Rowan County Board of Education Regular Meeting
December 16, 2014, 6 p.m.
Rowan County Board of Education
Present Board Members:
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
1. Open meeting
1.a. Call meeting to order
Chairman Bill Redwine called the meeting to order.
1.b. Pledge of Allegiance
Rodburn Elementary students led the board and audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
1.c. Recognize visitors and guests
1.c.- School presentation by Rodburn Elementary
Andrea Murray, principal of Rodburn Elementary, noted that students have been
studying Christmas in other countries. She then recognized students from each
grade level to share dancing, songs, and gifts from different cultures.
Superintendent Moore and the board thanked the staff and students for their
excellent presentation.
2. Approve regular business items
2.a. Approve regular November 18, 2014, and special December 15, 2014, board
meeting minutes
2.b. Approve payment of monthly claims
Motion Passed: Motion to approve regular business items passed with a motion by
Mr. Rick Whelan and a second by Mrs. Jennifer Anderson.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
3. Personnel report
Employment
Hammond, Max
employ as an assistant athletic director for winter
sports at Rowan County Senior High School effective
November 24, 2014
May, Arlenda
Menix, Melinda
Morrow, Regina
Plumley, Ashley
Skaggs, Debbie
Wamsley, Ben
Witherspoon, Vickie
employ for a district paraeducator position for the
remainder of the 2014 – 2015 school year and assigned to
the FMD unit at Rodburn Elementary effective January 5,
2015
employ for the nurse position at Rowan County Senior
High School for the remainder of the 2014 – 2015 school
year effective January 5, 2015
employ for the eighth grade language arts teacher
position at Rowan County Middle School for the remainder
of the 2014 – 2015 school year effective January 5, 2015
employ for a district paraeducator position for the
remainder of the 2014 – 2015 school year and assigned to
the FMD unit at Rodburn Elementary effective January 5,
2015
employ as a bus driver with the Rowan County Schools
effective January 5, 2015
employ as a bus driver with the Rowan County Schools
effective January 5, 2015
employ as a bus driver with the Rowan County Schools
effective January 5, 2015
Resignations
Bailey, Whitney
Black, Tina
Brock, Bill
Crisp, Jessica
Gilkison, Kimberly
Knipp, Shelli
Sergent, James
Stone, Jessica
resign as an instructional aide at Clearfield Elementary
effective December 5, 2014
resign as a cook/baker at Clearfield Elementary
effective November 21, 2014
resign as girls’ golf coach at Rowan County Senior High
School effective December 5, 2014
resign as an instructional aide at Tilden Hogge
Elementary effective December 19, 2014
resign as a custodian at Rowan County Senior High School
effective December 10, 2014
resign as a nurse at Rowan County Senior High School
effective December 19, 2014
resign as a resource officer at the Rowan County Middle
School effective November 21, 2014
resign as a custodian at Rowan County Middle School
effective November 28, 2014
4. Treasurer's report
Superintendent Moore gave the treasurer’s report reflecting a balance in the
general fund of $997,371.31.
5. Approve the schematic design and program for the Rowan County Senior High
School renovation project
Superintendent Moore noted that the board had a working session on Monday,
December 15, 2014, regarding the high school renovation project. He said the
schematic design and program for the high school project have to be approved by
the board and submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education. He noted that
changes can be made to the sequence of work planned even after board approval.
Bill Redwine noted that the board will have an opportunity to look at alternates
for the renovation project and to work with the architect on timing in regard to
items that need to be done first in order to get back in school in August. He
said the board needs to make sure that the architect and contractor are on the
right sequence to get the project done. Superintendent Moore noted that there
are some things that have to get done over the summer.
Motion Passed: Motion to approve the schematic design and program for the Rowan
County Senior High School renovation project passed with a motion by Mr. Rick
Whelan and a second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
6. Authorize superintendent to advertise for bids for technology wiring upgrades
at Rowan County Senior High School
Superintendent Moore noted that the technology wiring upgrade is part of the
renovation project at the high school; and for the board to be eligible for an
80 percent reimbursement, an application has to be submitted by February.
Motion Passed: Motion to authorize superintendent to advertise for bids for
technology wiring upgrades at Rowan County Senior High School passed with a
motion by Mr. Danny Mabry and a second by Mrs. Jennifer Anderson.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
7. Approve BG-1 for 801 land purchase
Superintendent Moore noted that approval of a BG-1 is needed to finalize the 801
land purchase.
