Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Butler County Education Complex. Board members Amy Hood, Ryan Daugherty, Delbert Johnson, and Aimee Sanders were in attendance. Debbie Hammers was unable to attend.

Superintendent Scott Howard began the meeting with recognition.  Morgantown Elementary Principal Chad Flener was recognized and congratulated by the board members for being named Principal of the Year by the Kentucky School Counselors Association.  Flener said it was an honor to be chosen and to attend the awards ceremony with his family, Superintendent Howard, and his school counselors, Linda Tyree and Jo Lynn Reed. 

Mr. Howard also recognized North Butler Elementary student Blake Bratcher for winning the regional Jim Claypool Conservation Art and Writing Contest.  His grandfather, Board Member Delbert Johnson, presented him a certificate.

Following the recognitions, the board went into closed session to discuss personnel.  Upon returning from closed session, District Finance Officer Eric Elms presented the treasurer’s report for February.  The beginning balance was $2,256,410.50. The end-of-the-month balance was $2,300,170.64. The board approved the treasurer’s report and payment of monthly bills.

Next, Mr. Howard gave the Superintendent’s Report. He told the board about several events and meetings he has attended recently including the Utilities Luncheon, Boys’ and Girls’ Club Board of Directors Meeting, Chamber of Commerce Meeting, and an Early Childhood Meeting with local Daycare Providers.  Howard also mentioned attending the Kentucky School Counselor Association Luncheon, the Kentucky School Boards Association Annual Conference, an Early Childhood Summit Meeting, and Bruce White’s Retirement Celebration. Howard said he attended the JROTC Military Ball and told the Board that is “one of my favorite things I get to do as Superintendent.” Mr. Howard also said he was very proud of Ty Burden, a senior at Butler County High School, who has signed to play baseball at Brescia University in Owensboro, KY.

Superintendent Howard shared with the board members that he is very excited about the things the district is doing for children ages 0 to 5.  He mentioned the Born Learning Academy and the Owl Academy, and said it is so important to give parents information before a child even starts school. He shared that there will be an Early Childhood Extravaganza on April 22 at the Education Complex from 9 a.m. to noon.  Board member Amy Hood said she is very excited to see all the things being done to help families.  She said, "We want to help families understand that they are truly their child's first teacher.  They don't have to wait until preschool or kindergarten comes around but rather there are so many things they can do at home with their child to help them be prepared."

Superintendent Howard communicated the following items to the board:

•    Leadership Meeting - March 15th at 12:30 PM
•    Conservation Awards -March 16th – 3:30 PM
•    Laura Jones - Miss Kentucky will be visiting Butler County Schools on March 23rd
•    Early Childhood Summit Meeting -March 28th
•    WKU Research Study Conducted by Dr. Amy Brausch               
•    BCHS Travel Abroad – Butler County High School teacher Carissa Poston is interested in taking students on a trip in 2018
•    Possible Date Change for April School Board Meeting – Superintendent Howard requested the date be changed to Monday, April 17th because MES will be performing at SKYPAC on Tuesday, April 18th                
•    Deed from The Morgantown Industrial Holding Corporation to the Butler County School District Finance Corporation
•    Make Up Plan – Robert Tuck – Mr. Tuck presented a revised calendar to the board with May 24th being the last day for students, May 25th as closing day for teachers, and BCHS graduation on Friday, May 25th. 
•    SBDM Minutes
•    School Budgets
•    Facilities/Maintenance/Transportation Report    

The board approved the following items under the consent agenda:
           
•    Change of Date of the April Board Meeting from April 18, 2017 to April 17, 2017
•    BCATC Overnight Trip Request to Attend State HOSA Competition in Louisville, Kentucky on March 16th-18th, 2017
•    BCATC Overnight Trip Request to Attend Skills USA State Competition in Louisville, Kentucky on April 19th-22nd, 2017
•    BCHS Baseball Trip Request to Attend Spring Baseball Tournament in Pensacola, Florida on April 1st - 7th, 2017
•    BCHS Rocket Team Overnight Trip Request to Attend the 2017 National TARC Fly-Off in Manassas, Virginia on May 12th - 15th, 2017 Pending Qualification
•    BCHS Boys’ Basketball Overnight Trip Request to Attend the Steve Payne Golden Eagle Basketball Camp at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee on June 21st     -June 23rd, 2017
•    BCHS Softball Overnight Trip Request to Attend Marshall County Slugfest Tournament in Benton, KY on March 17th-18th, 2017
•    BCHS Softball Overnight Trip Request to Attend the Tennessee Coaches Association Tournament in Clarksville, TN on April 7th-8th, 2017
•    BCHS Softball Overnight Trip Request to Attend the Cumberland County Fred Capps Tournament in Burkesville, KY on May 5th-6th, 2017
•    NBES Archery Trip Request to Attend the 2017 NASP State Tournament in Louisville, KY on March 31st-April 1st, 2017
•    NBES Archery Trip Request to Attend the 2017 NASP National Tournament in Louisville, KY on May 11th - 13th, 2017
•    BCMS BETA Club Request to Sell Tumblers with All Profits Benefiting the Butler County Backpack Program
•    Declare 2000 Chevy Van and 2002 Ford Taurus as Surplus Property and Approve Method for Disposal
•    NBES Field Trip Request for 5th grade students to go to Frankfort, KY March 30th
•    Gifted & Talented Field Trip Request to Science Museum in Nashville,  TN April 11th
•    WKU Fall 2017 Student Teacher Assignment Requests   
•    FY 18 Student Accident and Student Athletic Year Insurance Renewal with Roberts Insurance in the amount of $33,596.83 (attachment)
•    Participation in the WKU Research Study Conducted by Dr. Amy Brausch
•    FY 18 Tentative School Council Allocations
•    FY 17 Butler County Schools Revised Calendar
•    SCN Permanent Agreement for Participation in the Child Nutrition Programs
•    Personnel Report