Suspended Fallsburg teacher has penalty reduced

BLAINE — The Lawrence County Board of Education met for their April session on Tuesday evening at Blaine Elementary School.

The meeting was held on Tuesday in lieu of the normal Monday meeting so employees and citizens could attend Kentucky Department Of Education Commissioner Steven Pruitt’s “town hall” meeting in Ashland.

At Blaine, the focus was on student achievement as teachers presented on the Individual Learning Plan and its linkage to higher achievement for students. Instructors Jenna Compton, Lee Jewell, Cody Spears, Angela Wright and Ariel Murray shared a discussion of data and how they use the plans to strategically move students forward.

Board members also recognized the 6-12th Grade County Writing Winner (Kaydee Thompson) and County Writing 1st Runner-Up (Bayli Barker) with Sharon Fields as the County Teacher Winner in the writing division and Coloring contest winners Abby Pridemore, Kara Spillman and Katelyn Lewis for their winning entries in the conservation art and essay contests.

Dr. Robbie Fletcher apprised the Board of the current situation regarding the process of principal selection at Louisa Middle School, telling attendees that parents had been given a survey opportunity about the qualities they would regard as high priority for the position. He told them the process would ideally be wrapped up by mid-May.

He talked about the Commissioner’s appearance on Monday at KEDC in Ashland. Fletcher also discussed reading/ELA textbook selection, the school calendar and NTI days and the success of Operation Preparation.

Director of Student Intervention Sharon Parsons told the Board that over 500 students had opportunities to talk to mentors in fields ranging from mechanics to medicine to music, giving them exposure to potential mentors in their chosen field.

Dr. Fletcher described the Kentucky Association of School Administrators training for central office administrators and managers. The training is called Process Improvement and Performance Excellence (PIPE) and the district has identified four areas of focus for the project, but will utilize the tools provided for improvement across the board.

One of the most exciting elements of the meeting was when AEP Credits Count. Project Director Mia Brown energized attendees as she told them about the program, which is designed to engage middle and high school students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) classes that will potentially have students earn as many as 21 college credit hours in these critical fields before they graduate high school.

“We know that these critical STEM areas are where jobs are going to be concentrated in coming years and they already are the largest part of high earning occupations. This Credits Count, All in for STEM program will get students on those paths early,” said Brown.

The board approved the requested partial payment for the construction costs to fix the drainage issues at Lawrence County High School’s football stadium and track facility as well. They also approved the creation of a position which would allow for a transition as District Finance Officer Edris Humphrey prepares to retire. There are new requirements in place for new hires finance officer positions for school districts in Kentucky, with a mix of accounting/business experience and education a focus.

The board will meet for their regular meeting in May on Monday, May 16 at 6 p.m.

Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update

March 21, 2016

Hiring
Thomas Castle – – District Middle Grades Alternative Education Teacher
(effective March 23, 2016)
Jennifer Eldridge – Instructional Assistant at Louisa Middle School (1-Year)

Substitute Bus Monitor
Winnie Dye
Geneva Salyer

Resignation
Thomas Castle – Principal at Louisa Middle School (effective March 22, 2016)

Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update

April 19, 2016

Hiring
Karen Peck – Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)

Suspension Without Pay
Manis Shepherd – Unpaid suspension reduced from five (5) days to three (3) days with the employee to receive six (6) hours of professional development / training.

Resignation
Anita Combs – Instructional Assistant at Blaine Elementary School

April 19, 2016

Re: Request to the Lawrence County Board of Education for Creation regarding Position

Request the following position be created:

Finance Officer (meeting all requirements set forth in 702 KAR 3:320):

As classified position: 8 hrs/day for 258 days per year; salary range $45,000 to $60,000 to be based on credentials established within Lawrence County Schools Pay Scales and Salary Schedules.

As certified position: 235 days per year including 50 extended days; salary based on rank, experience, and extra duty service pay within Lawrence County Schools Pay Scales and Salary Schedules.