Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:31pm.

The Board shared the following:

• AP scores show some of the highest number in HHS history


• 4th of July parade went well and was well attended by the community


• Dead Period is over and teams have returned to practice with many holding tryouts this week

The following students received a Superior rating at the KYJTA State Competition:
Adalyn Armstrong - News Story
Xander Bailey - Sports Feature
Alecia Cogsville - Yearbook Theme Development
Maggie Frimming - Themed Photo Package
Amelia Graves - Feature Story
Natalie Hinegardner - Yearbook Theme Development
Caleb Hurley - Review
Adalyn Klosterman - Yearbook Photo Portfolio
Keira Kobida - Sports Photo
Sophia Lippolis - Yearbook Theme Development
Kinley Manning - Feature Story
Ella Peabody - Kentucky/JEA Journalist of the Year
Eleanor Rogiers - News Story and Yearbook Theme Development
Andrea Suarez Espinosa - Yearbook Photo Portfolio
Highlands Yearbook Staff - Yearbook Cover

HHS Teacher Beth Brubaker introduced the Journalism students recognized with a Superior Rating at the KYJTA State Competition. 

These students included:

Adalyn Armstrong - News Story

Xander Bailey - Sports Feature

Alecia Cogsville - Yearbook Theme Development

Maggie Frimming - Themed Photo Package

Amelia Graves - Feature Story

Natalie Hinegardner - Yearbook Theme Development

Caleb Hurley - Review

Adalyn Klosterman - Yearbook Photo Portfolio

Keira Kobida - Sports Photo

Sophia Lippolis - Yearbook Theme Development

Kinley Manning - Feature Story

Ella Peabody - Kentucky/JEA Journalist of the Year

Eleanor Rogiers - News Story and Yearbook Theme Development

Andrea Suarez Espinosa - Yearbook Photo Portfolio

Highlands Yearbook Staff - Yearbook Cover



The Board spoke with the students and presented each with a Tradition of Excellence t-shirt and a Certificate of Achievement.

There were no community members signed up to speak.

Chad Niedert shared the progress at the Tower Park Athletic Complex, noting we have completed owner training on the cameras and security.  Morel is working through the punch list, drawing closer to project completion.

• BG4_Motz Group
• BG4_Riegler Blacktop

Order #2760 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the BG-4 Contract Closeout Forms for Riegler Blacktop, Inc. and The Motz Group for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

• Policy 03.122

Order #2761 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Policy 03.122 based on a Second Reading passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

• Policy 03.222

Order #2762 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Policy 03.222 based on a Second Reading passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

• Policy 05.3

Order #2763 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Policy 05.3 based on a Second Reading passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

• Policy 08.113

Order #2764 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Policy 08.113 based on a Second Reading passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. David Russell.

• FTIS July 2026 KSBA 2nd Reading Draft

Order #2765 - Motion Passed:  Adoption of the proposed KSBA Policy Updates for the 2026-2027 school year based on a Second Reading passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Order #2766 - Motion Passed:  Approval to opt out of participation in the Federal Lunch Program for the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Highlands High School
Jostens

Highlands Middle School
Jostens
PTO Annual Fundraiser
PTO Restaurant Nights
Book Fair
Health Moves Minds

Johnson Elementary School
Jostens
Hullabaloo
Johnson Color Run
Book Fair (Fall and Spring)
1st Day of School Supply Kits
Restaurant Nights
Artsonia/Artome
Kroger Rewards/Box Tops
H2O for Life (Service Learning)

Moyer Elementary School
Jostens
Santa House
Artsonia/Artome
Book Fair (Fall and Spring)
Restaurant Nights
Kroger Rewards
EduKit (Supply Kits)

Woodfill Elementary School
Jostens
Big Top
Book Fair
Turkey Trot
Volleyball Boosters League
Artsonia/Artome
Restaurant Nights
Supply Kits

Order #2767 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the School-wide Fundraisers for the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

• FTIS_Proposal_2026-v3

Order #2768 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Living Media Contract in the amount of $68,000 for the 2026-2027 academic year passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Board members shared the Breakfast Committee is working on the Opening Day event for staff.  The Hall of Fame Committee will celebrate the inductees at the Blue/White Scrimmage on August 14.

Employment of the following Certified Employees
Amy Girkin – Physics Teacher – HHS
Emma Horn – Elementary Teacher – JES
Lindsey Hughes – Special Education Teacher – HMS
Addison Mangrum – Elementary Teacher – JES
Harper McEwen – Language Arts Teacher – HMS
Lillian Noderer – English Teacher – HHS
Jonathan Otto – Social Studies Teacher – HMS
Caleb Robinson – Strings Teacher – HMS/HHS
Amy Tucker – Occupational Therapist – CO

Change in Position for the following Certified Employee
Rachel Caswell – Elementary School Counselor at WES to High School Counselor at HHS
Brady Dowling – English Teacher at HHS to Assistant Principal at HHS

Employment of the following Classified Employees
Megan Dadosky – Special Education Instructional Assistant – HMS
Jack Nienaber – Special Education Instructional Assistant – HHS
Ashley Parsons – Elementary Principal’s Secretary – JES
Erika Peter – Instructional Assistant – MES

Transfer of position for the following Classified Employees
Julie Robinson – Instructional Assistant – JES to PreSchool Instructional Assistant - MES
Eric Stamper – Custodian – MES to Building Supervisor – MES

Employment of the following Paraprofessionals
Michael Barrett – Freshman Softball Coach – HHS
Alyssa Dixon – JV Softball Coach – HHS
Matt Johnston – Digital Music Sponsor – HHS

Resignation of the following Certified Employees
Amanda Robertson Jones – Occupational Therapist – CO
Nate Roberts – Special Education Teacher – HMS
Rachel Stephenson – School Counselor – HHS

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Ryan Cunningham – HVAC Technician – CO
Lizbeth Gonzalez – Instructional Assistant – MES
Amanda Krebs – Preschool Instructional Assistant – MES

Resignation of the following Extra-Service Positions
Gordon Hallmark - Robotics ½ Split Coach – HHS
Vera Schneider - Girls on the Run ½ Split Coach – MES
Erica Thomas - Academic Team Assistant Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Adam Caswell – Girls Tennis Coach – HHS
Brooke Meier – Freshman Softball Coach – HHS
Camdyn Meier – Field Maintenance ½ Split Sponsor – HHS
Dayne Merkley – JV Softball Coach – HHS
Tony Spaulding – Boys JV Soccer Coach – HHS

Order #2769 - 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 Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

• Minutes - 06-08-2026 - Board Mtg
• Minutes - 06-19-2026 - Annual Special Mtg

• 12 2026 PAYMENT REGISTER

• Procedure 03.27 AP.1

• FTIS Procedures 2026-2027

• TraumaInformedPlanFTIS2026-2027Final (1)

• F05DraftCert2026-2027 (2)
• F05DraftClass2026-2027 (1)
• F05DraftCoaches2026-2027
• F05DraftSub2026-2027

• Title III MOU BW, Dayton, and FT 06.2026

• Traceable Communication Working Doc (3)

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:08pm.