Ft. Thomas Independent
October 12, 2026 6:30 PM ET (5:30 CT)
Board of Education Regular Meeting
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:33pm.

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

The Board shared the following:


  • The HHS Band is doing really well and won Grand Champion at the Campbell County competition over the weekend

  • HHS Boys Golf are Regional Champs

  • HHS Girls Golf had 2 players qualify for State

  • HHS Girls Cross Country won the Conference Championship over the weekend

  • HHS Girls Freshman Soccer won their Championship

  • HMS 7th Grade Girls Volleyball finished their season undefeated (27-0)

  • HHS Journalism was awarded Gold status by Jostens

  • Students will be taking the PSAT on Tuesday

  • 8th Grade Football team headed to the playoffs

  • Winter sports begin next week

  • FTIS received the Dark Sky Award for our work at the softball field.  We are the first school district in the state to receive this certification.

I.B.2. National Merit Scholarship
John Darnell
Rationale

The following HHS students will be recognized:
William Rayner - Semifinalist
Christian Bedinghaus - Commended
Jude Borden - Commended
John Buecker - Commended
Macy Davis - Commended

Discussion

The Board recognized the following students:

William Rayner - Semifinalist

Christian Bedinghaus - Commended

Jude Borden - Commended

John Buecker - Commended

Macy Davis - Commended


The Board congratulated the students on their success and presented each with a Certificate of Achievement and a Rich in Tradition t-shirt.

I.B.3. NaviGo Scholars
John Darnell
Rationale

The following students are being recognized:
Jadon Bargo
Dylan Fortner
Ryan Hamilton
Adalyn Klosterman
Vera Knight
Samira Kuame
James Kuhn
Arianna Lloyd
Chimdindu Nwachukwu
Isaac Pieper
Matteo Schroer
Parker Shipman
Luis Soto Valenzuela
Gage Thomas
Harper Teismann

Discussion

The Board recognized the following NaviGo Scholars:

Jadon Bargo

Dylan Fortner

Ryan Hamilton

Adalyn Klosterman

Vera Knight

Samira Kuame

James Kuhn

Arianna Lloyd

Chimdindu Nwachukwu

Isaac Pieper

Matteo Schroer

Parker Shipman

Luis Soto Valenzuela

Gage Thomas

Harper Teismann


While the students were not present, the Board expressed their congratulations and sent a Certificate of Achievement and a Rich in Tradition t-shirt to the high school for all of them.

I.C. Student Showcase - WES: Leadership Team Building
Kelly Smith/Chrissy Barlow
Rationale

The following students are presenting:
Miles Ballinger
Maddie Botto
Lincoln Broderick
Maddie Grimme
Emmett Laycock
Paul Lubbers
Rose Kremer
Amelia Means
Evan Nappi

Attachments
Discussion

Woodfill 5th Graders presented on Leadership Day to the Board.  These students included:

Miles Ballinger

Maddie Botto

Lincoln Broderick

Maddie Grimme

Emmett Laycock

Paul Lubbers

Rose Kremer

Amelia Means

Evan Nappi


Students talked about which challenge was the most difficult and what they enjoyed about Leadership Day.  The Board presented each with a Rich in Tradition t-shirt.

I.D. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no community members signed up to speak.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. KETS First Offer of Assistance
Joe Sumpter
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2787 - 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 $25/ADA for the 2026-2027 school year with the KETS First Offer of Assistance being $39,457 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
Mr. David Russell Yes
III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION ITEMS
III.A. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no committee updates this month.

III.B. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Chad Niedert
III.B.1. Project Update
Chad Niedert
Discussion

Chad Niedert shared there is no pay app this month as items on the punch list are addressed.  Progress is being made and a part is on order from Canada for the HVAC controls.

III.C. Brigance Report
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Discussion

Jamee Flaherty shared that 81% of incoming Kindergarteners were considered "Ready" this year.  She shared that many students struggle with knowing their phone number.  Our ready percentage continues to be steady and is above the state average of 50%.

III.D. Summer Enrichment Report
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Discussion

Jamee Flaherty shared the Summer Enrichment totals from this year.  Our enrollment numbers are down from prior years, however it was pointed out that the College Application Bootcamp is no longer a summer enrichment course, as that work is now done in English class and could account for a portion of the reduced enrollment numbers.  The Board suggested we survey the students to see what type of courses they would like to see offered next year.

III.E. Notification/Report of Personnel Action Taken Since September 14, 2026
Brian Robinson
Rationale

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Mark Jessee – Bus Driver – Districtwide

Employment of the following Paraprofessionals
Rachel Gabbard – Softball Assistant Coach – HHS
Griffin Sanders – Archery Assistant Coach – HHS
Daniel Sanchez – Soccer Goalkeeper Coach – HHS

Employment of the following Extra-Service Position
Katie Leftin – Softball Field Maintenance ½ split – HHS

Leave of Absence for the following Employees
Ami Barth – 12/08/2026 – 01/19/2027 – JES
Christina Hudson – 02/15/27 – 05/07/2027 – MES

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2788 - 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. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 14, 2026 and Working Meeting of October 8, 2026
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of September 2026
Attachments
IV.C. Food Service Report for September 2026
Attachments
IV.D. Attendance Report for 1st Month of 2026-27
Attachments
IV.E. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.F. Special Education Policies and Procedures
Attachments
IV.G. District Technology Report - Q1
Attachments
IV.H. DPP Job Description
Attachments
IV.I. Approval of Unpaid Leave
IV.I.1. Annie Bartoszek - October 20, 2026 to February 20, 2027
IV.J. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.J.1. HHS Girls Golf - New Castle, KY - September 21-22, 2026
IV.J.2. WES - Columbus, OH - April 30, 2027
IV.K. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.K.1. Bluegrass Risk Management Membership Meeting - October 23, 2026 - Lexington, KY
IV.K.2. NCERT - October 28-31, 2026 - San Diego, CA
IV.K.3. Superintendent Advisory Council - November 4, 2026 - Frankfort, KY
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There was no other business to discuss.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:30pm.