Russell Independent
August 25, 2025 6:00 PM
Russell Independent Regular Board Meeting
I. Call To Order
Rationale

Mr. Whitt called the Regular Meeting of the Russell Independent Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m.

I.A. Moment of Silence
Rationale

Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in a Moment of Silence.

I.B. Pledge to the United States Flag
Rationale

Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in the Pledge to the United States Flag.

I.C. District Mission Statement
Rationale

Our mission is to inspire and empower all students to reach their maximum potential: one student, one lesson, one day at a time.

 

Progressing into the future…

Our Students are our top priority.

 Our School Family plays a crucial role in student development, achievement, and success.

 Our Parents are supportive partners and are essential in the advancement of each student.

 Our Community shares our desire to develop highly skilled and productive citizens.

 Our Technology enables our students to reach beyond the classroom.

 Our Culture inspires leadership and excellence.

 Our Academics focus on rigorous standards and global success.

II. Adopt the Agenda
Actions Taken

Order #68456 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
III. Delegations
Rationale

Procedures for Addressing the Board of Education

The Russell Independent School District Board of Education encourages attendance at meetings of the Board of Education.  The Board of Education understands that from time to time the public may wish to share opinions with them at these meetings.  Procedures for speaking to the Board of Education are detailed below:

 

·      Those who wish to address the Board of Education must sign the Delegation sheet provided prior to each Regular Meeting.  This sheet can be found beside the Board Agenda on a podium near the entrance of the room.

 

·      Generally, in the first ten minutes of the Meeting, the Board Chair will ask for delegations.  At this time please state your name, the name of the organization or group that you are representing, and the subject that you would like to address.  Please keep in mind that issues regarding a specific school should be shared with Principal and/or Site Based Decision Making Council, as that is the governing body for that school.

 

·      Individuals may address the Board of Education for a maximum of 5 minutes, as determined by the Board Chair.

 

·      The Board Chair reserves the right to intervene in order to maintain order and to ensure the expedient conduct of the Board’s business.

 

·      Comments to the Board should be stated in a professional manner.  Accusations and/or disparaging remarks about individuals will not be permitted. 

IV. Recognitions/Achievements/Reports
V. Notification of Personnel Matters
Rationale

Personnel for Board Information Only in accordance with KRS 160.390 (2)

VI. Regular Business
VI.A. Approval of Minutes of the July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting
Actions Taken

Order #68457 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the minutes from the July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VI.B. Treasurer's Report
Actions Taken

Order #68458 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Treasurer's Report showing a balance of $5,988,086.92 passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VI.C. Payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll
Actions Taken

Order #68459 - Motion Passed:  Approval of payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VII. Consent Agenda
Actions Taken

Order #68460 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VII.A. Fundraisers
VII.B. Overnight Trips
VII.C. Student Fees/Field Trips
VII.D. Consider transfer of one District-owned Commercial Salt Spreader to the City of Flatwoods under KRS 45A.425 (3)
VII.E. Approval to Surplus District Property
VIII. New Business
VIII.A. Emergency Reading of Policies 03.175 and 03.1232 to be in effect for the new school year, to comply with KRS 160.340 (and Policy 01.5), which requires board policies to be kept up to date by filing annual amendments by August 15
Actions Taken

Order #68461 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Emergency Reading of Policies 03.175 and 03.1232 to be in effect beginning with the 2025-2026 School Year passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.B. Consider the addition of one LBD Teaching Position at Russell Primary School due to an increase in enrollment
Actions Taken

Order #68462 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the addition of one LBD Teaching Position at Russell Primary School due to an increase in enrollment passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.C. Consider the addition of one Elementary Teaching Position at RMIS for the 2025-2026 school year due to an increase in enrollment
Actions Taken

Order #68463 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the addition of one Elementary Teaching Position at RMIS for the 2025-2026 school year due to an increase in enrollment passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.D. Consider approval of Pay App #5 to GHAC for the Emergency HVAC project #25-177
Actions Taken

Order #68464 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay App #5 for $24,750 to GHAC for the Emergency HVAC project passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.E. Consider approval of Pay App #1 and related Purchase Orders for the RHS HVAC and RATC Roof Project #25-264
Actions Taken

Order #68465 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay App #1 for $50,804.73 and related Purchase Orders for the RHS HVAC and RATC Roof Project passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.F. Consider approval of RMIS Cross Country Funding
Actions Taken

Order #68466 - Motion Passed:  Approval of RMIS Cross Country Funding of $1,000 passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.G. Consider approval of submitted Booster Fundraisers
Actions Taken

Order #68467 - Motion Passed:  Approval of submitted Booster Fundraisers passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.H. Consider approval of Tax Rates for the 2025-2026 School Year
Actions Taken

Order #68468 - Motion Passed:  Approval to set the tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year at 87.6 with a 0% exoneration rate; the total Real Property Rate will be 87.6 Cents per $100 of valuation. The Personal Property Rate will be 87.6 Cents per $100 valuation. Motor vehicle rate will be set at 50.4 cents per $100 of valuation; the real estate and personal property levels include 5.8 cents that is committed to the Building Fund. The Utility Tax of 3% is continued, including cable television services. Aircraft and watercraft are taxed at 87.6 cents per $100 of valuation passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.I. Consider approval of Disclosure of Free and Reduced Price Information Agreement
Actions Taken

Order #68469 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Disclosure of Free and Reduced Price Information Agreement passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.J. Review of Data Security Breach Information
IX. Updates and Information
IX.A. Student Enrollment/Attendance Reports
IX.B. Meeting Reminder-September 22, 2025
IX.C. SBDM Information
IX.D. Cards/Letters
X. Superintendent's Progress Reports/Updates
XI. Other Business and Information
XII. Enter into Executive Session
Actions Taken

Order #68470 - Motion Passed:  Enter into Executive Session Per KRS 61.810 (1) f at 6:44 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
XIII. Return from Executive Session
Actions Taken

Order #68471 - Motion Passed:  Return from Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
XIV. Closing
Actions Taken

Order #68472 - Motion Passed:  Meeting adjournment at 7:45 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Absent
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes