Board Chair Joanna Hinton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

All agreed.

Request approval for Therapy Dog Use in School Setting

To the LaRue County Board of Education:

Therapy dogs have been shown to significantly benefit students by reducing stress and

anxiety, teaching empathy and social skills, increasing confidence, and encouraging

emotional expression.

At Hodgenville Elementary, we are entering our fifth year of successfully incorporating a

therapy dog into our school environment. The positive impact on student well-being and

engagement has been evident, and we are eager to continue this valuable support.

I respectfully request approval to continue the use of my therapy dog at school and during

school-sponsored activities. I plan to incorporate the therapy dog in the following ways:

- Small Group Counseling and Classroom Lessons

- De-escalation Techniques

- Social Skills Groups

- Individual Counseling Sessions

- Intervention Groups

- Positive Behavior Incentives

- Greeting Students and Welcoming New Students

I have reviewed and agree to comply with all provisions outlined in the policies and

procedures adopted by the LaRue County Board of Education regarding the use of

therapy dogs.

Discussion included questions regarding owners liability insurance. Additional information forthcoming before the regular meeting.

Therapy dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety among students, improve attendance, help teach empathy and social skills, increase confidence in reading, and encourage students to talk about their emotions. Therapy dog will be used in some of the following ways.

Small Group Counseling and Classroom Lessons

De-escalation Techniques

Social Skills Groups

Individual Counseling Sessions

Reading Intervention Groups

Rewards for Attendance or Behavior

Intervention Incentives

Greeting Students and welcoming new students

Discussion included questions regarding  the  owners liability insurance and updated annual vaccines. Additional information forthcoming before the regular meeting.

KDE requires annual board awareness of the LaRue County Schools Security and Data Breach Best Practices documentation.

USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) administers federal funds also known as ERATE.  ERATE is a program that provides schools and public libraries with federal funds for the purpose of providing internet access.  The application is done annually and provides our district 80-90% discounts on internet service as well as hardware required to provide internet access to our schools.   The discount rate is calculated based on the Free/Reduced status of our district. 

The military process for onboarding new JROTC teachers and applying for full Kentucky JROTC teaching licensure requires military processes and documentation that typically take additional time to complete. Emergency licensure may be needed but should be temporary.

Due to a lack of certified applicants, we are requesting approval to apply for emergency teacher certification for middle school math. We have a candidate who meets all requirements for emergency licensure.

This item is for informational purposes only.  It will not move to the regular meeting agenda.

LaRue County Middle School has been a Unified Champion School for the past 2 years and has received grant funding to support a unified club. The sponsor, Kelsey Cote, has completed the grant application again this year for funding to support her unified club in the 26-27 school year.

LaRue County Schools partners with Head Start to provide services to at risk 3 and 4 year old children in the community. Attached is the full utilization agreement detailing this partnership and the number of students necessary for full utilization of services (12).

A student at HES requires a shortened school day due to limited tolerance, vitality, and stamina. As his tolerance increases, his time at school will increase. His shortened school day is noted in his IEP and Conference Summary and supported by a physician's recommendation.

A shortened school day waiver is being requested for a student with limited tolerance and stamina to attend an entire school day at LCHS. As the student's tolerance and stamina improves, his day will be lengthened.

Our adult meal prices should be equal to or greater than the sum of the SSO federal assistance. Which at a minimum must be $3.40 for breakfast and $5.20 for lunch.

This update includes changing the supervisor of the Lead Custodian and Student Worker Custodian from the Director of Maintenance to the School Building Principals.  

LaRue County Schools and KECSAC (Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children) partner together to provide services, training, and funding to students at the Life Connection. Attached is the MOA for a continued partnership. This memorandum of agreement must be renewed yearly. 

Approve the partnership between LaRue County Schools and KECSAC

The Life Connection contracts with LaRue County Schools to provide educational services to students who are placed at their facility. The memorandum of agreement between LaRue County Schools and TLC must be renewed yearly. 

Approve the memorandum of agreement between The Life Connection and LaRue County Schools

LaRue County FRYSC is partnering with Feeding America to provide Back Pack Services for students. 

• Committees developed by the board - Janet Cruse

  Committees that have been developed, when developed, their purpose and assigned task(s), names of members on each committee, and how long each member has been on the committee.

• Finances - Janet Cruse
  • June 2026 Financial Report Summary Tentative - shows June 2026 in the $1M+ loss. The cause or causes of the loss and the standing as of July 1, 2026.
  • Special Funds Escrow account its standing and the purpose of the account.
  • Grants, federal money, etc. where to look for those funds on reports, audits, etc.
  • SGO - Would LaRue County Schools, LaRue County Band Boosters 501c3 and LaRue County Public Schools Athletic Booster Club 501c3 qualify for this?
  • Clarification of what LaRue County Public Schools Athletic Booster Club is.
  • Does any LCS general fund money go into any type of athletics, clubs, organizations, etc.?
  • Bus drivers receive training pay. Does this come from the general fund? Once training is completed are drivers required to remain with the district for a specific time period?
• Positions and Finances - - Janet Cruse  
  • What positions have been created but not filled and where does the money stay if not filled?
  • Looking at the LCS employment page as of 08/05/2026 there are 20 positions listed. Which are general fund, grant(s), or federal funds?

Discussion included information and explanations.

Joanna Hinton, Board Chair, outlined past committees, the reason they were formed, and how members are chosen. She provided a list of committees including the most recent Legal Committee.

Joanna Hinton took the opportunity to mention the KSBA notification regarding changes to board member training requirements. In addition, the Legal Committee met Tuesday, August 11 to prepare for the upcoming court date in September. Lastly, tax rate information has been received. There are new requirements for this year. An informational presentation will be given at the regular meeting on August 17. 

Jessica Castenir, Director of Finance, answered questions regarding finances and employment positions.

The adjournment of this meeting of the LaRue County Board of Education

Order #1068 - Motion Passed:  The adjournment of this meeting of the LaRue County Board of Education passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.