School board holds busy meeting

Jun. 10—According to Superintendent David Gilliam, the June meeting of the school board is always one of the biggest of the year. That was the case on the evening of June 9 as well.

Mark Woods presented the school's finance report to the board, with the school system's current reconciled bank balance sitting at $78,184,314.76. He also presented several other items to the board, which were all passed unanimously. This included the approval of the Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, the setting of the pay date schedule for employees (barring weekends or holidays, pay day will almost always be the first or 16 of the month for school employees), the designation of the Fiscal Year 2023 balances, and the approving of a collateral agreement with Forcht Bank and Whitaker Bank. Woods said this was simply an agreement with the banks for them to provide collateral on school funds for protection.

Uncommitted 2021-2022 school year funds were shifted over to pay for operating expenses, special projects, and capital projects as they will be needed.

Incremental pay and extra pay funds were also adjusted for the first time in three years.

The school board also renewed their student accident insurance with Roberts Insurance with a contract just over $235,000 per year.

Plans for several other insurance policies were approved. Houchins Insurance group — KEMI will provide the workers compensation plan at $498,123.31, EMC will provide the liability, property, and fleet umbrella with a $25,000 deductible at $1,217,008, and CHUBB will provide the pollution insurance for $16,085.51.

The June 23, 2022 school board meeting was cancelled.

Several positions were created and revised for the Ignite Academy. A general aid position was created for Ignite South and the career counselor positions at both academies were revised to become a dean of students position.

The board also acknowledged a handful of positions resulting from the school's recent takeover of the state area technology center. Those positions included;

—A KyTech principal (Ignite Academy Director, 235 days).

—Welding instructor (210 days).

—Engineering instructor (187 days).

—Marketing instructor (187 days).

—Electricity instructor (187 days).

—Machine tool technology instructor (187 days).

—Automotive technology instructor (187 days).

—Carpentry instructor (187 Days).

—Two health science instructors (187 Days).

—Two business education instructors (187 Days).

—A custodian (246 days)

—A secretary/general aid position (185 days).

"When we decided to request management and control of Kentucky Tech, we did, as part of our agreement, assume all the positions that they currently have there for the first year at least," Superintendent Gilliam said. "We also get their budget to cover these things in year one. These are the current positions that we have there."

A director of maintenance position was created for the school system, though Superintendent Gilliam assured the board this was not a new administrative position.

Two positions were eliminated during the meeting — director of instructional technology and the coordinator for the ELL migrant services.

An agreement for orientation and mobility services for students with visual impairments was passed, Tracey French will be the provider of those services.

A new position was created in school system related to mental health services for students. Paid for by ESSR funds, the position was listed on the agenda as the MTSS counseling services coordinator. They will serve as point person to coordinate between school counselors and outside mental health treatment centers to serve students.

"We're creating a point of contact for our counselors, our teachers, whomever, and our students and parents who need help," said school board member Lori Cobb. "This particular person is going to play point in terms of helping our kids get the help they need."

Over at the bus garage, the positions of head driver trainer was combined with that of a relief bus driver. The annual purchase of 10 new buses was approved as well (five 84 passenger buses priced at $137,990 each, two 66 passenger special needs buses with air conditioning for $125,010 each, and three 72 passenger buses for $107,495 each). In total the purchase came out to $1,262,455, with all buses being bought from Thomas Buses. It was noted the 182 school buses in the county drive a collective 10,000 miles a day.

An agreement was set with ACT to provide the ACT test to all sophomores and juniors this upcoming fall semester for $71,440.

Contracts with MindPsi for school psychology services and Hands on Therapy for therapy services were continued.

A request for an early kindergarten entrance was also approved by the board.

The purchase of 260 Chromebooks and seven charging carts were approved for Madison Central High School through Section 6 funds and KETS matching funds awarded by the state based on enrollment.

Palo Alto Antivirus and Endpoint Disaster Recovery software were also purchased by the school.

Meal prices were set for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Although students in the county eat for free, adults in the school system have to pay for lunch on their own. The following prices were set.

—Kids paid breakfast — $1.95 for the 2022-2023 school year and $2.05 for the 2023-2024 school year.

—Kids paid lunch — $3.15 for the 2022-2023 school year and $3.50 for the 2023-2024 school year.

—Adult paid breakfast — $3.25 for the 2022-2023 school year and $3.50 for the 2023-2024 school year.

—Adult paid lunch — $5.00 for the 2022-2023 school year and $5.25 for the 2023-2024 school year.

The final reading of Policy 9.1222 was approved by the board. It is a bill regarding non-residential students set by House Bill 563 in the state legislature.

"Amend KRS 157.350 to allow inclusion of nonresident pupils in a district's average daily attendance; amend KRS 158.120 to require a local board of education to adopt a nonresident student policy and forbid discrimination among nonresident students; require the Kentucky Department of Education to submit a report by August 1, 2021 concerning options to ensure a school district's local effort funds follow a students to the district in which the student is enrolled; specify that no provisions are intended to override current rules and regulations adopted by the Kentucky High School Athletics Association, including transfers," reads a description of the bill from the legislature.

A first reading of policy updates recommended by the state legislature for 2022-2023 was also passed by the board.

The Madison County School Board opened a lengthy and busy meeting by honoring several 30-year and one 40-year veterans of the school system. They were:

—Lucy Anderson a teacher at Shannon Johnson Elementary and 30 year veteran of the school system.

—Laurel Clemmons, a Madison Central High School teacher and 30 year veteran of the school system.

—Shane Lakes, transportation director and 30 year veteran of the school system.

—Alene "AJ" Tipton, bus driver and 30 year veteran of the school system.

—Pat Hoskins, assistant transportation (and a whole host of other positions over the years) and 40 year veteran of the school system.

—Superintendent David Gilliam was surprised by the board with recognition for 30 years in the school system himself.

Alexis Kays and Jennifer Saylor Watts were also honored for their 30 years in the school system but unable to attend the event.