Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education held its monthly meeting at Butler County Middle School on Tuesday night, November 10.  Delbert Johnson, Ryan Daugherty, Dr. Amy Hood, and Debbie Hammers were in attendance.  The board elected Dr. Amy Hood chairperson and Delbert Johnson vice-chair.
Transportation Director Jeff Jennings informed the board about the addition of bus monitors to the district. 
“We have hired 10 monitors who are in the process of being trained,” said Jennings.
When asked about the total number of buses in the district he answered,” We have 28 buses; we are going to start with 10 monitors.  By the end of this week we hope to have 5 to 6 in place and the others on board by the end of next week.”
Jennings also reported that all safety drills have been completed and he is conducting monthly driver meetings. 
Eric Elms presented the treasurer’s report:
Beginning Balance:  $1,597,783.88
Receipts:                  $1,432,267.83
Expenditures:           $1,624,118.87
Ending balance:        $1,405,932.84
According to Elms, the district enrollment is down 55 students, which equals approximately $283,000 in SEEK funding for the district.  Fifty-five students represent 2.5 teaching positions.  Low population at Green River School, which is controlled by the Department of Juvenile Justice, reflects a large part of the enrollment decline.
Superintendent Scott Howard reported on meetings and events he had attended and participated in during the past month.
“We want to thank Delta Faucet for their $15,000 donation and the Morgantown –Butler County Chamber for their $5,000 donation to the Leader In Me Program,” said Howard.

Lanny White, of Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPA’s presented the 2015 Butler County Schools Audit report to the board. 
“You (the district) had a good report, there were no findings, but you have some things you need to watch,” said White. 
According to White, with increased salaries the district needs to watch staffing and food services, since the CEP program has caused financial issues in several other districts. 
“The reimbursement rate for the CEP program is less than the revenue of self pay, so participation rates are vital to keep (CEP) and fund the food service program,” said White.
Butler County Schools implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for free meal reimbursement for school year 2015-2016 for North Butler Elementary, Morgantown Elementary and Butler County Middle School.
Financial highlights included: 

• The beginning General Fund balance for the district was $3,187,817.  The ending General Fund balance was $3,218,559.

• The beginning Special Revenue Fund balance for the district was $81,139.  The ending balance was $53,323.

• The beginning Other Government Fund balance for the district was $62,767.  The ending balance was $29,058.

During the 2014-15 school year, the district was required to adopt GASB 68. This standard requires the district to accrue a liability for an estimate of the proportionate share of the County Employee’s Retirement Systems (CERS) accumulated unfunded net pension liability. On June 30, 2015, the estimate of the district’s portion of the unfunded pension liability is $3,218,000.
Butler County Middle School Principal Tim Freeman presented the school’s 2015 KPREP Test Score Report.  Butler County Middle School had a slight decrease in the overall score from 65.3 to 64.7 with the percentile ranking of 64 and has a classification of Needs Improvement.  The middle school was just short of reaching proficiency by 1.1 points.  The cut score was 65.8 and they were 64.7.
According to Freeman, the additional math classes have been added in the eighth grade, and additional science classes in the seventh grade.  All students have a reading and writing class daily. 
The percent of novice learners have dropped in math from 28.1 in 2012 to 14.2 in 2015, and from 30.8 in reading to 19.2 in the same time.
“We have a very committed staff that is working hard to make sure our students are successful,” added Freeman.
In their final business the board approved the following:

• BCHS Band Trip Request through Thomas Tours, Inc. to Sandusky, Ohio on June 14-16, 2016

•  BCHS Yearbook Staff Trip Request to Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Tennessee on December 11, 2015

•  Fund 2 Projects 350B, and 401B Budget Revisions

•  Butler County Schools 2015 Renovations Payment Number 1 to Jenkins-Essex Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $281,125.00

•  Butler County Schools 2015 Renovations Direct Pay Application 1 to Jenkins-Essex Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $33,811.61

•  2nd and Final Reading and Rescission of Corporal Punishment Policy 09.433 and Procedure 09.433 AP.2

•  Private Tour Acknowledgement and Discipline Policy and Accompanying Documents

•  NBES PTO Local Business Discount Card Sale

• FY 15 Butler County Schools Audit Report  From Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPAs

• Program Services Plan for English Learners