Board Chair Ann Meyer called the meeting to order at 6:33pm.

Brian McDowell, HMS STEM/science teacher, is the recipient of the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest distinction for teaching in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science. 

The Board recognized and congratulated Mr. McDowell on his prestigious achievement and presented him with a Tradition of Excellence award.

Maura Eckerle won State 1st Place in the 2021 Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing Contest.

The Board recognized and congratulated Maura for her state championship win and presented her with a Certificate of Achievement and a "State Champion" t-shirt.

Tradition of Excellence Award nominations:

HHS teacher Matthew Ewald was nominated by HHS student AnnaLucy Surrey for demonstrating and inspiring the characteristics of curious and critical thinkers and courageous leadership.

JES teacher Alyssa Vanderpool and MES teacher Bethany Howard were nominated by parent Christy Daly for modeling and encouraging the characteristics of empathetic collaborators and courageous leaders in their roles as the HHS/HMS Forensics team coaches.

The Board recognized and presented each with a Tradition of Excellence award.

Board members shared the following accolades and reminders

• Jaime Walz Richey (HHS) achieved her 400th win as a girls basketball coach


• Jennifer Flynn (JES) and Loren Noah (MES) received Golden Apple awards 


• Guy Ponzer (HHS) received an Extraordinary Service award


• Katie Wilson and Logan Walsh advanced to be named National Merit Finalists


• HHS and HMS Dance teams placed 1st in Pom and Hip-Hop at the KDCO competition


• HHS Indoor Track team won the KTCCCA state championship


• FTEF Prize Patrol awarded over $100,000 in teacher grants last week


• HHS musical "Crazy for You" runs March 24-27

Students from Highlands Middle School talked about their experience with the Winter Reading Challenge program. Students presenting were:

• Chenumi Abeysinghe


• Ian Darnell


• Macy Davis


• Lillian Foley

Parent Rob Pinkston addressed the Board giving an update on the Wrestling program at HHS which is doing quite well and has attracted both boy and girls to the sport. 

Jeff Beach nominated Rob Pinkston for the Tradition of Excellence Award for his leadership and tenacity in successfully establishing a wrestling program at Highlands.

Parent Ashley Barlow addressed the Board on Down Syndrome Awareness Day to commend all faculty and staff at Moyer Elementary for creating an environment of inclusion that makes all children feel welcome and loved.

Student Connor Iacono also spoke about Down Syndrome Awareness and sharing his personal experiences.

FTEA President Kelly Pratt Booth recognized the following

Woodfill art teacher Leah Fryman who put tremendous effort into Woodfill’s school-wide art show to provide students an opportunity to showcase their published work. Not only were the pieces beautiful but it was evident that students were asked to reflect on their creations. The event and the students’ work were a huge success! 

HHS business teacher Elise Carter has put in a Herculean amount of time and effort to make sure our students make memories and engage in real-world experiences in spite of the challenges that COVID has presented. Mrs. Carter’s dedication made Prom happen for our juniors and seniors last year as well as Winter Ball for all of our students this past weekend. In addition, Mrs. Carter builds programs like the Bluebird Cafe and establishes relationships with local businesses to provide our students with important real-world learning experiences. 

Jerry Wissman provided an update to the Board about the project, stating that the final piece of the project is to restructure the former temporary school site as a 48-spot parking lot. 

• Fieldhouse Parking CD Plans

Order #2312 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Parking Lot and Storm Water Quality Control Design and Bid Package for the Johnson Elementary Replacement project passed with a motion by Mr. Bradley Fennell and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

• SSR FY21 Form(1) - FTIS Access Control

Order #2313 - Motion Passed:  Approval of School Security Funds reimbursement in the amount of $87,333.00 passed with a motion by Mrs. Lisa Duckworth and a second by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

• FTIS Custodial Bid Package 2022 - 2023

Order #2314 - Motion Passed:  Approval of School Security Funds reimbursement in the amount of $87,333.00 passed with a motion by Mrs. Lisa Duckworth and a second by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

Request to add a new school-wide fundraiser at Highlands Middle School for the 2021-22 school year.

