Ft. Thomas Independent
August 12, 2024 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Ann Meyer
Discussion

Board Chair Ann Meyer called the meeting to order at 6:31pm.

I.A. Pledge of Allegiance
Ann Meyer
I.B. Recognitions
Ann Meyer
I.B.1. Board Bravos and Updates
Discussion

Board members shared the following:



  • HMS back to school night was a hit with parents

  • Groundbreaking is Thursday, August 15 at Tower Park

  • Great Opening Day breakfast; well attended

  • HHS Theatre & Choir teachers were introduced earlier tonight

  • Hall of Fame induction is this weekend

  • First day of school is Wednesday, August 14

  • HHS Broadcasting received 4 Emmys

  • FCCLA competed at STAR Nationals; 1 gold and 2 silver

  • Jennifer Nash is the new Assistant Principal at HHS

  • Good luck to all the fall sports teams

I.B.2. Tradition of Excellence Award
Brian Robinson
I.B.2.a. Juli Neace
Discussion

Juli Neace was presented with a Tradition of Excellence Award in recognition of her achievement as a 2024 KYSHAPE Teacher of the Year.

I.B.2.b. The Heiert Family
Discussion

The Heiert Family was presented with a Tradition of Excellence Award in recognition of their dedication and commitment to supporting and encouraging students both in and out of the classroom.

I.B.2.c. Matt Kremer
Discussion

Matt Kremer was presented with a Tradition of Excellence Award in recognition of his partnership and dedication to enhance the experiences and opportunities for FTIS students and citizens of Fort Thomas.

I.B.2.d. Mike Clines
Discussion

Representative Mike Clines was presented with a Tradition of Excellence Award in recognition of his partnership and dedication to enhance the experiences and opportunities for FTIS students and citizens of Fort Thomas.

I.B.3. Recognition of Ann Meyer
Brian Robinson
Discussion

Ann Meyer was presented with a Tradition of Excellence Award in recognition of her service and commitment to advancing the FTIS Mission and Vision.  The Board thanked Ann for her leadership, tireless support of teachers, focus on the schools and students, and for always setting high expectations for others to follow.  Ann was also presented with a plaque commemorating her board service and a gift from FTEA.

I.C. Community Forum
Ann Meyer
II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC)
Jerry Wissman
II.A.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman shared that Comfort Systems has completed their work and that CMTA is making minor adjustments to finish up the project.  He anticipates we will receive the final pay application and close the project next month.

II.A.2. CMTA Pay Application #16
Jerry Wissman
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2564 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #16 to CMTA, Inc. in the amount of $63,382.32 for the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract program 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 Yes
II.B. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Jerry Wissman
II.B.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman shared with the Board that Riegler completed the retaining wall and continues to work on the road.  While Jerry acknowledged Riegler is not as far along as anticipated, he is hopeful there will be a safe connection from the neighborhood to the park once paving is complete.

II.B.2. Morel Construction Co. Pay App #1
Jerry Wissman
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2565 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #1 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $646,758.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Yes
II.C. Employee Perfect Attendance Incentive
Brian Robinson
Actions Taken

Order #2566 - Motion Passed:  Approval to authorize the Superintendent to award a yearly perfect attendance bonus and develop monthly incentive drawings September 2024 through May 2025 passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Yes
II.D. Policy Revisions
Jamee Flaherty
II.D.1. Policy 09.226 Revision for 2024-25 First Reading
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2567 - Motion Passed:  Tentative approval of Policy 09.226 based on a First Reading of the policy revisions 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 Yes
II.D.2. Parent and Family Engagement Policy First Reading
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2568 - Motion Passed:  Tentative approval based on a First Reading of the Parent and Family Engagement Policy passed with a motion by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein 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 Yes
II.E. Board Member Resignation
Brian Robinson
Actions Taken

Order #2569 - Motion Passed:  Approval to accept resignation from Ann Meyer as board member from Fort Thomas Independent Schools Board of Education effective August 13, 2024, creating a vacant seat 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 Yes
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Areas of Emphasis for SY 2024-25
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Discussion

Superintendent Brian Robinson shared with the Board the 2024-25 areas of emphasis, which include:



  • Enhance FTIS status as a destination district

  • Strategic plan

  • Instructional focus

  • Expanding FTIS partnerships and voice

III.B. Board Committee Updates
Ann Meyer
Discussion

The Board had no further updates.

