January is “School Board Recognition Month.”  It is an excellent time to show appreciation to our school board members while at the same time showing our community how our board and school district are focused on improving student achievement.  Kentucky law requires school board members to receive professional development annually.  The Kentucky School Board Academy of Studies is a comprehensive school board in-service training organization designed specifically for local school board members.

The Academy of Studies has the following levels of achievement:

           Level I             Basic Studies                                   30 hours

           Level II            Advanced Studies                       60 hours

           Level III           Excellence                                   90 hours

           Level IV           Distinction                                   120 hours

           Level V            Certificate of Leadership    

Recognition of the Following Board Members:

Jackie Burnside, Vice-Chair –Academy Level V (286.50 hours of training)

Dr. Burnside was sworn in on March 19, 2001.  She filled the vacancy created when Howard Asher was elected in November 2000 and resigned before taking the oath of office. Dr. Burnside has been subsequently re-elected and her current term runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026.  She has served on the Board for 22 years.

Van Gravitt, Chairperson-Academy Level V (273.50 hours of training)

Mr. Gravitt was elected in November 2002.  He was first sworn in as a board member on November 18, 2002 for a two-year, two-month term that ran from November 5, 2002 to December 31, 2004. Mr. Gravitt has been subsequently re-elected and his current term runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026.  He has served on the Board for 21 years.

Tom McCay (175.25 hours)

Mr. McCay was elected in November 2018 and was sworn in January 1, 2019.  He has been re-elected and his current term runs from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026. Mr. McCay also served on the Board from 1995-2002. Mr. McCay has served on the Board for a total of 11 years.

Rebecca Blankenship

Ms. Blankenship was elected in November 2022 and was sworn in January 3, 2023. She is currently serving a four-year term ending December 31, 2026.

• 2.1 Treasurer Report

• 2.2 BCES Board Report January 2023

• 2.3 BCMS Board Report January 2023

• 2.4 BCHS Board Report January 2023

Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda as written was passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Motion Passed:  Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Rebecca Blankenship.

Approve the minutes of the board meeting on December 19, 2022.  Requested by Kathie Ridge, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

• Draft Minutes December 19 2022

Approve the financial reports of the Elementary, Middle School, High School, Food Service and General Fund, including the Orders of the Treasurer. Requested by Tony Tompkins, Director of Operations and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

• 2.1 Treasurer Report
• 3.1 Food Service
• 3.2 Warrant 1
• 3.2 Warrant 2
• 3.3 Visa

Board Contribution of $500 to the Berea High School Academic Team to help with cost of hosting the KAAC Region 13 Competition (this is a non revenue generating competition).  Requested by Matthew Jenkins and Travis Blankenship, recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Approve the draft budget

Approve the Facility Use Request from Project Graduation for the use of the Conkin Gym, atrium and the cafeteria.  The date requested is May 26, 2023 beginninga at 9:00 p.m. and ending May 27, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.  Requested by Melissa Jennings and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Approve Community Youth Basketball League Use of School Facilities

Certain members of the Berea Community are interested in starting a community
youth basketball league for grades K-6. They request that the Board approve the
following in order for these individuals to have a gym where students from inside
and outside Berea Independent Schools can develop interest and skills in
basketball.  We are asking the Board to approve a Berea community youth basketball league
using the gym as a Lessee without a rental fee as long as that Lessee meets the
following conditions:

1) Cleans up the gym and checks the locker rooms and bathrooms for any
damage after each time it uses the gym;
2) Agrees in writing to defend, hold harmless, and indemnify the members,
and employees of the Board of Education of Berea, Kentucky, Independent
Schools from any claims of injury made concerning the Lessee’s use of the
gym;
3) Procures liability insurance covering the Youth League activities in the
amount of 1 Million Dollars per occurrence and 2 Million Dollars in the
aggregate; names the Board of Education of Berea, Kentucky, Independent
Schools as an additional named insured on that insurance policy; and
provides a certificate of that insurance to the Berea Independent Schools
Superintendent prior to using the gym; and
4) Does not represent to anyone that it is an agent of, or that its activities are
under the control or supervision of, the Berea, Kentucky, Board of
Education or any of its employees.
5) Complies with all the other provisions of the Use of District Property (Lease
Agreement) form of the Berea, Kentucky, Board of Education.
6) Does not use the gym except outside school hours;
7) Does not interfere with school operations.

Requested by Bernie Harris and recommended by Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve Community Youth Basketball League Use of School Facilities passed with a motion by Rebecca Blankenship and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Approve the Agreement between Berea Independent Board of Education and Berea College outlining the requirements in sending funds from the Preschool Partnership Grant (PPG) and state preschool funds generated through our Preschool collaboration to Berea College CDL program. Requested by Jennifer Whitt, Direct of Exceptional Children and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  pprove the Agreement between Berea Independent Board of Education and Berea College outlining the requirements in sending funds from the Preschool Partnership Grant (PPG) and state preschool funds generated through our Preschool collaboration to Berea College CDL program passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Approve the 2022-2023 school year amended calendar.  This calendar included adjustments due to health safety closures.  Approval is needed by the board for submission to the state.  Requested by Kyle French, DPP and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve the 2022-2023 school year amended calendar. This calendar included adjustments due to health safety closures passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Rebecca Blankenship.

Request approval of moving forward with developing a guaranteed energy
savings contract per KRS 45A and 702 KAR 4:160 through the KPC (Kentucky
Purchasing Cooperative) with Performance Services and submitting the initial BG1 for the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract to the Kentucky Department of Education. Requested by Charlie Owens, Facilities Director and Recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve moving forward with developing a guaranteed energy savings contract per KRS 45A and 702 KAR 4:160 through the KPC (Kentucky Purchasing Cooperative) with Performance Service and submitting the initial BG1 for the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract to the Kentucky Department of Education passed with a motion by Rebecca Blankenship and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Request approval for submission of a "letter of intent" to the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the undertaking of a GESC Project with Performance Services.  Requested by Charlie Owens, Facilities Director and Recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Request approval for submission of a "letter of intent" to the Kentucky Department of Education regarding the undertaking of a GESC Project with Performance Services passed with a motion by Rebecca Blankenship and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Executive Session per KRS 61.810 (1)(f) to interview applicants and discuss appointment of a Board Member to fill our School Board vacancy.

Return to Regular Session

Motion Passed:  Return to Regular Session passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Motion to appoint Jarred Penn to serve as Board Member until the election in November

Motion Passed:  Appointment to serve as Board Member passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Rebecca Blankenship.

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Theater with the exception of the work session meetings and those noted which will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023                Central Office (5:30 p.m.)

Monday, February 20, 2023               Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 20, 2023                    Kennedy Theater

Monday, April 17, 2023                       Kennedy Theater

Monday, April 24, 2023                       Central Office (5:30 p.m. Budget- Work Session)

Monday, May 15, 2023                       Kennedy Theater

Thursday, June 22, 2023                      Kennedy Theater

Monday, July 17, 2023                       Kennedy Theater

Monday, August 21, 2023                   Kennedy Theater

Monday, September 18, 2023            Kennedy Theater

Monday, October 9, 2023                   Central Office (5:30 p.m. Assessment -Work Session)

Monday, October 16, 2023                 Kennedy Theater

Monday, November 20, 2023             Kennedy Theater

Monday, December 18, 2023             Kennedy Theater

Tuesday, January 2, 2024                  Central Office (5:30 p.m. Elect Chair and Set Meeting Dates-Work Session)