Motion Passed: Motion to approve BG-1 for 801 land purchase passed with a
motion by Mrs. Jennifer Anderson and a second by Mr. Rick Whelan.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
8. Unbridled Learning
Superintendent Moore noted that the school district is required to submit the
Comprehensive School Improvement Plans and the Comprehensive District
Improvement Plan to the Kentucky Department of Education on a yearly basis.
Mike Mathews said the school plans are a blueprint of what the schools are doing
to improve student achievement. The documents are used throughout the year to
help guide schools.
Motion Passed: Motion to approve the Comprehensive School Improvement Plans and
the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan passed with a motion by Mr. Rick
Whelan and a second by Mrs. Jennifer Anderson.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
9. Approve fifth graders to go to Washington, DC, in 2015
Superintendent Moore noted that Genny Jenkins wants to take the fifth graders to
Washington, DC, again in 2015.
Motion Passed: Motion to approve fifth graders to go to Washington, DC, in 2015
passed with a motion by Mr. Rick Whelan and a second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
10. Evaluate and discuss continuation of long-term use of high school facilities
for Crosspoint Church
Superintendent Moore noted that Daniel Lucas from Crosspoint Church is present
as well as Catherine Rogers that takes care of use of facilities. He said Ray
Ginter, high school principal, tells him that Crosspoint Church members leave
the facility in better shape when they exit. He said every time he drives by
the high school when Crosspoint Church is meeting, the parking lot is full.
Catherine Rogers said part of the board’s policy requires Crosspoint Church
members to come before the board every six months for approval to continue using
the high school facility. She said she has heard nothing but good things
regarding Crosspoint Church members use of the facility.
Superintendent Moore noted that Crosspoint Church is going to leave their
equipment at the high school when they stop using the facility and noted that
Crosspoint Church gave $16,000 last year to seniors for their senior trip. He
said he thinks it’s a win-win partnership for Crosspoint Church to continue
using the high school facility.
Motion Passed: Motion to approve renewal of long-term lease with Crosspoint
Church for use of high school facilities passed with a motion by Mrs. Jennifer
Anderson and a second by Mrs. Brenda Stamm.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
11. Approve a shortened school day request for one student
Motion Passed: Motion to approve a shortened school day request for one student
passed with a motion by Mr. Rick Whelan and a second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
12. Discuss school calendar for 2015 - 2016
Superintendent Moore noted that four calendar options for the 2015 – 2016 school
year along with rationale for considering the calendar was shared with the
board. He said the board can review the calendar options and noted that this is
the beginning stage for discussion as the school calendar doesn’t have to be
submitted to Frankfort until March.
Rick Whelan said the board needs to approve a school calendar in January or
February so people can make plans.
Lucy Moore noted the following rationale in considering the school calendar for
next year:
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Many staff members must complete continuing education, advanced degrees, and
summer professional development opportunities that begin in June.
We coordinate our graduation with MSU to utilize their facilities. We don’t
want to tie up their facility for too long after their graduation, because
they need their facility for other activities and events.
Graduation must be completed prior to other programs including Governor’s
Scholars Program, Governor’s School for the Arts, 4-H camp, and a variety of
other community and athletic camps.
Mandatory make up days are based upon the highest number of school
cancellations over the past five years and must be reflected in the school
calendar. For the next five years, we must build in 21 make up days.
The state requires that we end the school year by June 30. The later we
start, the greater the likelihood that we will have to extend into June due
to days missed.
Current statute requires the testing window to be scheduled during the last
fourteen instructional days. If school closings result in extending past
Memorial Day, past experience shows that students are less engaged, less
focused, and do not give their best effort. It is noted that loss of
instructional time during October fall break has less impact compared to the
loss of instructional time during spring break which is much closer to the
testing window.
Many parents begin their summer vacations in June rather than waiting until
August.
Administrators and teachers report positive feedback of the current calendar.
Staff and parents share that it is not only more economical to plan vacations
during a fall break, but plans are less likely to have to be cancelled. Many
are afraid to plan a vacation during spring break because those days might
have to be used for make-up days.
Current statute requires 1,062 instructional hours.
Many regional PD sessions (ISLN, KLA, KEDC meetings, etc.) are developed
around the calendars of our regional districts. When all districts’
calendars are not similar, it makes it difficult for those groups to plan
strategically for instructional purposes.
