Ft. Thomas Independent
August 11, 2025 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:30pm.

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

Board members shared the following:



  • Many back to school nights happening across the district

  • NestFest was a success

  • FTIS has a new website we encourage everyone to visit

  • 1st day of school is Wednesday, August 13

  • HMS student Anna Reynolds won a national writing award

  • HHS Broadcasting received 4 Ohio Valley Regional Emmys

  • HHS had 33 students recognized by the KY Journalism Association, 4 of which were winners

  • HHS students did very well on their AP scores

  • Hall of Fame presentations this Friday, August 15 at the Blue/White scrimmage with dinner and induction on Saturday, August 16

  • 4 HHS students presented at the Staff Opening Day Breakfast and all did well

I.B.2. Tradition of Excellence - Elise Carter
Brian Robinson
Discussion

The Board recognized Elise Carter as the recipient of the National Education Association's Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award for 2025.  The Board congratulated her on this wonderful honor.

I.C. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no community members requesting to speak.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Chad Niedert
II.A.1. Project Update
Discussion

Chad Niedert shared with the Board that the masonry work is nearing completion and the inside of both buildings are coming together.  The video board is scheduled to be installed this week, and we are on track for games in mid-September.  

II.A.2. Morel Construction Co. Pay Application #13
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2676 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #13 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $1,257,923.60 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.A.3. Change Order #5
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2677 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Change Order #5 in the amount of $9,837.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.B. Employee Perfect Attendance Incentive
Brian Robinson
Actions Taken

Order #2678 - Motion Passed:  Approval to authorize the Superintendent to award a yearly perfect attendance bonus and develop monthly incentive drawings September 2025 through May 2026 passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.C. Parental Leave Policies 03.1233 and 03.2233 First Reading
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2679 - Motion Passed:  Tentative approval of revised Parental Leave Policies 03.1233 and 03.2233 based on a First Reading passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board members shared the Hall of Fame recognition and induction will be this Friday and Saturday.  The Board also thanked Ann Meyer for her hard work on the Opening Day Breakfast.

III.B. ACT/AP Report
Keith Faust
Attachments
Discussion

Keith Faust shared with the Board the results of the spring ACT test for the junior class and the great AP scores.

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2680 - 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. David Russell and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 14, 2025 and Working Meeting of August 7, 2025
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of July 2025
Attachments
IV.C. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.D. District Data Security and Breach Procedures
Attachments
IV.E. Procedure 03.21 AP.25
Attachments
IV.F. Procedure 03.21 AP.2
Attachments
IV.G. Revised Board Meeting Dates
Attachments
IV.H. Revised Board Committees
Attachments
IV.I. Grant Extended Leave
IV.I.1. Abbey McCoy - Maternity - October 27, 2025 to January 16, 2026
IV.J. Personnel Action Taken Since July 14, 2025
Rationale

Employment of the following Certified Employee
Hannah Puthoff – Elementary Teacher – WES

Employment of the following Classified Employees
Elizabeth Bartoszek – Bus Monitor – Districtwide
Tyra Berry – Bus Driver – Districtwide
Grace Silcott – Instructional Assistant – JES

Change in position for the following Classified Employees
Teresa Cain – Instructional Assistant at WES to Counseling Office Secretary at HHS
Susan Redmond – Instructional Assistant at JES to Cafeteria at WES

Employment of the following Extra-Service Positions
Beth Brubaker – Middler Newspaper– HMS
Beth Brubaker – Middle School Yearbook – HMS
Ella Workman – Grade Level Leader – HMS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Kenny Race – Boys Head Golf Coach – HHS
Julie Schmitz – Academic Team Sponsor – JES
LaBradford Smith – Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Classified Employee
Mary Diamond – Custodian – HHS

Resignation of the following Extra-Service Position
Del Ehemann – Envirothon Sponsor – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Brian Runyon – Boys Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach – HHS

IV.K. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.K.1. Commissioner's Superintendent Advisory Committee - Frankfort, KY - August 26, 2025
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 7:01pm.