Pictured (L-R) Front row Secretary Scott Osborn, President John Osborne. Back row Vice President Susie Chambers, Marc Lester and Treasurer Kim Burchett. (Lazer photo by Susan Salyer)
John Osborne’s tenure over, fiscal court will decide new member
LOUISA, KY. — The Lawrence County Public Library had a Regular Board Meeting at the Lawrence County Public Library on June 12, 2023 at 5PM. This was the last scheduled meeting for Board of Trustees President John Osborne, who has retired from the board effective June 30.
The board has voted to recommend George Oberlick, a former member, to replace Osborne. In the board’s May, 2023 minutes it is posted that Sarah Roe was also nominated since the board is required to submit two names to the fiscal court. Ms. Roe’s name was not mentioned at the meeting.
The Lawrence County fiscal court is expected to decide whether to place Oberlick or Roe or someone else they prefer, on the Library board at next week’s regular meeting.
Dolly coming to Lawrence County
LCPL Director Carlie Pelfrey said, “We have $15,000 earmarked for an Outreach Program for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” She recommended the board leave open a line item for the funds.
The issue has been discussed for several months with the Library board now joining the Lawrence Co. BOE in pledging support for the program which is estimated to cost just over $40,000 over a five year period.
Each child from birth to five years old will receive a free book each month. A Louisa private organization is still deciding if it will support Dolly’s program, LCPL Board Vice-President Susie Chambers said.
See more information on the Imagination Library Library HERE
Dental Insurance raise, new software coming, parking lot repaving gets just one bid
“Also, we have an antiquated software system at the library, so we anticipate purchasing a new IOS system which will run everything.” No dollar amount was given for the new system.
Pelfrey said, “KACO Health Insurance has raised 3.9%, the current employee health insurance is $26.91 and is now $28.26. The premium for dental insurance went up $30.” The motions were passed on both health/dental premiums.
Pelfrey said, “The library parking lot needs resurfacing. I called 5 companies for a bid on the lot. Three companies responded but never showed up. The only bid received was from Richard Preston from Lawrence County, Kentucky. The motion was passed.
Board Update:
June 12, 2023 Board Update
• May 2023 Door Count: 17,702
• 2023 Summer Feeding May 23 – 31, 2023
• In House: Breakfast, 420 Lunch, 980 Total: 1,400
• Outreach: 220
• Grand Total: 1,620 Hot Meals
2022 May Total: 343
(In 2022, all meals were in-house.)
• Snack Bag Totals: In-house 1,421 Outreach 240Grand Total: 1,661 Snack Bags
• May 2023 Programming:
• # of programs in person 45 (on site) 41 (off site)
• # of attendance in person 3,802 (on site) 1,547 (off site)
• Total # of programs: 86
• Total attendance: 5,349
• May 2023 Book Giveaways: 1,517 (Story Hour, Lobby Table, Outreach)
• Trustee Submissions
• Cleaning Company
AGENDA ITEMS
1. May 2023 Minutes – Motion by Scott Osborn 2nd by Susie Chambers.
2. April 2023 Financials – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Kim Burchett.
3. 2023-2024 Budget Draft – Final Review – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by John Osborne.
4. 2023-2024 Health/Dental Renewals – Health Renewals Motion by Scott Osborn 2nd by Marc Lester. Dental Renewals Motion by Marc Lester 2nd by John Osborne.
5. Staff Reviews – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Scott Osborn.
6. Parking Lot Resurfacing Bids – Motion by Marc Lester 2nd by Scott Osborn.
7. Board Update – LCPL Director Carlie Pelfrey discussed the feeding and programs schedule and totals for May 2023.
$40,000 in 5 years? Dolly will appreciate it. Can the county afford it? Will those books ever be read to a child? Doubtful. In the day of cell phones and tablets most kids have one or the other in their hands so they won’t bother mom or dad. In a county that refuses to pay dietary and janitors more than $13000 a year or bonuses like teachers and aides get for summer school this is questionable. Plus, the school will have a tighter budget next year to work with. Will it get better in years to come? Can we gamble on that? Who really benefits from this? A country star who will visit our state if we give her our money.
