…Recognizes Students’ Successes at Blaine Elementary
(BLAINE, KY) — On Monday, April 17, the Lawrence County Board of Education opened the regular board meeting by celebrating the accomplishments of the students of Blaine Elementary. The Board recognized students involved in the county conservation contest, regional science fair, and all-district band. Dr. Fletcher also made comments concerning the rich musical history of the Blaine community as well as Principal Jennings,’ the staffs,’ and students’ accomplishment in being a Proficient School during last year’s state testing.
During the Superintendent’s Update portion of the agenda, Dr. Fletcher informed Board members about the preschool evaluation received by the school system. According to Dr. Fletcher, the goal score for a school is a “5” and a perfect score is a “7” based on state ratings. The preschools at Blaine, Fallsburg, and Louisa West averaged a score of 6.36, which Coordinator Rhonda Colvin pointed out as an excellent score. Other topics included the success of Operation Preparation at Lawrence County High School, expectations of state approval for NTI days, and a year-end calendar of events for each school in Lawrence County.
Soon after, in public comments, questions concerning food service, the need for more extra-curricular activities for Blaine students, as well as the progress of the nickel tax petition were voiced. One family raised concerns about the lunch portions that were offered to elementary/middle school students and about the offering of milk in cardboard containers as opposed to plastic containers. Dr. Fletcher assured the family that we abide by federal guidelines, but he would follow up with Food Service Coordinator Cindy Hay.
The Board took a major step forward in its long-range technology plans. After hearing from District Technology Coordinator Thomas Burns, Board members approved a lease that will provide every student at Lawrence County High School with a ChromeBook to start the 2017-18 school year.
According to Chairman Heath Preston, this is an exciting time for the high school students, and the Board plans to expand this to other grades, as funding permits. Dr. Fletcher added later, “Every opportunity that we have to provide instruction through technology will only better prepare our students for college and for 21st century careers.”
Due to the multiple- year commitment and the cost of the endeavor, the Board will also need approval of the Kentucky Department of Education before moving forward at the high school.
During the remainder of the meeting, Board members took action on topics including grass-mowing services, financial audit services, bidding for upgrading the gym floor at Fallsburg, bidding pavement costs for the Blaine parking lot, beginning the 4-year facilities planning process, and others. After an executive session and receiving personnel action updates, the Lawrence County Board of Education members voted to adjourn.
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
April 17, 2017
Hiring:
Kyle Tackett – School Security Guard / School Grounds Monitor
Substitute Teachers
Marlena Osborne
Cameron Shelton
Substitute Instructional Assistant
Marlena Osborne
Resignations:
Luanne Finley – Guidance Counselor at Lawrence County High School (effective June 1, 2017)
Gary Siembor – JROTC Instructor (Teacher) at Lawrence County High School (effective 06/30/2017)
Joe Maynard – Bus Driver and Part-Time Instructional Assistant at Lawrence County High School
Vickie Holbrook – Cook/Baker (4.5 hrs/day) at Louisa Middle School
Re: Request to the Lawrence County Board of Education for Abolishment, Changes, and Extensions regarding Positions
Request the following positions be abolished effective June 30, 2017:
- (2) Teachers at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year) – one position vacant
- (2) Instructional Assistants at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year) – vacant
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year) – vacant
- (1) Preschool Instructional Assistant at Blaine Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Part-Time Instructional Assistant at Lawrence County High School – vacant
- (1) Full-Time Bus Monitor (1-Year) – vacant
Request the following positions be changed effective July 1, 2017:
- From (1) School Improvement Grant (SIG) Math Intervention Teacher to (1) Math and Reading Intervention Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year) – to expire on June 30, 2018
- From (1) Part-Time Home/Hospital (Homebound) Teacher to (1) Full-Time Home/Hospital (Homebound) Teacher
- From (1) District Special Needs Nurse to (1) District School Health Nurse/District Special Needs Nurse (1-Year) – to expire June 30, 2018
- From (1) Instructional Assistant at Louisa Middle School (1-Year) to (1) Instructional Assistant at Lawrence Count High School (1-Year) – to expire on June 30, 2018
Request the following positions (expiring on June 30, 2017) be extended for a period of one year for the 2017-2018 school year effective July 1, 2017 to expire on June 30, 2018:
- (5) District School Health Nurses/District Special Needs Nurses (1-Year)
- (1) English Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1-Year)
- (1) LBD Teacher at Louisa Middle School (1-Year)
- (2) Teachers at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Teacher at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year for National Board Certified Teacher-in-Residence at Morehead State University—if needed)
- (1) Teacher at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
- (3) Preschool Teachers at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Louisa East Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Instructional Assistant at Fallsburg Elementary School (1-Year)
- (1) Instructional Assistant for the District Middle Grades Alternative Education Program (1-Year)
