Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at Butler County High School. All board members were in attendance.

District Finance Officer Eric Elms gave his monthly treasurer’s report. The balance for the beginning of April was $2,273,216.37.  The end-of-the-month balance was $2,477,540.98.

The board recognized BCHS student, Mattie Wells, for receiving 5^th place with her community service project, at the 2018 FBLA State Conference.

Superintendent Scott Howard gave his monthly report.  He told the board the school system applied for a $5,000 grant from United Way.  It will be used to finish the LEAP bus.  Howard also reported that he attended the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Butler County Schools Nutrition Banquet, Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting, and the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative Board of Director’s Meeting.  Superintendent Howard informed the board members that some employees from Green County Schools came to Butler County High School and Butler County Middle School to observe the schools’ morning safety procedures including scanning and bag checking.  According to Howard, this is the second county to observe our district’s safety procedures.  Superintendent Howard gave credit to the principals and faculty and staff at each school for their diligence in keeping the students safe. He reminded the board of the following dates:

·       No School on May 22^nd due to Election Day

·       No School on May 28^th due to Memorial Day

·       BCHS Underclass Honors Ceremony, May 24^th, 5:30 p.m.

·       BCMS 6^th Grade Academic Awards, May 30^th, 8:00 a.m.

·       BCMS 7^th Grade Academic Awards, May 30^th, 8:45 a.m.

·       BCMS 8^th Grade Academic Awards and Promotion Ceremony, May 30^th, 1:15 p.m.

·       BCHS Graduation, BCHS gymnasium, June 1^st, 7:30 p.m.

 Butler County Schools Food Service Director Kaitlin Harrison announced that Butler County Schools will be receiving a grant. According to Harrison, "Receiving the KVIP (Kentucky-grown Vegetable Incentive Program) grant is a win-win for Butler County because it helps feed our hungry children during the summer months and expands market opportunities for local farmers."  Harrison also announced that Butler County Schools Food Service Program received a superior rating on this year’s Kentucky Department of Agriculture review.

 Jimmy Arnold gave a report about how the school system could be even more energy efficient and asked the board to consider going into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract with Harshaw Trane.  Arnold said, “This started three years ago.  We were at a point where the building automation system software and the controllers were end of life. Those pieces of equipment have been in place since 2004, and basically we are having to do resets now once or twice a week to keep everything running. It’s becoming a problem. We got into a conversation with Harshaw Trane about the cost of the upgrade, and we were looking at a pretty substantial cost. But everything we have done, we have always tried to do upgrades through energy savings. The base project was LED lighting, interior and exterior, and also the controls, the building automation system upgrade.  We also had a few other energy conservation measures we could see: water conservation, some pumps that need to be replaced, some HVAC units that need to be replaced, and areas that receive afternoon sun can have film put on the windows to reflect the sun.  It also keeps people from the outside from looking in, so we were looking at that as a safety issue, too. Then, we have kitchen water boosters and some water leaks that have to be repaired.”  According to Arnold, “this project will save the district over $200,000. These upgrades will make our district even more energy efficient.”  This project will not cost the district any money. The savings from the utility bills will be allocated to the upgrades.

 The board approved the following:

·       FY 18 Summer Feeding Program

·       Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program (K-VIP) Grant Agreement

·       FY 19 Tentative Working Budget

·       FY 18 School Facilities Construction Commission KETS Third Offer of Assistance in the amount of $9,933

·       BCMS BETA Out-of-State Trip Request to Visit the Cincinnati Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky, on June 7^th, 2018

·       FY 19 Final SBDM School Council Allocations

·       FY 19 Barren River District Health Department School Nurse Satellite Clinics at Butler County High School, Butler County Middle School, Morgantown Elementary School and North Butler Elementary School

·       Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract – LED Project

·       Entering into a contract with Commonwealth Health to provide an athletic trainer