. While there are local textbook committees appointed that focus on curriculum issues, Dr. Fletcher himself has the final say on these issues.
In student learning and support services, the minutes for December 19, 2022, Regular Meeting were approved.
The claims and orders of the treasurer were also approved.
There was a discussion of an energy bond payment in the amount of $363,000, which will be paid off in the year 2027.
The monthly financial report was provided by Finance Officer, Brandi Peters. The beginning balance for December 2023 was 14,163,447, with the total revenue being 2,000,431. The expenditures for the month totaled $1,991,630. The Fund 1 cash balance for the month of December was $2,686,330. The ending balance of all funds was $14,463,828. The balance sheets reflect the balance for each fund as of December 31, 2023. The 2023-2024 Draft Budget meeting date and time were set for January 31, 2023, in the LCHS Library at 6:00 PM.
In the consent agenda, the LC Board Members will be attending the KSBA 2023 Annual Conference and training. Several contracts and memorandums were on the agenda. There were several LCHS fundraisers from the BES and LCHS. A request for assistance was brought forward by LEES for families facing financial difficulties. All were approved by the LC Board.
In construction projects and facility planning, the Local Planning Committee (LPC) approved the draft of the District Facility Plan (DFP).
There has been a total of five LPC meetings and three public forums. The KY Department of Education (KDE) returned the DFP with revisions and suggestions. One of the greatest changes to the plan was to Blaine Elementary School. The plan originally had a new box gymnasium being built for the school. However, the new plan has a new cafeteria being built, with renovations to the existing gymnasium.
There were also some priority list changes, because of the thirty-year rule.
This rule states, if the section of a building needs renovation and is over thirty years old, it cannot be listed as priority one construction. Some of the renovations listed in the priority one section had to be moved to priority five because of this rule.
The LC Board Members set the date of a District Facility Plan (DFP) Public Hearing date on January 26, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the LCHS Library. Mr. Paul Cindy will be conducting this meeting.
In relation to the softball facility project, an invoice was issued for the professional services of RossTarrant Architects for an invoice total of $1,051.59. Also, there was a completion date change due to adverse weather conditions and delays. The delay was for eight days, which moved the completion date to June 29, 2023. An invoice for LE Gregg for services for the LCHS Softball Fieldhouse for $2,700. The LC Board Members approved the design of the LCHS turf football field project. There was a discussion about having either gray or yellow lines for soccer. Design A with the gray lines was chosen by the LC Board Members. Dr. Fletcher explained once the dirt has been completely removed, gravel will be added to the field. It is estimated, with good weather, the construction may take 8-10 weeks.
In other action, the Post-School Predictor Implementation Project ARP ESSER Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commonwealth of KY, KY Department of Education, and the Lawrence County Public School District for Jan 20, 2023, through Sept 30, 2024, totaling $150,000 was approved.
The Regular LC Board Meeting entered into an executive session for a Student Discipline/Expulsion Hearing.
There will be a Special LC Board Meeting held on January 31, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the LCHS library. The next Lawrence County Regular LC Board Meeting will be held on February 21, at 6:00 PM in the LCHS library.
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.
Was Jim See once the vice principal at the high school?
No
There was a Mr. See that was vp at lchs in the early 90’s. What was his first name and where is he now?
J Lynn See was the Vocational Director. He’s still around
Thank you!