Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, February 10, at the Butler County Education Complex.  Karen Evans, Amy Hood, and Debbie Hammers were in attendance.

Prior to the start of the meeting Superintendent Scott Howard presented board member Debbie Hammers with certificates of training as she has completed two levels of board training.
The board approved the minutes of the January 13th meeting, and the treasurer’s report.
Beginning balance: $2,209,836.14
Expenditures: $1,399,431.88
Receipts:  $1,243,842.19
Ending balance: $2,052,226.45

Supt. Howard and the board recognized Butler County High School Senior Emily Rich, who has been selected as a candidate for the 2015 Presidential Scholar program.  Rich scored 35 on her ACT and is in running for an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and the White House.

Also recognized was North Butler Elementary student Lucas Johnson as the AARP/Kentucky Retired Teachers Grandparent Essay Contest winner.  Lucas wrote his essay about his Grandfather Leroy Johnson.
Supt. Howard reported about various meetings he has attended in the community including: the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Chamber luncheon and the reception honoring Dr. Wan as the Economic Ambassador. He will also be attending state educational meeting in Frankfort later this week.
According to Howard, the district is looking at a $3 million renovation project for the Butler County Schools.  He recommended hiring JKS Architecture for the design of the project.   
Jimmy Arnold addressed the board concerning the purchasing of a replacement chiller for Butler County Middle School. 
“A new unit will give me control of the system and by going through bonding for the cost we can protect the general fund,” said Arnold.
He also recommended joining the Cooperative Purchasing Network to save money on the purchase of the chiller.
Green River School Principal Ben Annis gave a report to the board concerning the school program. 
“We have had two students graduate and three others are on track to graduate later this month.  Things are going well, we currently have 30 students. We have added the Apex Credit Recovery program which has been a great help to our students,” said Annis.
Annis stated the two students had returned to visit the facility, “Both are currently students at Murray State University, one scored 31 on his ACT, we are making a difference.”
Next, Pre-School Director Sarah Ingram presented the kindergarten readiness results.
“Overall we are doing well compared to the state,” said Ingram.
According to Ingram, three years ago only 14.7 percent of students screened were ready for kindgarten; in 2014, that number was 43.4 percent.
“Our preschool programs are doing well, what we are lacking is quality daycare in Butler County.  We currently only have three regulated Star-rated daycares in Butler County in addition to Head Start,” added Ingram.       
The board approved the following:

• BCHS Baseball Trip Request to Attend Spring Baseball Tournament in Fort Walton/Destin, Florida on April 4th – 10th, 2015

• BCHS Broadcasting Trip Request to Attend the STN National Convention in San Diego, California on April 1st – 4th, 2015

• FMLA Request for BCMS Paraeducator

•  Participation in TCPN (The Cooperative Purchasing Network)

•  BCMS Football 1st Annual Madden Tournament

• BG-1 Form (Trane - Butler County Middle School Chiller Replacement)

• Revised BG-1 Form (Butler County Schools 2015 Renovations)    

•  Hiring of JKS Architecture for the Design of the Butler County Schools 2015 Renovations Project (Subject to KDE Approval)

•  Hiring of Trane for the Butler County Middle School Chiller Replacement Project (Subject to KDE Approval)

•  Revised Procedure (Classified Personnel Evaluation Process)