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Many of the summer leagues begin in mid to late May. We have no control over
these schedules which would mean that many of our students who participate in
these leagues would be out late during the testing window.
Heat on the buses is a consideration; however, air conditioned schools in the
month of August provide relief to many of our students living without air
conditioning.
Fall break is a great time for our fifth grade students to travel to
Washington, DC, because the weather is more predictable.
Christmas break is a time for many of our families to travel to visit family
and for some of our students’ court designated time to see the other parent
that does not live in the home.
The start date for current school year calendars for neighboring districts
was shared with the board.
Lucy Moore noted that the ACT test date for 2016 misses M. S. U.’s scheduled
spring break, and Good Friday falls during the same week as M. S. U.’s scheduled
spring break for 2016. She said the ACT test date is scheduled for March 1,
2016, with a make-up date scheduled for March 15, 2016.
Superintendent Moore noted that the last fourteen days of school is when
assessment is done; and depending on the weather and if school extends into
June, it will have a major impact on assessment. Allison Mathews noted that
schools are asked to not schedule school activities during assessment time, but
the school district cannot control community activities; and sometimes students
get injured participating in those activities.
Lucy Moore noted that work days are used to make up snow days. Misty Litton
said teachers need work days where they can come to school and work together as
it will help with program review, on demand writing, etc.
Superintendent Moore noted that depending on the weather and the calendar
selected, students could be going to school in June which would have a major
impact on assessment as students can’t focus.
Bill Redwine said as long as he has been on the board, he is still amazed after
all these years with all the mandates from Frankfort that the Kentucky
Department of Education hasn’t set a start date for school districts, but they
know how controversial it is.
Lucy Moore said the teachers and the parents she has talked to likes this year’s
school calendar. She said teachers prefer a fall break over spring break due to
better price breaks if traveling, and they don’t have to worry as to whether or
not they’ll get the scheduled break due to snow days missed.
Jay Padula suggested having a winter break during a time when the most school
days are missed for snow.
Rick Whelan suggested having a fall break and taking out spring break. Lucy
Moore asked if it would be okay to put a day in the calendar for Good Friday in
case there is a long stretch where there are no days off, and the board agreed.
Lucy Moore said school districts have to have 1,062 hours and can now count
hours instead of counting days when making up time missed. Superintendent Moore
noted that 173 days are built into the school calendar.
After much discussion, Bill Redwine said the consensus among the board is to
review the calendar options and try to come to a resolution at the January board
meeting.
13. Establish first meeting date in January
Motion Passed: Motion to establish first meeting date in January for Monday,
January 12, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. Rick Whelan and a
second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
14. Set two special called board meeting dates in January to meet with school
councils regarding what they are doing to improve test scores
Motion Passed: Motion to set two special called board meeting dates in January
to meet with school councils regarding what they are doing to improve test
scores for January 14, 2015, and January 21, 2015, at 6 p.m. passed with a
motion by Mr. Rick Whelan and a second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
15. Superintendent's report
Superintendent Moore said he is pleased with what he sees going on in the
schools. He said staff members were given a jeans pass this week as he wants
them to know how much they are appreciated for their work with the students.
16. Other business
Bill Redwine questioned if a shortfall in SEEK money is anticipated. Glen
Teager said he’s planning for a 1 percent shortfall which would be $100,000.
Bill Redwine said a midyear cut of 1 percent is actually 2 percent because the
board would be receiving the cut in January.
Superintendent Moore said the 2 percent mandated raise next year will cost the
board $200,000. He said the board will have to come up with a way to make the
budget work.
17. Closed session to discuss pending litigation per statute KRS 61.810 (1)(c)
Motion Passed: Motion to go into closed session to discuss pending litigation
per statute KRS 61.810 (1)(c) passed with a motion by Mr. Rick Whelan and a
second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
The board went into closed session at 7:19 p.m. and reconvened at 8:44 p.m. with
no action being taken.
18. Adjourn
Motion Passed: Motion that the meeting adjourn passed with a motion by Mr. Rick
Whelan and a second by Mr. Danny Mabry.
Mrs. Jennifer Anderson
Mr. Danny Mabry
Mr. William Redwine
Mrs. Brenda Stamm
Mr. Rick Whelan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
_____________________________________
Chairperson
_____________________________________
Superintendent