Order #2315 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the additional school-wide fundraiser of Health Moves Minds at Highlands Middle School passed with a motion by Mr. Bradley Fennell and a second by Mrs. Lisa Duckworth.

2022-2023 School Year Calendar

Preschool

Please approve the preschool calendar to consist of a 3 hour day, 4 days per week. During the 22-23 school year, the preschool program will be placed at Moyer Elementary. The recommended instructional day for preschool is Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 11:00am for the morning session and 11:45am to 2:45pm for the afternoon session. It is recommended that the preschool begin on August 29, 2022, and end on May 25, 2023, to allow time for required screenings, testing and parent meetings.

Make Up Days

Designate February 17, 2023, and March 10, 2023, as make-up days.

• Calendar 22-23 v2

Order #2316 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the 2022-23 Preschool calendar, and the designation of the first two make-up days to be February 17, 2023, and March 10, 2023 passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

• Publishing Services - Bid Document 2022-23
• Publishing Services School Calendar - Bid Document 2022-23

Order #2317 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the RFP for Publishing Services for the Traditions magazine and the annual school calendar passed with a motion by Mrs. Lisa Duckworth and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

Order #2318 - Motion Passed:  Approval to allow the superintendent to notify the landlord of the intention to not renew the lease which expires on June 30, 2022, for the property located at 20 N. Grand Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY, passed with a motion by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

Board Chair Ann Meyer shared that the Board has used the funds remaining from the opening day breakfast donations to provide breakfast treats (bagels or pastries) each month to faculty and staff.

Jeff Beach shared that the Budget Committee met to review the 2022-23 budget expectations.

Order #2319 - Motion Passed:  With all Board members having had the opportunity to review and pursue any questions about all of the items contained therein, approval of the consent agenda passed with a motion by Mrs. Lisa Duckworth and a second by Mr. Bradley Fennell.

• Minutes - 2-7-2022 - Board Meeting
• Minutes - 3-14-2022 - Special Working Meeting

• Financial Report for February 2022

• Food Services Summary for February 2022

• Attendance 6th Month 2022-23

• Payment Register for February 2022

• 2022-2024 Technology Plan Final

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Charles Bloodsaw – Custodian – HMS

Employment of the following Extra-Service Position
Hayden Sphire – Football Sixty Minute Club – HHS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Positions
Mick Abner – Football Sixty Minute Club - HHS
James Carney – Football Sixty Minute Club – HHS
Brandon Cook – Football Sixty Minute Club – HHS
Sarah Hoffman – Assistant Boys Track Coach – HHS
Sydnee Mangette – Boys Track Coach – HMS
Cory Ruschman – Assistant Girls Track Coach – HHS

Employment of the following Extra Curricular Assistant Position
Connie Kremer – Mock Trial – HHS

Retirement of the following Certified Employees
Lisa Birkley – Language Arts Teacher – HMS
Kennon Burns – PE/Health Teacher – HHS
Cindy Graves – Elementary Teacher – MES
Linda Hockney – Elementary Teacher – MES
Mary Kinsella – EL Teacher – MES
Joy Layman – Kindergarten Teacher – WES
Lori Maines – Guidance Counselor – HMS
Rob McCoy – Language Arts Teacher – HMS
Kim Schnier – Elementary Teacher – JES
Anne Snider – Elementary Teacher – JES

Retirement of the following Classified Employees
Ellen Turner – Instructional Assistant – JES
Mary Beth Newman – Instructional Assistant – MES

Resignation of the following Certified Employees
Michele Beier – Language Arts Teacher – HMS 
Rachel Burnett – Spanish Teacher – HHS
Kristine Donnelly – Visual Art Teacher – HHS
Lubitza Hershberger – Strings/Orchestra Teacher – HHS
Megan Leising – Preschool Teacher – JES

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Charles Bloodsaw – Custodian – HMS
Beth Jones – Pre School IA – JES
Rebecca Neufarth – Kindergarten IA – WES

Board Chair Ann Meyer adjourned the meeting at 8:14pm.