Agenda Report

Print FriendlyPDF ExportMS Word Export

BULLITT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1040 HIGHWAY 44 EAST

SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY 40165

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BULLITT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

November 09, 2020

5:00 PM

Bullitt Central High School - Library
1330 Highway 44 East
Shepherdsville, KY 40165

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ADOPT THE AGENDA
Adopt the agenda as presented.
3. PRESENTATIONS
a. ACT ScoresJan Stone
4. CONSENT ITEMS
Approve the Consent Items as presented.
a. Construction ItemsBret Highley
1. Revised BG-1, New 800 Student Elementary School (OMES)

Presented is the Revised BG-1 document for the New 800 Student Elementary School, BG 20-142. The total estimated cost for this project is $24,195,482.00. KDE requires a minimum of 5% contingency; the revised BG-1 reflects 7%. This project is the construction of a new 88,000 sq.ft. building to replace the existing Old Mill Elementary School. 

2. Bid Package #1 - General Construction

The bid opening was held on November 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. with a total of six bidders submitting bids. Only three bidders submitted bids with all required documents. The lowest base bid was submitted by Redlee Construction and Development, Inc. in the amount of $19,336,000.00. There were also nine alternates on this project that total $73,790.00. Requested is the Board's approval of the base bid amount and enter into contract with Redlee Construction and Development, Inc. in the amount of $19,336,000.00 and to accept the alternates as indicated in the amount of $73,790.00, for a total construction amount of $19,409,790.00.

3. Bid Package #2 - Controls

The bid opening was held on November 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. with two bidders submitting bids for package #2.  The two companies submitting bids were Harshaw Trane and Johnson Controls. Based on discussion with both companies, it was determined Harshaw Trane would provide the best value for the District based on continuity of infrastructure design and the equipment provided. After discussion with the District's Maintenance personnel, Dr. Bacon and others, as recommended by Cate Wad, Architect, it is recommended that a contract be awarded to Harshaw Trane in the amount of $396,220.00.

4. Bid Package #3 - Technology

The bid opening was held on November 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. with four bidders submitting bids. The lowest base bid for Technology Package #3 was submitted by Business Cabling Systems, LLC in the amount of $235,492.05. Requested is the Board's approval to enter into a contract with Business Cabling Systems, LLC. 

b. ContractsBecky Sexton
1. IC Messenger/ShoutPoint ContractKevin Fugate

Through a joint effort (Directors and Superintendents), it's been decided that our move to SendIt for district and school communication hasn't been sufficient in meeting the communication needs for teachers and school level staff. SendIt has been great for mass communication from Central Office administration and some principals, but our teachers have a greater need when getting grades out among other things. It's important to us, especially during a time like now, to ensure prompt and adequate communication to our school families. 

Our return to using Infinite Campus Messenger will eliminate any barriers for teachers to communication with students and their families. At this time, requested is Board approval for the contract with Infinite Campus Messenger/ShoutPoint. The pricing in the contract is prorated to reflect just the remainder of the school year. In addition, speaking with Josh Boyer, our representative from SchoolPointe, the parent company for SendIt, the district will receive a prorated amount in refund for our inability to move forward with them. 

c. KETS Technology Activity Report for 2019-2020Kevin Fugate

Presented is the Kentucky Educational Technology System (KETS) Technology Activity Report for the 2019-2020 school year. The district spent a total of $8,842,774.01 in technology related expenses across departments.

Approve the KETS Technology Activity Report for the 2019-2020 school year.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Revised Plumber & Electrician Job Descriptions & Pay ScalesEd Oyler

Due to the inability to attract and fill vacant positions with qualified applicants, the request is for the Board's consideration to make adjustments to the salary scales for plumbers and electricians. Upon Board approval, the salary scales for plumbers and licensed electricians will be adjusted to be commensurate with HVAC personnel. The modification of the salary schedule is necessary for the following reasons: 

1. The pay for licensed and skilled tradesmen is not commensurate with potential earnings, for the same jobs, outside the school district. 

2. Utilizing outside vendors and contractors for district buildings for plumbing and electrical work is much more expensive and not cost effective, nor efficient for timely repairs during emergency situations. 

