Ft. Thomas Independent
October 14, 2024 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:30pm.

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:



  • JES Hullabaloo was a success

  • Visit from Secretary of State Michael Adams

  • Visit from State Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer

  • High Attendance Day Regional winners at all 3 levels

  • 5 HHS students selected to the Thomas More Juried High School Art Show

  • Good luck to Boys and Girls Soccer Teams in Regionals this week

  • AP Gold Honor Roll

  • Achieved "Blue" in KSA at all 3 levels; will celebrate with cake on Friday

  • Boys Golf are Regional Champs for the 5th time

I.B.2. Tradition of Excellence Award - Michelle Fair
Brian Robinson/Skop Family
Discussion

Community member Lindsey Skop shared her family's wonderful experience with Michelle Fair as their son's preschool teacher and read a portion of her nomination letter.  Michelle was presented with a Tradition of Excellence award and thanked for her outstanding work.

I.B.3. National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
John Darnell
Discussion

The Board recognized and congratulated Ben Gilkerson and Oliver Martin for being named National Merit Semifinalists.  Both students were presented with a Certificate of Achievement and a "Champions" t-shirt.

I.B.4. NaviGo Scholars
John Darnell
Rationale

The following HHS students have been named NaviGo Scholars:

  • Jude Borden
  • Wyatt Carbone
  • Warren Deaton
  • Braelyn Dew
  • Ashley Franco
  • Phol Jiraphasuksakul
  • Prae Jiraphasuksakul
  • Alaina Kuhn
  • Landry Riesenbeck
  • Quinton Scherrer
  • Ananya Thumrongthaisakul
  • Owen Uhl

Discussion

The Board recognized the following HHS students for being named NaviGo Scholars:



  • Jude Borden

  • Wyatt Carbone

  • Warren Deaton

  • Braelyn Dew

  • Ashley Franco

  • Phol Jiraphasuksakul

  • Prae Jiraphasuksakul

  • Alaina Kuhn

  • Landry Riesenbeck

  • Quinton Scherrer

  • Ananya Thumrongthaisakul

  • Owen Uhl


The students shared their areas of study and partner companies.  The Board congratulated the students and presented each with a Certificate of Achievement and a "Champions" t-shirt.

I.C. Student Showcase - MES: Bike, Scooter and Walking Safety
Peter Winkler
Rationale

The following students will be presenting:

  • Lucas Barczewski
  • Meridith Cox
  • Sydney Nestheide
  • Hunter Ripley
  • Keegan Ritchie
  • Remmi Smith
  • Isaac Young
  • Cameron Zenni

Attachments
Discussion

Moyer students presented on Bike, Scooter and Walking Safety.  They talked about their research, what they learned and shared a video with the Board.  That video was also shared with all students at Moyer.  Student presenting included:



  • Lucas Barczewski

  • Meridith Cox

  • Sydney Nestheide

  • Hunter Ripley

  • Keegan Ritchie

  • Remmi Smith

  • Isaac Young

  • Cameron Zenni


The Board thanked the students and gave each a Tradition of Excellence t-shirt.

I.D. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no community members wishing to speak.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Jerry Wissman
II.A.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman provided the Board with an update, stating the soil tests revealed no movement.  Riegler finished the paving and the sidewalks, and the fence was moved to allow the neighborhood behind the soccer complex to access the park again.  Morel is happy with the progress and feels the project is on schedule.

II.A.2. Riegler Blacktop Inc Pay Application #5
Jerry Wissman
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2593 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #5 to Riegler Blacktop Inc in the amount of $378,056.34 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project 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
II.A.3. Morel Construction Co. Pay Application #3
Jerry Wissman
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2594 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #3 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $1,016,797.50 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach 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
II.B. GoTo Telephone Contract
Jody Johnson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2595 - Motion Passed:  Approval of contract for phone services with GoTo Technologies USA, Inc. for 3 years, beginning December 1, 2024 passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV 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
II.C. KETS First Offer of Assistance for 2024-25
Jody Johnson
Rationale

Each year, the SFCC extends a KETS offer of assistance to school districts.  To accept this offer of assistance, it must be matched equally by the Board of Education.

Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2596 - Motion Passed:  Approval to accept and match the entire KETS Offer of Assistance amount at the present time of this offer and any subsequent offers up to a total of $21/ADA for the 2024-2025 school year with the KETS First Officer of Assistance being $34,490 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
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Dialogue Regarding Proposal to Change the Kentucky Constitution - Amendment 2
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Each of the Board members shared their personal feelings on Amendment 2 and encouraged voters to educate themselves on the issue and check the validity of information being distributed in the community and mailed to their homes.

III.B. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no committee updates to share.

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2597 - 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 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
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 9, 2024 and Special Board Meeting of September 17, 2024
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of September 2024
Attachments
IV.C. Food Service Report for September 2024
Attachments
IV.D. Attendance Report for 1st Month of 2024-25
Attachments
IV.E. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.F. District Technology Report - Q1
Attachments
IV.G. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.G.1. HHS Boys Golf - Shelbyville, KY - September 29-20, 2024
IV.G.2. HHS Volleyball - Louisville, KY - October 4-5, 2024
IV.G.3. HHS Boys Golf - Bowling Green, KY - October 6-8, 2024
IV.G.4. HHS Volleyball - Lexington, KY - October 11-12, 2024
IV.G.5. WES 4th Grade - Columbus, OH - April 25, 2025
IV.H. Personnel Action Taken Since September 9, 2024
Rationale

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Tina Bacon – Counseling Office Secretary – HHS

Employment of the Following Extra-Service Positions
Kelsey Etherton – Girls Varsity Soccer Coach – HHS
Nina Kearns – Girls Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach – HHS
Kelsey Sentney – FCCLA Sponsor – HMS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Kristopher Hendrix – Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach – HHS

Retirement of the following Classified Employee
Sherry Bodner – AP Office Secretary – HHS

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Crystal Evans – Cafeteria – HHS
Barbara Hurrelbrink – Cafeteria – HHS
Katie Knight – Instructional Assistant – HHS

IV.I. Grant Extended Leave
IV.I.1. Katy Wall - Maternity Leave (September 30 - December 20, 2024)
IV.I.2. Heidi Neltner - Medical Leave (December 18, 2024 - January 31, 2025)
IV.I.3. Mary Ryan - Maternity Leave (January 24 - April 18, 2025)
IV.J. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.J.1. Bluegrass Risk Management Annual Meeting - Lexington, KY - November 7, 2024
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:38pm.