|
I.
Call To Order
Mr. Whitt called the Special Meeting of the Russell Independent Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m.
I.A.
Moment of Silence
Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in a Moment of Silence.
I.B.
Pledge to the United States Flag
Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in the Pledge to the United States Flag.
I.C.
District Mission Statement
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
Order #68536 - Motion Passed: Approval of the agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
III.
Delegations
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
Personnel for Board Information Only in accordance with KRS 160.390 (2)
VI.
Board of Education Officer Election
VI.A.
Chair
Order #68537 - Motion Passed: Nomination of Terry Vest for School Board Chair at the conclusion of the January 29, 2026 Board Meeting running through the conclusion of the January 2027 School Board Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VI.B.
Vice-Chair
Order #68538 - Motion Passed: Nomination of S. Paul Pack for School Board Vice Chair beginning at the conclusion of the January 29, 2026 Board Meeting running through the conclusion of the January 2027 School Board Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VI.C.
Secretary
Order #68539 - Motion Passed: Nomination of M. Sean Horne for Board Secretary beginning at the conclusion of the January 29, 2026 Board Meeting running through the conclusion of the January 2027 Board Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VI.D.
Treasurer
Order #68540 - Motion Passed: Nomination of Dennis Chambers for Board Treasurer beginning at the conclusion of the January 29, 2026 Board Meeting, running through the conclusion of the January 2027 Board Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VII.
Regular Business
VII.A.
Approval of Minutes of December 15, 2025 Regular Meeting and January 22, 2026 Working Meeting
Order #68541 - Motion Passed: Approval of the minutes from the December 15, 2025 Regular Meeting and the January 22, 2026 Working Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VII.B.
Treasurer's Report
Order #68542 - Motion Passed: Approval of the Treasurer's Report showing a balance of $11,134,830.37 passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VII.C.
Payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll
Order #68543 - Motion Passed: Approval of payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VIII.
Consent Agenda
Order #68544 - Motion Passed: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
VIII.A.
Fundraisers
VIII.B.
Overnight Trips
VIII.C.
Rental Applications
VIII.D.
Student Fees/Field Trips
VIII.E.
Approval of CDIP, CSIP, and GAP Plans for Russell Primary, Russell-McDowell Intermediate, Russell Middle and Russell High School
IX.
New Business
IX.A.
Consider approval of FY25 Audit Report for Russell Independent Schools
Order #68545 - Motion Passed: Approval of FY25 Audit Report for Russell Independent Schools passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.B.
Consider approval of the Draft 2026-2027 Budget for Russell Independent Schools
Order #68546 - Motion Passed: Approval of the Draft 2026-2027 Budget for Russell Independent Schools passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.C.
Consider approval of Student Accident Insurance Renewal
Order #68547 - Motion Passed: Approval of Student Accident Insurance Renewal at a cost of $54,261.04 passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.D.
Consider approval of Pay Application #6 for the RHS HVAC and RATC Roof Project
Order #68548 - Motion Passed: Approval of Pay Application #6 in the amount of $256,083.48 for the RHS HVAC and RATC Roof Project passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.E.
Consider approval for BG5 for Project # 25-177 RHS Emergency HVAC and RMS Band Room HVAC
Order #68549 - Motion Passed: Approval for BG5 for Project # 25-177 RHS Emergency HVAC and RMS Band Room HVAC passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.F.
Consider approval of Change order #2 for the RHS HVAC and Vocational School Roof project
Order #68550 - Motion Passed: Approval of Change order #2 for the RHS HVAC and Vocational School Roof project passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.G.
Consider approval of Board of Education Member Travel and Training Expenses for 2026
Order #68551 - Motion Passed: Approval of Board of Education Member Travel and Training Expenses for 2026 passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.H.
Consider approval of the SFCC Offer of Assistance of $18,584 to be used towards proposed construction or major renovation of facilities outlined in the approved facility plan
Order #68552 - Motion Passed: Approval of the SFCC Offer of Assistance of $18,584 passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.I.
Consider the addition of two Special Education Instructional Aides at Russell Primary School for the remainder of the school year
Order #68553 - Motion Passed: Approval of the addition of two Special Education Instructional Aides at Russell Primary School for the remainder of the school year passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.J.
Consider approval of FRYSC Assurance Certification
Order #68554 - Motion Passed: Approval of FRYSC Assurance Certification passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.K.
Consider approval of the disposal of the District 7th and 8th Generation iPads that are no longer supported by the Apple operating system
Order #68555 - Motion Passed: Approval of the sale of District 7th and 8th Generation iPads no longer capable of running Apple Software to Diamond Assets passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Sean Whitt.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.L.
Consider approval of a payment of approximately $2,500 for Kentucky State HOSA Competition Hotel Fees
Order #68556 - Motion Passed: Approval of a payment of approximately $2,500 for Kentucky State HOSA Competition Hotel Fees passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.M.
Consider approval of an Overnight Trip and Financial Assistance for RHS and RMS students to attend KMEA
Order #68557 - Motion Passed: Approval of an Overnight Trip and Financial Assistance of approximately $2,165.10 for RHS and RMS Band and Chorus students to attend KMEA passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
IX.N.
Consider approval of the updated Bus Driver Manual
Order #68558 - Motion Passed: Approval of the updated Bus Driver Manual passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Sean Whitt.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
X.
Updates and Information
X.A.
Student Enrollment/Attendance Reports
X.B.
Meeting Reminder-February 23, 2026
X.C.
SBDM Information
X.D.
Cards/Letters
XI.
Superintendent's Progress Reports/Updates
XII.
Other Business and Information
XIII.
Closing
Order #68559 - Motion Passed: Meeting adjournment at 7:30 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.
|
Mr. Sean Whitt
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. John Jones
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Samuel Pack
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Terry Vest
|
Yes
|
|
Mr. Johnny Highfield
|
Yes
|
|