Actually believe it or not but I know of several children who are read to. If you do the math that’s $8,000 a year not that much to benefit the children who may not even participate in public schools. I completely understand that cooks and janitors need and deserve more pay, yes but we also need better board members who understand that. LC has lost several students and even staff to other opportunities with better pay and benefits. Many students have went to homeschool and I can’t blame them. But not every child is able to have a tablet or cell phone like you said. Some child learn to read by reading to their self because of bad situations at home. So to me, yeah it’s worth it. Besides if they don’t read it they can always put it in a book library for others to read.
Oh no! It might take a penny from Kay’s pocket! We can’t have that.
What does the library have to do with the school board????
Close the library, restrict what they can be taught in school, keep the children as stupid as possible so as adults they will continue to vote Republiecan. Like tRump said “I love the uneducated “!
That’s the way to support our children Kay! BTW, how is getting paid for working summer school a bonus???
Exactly, what people do not know is the money is Covid money. It has to be spent. And what better way than to have summer school. Duh, some people just don’t get it. Kay is against the tax. I’m not saying I am either way but she has a riff with the school system. Just sayin.
Not just teachers and aides got paid more than”normal “ for summer school but everyone did. Everyone was offered to work summer school. Bringing the school board into this is just wanting to partner up with the library to help with this project.
Folks how many times do I need to remind you that the LCPL has more tax dollars than they know what to do with. They were forced by the state to spend millions they had stashed away. Thus the new buildings. If they dont spend it it accumulates and will show up in a state audit. Millions sitting in the bank doesnt look well with the tax dollars rolling in. Thats why they continue to build/expand and pay the library directer 90,000/yr. feed kids all summer (Dees) . The Dolly thing is a drop in the taxpayers bucket. So stop worring, they will never miss it. Theyve got money to burn. The summer school thing works like this: Some kids miss school and goof off all school year while some attend everyday and does their work and passes. The slackers go half the school year and some disrupt when they do come. Then rather than failing them they go to summer school for a few weeks and pass. What a great way to lower the failure rate although theres very little learning going on . In summer school its fun and games. They must be laughing at the ones who attends school all the time and studies. One teacher said they make 300/day teaching summer school. Its based on their pay scale of education and years of service. Plus it stimulates the inflatable and pizza business. The books that are being banned are pornographic and show and describe sex acts to elementary students. Please educate yourself on this issue. Then as a reward the 6-9 year olds can have the book read by a sexy drag queen/king. I guess thats cool because our President said these( trans) are the bravest people he has ever met. So lets KEEP IT REAL .
Another Lawrence County idiot speaks! The teacher that gave you that dollar amount lied and there has never been a drag queen reading to LC kids ever.
Joey I will agree with the Idiot remark
Yep. As per usual, we have the imbeciles that would rather vote against their best interest, come onto a public forum and let the world know how dumb they are. Unless they have a shepherd’s crook around their neck guiding them, they can’t think for themselves. They’re trump sympathizers and idiots that think Michael Hogan is innocent. 🙄
Your only comeback is to continue to blame everything on Trump? Hahahaha!
The library doesn’t pay for summer feeding, the USDA does.
Glad to know you find drag queens/kings sexy. I’m proud of you for admitting this to the world.
I do not have a riff with the school system. The petition was to get the tax on the ballot. It will be. And Joe C., who won’t put your whole name out there, I am not against the children. Fletcher said money would be tight next year. They are counting on getting funding from other sources. I do know that $40,000 would go a long way towards repairs the schools all need.
$40,000 would not be a drop in the bucket needed for repairs.
Joe B. You dont have a clue. You’re in the dark. Better ask around and educate yourself.
thank you for the article