BC Board of Education Recognizes Students and Learns of Budget Cuts

Thu, 01/12/2012 - 11:00am — Diane Dyer

The Butler County Board of Education held its monthly meeting Tuesday, January 10 at the Butler County Education Complex. Superintendent Scott Howard recognized several students for their accomplishments. Butler County High School Student, Ethan Jenkins, and Butler County Middle School student, Olivia Neighbors, were recognized for participating in the regional and state cross country meets. Mr. Howard also recognized several middle school students who attended the Student Technology Leadership Program (S.T.L.P.) regional showcase competition at Western. The following students were invited to the state STLP competition in March: Gracie Deel, Ivy Donaldson, Haley Hope, Lauren Tyree, Macy West, Isaiah Arnold, Ian Embry, Rex Henderson, Nolan Johnson, Abby Coomes, Annabelle Cooper, Erica Daugherty, Emily Wallace, Allie Easley, Addison Hall, Hayden Johnson, and Tori Shain. STLP Sponsor, Sherlyn Bratcher, said, “This is the first time that all the groups advanced to state. We compete again March 22 in Lexington, so we’re excited.”

Olivia Neighbors and Supt. Scott Howard

Mr. Howard also recognized the board members. “January is School Board Appreciation Month. We’re doing some great things in the Butler County School System and have been for several years. I’m very proud to be able to work alongside our board members. They are a great board, and I appreciate everything they do.”

Much of the discussion in the meeting was about the district’s finances. District Finance Officer, Eric Elms, gave the financial report. The beginning balance for December was 1,243,297.37 and the ending balance was 1,256,886.16. Elms told the board “We got the bad news last month that we got cut $390,000 mid-year. That’s something we weren’t expecting.” Referring to budget cuts, Superintendent Howard said, “It’s going to be tough the next few years. It’s scary times right now for education. We’ll be asking principals this week for a spending freeze.”

Eric Elms told the board “We got the bad news last month that we got cut $390,000 mid-year. That’s something we weren’t expecting.”

Daisy Bishop with the Family Resource Center reported to the board about the Toys for Tots program. Bishop told the board they served 165 families and 389 children with the program. She praised the 30 volunteers that helped make the program successful. Superintendent Howard praised Bishop and all the employees who work for the Family Resource Center and the Youth Service Center. Howard said, “The things they do to help families in Butler County and our kids are beyond what we can imagine.”

Superintendent Howard reported to the board that he recently attended a Workforce Investment Board Meeting. He said they are working on “getting some of our high school students jobs during the summer.”

Howard also reported to the board that he was very proud the Kentucky Education Action Team Coalition (KEAT) had been formed to work for funding for K-12 education. According to Howard, there are seven groups that are representing about 60,000 people. KEAT is made up of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Kentucky School Boards Association, Kentucky Association of School Councils, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, Kentucky Education Association, Kentucky PTA and the Prichard Committee. The goal of KEAT is to let legislators and citizens know the reduction in funding that has occurred in public education.
The next school board meeting will be Tuesday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler County Education Complex.