Rationale:

Ms. Wallingford will introduce a video by the new student government. 

Strategic Leadership and Strategic Plan Update

In my superintendent training class, it is recommended that I share information about one of leadership standards each month.  This month, I would like to focus on Strategic Leadership.  It's important to communicate to board members and those in attendance information about the standard, but also its practical application in our work.  Knowing the scope of the work we needed to begin this year, the board identified strategic leadership as one of the standards I should focus upon when moving our district forward. 

The standard is defined:

The Superintendent leads the development and implementation of district vision, mission and goals while creating conditions to ensure that every student graduates high school with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

1. With direction from the Board, the Superintendent facilitates a community process to develop and implement a shared vision that focuses on improving student achievement.

2. Empowers all stakeholders to reach high levels of performance and achieve the district’s vision.

3. Communicates high expectations for student achievement while promoting academic rigor that focuses on learning and excellence.

4. Develops, implements, promotes and monitors continuous improvement processes.

5. Assists the Board in developing, implementing, and monitoring district goals.

6. Understands and demonstrates that district and school improvement goals are connected to student learning goals.

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To do the work we've determined is necessary, I wanted to share the concepts I've been reflecting upon as I work to become a better leader.  

First, discerning.  Commonly, leaders struggle to discern what is important through the noise of the day to day demands.  The ability to discern helps leaders prioritize what is important and supports focus and intentionality.  

In education, we talk a lot about cultivating relationships.  Meaningful work happens when people have productive relationships with one another.  

Strategic Leaders work to understand context and history.  Every day, I navigate situations where the past informs the present.  I want to do that skillfully, while still moving us forward.

I want to harness power, and not power in a negative sense--it's not about accumulating or wielding it.  Doing those things would compromise effectiveness.  I'm thinking alot about where our power resides, what it looks like in action, and how we harness our power to get the work done.

Lastly, think big, act small, learn fast.  Let's always keep the big picture in mind, think about the parts of the whole and the relationships and interactions among them.  I don't want to think in big ways and never take action; I don't want to do lots of things without intention or a clear vision.  I also want to learn from all of our work.  

This topic leads to the update about our strategic planning work!  We had a full day on Oct. 7 when we held a working meeting to draft our pillars and goals.  Last Friday, I shared our draft with staff and I will share the feedback we receive.  I'd also like to share with parents and neighbors next.  I think they will appreciate hearing an update on our progress after their participation in focus groups.  Once we analyze feedback, the next tasks for the strategic planning committee will be to begin designing the work we will need to do to meet our goals.  It is my hope to bring a plan for board approval in December so we can begin implementation and measurement in January of 2026.    

Concession Stand Fundraiser

Update:  APTA officers support the possibility of school groups being given the opportunity to raise funds at events with an open concession stand.  They do not believe this action will interfere with their fundraising efforts and are very appreciative of being consulted before making the decision.  Based on this information, I am recommending that we utilize the created Google Form to reserve the concession stand events.  The assistant principal and athletic director will be responsible for assignments, training and communication regarding Redbook requirements and liability.  

Workplace Ethics--Follow up to last month's discussion

Last month, we discussed the reporting of workplace ethics data to the commissioner of education (required every two years).  As former superintendent Ransdell began the initial partnership with Kentuckiana Works, I followed up with her contact who provided the most recent version she has from Jefferson County Public Schools.  We are doing some additional research and hope to present our plan to address how we'd like to move forward in meeting the requirements. 

HB190

Next month, we will share our school draft of the Advanced Coursework policy to align with our current board policy 08.1122 (see attached).  KRS 160.348(2) requires this policy to be published by December 1, 2025 on our website and addresses the acceleration plan in reading, math, science, and social studies. (Grades 4-8).  I have consulted with JCPS, Oldham County, Beechwood Independent, Frankfort Independent, Kentucky Association of School Councils, and our Board Attorney, Eric Farris, to ensure we will submit an excellent policy consideration for your review and feedback.  

Calendar Committee

Per attached policy 08.3, I recommend the appointment of calendar committee members.  These members will meet on Monday, November 10 to discuss the draft 26-27 calendar created last year.  The committee will make suggestions for revisions, if needed, for your approval.  Please advise if you would like district staff to collect any type of particular feedback before the 11-10-25 meeting and whether you'd like the committee to also recommend the 27-28 calendar.     

HR/Payroll 

Later in the agenda, you will find my recommendation to create a part-time classified position (up to 60 days) to assist with ongoing clerical needs in the Finance and Human Resources Departments.  As we work to rebuild and refine our systems, build capacity in others, while better serving the employees of the district, we have identified a need to create this part-time position.  

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We have not received any Open Records Requests this month.

