Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, December 13, at the Butler County Education Complex. All board members were in attendance. 

District Finance Officer Eric Elms presented the financial report to the board. The beginning balance for November was $1,045,706.07.  The end-of-the-month balance was $1,864,371.86.  Shannon West, accountant from Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPAs, presented the 2016 Butler County Schools audit. West reported an Unqualified Opinion, which is the best audit option that can be received.  

Superintendent Scott Howard reported on several events he has attended recently. Howard spoke about the Veteran’s Day program at the high school and said he wanted to publicly thank Linda Tyree for the work she does in organizing the program.  He said he attended an Early Childhood Meet and Greet, an Adult Education Advisory Council Meeting, a Chinese Community Event, and two Leader in Me meetings.  Howard also reported that he attended the Kentucky School Board Association winter conference and Kentucky Association of School Superintendents winter conference. 

Mr. Howard told the board that the Kentucky Department of Education had recently conducted a state attendance audit in the district.  Robert Tuck, Director of Pupil Personnel, said, “It was a good audit.  All our data was in order.  The auditors gave us a few things to work on and said we did a good job and keep good records.  Our attendance clerks do a great job, and we really appreciate them.” 

Butler County Middle School Principal Tim Freeman gave a report on his school’s test scores from last school year and the school’s plan to close the achievement gap.  With an overall score of 59.7, the school is labeled as “Needs Improvement”.  Freeman said the teachers are working hard to reduce the number of novice and improve in all content areas.  He said, “Our teachers are doing everything we ask them to do.  They offer feedback and are committed to making BCMS the best we can be.”  Mr. Freeman shared the following action plan being implemented at the school:

• Upgrading and adding to technology with Moby tablets and Chromebooks. All grade levels have a full Chrome lab available. Map testing conducted in classroom setting.
• RTI math classes available for Tier 3 students. 
• Teachers are collaborating across content levels and grade levels in scheduled monthly PLC meetings to discuss and share student work, formative and summative assessment information, positive behavior interventions, lesson planning, and program reviews.
• Accountability grades included in assessments. 
• PBIS implementation school wide. 
• Teachers are working to format classroom assessments to be more like the K-PREP assessment. 
• Teachers use Map test data in Reading and Math to adjust lesson plans and project student growth. Accountability given to students for not meeting projections or dropping classifications. 
• Teachers continue to participate in GRREC literacy coaching initiative. 
• Teachers participate in Formative Assessment Academy Level I and II (Success Criteria that models after GRREC Thinking Strategies).
• Teachers utilize technology for instruction to engage students in learning (Google Classroom).
• Implementing/Adjusting school-wide student mentoring program to assist with Novice Reduction Rate.

Additionally, the following items were approved by the board: 

• FY 16 Butler County Schools Audit Report From Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPAs
• BCHS Girls’ Basketball Trip Request to Attend the Lady Marshall Holiday Classic in Paducah, Kentucky, on December 19^th-21^st, 2016
• FY 17 Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) 
• Resolution for Old Boston School Property Deed 
• Medical Excuse Form 
• Revisions to Title 2 Budget 

At the end of the meeting, Superintendent Howard recognized Bubby Price for his service as a board member.  December is Price’s last month serving as a member of the Butler County Board of Education.