3. As skilled worker personnel retire and leave the district, there are no qualified applicants to replace and/or fill their vacancies.

Requested is the Board's approval to adjust the salary scales for plumbers and electricians effective July 1, 2020. The increase in the scales will be additional cost of $33,766.07 which will be funded through the maintenance general fund budget for the 2020-2021 school year. If approved, the district will be able to attract qualified applicants and the maintenance department can and will continue to maintain and fix facilities internally.

 

Approve the revised job descriptions and pay scales for the Electrician & Plumber positions as presented.
b. A/B Rotational Hybrid Schedule, Grades 6-12Adrienne Usher

Over the last few weeks, the community of Bullitt County has seen an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases causing the county to go into the Red category. Due to this, we transitioned to remote learning for now, but we also know having our students in-person is academically, socially, and emotionally better for our BCPS students. All secondary principals and assistant principals were surveyed on preferred selection of a rotational hybrid model with 20 out of 30 responses preferring the AA/BB model. Additionally, we sought input from teachers using ThoughtExchange. 

When we are able to return to in-person learning, the proposal is for students in Grades 6-12 (families that selected in-person learning) to attend school on an AA/BB schedule for the rest of the first semester, which ends on January 5, 2021. The rotational hybrid schedule is the following:

  • Group A: Monday and Tuesday
  • Remote Learning: Wednesday
  • Group B: Thursday and Friday
  • Exceptions:
    • The week of November 23-27 (Thanksgiving Break): Group A attends on Monday (23rd) and Group B attends on Tuesday (24th).
    • If/When the weeks we are out of school on a Monday due to holiday, Bullitt Day, etc., then Group A students will attend on Tuesday/Wednesday and Group B will attend on Thursday/Friday.
    • If/When the weeks we are out of school on a Friday due to holiday, Bullitt Day, etc., then Group A will attend on Monday/Tuesday and Group B will attend on Wednesday/Thursday.

The Department of Pupil Personnel developed the Group A and Group B student groups by using the Infinite Campus algorithm, provided by the state. This algorithm grouped siblings/students into the same group based on households and then took into consideration numbers of students total in each group so that approximately half of the school enrollment would attend per group. 

Below is the calendar that was sent out to staff, students and the community regarding the proposed schedule: 

The benefits of the AA/BB rotational hybrid schedule is it allows the middle and high schools to have smaller groups of students (approximately 1/2 of school enrollment in each group) in the building, as a whole, to help with implementing COVID-19 protocols through our health services department. In addition, the Wednesday remote learning day will allow custodial staff to sanitize that day between the groups of students in the larger school facilities. The student learning team has also been working with secondary administration teams and instructional coaches to provide a recommended instructional framework for instructional planning and delivery in an AA/BB model. 

Approval is requested for Bullitt County Public Schools to implement an AA-Remote-BB Rotational Hybrid schedule (when the district returns to in-person learning) for students in Grades 6-12 who selected in-person learning for the remainder of the first semester which ends on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Approve the proposed A/B Rotational Hybrid schedule for Grades 6-12 for the remainder of the first semester as presented.
6. GENERAL DISCUSSION
a. Location for Remaining Board MeetingsJesse Bacon

Due to the recent Attorney General's ruling, if board members are physically gathering to conduct their meetings, even though they are live-streamed to the public, those meetings still have to adhere to all the provisions of KRS 61.800. Based on feedback from the Board, I propose to move the remaining Board meetings for November, December and January to the auditorium at Bullitt Central High School. Work Sessions will not be streamed, but the monthly business meetings will be recorded and posted at a later date. Please note: Moving the location for the remaining meetings will require them be a "special" meeting with restrictions to any changes. 

The remaining dates are:

November 23 - Monthly Meeting

December 7 - Work Session (KASS Conference for Superintendent)

December 14 - Monthly Meeting

January 4 - Work Session / Swearing in of New/Re-elected Board Members

January 25 - Monthly Meeting

At the discretion of the Board.
7. ADJOURNMENT

Adjourn at _:__ p.m.

Draft