Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler County Education Complex. Board members Karen Evans, Delbert Johnson, Deborah Hammers and Amy Hood-Hooten were in attendance.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Karen Evans and the agenda was approved along with the minutes of the July 17, meeting.

Eric Elms presented the treasurer’s report:
Beginning balance: $377,603.43, receipts: $1,288,399.75, expenditures: $1,253,101.48, ending balance: $412,901.70.

“We must keep in mind this report reflects the $430,000 cut in SEEK funds that hit us mid-year last year,” said Elms.  We have also spent about $100,000 in food service equipment upgrades.” 

The board approved the report and payment of monthly bills.

Superintendent Scott Howard and the board recognized Butler County High School golfers Trevor Jenkins, Hunter Cardwell and Emily Wallace.  All three golfers qualified for the All “A” State Golf Tournament.

   
Green River School Principal Jim Green was recognized for receiving two awards the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children Outstanding School Administrator of the Year Award and Kentucky Association of School Administrators Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award.

“I am so honored and humbled for our school and staff, I achieve because we achieve,” said Green. “I am very proud of our staff and students.”

Morgantown Elementary Counselor Linda Tyree has been elected Kentucky School Counselor Association Board of Directors Elementary Vice President.

Butler County High School Agriculture teacher LeeAnn Daugherty has been named the  National Association of Agricultural Educators Kentucky Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award.

Tyree and Daugherty were unable to attend the meeting.

Superintendent Howard reported opening day went well and thanked board members for attending.

“It was one of the smoothest opening days we have had,” added Howard.  “Our theme for the year is Model-Connect- Involve.  We need to talk to students and connect with them."

Howard reported that he has attended the first GRREC Board Meeting and has already had a leadership meeting with the central office staff and principals. 

“We are encouraging the principals at each school to watch their budgets closely,” said Howard.

“I was a guest of John Embry’s “Out On A Limb” live radio show on WLBQ 1570 AM on opening day.  I enjoyed doing the show and have received a lot of positive comments,” said Howard.

Butler County High School Principal Patrick  O’Driscoll explained the BCHS Smoking Policy  to the board.

“We had several repeat offenders last year so what we were doing was not working,” said O’Driscoll. 

According to O'Driscoll researching what other schools were dong to stop smoking, the high school developed a new policy that has been approved by the school's SBDM Council.

"It is a violation of Kentucky law for students under the age of 18 to have possession of tobacco products on school grounds. Citations will be written to offenders by the school resource officers,” said O’Driscoll. 

The first offense will require students to receive education about the dangers of the use of tobacco; second offense would require additional education and could result in community service; third offense will require an appearance in court; and the fourth offense will find the offender in contempt of court orders.

Howard shared with the board that enrollment numbers at all schools were up but he didn’t have an exact number at this time. 

The superintendent also stated that the 2012-2013 tax rates would remain the same as last year. 

 “We do have a concern about the BCHS girls soccer team,” said Howard.  Our numbers at this time are too low to maintain a team.  We want to see the program grow, however, we are going to have to take a closer look.”

According to Howard, the boys' soccer team is strong and the board and City of Morgantown are working with Warren RECC to improve the lighting at the soccer field. 

The board had a lengthy discussion about school volunteers.  In the past  criminal background checks required for volunteers were free to the district.  As of this year the cost is $10 per person. 

“We hate to pass that cost on to volunteers,” said Howard. 

According to Morgantown Elementary Principal Greg Woodcock, his school did over 1,300 background checks last year.

To address this issue the board voted to do background checks every three years instead of annually, and to require the volunteer to pay the cost.

The board reviewed the SBDM Council minutes, school budgets , and bus maintenance Report.

The board then approved the following :

• Receipt of the “Managing Government Records” Document

• Receipt of the “Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Acts” Document

•  FY 13 Fund 2 Budgets   

• Green River School Memorandum of Agreement

• Continuation of Student and Staff Drug Testing for FY 13

• FY 13 ARC Chairpersons

• KEDC FY 13 Bakery Products Bid from Earthgrains Baking Co.    

• FY 13 Dairy Products Bid from Goldenrod Dairy

• KEDC FY 13 Groceries/Supplies Bid from Gordon Food Service

• FY 13 Ice Cream Bid from Brown’s Ice Cream Co.

• FY 13 Food Service Pest Control with Leitchfield Exterminators 

•  FY 13 Chemicals Bid with Southern Foods

•  FY 13 Receipt, Storage, and Delivery of USDA Foods with Southern Foods

• FY 13 Food Service Employee Handbook

• FY 13 Student Handbooks for Butler County High, Butler County Middle, Morgantown Elementary and North Butler Elementary Schools

• FY 13 Faculty Handbooks for Butler County High, Butler County Middle, Morgantown Elementary, and North Butler Elementary Schools

•  FY 13 Fundraisers for Butler County High, Butler County Middle, Morgantown Elementary, and North Butler Elementary Schools

•  FY12 SBDM Carryover Monies for FY 13 Butler County High, Butler County Middle, Morgantown Elementary, and North Butler Elementary Schools 

•  FY 12 KETS Second Offer of Assistance from SFCC in the Amount of $15,312

The next regular meeting of the Butler County School Board will be at 6:30 pm on September 11, 2012, at Grren River Youth Development Center.