HVAC Repairs in the following areas:

• Room 108
• Room 212

General Building Maintenance in the following areas:

• Trimmed trees around front parent walk-up area
• Repurposed cabinets from Innovation Lab in Rooms 212 and 201
• Continual roof work, last storm presented at least 7 leaks 
• Vertical gutter in courtyard and on outside corner of Room 201 is in process of repair
• Electricity / Light by sports court is being repaired
• Elevator Repair - doors opening/closing slowly - utilized new elevator maintenance contracts

Larger projects:

• Quotes being considered for concrete work in side parking lot
• Water seal for basement is being investigated
• Prep for starting the boiler along with repairs in Staff Lounge and Room 204A

Fire system was successfully tested. 

Quote is being prepared for Snow Removal. 

LINK to Principal's Report

LINK  to 09/03/2025 School Council Minutes

Rationale:

The Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS), through its contractor Fairbanks, has completed the FY 2024 Medicaid Cost Report and calculated the final cost settlement for Anchorage Independent School District.

Based on the review and reconciliation of allowable costs for direct services, DMS has determined that the district is entitled to a reimbursement payment of $6,908.91, which will be electronically transferred to the district’s account within 30 days of the settlement notification date. This payment reflects the eligible amount due to the district under the FY 2024 Cost Settlement for the direct service program.

A detailed illustration of the district’s individual settlement calculation has been provided by DMS/Fairbanks for reference and review.

Rationale:

Per Board Policy 04.312, the board shall review the status of school activity funds based on a schedule developed by the Superintendent. Please find attached a report confirming the school activity funds have been reconciled.

Rationale: 

KRS 158.070 requires the local board of education, upon recommendation of the local school district superintendent, to annually appoint a school district calendar committee to review, develop, and recommend school calendar options. The required committee membership is outlined in section 1(d) of the statute. Upon approval of a committee, members will begin meeting to review draft proposals and to consider feedback provided by School Council and other school stakeholders.

The following school calendar rules include the following:

1. The superintendent must recommend for approval by the local board a calendar committee, following the committee makeup that is listed in new Section (2)(b) of KRS 158.070.
2. The committee will propose the Original calendar options for the 2025-26 school year, and all original school calendars thereafter. This Committee must review, develop, and recommend school calendar options for the superintendent to present to the local board, per new section (2)(a) of KRS 158.070.
3. A local board may adopt a variable instruction school year calendar with the first student day starting no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, but student days can be no longer than 420 minutes. The school year shall still meet the 1,062 student instructional hour requirement (Section 9).

Recommendation:

In accordance with our school calendar policy 08.3, the Board, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, shall annually appoint a District Calendar Committee to review, develop, and recommend school calendar options. It is my recommendation the following stakeholders be approved to serve on our District Calendar Committee:

• One (1) District Principal -Beth Wallingford
• One (1) District office administrator other than Superintendent - Kristy Clark
• One (1) local Board member - Sara Tyler
• Two (2) parents of students attending a school in the District - Mills Sublett & Courtenay Wilson
• One (1) District elementary teacher - Brigid Breetz
• One (1) District middle or high teacher - Vicky Johnston
• Two (2) District classified employees - Roxane Grayson & Vicki Roberson
• Two (2) community members from the local chamber of commerce, business community, or tourism commission - Melanie Galloway & Patrick McMahon

Rationale:

Please find attached AES’ approved DPO Payment to Graybar in the amount of $944.84. This is the final payment for this DPO and zeroes it out.

Recommendation:

Approve AES’ approved DPO Payment to Graybar in the amount of $944.84.

Rationale:

The Anchorage Independent School District currently operates with a Finance Director and a Human Resources Director who manage all fiscal, payroll, and personnel functions for the district. At this time, both departments have limited administrative support with the ECE Admin Assistant and the Admin Assistant to the Superintendent adding on duties as they can, but it is still creating challenges in maintaining timely data entry, document processing, and overall workflow efficiency.

To ensure continuity of critical financial and human resources operations, such as payroll processing, vendor payments, personnel file maintenance, and compliance reporting, the administration recommends approval of a part-time Accounting and HR Clerk position for up to 60 days. This part-time support will help with the heaving lift of sustaining accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting to the Board and other agencies.

Recommendation:

Approve Accounting and HR Clerk Job Description as presented.

Upcoming Events:

• October 23 - Crocs House Spirit Day
• October 24 – Halloween Parade & Carnival, 5:00-7:00 pm
• October 28 - Picture Day Retakes 7:30-10:00 am
• October 29 - Rising Anchors - Session 1: Early Childhood and Primary with Dr. Steve Johnson, Library, 6 PM
• November 5 – School Council Meeting, 3:30pm
• November 5 – APTA Board Meeting, 9:30am
• November 12 – End of 1st Trimester Grading Period
• November 14 - Veteran’s Day Program (5th grade performance), 9:00am
• November 17 - “Dinovember” - Ridge House Spirit Day
• November 18 – Special Called School Board Meeting, 6:00pm
• November 20 – Thanksgiving Luncheon, schedule TBA
• November 20: Rising Anchors - Session 2: Speech, Language & Family Engagement with Brenda MacMillan, Library, 6 PM