Lawrence Co. Board of Education September 18, 2017
Site based decision making council reinstated at LCHS; No comment on Meddings’ suspension, resignation
Board Adopts compensating tax rate saving $166,000
The Lawrence Co. Board of Education (BOE) met at Fallsburg Elementary School for the monthly meeting. Those in attendance were Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Chairman Heath Preston, Garnet Skaggs Member, Barbara Robinson Member and Jim See Member along with several supportive staff members. Absent was Maddlene Roberts.
* Motion by Jim See, second by Garnet Skaggs to approve the amended agenda
* The following presentation and recognitions were presented to BOE.
Students William Copley and Waylon Burgess read letters to the BOE in appreciation for the new flagpole at Fallsburg school. The teachers, students and parents are so thankful that the flagpole has been moved and these two students are responsible for its care.
FES student Ryan Marcum read a letter to the BOE thanking them for the new gym floor and what it means to the school.
Teachers Penny Preece and Melissa Edens reported on the progress of the PACE program’s implementation. Penny Preece told the Board and public, “We teach different subjects and this program focuses on purpose, accountability, congruency and engagement. Students are made aware of why they are learning each step of the way. It holds the student accountable for the learning material.”
The Board then welcomed Matt Maynard to his new position as LCHS Assistant Principal. “He will make a great addition to the 
school,” Dr. Fletcher said.
“I just want to thank the Board for the opportunity to serve in a new capacity. I look forward to working with the students, teachers, parents and the Board,” Maynard said.
* In the Superintendent’s Communication portion of the meeting Dr. Fletcher spoke about upcoming projects.
“The next big ticket item that we will do is resurface and blacktop the parking lot at Blaine Elementary,” Fletcher said.
* Board’s office employee Rhonda Colvin recognized the Lawrence Co. Pre-School Program.
“The program just received ‘5 Stars out of 5’,” Colvin said. “The teachers are diligent in preparing our 3 and 4 year olds for higher learning.”
* “We did a targeted spending freeze last week. I received a phone call informing us that Gov. Bevins’ office may be initiating a 17.4% budget reduction for the upcoming year and how we could prepare in advance,” Dr. Fletcher said. “The impact on Lawrence Co. would amount to approximately five million dollars.”
4.A. Superintendent’s Update
4.A.1. Targeted spending freeze due to potential budget cuts
4.A.2. Pension reform concerns
4.A.3. Changes to reporting in state accountability for ’16-’17 results
4.A.4. Appointment as KVEC chair
4.A.5. Local Facilities Planning update
4.A.6. Notification of transition from Advisory Council to SBDMC for LCHS
4.A.7. Update on Drug Awareness/Prevention Curriculum work
4.A.8. KSBA fall regional meeting/training
4.A.9. Visit by MSU President Jay Morgan
4.A.10. Working with KASA as a mentor and EKU for observations
All the items on the Consent Agenda were approved by the Board.
A5.D.1. Per diem and expenses for members present
5.D.2. Contracts & Services:
5.D.2.a. 2017-2018 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) and Lawrence County High School for implementation of Dual Credit in regards to the Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program (DCSP)
5.D.2.b. All for Kidz Performance Agreement with Louisa East Elementary for “The Ned Show”; November 9, 2017; Anna Prince; no fee option
5.D.2.c. Superior Office Service, Inc. copier maintenance agreement with Lawrence County Board of Education: IR6000 #NSN20760; annual charge: $500
5.D.2.d. Continuation of Fidelity Bond for Superintendent Fletcher through September 2019; $1,611.49
5.D.2.e. Endorsement to insurance policy (CBP8129843) to add coverage of computer hardware/Chromebooks; through July 1, 2018: $482.00
5.D.2.f. Renewal of 2017-18 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Grants for eligible schools: Blaine Elementary, Fallsburg Elementary, Louisa East Elementary School, and Louisa West Elementary (on-line application process by Food Service Director Cindy Hay)
5.D.3. Requests:
5.D.3.a. Fundraisers:
5.D.3.a.1. Lawrence County High School
5.D.3.a.2. Louisa Middle School
5.D.3.a.3. Fallsburg Elementary School
5.D.3.b. Trip Requests:
5.D.3.b.1. Out of State Trip Request: LCHS Girls Basketball Team to Sevierville, Tennessee for basketball tournament; Dec. 28 to 30, 2017; Melinda Feltner
The Sheriff’s Collection Rate of 3% and the 2017-2018 Tax Rate of 55.2, which is the compensating rate on real and personal property were approved. Lawrence County’s assessment was down by $36 million this year because of the drop in oil&gas and coal severance monies.
“The Board selected the compensating rate as opposed to the 4% increase. Overall, the 4% was projected to generate $3,445,946 in real estate and $909,684 in personal property. By taking the compensating rate, the projected revenue for the district would be $3,313,872 and $874,818 in personal property,” Fletcher explained. “Overall, our Board voted down approximately $166,940 in additional funding by taking the compensating rate. These figures were supplied by the Kentucky Department of Education.”
“According to information that can be found on the KDE website, the compensating rate is the rate, when applied to the current year’s property assessment, excluding new property, produces an amount of revenue equal to that produced in the preceding year,” Dr. Fletcher explained. “In other words, the compensating rate should bring in approximately the same amount of money as last year. Keep in mind, compensating and 4% tax rates have an inverse correlation with property value. When property values increase, these tax rates decrease. When property values decrease, these tax rates increase.”
“Also, KRS 132.0225 allows 45 days for districts that are not adopting above the 4% rate to establish a final tax rate. Any district that fails to meet this deadline shall be required to use the compensating tax rate for that year’s property tax bills.”
“In other words, if the Board did not vote on the tax rate within the time frame, it is assumed, or rather assigned, that the Board will use the compensating tax rate. The Board did not want to add the extra burden of the 4% increase to our county members, so they took the compensating rate.
* A Special meeting was scheduled for September 28, 2017 for a Working Budget/Discussion.
The Board then went into Executive Session for the purpose of a discussion of legal issues (proposed and/or pending litigation.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
September 18, 2017
Hiring:
Substitute Teachers
Kim Alger
Brandi Blackburn
Substitute School Health Nurse
Amanda Woods
Change of Position
Matthew Maynard – From Assistant Principal at Louisa Middle School to Assistant Principal at Lawrence County High School
Suspension
Brandon Meddings – Teacher at Lawrence County High School (1 additional day without pay). Dr. Fletcher refused to comment on the reason for Meddings’ suspensation.
“I do not make comments about personnel actions,” Fletcher told The Lazer. Meddings has not responded to a request for comment. He is the Bass Fishing coach at the school.
“We will post for a bass fishing coach, and at this time, plan to continue the program,” Supt. Fletcher said Thursday morning.
Resignations
Brandon Meddings – Teacher at Lawrence County High School
Nicole Davis – Preschool Instructional Assistant at Fallsburg Elementary School
Ashley Caudill – Full-Time Bus Monitor
