The Knox County Board of Education held a special-called work session and their monthly business meeting on February 22 and 23, 2017. Both meetings were held at 5pm.
On Wednesday, the Board heard an update on college and career offerings from Frank Shelton, communications director for the district. Shelton shared student survey results showing that there is increased awareness in offerings but students still lack all of the pathways desired and courses needed.
The second half of the work session focused on Trane’s presentation of new guaranteed energy savings opportunities for the district. The project scenario included new heating and cooling elements at Knox Central, water conservation measures at Knox Central High, Flat Lick, Central, and Lynn Camp elementary schools. Trane representatives also discussed possible lighting upgrades and heat pump replacements as part of the package. The proposal, which was approved during the Board’s Thursday night meeting, will cost an estimated total of $4,326,000 over 20 years with a savings of $4,347,000 to offset the cost of the replacements. The project costs will be paid for through bond issuance.
Other items that the Board took action on during their Thursday business meeting included:
- Approved an application with the Kentucky Department of Education to begin an alternative credit (A5) program with focus on credit recovery, virtual learning, and enhanced learning opportunities.
- Reconvening the Local Planning Committee for revisions to local facilities plan after hearing survey results of career offerings during the presentation on Wednesday night.
- Action on a BG-1 application for Lynn Camp High School Softball restroom.
- Policy approval including opening up the hiring of substitutes to be year around, reporting methods for jury duty, electronic issuance of W-2 statements for employees, and acknowledgement of the district’s improvement priority plans.
- Approved to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Berea College for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant.
- Approved the 2017-2018 school year calendar (link)
- Approved the tentative SBDM allocations for 2017-2018.
- Approved the Lynn Camp senior trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.
- Approved advertisement and negotiations for banking, auditing, and student accident insurance services.
The above is not a comprehensive list of all action taken by the Board. Official minutes of the meeting will be approved at the March 24, 2017 meeting.