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, Academy Level V (295.75 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 23 years.

Van Gravitt, Chairperson-Academy Level V (282.75 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, 2021 through December 31, 2024.  He has served on the Board for 22 years.

Tom McCay Vice-Chairperson (188.25 hours of training)

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 12 years.

Rebecca Blankenship (14.25 hours of training)

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. She has served on the Board for 1 year.

Nathaniel Hackett (10 hours of training)

Mr. Hackett was sworn in on October 9, 2023. He filled the vacancy when Jarred Penn resigned. He will serve the remainder of the term, ending December 31, 2024. 

• Food Service Report FY24 Period 6.pdf
• Treasurer Report FY24 Period 6.pdf

• 2.2 BCES Board Report

• 2.3 Berea MS Important Dates 1-8-24
• 2.3 diagnostic-results_math_berea-cmty-middle-school_ compare fall and winter (1)
• 2.3 diagnostic-results_reading_berea-cmty-middle-school_ compare fall and winter (1)

• 2.4 BCHS Board Report January 2024

• 1.0 Agenda January 22 2024

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

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

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

Approve the minutes of the board meeting on (insert date). Requested by Kathie Ridge, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

• 3.0 Draft Minutes 12-18-23

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.

• 3.2 Warrant
• Food Service Report FY24 Period 6.pdf
• Treasurer Report FY24 Period 6.pdf
• VISA

• Berea Ind Detail Draft Budget 2024-2025.pdf
• Berea Ind Summary Draft Budget 2024-2025.pdf

Per Berea Board of Education Policy 09.36, approve the 8th Grade students to travel to Louisville, Kentucky March 15-16, 2024.  They will travel on a charter bus. Approval is contingent upon the receipt of liability insurance from the transportation company.  Requested by Casey Poynter, Middle School Principal, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent. 

Approve the SFCC Offer of Assistance dated January 9, 2024. Pursuant to KRS 157.622, the School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) has extended an official Offer of Assistance to the Berea Independent Board of Education. This offer, in compliance with House Bill 1 of the 2022 Session of the General Assembly, includes an annual debt service amount of $18,382.01. These funds are designated for construction or major renovation projects as outlined in the district's most recent approved facility plan.   Requested by Nathan Sweet, District Finance Officer, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Approve the Facilities Use Request from Robert Clark with Richmond Heat to use the Singleton Gym and the Conkin Gym for AAU Tournaments.  Dates between January 22, 2024 and June 30, 2024 to be arranged with the school.  Richmond Heat will provite Berea Independent Schools with a Certificate of Liability Insurance for each date they use the facilities.  Requested by Eric Fields and Dammian Stepp, Coaches and Kelly Caldwell, Principal and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Approve the field trip for the Berea Lady Pirate Girls Basketball Team to go to Indianapolis, IN on February 2, 2024.  Requested by Coach Dammian Stepp and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

• Hoosier Gym Trip.docx

Approve the FRYSC (Family Resource and Youth Services Center) Assurance Certification for 2024-2026. Requested by Natasha Johnson, FRYSC Director, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve the FRYSC (Family Resource and Youth Services Center) Assurance Certification for 2024-2026. Requested by Natasha Johnson, FRYSC Director, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Approve the second reading of the following calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.     Requested by Kyle French, DPP and the Calendar Committee and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve the second reading of the following calendar for the 2024-2025 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Van Gravitt and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

2024 Meeting Schedule

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.

Monday, January 22, 2024                   Kennedy Theater

Monday February 19, 2024                   Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 18, 2024                      Kennedy Theater

Monday, April 15, 2024                        Kennedy Theater

Monday, May 20, 2024                         Kennedy Theater

Monday, June 17, 2024                        Kennedy Theater

Monday, July 15, 2024                         Kennedy Theater

Monday, August 19, 2024                     Kennedy Theater

Monday, September 16, 2024               Kennedy Theater

Monday, October 21, 2024                   Kennedy Theater

Monday, November 4, 2024                  Central Office (5:30 p.m. Assessment – Work Session)

Monday, November 18, 2024                Kennedy Theater

Monday, December 16, 2024                Kennedy Theater

Monday, January 6, 2025                     Central Office (5:30 p.m. Elect Chair and Set Meeting Dates-Work Session)