The Knox County Board of Education conducted their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019, 6:45 pm, at the Board of Education Annex in Barbourville. This provides a summary of the meeting. Official minutes will be available once approved by the Board at their October meeting.
The Dewitt Elementary School kindergarten class welcomed guests to the September 23 meeting by leading the Board and audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Special thanks to the students for attending. Each student received a flag and United States coloring book on behalf of the Board and a book collection provided by Save the Children.
Communication Items
Superintendent Kelly Sprinkles introduced 2019 Roger Scholar, Jacob Barnard, a student at Knox Central High School. Jacob shared his experience on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College as a scholar. He was presented an Aspiring Leader award from the Superintendent. Applications for the summer of 2020 will be available on November 1st.
Rich Prewitt, representing Cumberland Valley Electric, presented Central Elementary’s Sheila Mills and Olivia Holstein with a computer and STEM equipment having completed the Morehead State SOAR STEM Program. The two teachers are now lead Project Lead the Way Launch facilitators and are bringing STEM to life in their classrooms. A check was also presented to the district for completing the energy-saving lighting project at Lynn Camp M/H which is serviced by Cumberland Valley Electric.
Gear Up partners at Knox County Middle and Lynn Camp Schools provided an introduction to the Board of the services and programs that they will be providing Knox County students in the upcoming years. This is Knox County’s second Gear Up grant, which follows students through graduation of high school and into their first year of post-secondary.
Highlights of Action Items
Finance Officer Gertrude Smith presented the Board with a copy of the working budget for the 2019-2020 school year (FY2020). The Board also took action on the use of FHLB Letters of Credit through our financial institution Forcht Bank. Facilities coordinator Jerry Cox presented the Board with a list of surplus items that will be auctioned.
Revisions to the district’s Use of Electronic Devices and Access to Electronic Media, policy numbers 03.1314, 03.23214, and 08.2323 were revised. The changes protect student privacy and data. The revisions define the acceptable use of electronic devices including access to social media. A complete copy of the revised policies, with sample scenarios and explanations, will be sent to all employees this week.
Staffing items were a topic of interest for guests at the meeting. Three emergency certifications were approved to be presented to EPSB for vacant positions in the district. The Board approved the creation of a 75 day Fixed Asset Coordinator and a Transportation Area Coordinator, both positions had become vacant. The bus driver salary schedule was also adjusted to be more competitive with neighboring districts, particularly for drivers with 10+ years of experience. A new field trip request form and information on academic competition funding will be sent this week.
A staffing item that was discussed at the end of the meeting was a 2% raise for full-time employees. The Board unanimously voted to approve the item. The 2% increase is to the base contract salary of employees. It does not include an increase to extra service pay, including academic and athletic coaching. The 2% is effective for the upcoming pay period beginning September 29. Employees can expect to see the increase on the October 30 pay date.
A partnership agreement between the Board and KCEOC for Head Start funding was approved. A revised clinical supervision contract was approved for licensed psychology. Shortened school day/week waivers were approved for special needs and 504 students. The district’s contract with Microsoft SHI and maintenance agreement with DC Elevator was approved.
A copy of the agenda from this meeting is available for download and is included below.