March 22, 2018
March 19, 2018
No hamburgers at Blaine for time being
The Board of Education met for the regular meeting Monday, March 19, 2018. Those present included Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Heath Preston Chairman, Garnet Skaggs member, Jim See member, and Barbara Robinson member. Absent was Maddlene Roberts.
Recognitions were given to the All-District Band and Choir and those implementing BARR- Building Assets Reducing Risks
Scott Osborn, Lawrence Co. Teachers Association representative was present to encourage teachers to get out and go united as a front to the March in Frankfort.
“… My fellow educators, those teachers here and those that are not. You are not selfish, ignorant etc. or any of those other negative adjectives that were attributed to us last week ( in reference to Governor Bevin’s remarks).
We want to thank members of the Board for agreeing and supporting us on our rally. The March to the capital is Wednesday March 21, 2018.”
Fletcher’s school safety plan
Another topic of discussion was the School Safety Plan. Dr. Fletcher stated, “law enforcement is here but mainly at the High School and Middle School. The Lawrence Co. Sheriff’s office has donated 2 officers starting today, one for Blaine Elementary and and one at Fallsburg Elementary. That is the plan for the rest of the school year. We need to be thinking about contracting services for next year,” Lawrence Co. Superintendent Robbie Fletcher said.
Band, Chorus students lauded at meeting
by James Ellis
LOUISA — The Lawrence County Board of Education met on Monday, March 19 and recognized the rich tradition of music in Lawrence County Schools, heard about programs to support students, and received an update on the state of the struggle for public education to maintain adequate funding.
Lawrence County Choir Director Doug Farrell recognized his students who had achieved all-district and all-state choir recognition and Lawrence County Band Director Scott Smith spoke about the importance of arts education in schools and presented the students who had achieved distinction in band.
“I have taught music in Virginia, West Virginia, and now Kentucky and I must say the standard in Kentucky is very high,” said Smith.
In the communication segment, Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher updated the board and audience about the legislative process to address teacher retirement and benefits.
“We have joined in with other districts and called off school on Wednesday in order to participate in the EKEA Day of Action in Frankfort. We’re not asking for anything new or anything more, just for the legislature to keep its promise,” Fletcher stated.
He addressed a matter regarding hamburger meat complaints at Blaine School and stated it was requested there be an investigation by the appropriate authorities and pledged no hamburger meat would be served until an alternative supplier could be engaged.
“We take this seriously and are doing everything to make sure the food served is safe,” said Fletcher.
Lawrence County High School Freshman Academy Director Myram Brady informed attendees of the “BARR” Program, which stands for “Building Assets Reducing Risks.” She explained that it was a program designed to help students transition comfortably into the high school environment and encourage students to blend properly.
Lawrence County High School teachers Scott Osborn and David Prince addressed the audience about the statewide crisis in education funding and spoke about the day of action on March 21 in Frankfort.
They pointed out educators are not “selfish, spoiled” or any other negative adjective that has been applied.
“I really think the profession is under attack,” said Mr. Prince. “Our students now see the real world implications of the civics and how to pass a bill. They know what SB1 is and they’re immersed in it because we’re immersed in it,” said Prince.
LCHS Guidance Counselor Scott Johnson pointed out, “This is not just a teacher issue. It’s a law enforcement issue, a firefighter issue, a social worker issue. They are all affected by this, too.”
Additional action:
5.H. Approved to set 2017-18 graduation date as Friday May 18, at 7:00 p.m. May 18 will be the date of the graduation ceremony even if school days are missed after May 18. If this occurs, students will receive their diplomas on the last instructional day for students having already participated in the graduation ceremony on May 18. In order to help promote and ensure student safety, the Board requested the following positions be created effective July 1, 2018: •
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
March 19, 2018
Resignation
Cody Osborne – Full-Time Bus Monitor
March 19, 2018
Re: Request to the Lawrence County Board of Education for Abolishment and Creation regarding Positions
Request the following position be abolished effective June 30, 2017:
- (1) School Resource Officer (Law Enforcement Officer) — District salary contribution not to exceed $8000/year for Part-time School Resource Officer or $12,000/year for Full-Time School Resource Officer
- (1) School Security Guard (School Grounds Monitor) — 8 hrs/day classified pay scale; 170 days to 258 max
Request the following positions be created effective July 1, 2018:
- (1) Law Enforcement Officer / School Resource Officer – District contribution not to exceed $25,000 per officer to be employed by the Louisa Police Department
- (1) Law Enforcement Officer / School Resource Officer – District contribution not to exceed $25,000 per officer to be employed by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
