Ft. Thomas Independent
February 12, 2024 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Vice Chair Julie Kuhnhein called the meeting to order at 6:31pm.

I.A. Pledge of Allegiance
Julie Kuhnhein
I.B. Recognitions
Julie Kuhnhein
I.B.1. Board Bravos and Updates
Discussion

Board members shared the following information:


  • Girls Wrestling Team finished 3rd in Regionals and qualified for state

  • HHS Cheer placed 9th in the nation

  • HMS Cheer celebrated wins in all categories

  • HMS performance of Matilda broke attendance records

  • HMS Academic Team placed 4th and has a 6th grader going to state

  • Highlands hosted their first archery tournament with over 400 archers competing

  • School Spelling Bee winners George Weghorst, Louie White and Genevieve Deinlein will represent our district at the Scripps Spelling Bee

  • HHS Mock Trial are Region Champs and will move on to state

  • HMS Forensics Team won Regionals

  • Moyer's Got Talent was a success

  • JES Academic Team won Regionals

  • SRO Appreciation Day is February 15

  • Moyer Circus is February 29



I.B.2. We The People State Champions
Discussion

Congratulations to the following We The People participants on their state championship:


  • Chanuthmi Abeysinghe

  • Paige Barber

  • Owen Borden

  • Henry Campbell

  • Hailey Cavanaugh

  • Treiston Collins

  • James Davis

  • John Dougherty

  • Cohen Gessner

  • Bradley Groneck

  • Ryan Groneck

  • Samantha Heilman

  • Kaylee Humphress

  • Lilly Leising

  • Anna McCoy

  • Deven McKim

  • Reagan McPhedran

  • William Oldiges

  • John Street

  • Lucas Tinkler

  • GraceAnne Wissman


The Board recognized and congratulated the students on their accomplishment.  Each was given a Certificate of Achievement and a "Champions" t-shirt.

I.B.3. Tradition of Excellence
I.B.3.a. Katy Wall
Nick Fite
Discussion

Katy Wall was nominated for a Tradition of Excellence award by community member Nick Fite for leadership both in and out of the classroom.

I.B.3.b. Angelina Gintonio
Jennifer Nash
Discussion

Angelina Gintonio was nominated for a Tradition of Excellence award by teacher Jennifer Nash for being a courageous leader, empathic collaborator and creative problem solver.

I.C. Student Showcase - Moyer - 5th Grade Broadcasting Crew
Laura Robinson
Discussion

The Moyer Broadcasting Crew members presented on how the Broadcasting program works, their favorite parts and shared a video.  Students presenting were:


  • Eloise Baker

  • Josie Barrett

  • Alejandra De Leon Mundo

  • Henry Griffith

  • Janie Holmes

  • Landon Horan

  • Ione Meade

  • Kali Smith


The Board thanked the students and gave each a "Rich in Tradition" t-shirt.

I.D. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Staffing Guidelines 2024-25
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2508 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Staffing Guidelines for 2024-25 passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Absent
II.B. Highlands Roof Replacement
Jerry Wissman
II.B.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman shared the roof project is now complete.

II.B.2. Imbus Roofing Pay Application #8
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2509 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #8 to Imbus Roofing in the amount of $71,360 for the Highlands Roof Replacement project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Absent
II.C. Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC)
Jerry Wissman
II.C.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman provided the Board with an update, noting that he and Superintendent Robinson will be meeting with CMTA on Thursday, February 15 to review the outstanding work and a timeline for completion.

II.C.2. CMTA Pay Application #11
Jerry Wissman
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2510 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #11 to CMTA, Inc. in the amount of $47,477.27 for the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract program passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Absent
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Jerry Wissman
III.A.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman updated the Board on the work being done by the utility companies.  Superintendent Brian Robinson shared that the district plans to put Phase II out to bid in April with a June 1 or July 1 start date.  Superintendent Robinson also shared that St. Elizabeth and OrthoCincy are donating a combined $1 million to this project.

III.B. Solar Eclipse
Brian Robinson
Discussion

Superintendent Robinson shared our district plan to hold elementary students until 3:30pm on April 8 to ensure safe viewing of the solar eclipse.  A parent email will go out at the end of February to begin communication of our district plan.

III.C. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board members shared the following:


  • Parents' Night Out is March 2

  • Nominations for the Sports Hall of Fame are due by March 15

  • Nesties will be celebrated April 11



IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2511 - 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. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Absent
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 8, 2024; Board and SBDM Councils Joint Meeting of January 17, 2024; and Working Board Meeting of February 6, 2024
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of January 2024
Attachments
IV.C. Food Service Report for January 2024
Attachments
IV.D. Attendance Report for 5th Month of 2023-24
Attachments
IV.E. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.F. Notification and Approval of School-wide Fundraiser
Rationale

Approval of the following additional school-wide fundraiser:

Johnson
The Water Project (penny war)

Attachments
IV.G. Section 504 Procedures 2024
Attachments
IV.H. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.H.1. HMS Forensics - Lexington, KY - February 23-34, 2024
IV.H.2. HHS We The People - Washington, DC - April 12-16, 2024
IV.H.3. HHS Strings - New York, NY - October 3-6, 2024
IV.I. Personnel Action Taken Since January 8, 2024
Rationale

Transfer of the following Classified Employees
Jessica Delaney – Cafeteria Worker to Cafeteria Manager – HMS
Nick Kalonda – Custodian at WES to Custodian at HHS
Jason Moore – Custodian at HHS to Custodian at HMS

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Mary Scott – Instructional Assistant - MES

Employment of the following Extra-Curricular Position
Leah Fryman – 6th Grade Volleyball Coach – HMS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Nick Dill – JV Baseball Coach – HHS

Retirement of the following Certified Employees
Dawn Laber – Principal – MES
Amy Klepeisz – Teacher – HMS

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Evangeline Ainsworth – Instructional Assistant – WES
Luciey Garland – Instructional Assistant – MES
Laura Haas – Instructional Assistant – MES
Cathy Kelly – Cafeteria Manager – HMS
Jacob Myers – Custodian – JES
Dalton Schroeder – Custodian – HMS
Nona Stevenson – Cafeteria Worker – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Jonathon McKenzie – Cross Country Coach – HMS
Matt Reed – Assistant Football Coach – HHS

IV.J. Grant Extended Leave
IV.J.1. Annie Gold (Maternity - Approximately August 8 through October 20, 2024)
IV.J.2. Chastity Ogle (Medical - Approximately January 22 through February 16, 2024)
IV.K. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.K.1. Frankfort, KY - February 13, 2024
IV.K.2. KSBA Conference - Louisville, KY - February 29-March 2, 2024
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Vice Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:21pm.