Order #25-10549 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Kevin Barnard and a second by Mrs. Laura Schack.

Diligent efforts are made to recruit fully-qualified substitute teachers for Pendleton County Schools.  However, when a fully-certified substitute teacher cannot be located for a particular position, leeway from the Education Profession Standards Board and the Kentucky Department of Education has been granted to school districts to hire emergency substitutes.  The board of education must approve the use of emergency substitutes in the district.  

I would recommend the board approve the use of emergency substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year.

Order #25-10550 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the use of emergency substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Kevin Barnard and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.

Each year the local board of education must approve the final amended calendar to comply with KRS 158.070.  The final amended calendar should demonstrate that the district has not less than 185 days composed of student attendance days, professional development days, and holidays while accumulating 1,062 hours of instruction for students.   

The amended calendar is attached for your review.  

I would recommend the board approve the amended calendar for 2024-25.

Order #25-10551 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the amended calendar for 2024-25 passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mrs. Laura Schack.

Attached is a memo from our Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Mrs. Laura Pugh, outlining the requested revisions to the Special Education Diagnostician job description to include the title of an English Learner Coordinator, along with the associated qualifications and performance responsibilities associated with that role. Adding these responsibilities will enhance our ability to support our EL population effectively. 

In order to be eligible to apply for this position a candidate must have all the original requirements necessary for the Special Education Diagnostician plus a current Kentucky certification for teaching English as a Second Language or a willingness to execute an MOA to obtain the certification within three years of accepting the position.  The district will pay for the required coursework if candidate signs MOA.

I would recommend the board approve the attached job description with the changes as outlined.

Order #25-10552 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the job description passed with a motion by Mrs. Laura Schack and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.

Attached is a memo from our district's Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Mrs. Laura Pugh, regarding the proposed MOA for the English as a Second Language Endorsement Agreement.  

The Teacher shall complete the ESL endorsement coursework within two years of the date of this Agreement. The Teacher shall successfully pass the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) praxis within one year of completing the ESL endorsement coursework. Upon successful completion of the ESL endorsement coursework and after the Teacher has passed the Kentucky TESOL praxis, the Teacher shall continue working in the District for at least one year for every class (3 credit hours) for which the Teacher received reimbursement from the District for a maximum of five years. 

The MOA outlines all aspects of the relationship and has been reviewed and approved by our board counsel. 

I would recommend approval of the English as a Second Language Endorsement Agreement as presented.

Order #25-10553 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the job description passed with a motion by Mrs. Laura Schack and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.

Attached is a memo from our Chief Information Officer, Craig Smith, regarding the District Technology Plan.

The 2025-2026 Pendleton County District Technology Plan outlines the goals, needs, priorities, and solutions to assist our district in achieving our mission and vision within the Pendleton County School District. This plan was developed to create 21st century learners, both students and staff, through blended learning opportunities.  If you have any questions regarding the technology plan Mr. Smith would be happy to answer them at this time.

I would recommend approval of the 2025-2026 district technology plan.

Order #25-10554 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the district technology plan as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Kevin Barnard and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.

Attached you have a memo from our Director of Finance and Human Resources, Jennifer Pierce, regarding the 2025-26 District Allocations and Section 7 Add-Ons.

These allocations would be in addition to the initial March 1 staffing allocation the board granted each school.

I would recommend approval of the 2025-26 district allocations and section 7 allocations as listed.

Order #25-10555 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the 2025-26 district allocations and section 7 allocations as presented passed with a motion by Mrs. Laura Schack and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.

Attached is a memo from our Athletic Director, Mr. Jon Wirth, regarding a donation to the Pendleton County Softball Program.    

Board policy requires any donation over $1000.00 dollars to be accepted by the board of education.  Mr. Ron Moreland has donated $1500.00 to our high school softball team therefore it needs board approval.

I would recommend the board accept the donation from Mr. Moreland.

Order #25-10556 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to accept the donation from Mr. Moreland passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Attached is a memo from the district's Chief Information Officer, Craig Smith, regarding the need to surplus outdated technology items.

Before disposing of outdated or unused items the district is required to identify those items and officially declare them as surplus property.  Mr. Smith has provided a list of items that he is requesting to be surplus property.  

I would recommend approval of his request to surplus the technology items listed.

Order #25-10557 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve of his request to surplus the technology items presented passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Attached is a completed copy of the Hearing Officer's Report from our Local/State Board Public Hearing that occurred on April 16, 2025.  

I would recommend the board approve the Hearing Officer's Report as attached.  

Order #25-10558 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the Hearing Officer's Report passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mrs. Laura Schack.

Order #25-10559 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to approve the consent agenda passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Order #25-10560 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to go into Executive Session. passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Order #25-10561 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation to return from Executive Session passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Pursuant to board Policy 09.435 and KRS 158.150, a student who is determined to have brought a weapon to school or on school property shall be expelled for a period of at least twelve (12) months.

Due to the repetitive nature of the threats, the access to multiple weapons and in accordance with applicable board policy and statutory requirements, I recommend the Pendleton County Board of Education accept the agreed upon waiver of formal hearing and adopt an expulsion for one year.

Order #25-10562 - Motion Passed:  A recommendation by Superintendent Buerkley to the Pendleton County Board of Education pursuant to board Policy 09.435 and KRS 158.150 (a student who is determined to have brought a weapon to school or on school property shall be expelled for a period of at least twelve (12) months) to accept the agreed upon waiver of formal hearing and adopt an expulsion for one year due to the repetitive nature of the threats, the access to multiple weapons and in accordance with applicable board policy and statutory requirements passed with a motion by Mr. Derek Brown and a second by Mr. Kevin Barnard.

Order #25-10563 - Motion Passed:  A recommendation to adjourn passed with a motion by Mrs. Laura Schack and a second by Mr. Derek Brown.