Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in special session on Tuesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler County Education Complex. All members of the board were present.

Chairperson Dr. Amy Hood called the meeting to order. The agenda and the minutes of the May 8th meeting were approved. The board approved the treasurer’s report and payment of monthly bills. Finance Officer Eric Elms reported the balance at the beginning of the month as $2,477,540.98 and the balance at the close of the month as $2,676,507.41.

Superintendent Scott Howard reported some of his activities in the past month. He attended the Early Childhood Council Meeting and the 2018 South Central Kentucky Leadership Award Ceremony. Howard also attended the BCHS Playschool Graduation, saying that Mrs. Kimberlea Embry and others helping her do a great job with playschool. He also reported that this year’s Senior Walk included a visit to all schools, thanking Principal Michael Gruber and explaining that this event was a good experience for all with little cost to the school district.

Superintendent Howard reported meeting with Dr. Ghayth Hammad to develop a partnership. The partnership would benefit the schools tremendously since Dr. Hammad would provide an iPad so that each school would have access to a nurse practitioner via Skype. Mr. Howard commented that Dr. Hammad wants to help the schools. BCHS Principal Michael Gruber added that Dr. Hammad and his staff provided about 140 sports physicals to student athletes in a three-hour period at no cost to the students.

Superintendent Howard also reported attending the Chamber Luncheon, the LEAP Bus Ribbon Cutting, and a GRREC Meeting at which Commissioner Wayne Lewis was in attendance. Lewis spoke to the superintendents about direction. Howard said he hopes to get Commissioner Lewis to visit Butler County Schools during the coming school year.

 During the Communication section of the agenda, Howard explained that in the MES Principal Selection process, the school site-base council has attended the mandated training for principal selection. Also, the survey of stakeholders has resulted in about 220 returned surveys to date. The council hopes to interview in late July.

The BCHS Football Field renovation is in progress. Dirt work has begun, and other work will occur soon. New sod will be put down, and the field is on schedule for fall games. The first scheduled middle school game may have to be adjusted, but the field should be ready for the first high school game. Also, Delta had partnered with the school district to update the restrooms with Delta products, and a sign will go up to recognize their help. Superintendent Howard noted that Teresa Montgomery had been helpful in making this happen.

Howard also mentioned the progress of the LEAP Bus, saying it was ready for service. The KSBA Summer Institute is July 13th – 14th, and the KASA Summer Leadership Conference is July 25th – 27th. Board members were informed that insurance costs would increase for Property, Fleet, General Liability, Errors and Omissions, Umbrella, Inland Marine, and Workman’s Compensation Insurance Renewal Information. Hocker Family Insurance has the school district policies, and Gina Tynes mentioned some differences from the previous year, including law enforcement liability, hackers, and an earthquake limit increase.

Superintendent Howard made the board aware of a North Butler Elementary School drain line installation. SBDM minutes and school budgets were provided to board members. Under the Transportation Report, Jeff Jennings stated that the buses have been cleaned and that he had lost a couple of bus drivers and might have another class for potential bus drivers in the fall or in the spring.

 During the Consent Agenda portion of the meeting, the following items were approved:

·         BCHS Golf Team Overnight Trip Request to the Bullitt East Invitational Golf Tournament in Taylorsville, KY, on July 25th -27th, 2018

·         BCHS Band Out-of-State Trip Request to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 27th, 2018

·         BCHS Band Out-of-State and Overnight Trip Request to Kings High School in Kings Mill, Ohio, on  November 2nd – 3rd, 2018

·         BCHS Girls Basketball Team Out-of-State and Overnight Trip Request to Attend the UT Martin  Invitational Skyhawks Basketball Camp  in Martin, KY, on June 20th – 22nd, 2018

·         Authorization for Application for Federal, State, and Private Grants for the FY 19 School Year

·         FY 19 Property Insurance Renewal with Liberty Mutual in the Amount of $99,639.00     

·         FY 19 Fleet Insurance Renewal with Liberty Mutual Insurance in the Amount of $89,513.00

·         FY 19 General Liability Insurance Renewal with Liberty Mutual Insurance Renewal in the Amount of $32,220.00     

·         FY 19 Umbrella Insurance Renewal with Liberty Mutual Insurance in the Amount of $22,618.00

·         FY 19 Inland Marine Insurance Coverage Renewal with Liberty Mutual Insurance in the amount of $1903.00

·         FY 19 Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal with Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance in the Amount of $47,884.71

·         FY 19 Bond of Depository

·         FMLA Request for MES Custodian

 During the Student Support Services portion of the meeting, the following items were individually approved:

·         1st Reading of FY 19 KSBA Recommended Policies and Procedures Updates

·         Participation in Non-Certified Substitute, Emergency Substitute, and Paraprofessional Programs for the FY 19 School Year

·         One Year, Emergency and Provisional Certification for Teachers of Specified Areas of Shortage in Order to Fill Unanticipated Vacant Teacher Positions for the FY 19 School Year

·         FY 19 Trash Pick-up Bid with Republic Services at a Cost of $24,302.28 (This was the only bid.)

·         FY 19 Membership in the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC)

·         FY 19 Salary Schedule

·         District-Wide Five-Year Copier Lease Agreement with RJ Young (This agreement, negotiated by Finance Officer Eric Elms, will save money.)

·         Memorandum of Agreement with Kentucky Community and Technical College System (Madisonville Community College) for Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs(s)

·         FY 19 FRYSC Memorandum of Agreement (These programs received an increase in state funding.)

·         Memorandum of Understanding with the Edmonson County Board of Education Regarding the South Central Kentucky Adult Education Consortium (These services are now part of a five-county area with Edmonson County Board of Education acting as the fiscal agent.)

Superintendent Howard said that he had no specific Personnel Report, but anticipates several changes. He further commented that he expects a teacher shortage in five years since fewer people are choosing to go into education.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.