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Ann Meyer
Actions Taken

Order #2570 - 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 Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mrs. Ann Meyer Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 8, 2024 and Special Annual Working Board Meetings of July 10, 2024 and July 11, 2024, and Working Board Meeting of August 8, 2024
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of July 2024
Attachments
IV.C. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.D. District Data Security and Breach Procedures
Attachments
IV.E. Revised Salary Schedules
IV.E.1. Extra Service Salary Schedule
Attachments
IV.F. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.F.1. HHS Girls Soccer - Evansville, IN - August 30-31, 2024
IV.F.2. HHS FCCLA - Versailles, KY - September 16-17, 2024
IV.G. Personnel Action Taken Since July 8, 2024
Rationale

Employment of the following Certified Employees
Denisse Fernandez – Teacher – MES
Joni Ficke – Teacher – HHS
Susan Messmer – Teacher – WES

Change of Position for the following Certified Employee
Jennifer Nash – Teacher – HHS – Assistant Principal – HHS

Employment of the following Classified Employees
Katie Knight – Instructional Assistant – WES
Sarah Messmer – Instructional Assistant – HHS
Karen Sprecker – Bus Monitor – Districtwide
Rebecca Thomas – Instructional Assistant – WES  

Employment of the following Extra-Service Positions
Stephanie Beiting – Art Club Sponsor – HHS
Samantha Corman – Grade Level Leader – HMS
Andy Eckerle – Fine Arts Dept. Chair ½ split – HHS
Marti Jo Houlehan – Literacy Leader – WES
Steven McClamrock – Special Education Dept. Chair – HHS
Amy Opitz – Chess Club Sponsor – JES
Stephanie Pinguely – Literacy Leader – WES
Lindsey Reckers – Grade Level Leader – HMS
Laura Rittinger – Social Studies Dept. Chair – HMS
Laura Rittinger – Grade Level Leader – HMS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Positions
Brian Runyon – Boys Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach – HHS
Tony Spaulding – Boys JV Soccer Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Certified Employees
Barbara Carrasquel – Teacher – MES
Jennifer Forgy – Assistant Principal – HHS
Heather Turner – Teacher – WES

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Jessica Eades – Instructional Assistant – WES
Nicholas Kalonda – Custodian – HHS
Judy Matthews – Cafeteria – WES
Susan Morrow – Bus Monitor – Districtwide
Julie Sarakatsannis – Guidance Counselor Secretary – HHS

Resignation of the following Extra-Service Positions
Andy Eckerle – Art Club Sponsor – HHS
Katie Huber – Chess Club Sponsor – JES
Mary Ryan – Special Education Dept. Chair – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Positions
Jeremy Baioni – Head Baseball Coach – HHS
Ian Chang – Boys JV Soccer Coach – HHS
Jeremy Donelan – Boys Track Coach – HMS

IV.H. Grant Extended Leave
IV.H.1. Chris Middendorf - Medical Leave (July 30 - August 26, 2024)
IV.H.2. Avram Steuber - Medical Leave (August 2 - September 2, 2024)
IV.H.3. Dale Bartel - Medical Leave (July 31 - September 16, 2024)
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Ann Meyer
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION per KRS 61.810 (1)(f) Discussion which might lead to the appointment of an individual member
Ann Meyer
Actions Taken

Order #2571 - Motion Passed:  Approval to enter into Executive Session at 7:28pm per KRS 61.810(1)(f) which might lead to the appointment of an individual member 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 Yes

Order #2572 - Subsidiary Motion Passed:  Approval to exit Executive Session at 8:26pm per KRS 61.810 (1)(f) passed with a motion by Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein 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 Yes
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Ann Meyer
Discussion

Board Chair Ann Meyer adjourned the meeting at 8:27pm.