Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education held its monthly meeting at North Butler Elementary School on Monday, October 17.  The main topic of discussion was the recently released state test scores.  Vickie Cook, the District Assessment Coordinator, reported to the board on Butler County Schools’ progress.  According to Ms. Cook, only one out of four schools met the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) goals.  Schools are required to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under NCLB guidelines.  AYP is a measurement used to determine how every public school and school district in the country is performing academically according to results on standardized tests.

North Butler Elementary School met their NCLB goals and showed an increase in proficient and distinguished scores in reading, math, and science.  Morgantown Elementary School met 90% of their goals and improved their on-demand scores.  Butler County Middle School (BCMS) “made some of the biggest gains in the district” Cook said.  The middle school met 90% of their goals and increased scores in math, reading, social studies, science, and on-demand.  Butler County High School met 70% of their goals and improved scores in reading and on-demand.  Ms. Cook said even though the district did not meet all their goals, the schools are still making gains in several areas.  Of Kentucky’s 174 school districts, only 22 met 100 percent of their target goals.
Superintendent Scott Howard said, “Our job is to reach every child.  I think it is easy to see that we are not where we want to be in regards to the state and federal assessment mandates. However, I think when you look at the growth at each individual school, which in some cases is phenomenal, and we still are not making our AYP, it shows that NCLB is somewhat flawed.  I know we have teachers, support staff, and administrators working extremely hard to help each child. Now is a very important time for our district.  We have to take all of the data and identify our strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan that will continue to move the district forward.”  Howard said he believes the Professional Learning Communities the district is participating in will help, as well as the instructional rounds that he and other administrators are beginning.
Mr. Howard announced that Butler County Schools have been awarded the Carol White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant. The purpose of this grant is to enhance physical education programs, encourage the development of lifelong healthy habits, and to improve nutrition and physical education programs.  Butler County Schools will be given $345,000 the first year, $113,000 the second year, and $113,000 the third year for a total of $571,000.  Superintendent Howard said this money will be used for the schools and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.  Part of the money will be spent to hire a certified P.E. teacher for Morgantown Elementary School and to hire a person to work at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club for 20 hours per week.  Howard praised Pam Pendley for her work on getting the grant.

Mr. Howard reported on several things to the board.  He said he had the opportunity to attend the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Annual Dinner and believes they are providing a great service to Butler County. He also said Deborah Hall, the new director, is doing a wonderful job.  He reported to the board about attending the annual Butler County NJROTC inspection and said, “I am really proud of Major Redmond, Chief Melton, and the kids.  We received the highest marks we could.”

Mr. Howard said he had several calls regarding the booster club cookout fundraisers.  He said the district is working on being in compliance with federal guidelines.
Howard also reported that the Butler County Middle School 7th grade football team won the Green River Valley Conference this year.  He and BCMS Principal Jeff Jennings both said they are very proud of the team and the coaching staff.

District Finance Officer, Eric Elms, reported that the school district had a beginning balance of $1,124,923.72.  The receipts totaled $1,141,571.79 and expenditures totaled $1,505,614.51.  This left the district with an ending balance of $760,881.00.  According to Elms, the finances are “running better than where we were this time last year.”

Story and photos by Paige McKinney, BTN