See Board Policies 03.131-03.1313 "The Superintendent shall make all appointments, promotions, and transfers of certified personnel for positions authorized by the Board and, at the first meeting following the actions, shall notify the Board of same. Such notification shall be recorded in the Board minutes."

Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda as written passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda as written passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Rationale:

Scenario #1 (District moves forward with solar project)

• District will use unspent construction dollars to pay debt service due 6/1/25

• District will issue bonds to replace proceeds used to pay debt service

• Tax rebate from Federal Government will be used to retire Series 2025 bonds or second bond issue will be structured for level repayment amounts

Scenario #2 (District does not move forward with solar project)

• Board will approve resolution to redeem a portion of the outstanding bonds
• District will fund an escrow account to retire an amount of bonds equal to the amount of unspent proceeds
• Escrow account will be held by paying agent and funds will be invested in US Treasuries.

• Escrow account will pay debt service due on redeemed bonds and pay them off automatically on their first call date 6/1/31.

• District’s outstanding payments will be reduced by the portion of debt now paid by the escrow account. 

Approve Option 1 or Option 2 concerning Solar Project Options, requested by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operation, and recommended by Dr. Hatchett, Superintendent.

• Berea Solar Options 03-13-2025

Motion Passed:  Approve Option 2 concerning Solar Project Options passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Approve the auditing proposal from Denise M Keene, CPA, to include auditing for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at a cost of $20,000.  Requested by Nathan Sweet, Director of Finance, and recommended by Dr. Diane Hatchett, Superintendent.

• DOC032025-03202025101828

Motion Passed:  Approve the auditing proposal from Denise M Keene, CPA, to include auditing for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at a cost of $20,000 passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Discussion: The district is seeking approval to establish a donation account at Community Trust Bank to accept financial contributions supporting school programs, student activities, and district initiatives. This account will provide a secure and transparent way to manage donations, ensuring funds are allocated appropriately to benefit students and educational efforts.

Action Requested: Approval to create a donation account at Community Trust Bank for the school district. Requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chair.

Motion Passed:  Approve creating a donation account at Community Trust Bank for the school district passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

The Middle and High School JAG teachers are requesting the establishment of a Booster System to generate donations in support of preserving our JAG programs. This system will provide the necessary funding to cover the remaining portion of both the middle school and high school JAG teachers’ salaries, which the school is currently unable to fund. Any donations collected beyond the required salaries will be directly allocated to supporting students in the Berea Community Schools’ JAG programs, ensuring continued opportunities for their growth and success.  Requested by Ms. Harris and Ms. McHenry, JAG instructors, and recommended by Mr. Nathan Sweet, Finance Officer.

Action Requested: Approve the establishment of a Booster System to generate donations in support of preserving the JAG Programs.

Motion Passed:  Approve the establishment of a Booster System to generate donations in support of preserving the JAG Programs passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Discussion: In accordance with guidance from the Commissioner of Education's Office regarding HB 241, the district has amended the 2024-2025 school calendar to reflect to option of fewer than 170 instructional days while meeting the required 1,062 instructional hours. The revised calendar ensures compliance with state regulations while maintaining instructional integrity and meeting the needs of students and staff.

Action Requested: Approval of the amended 2024-2025 school calendar as presented. Requested by Kyle French, DPP, and recommended by Dr. Hatchett, Superintendent.

• 24-25 Amended Calendar (1)

Motion Passed:  Approve the amended 2024-2025 school calendar as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Consider Investigation into the Superintendent’s management of the School District, requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chairman.

Motion Passed:  Approve investigating the Superintendent's management of the School District passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Consider Agreement for Superintendent to take leave during investigation of her management of the School District, requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chairman.

Motion Passed:  Approve agreement for Superintendent to take paid administrative leave during investigation of her management of the School District passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Consider appointment and contract  with an Acting Superintendent, requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chairman.

Motion Passed:  Approve appointment and contract with an Acting Superintendent, Dr. Elmer Thomas passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett.

Go into Closed Session for the purpose of receiving recommendations from screening committee about applicants, reviewing and discussing applications, and setting interview dates.  Requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chairman.

Motion Passed:  Go into Executive Session per KRS 61.810 (1)(f) for the purpose of receiving recommendations from superintendent screening committee about applicants, reviewing and discussing applications, and setting interview dates passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Return to Regular Session.  Requested and recommended by J. Morgan, Board Chairman.

Motion Passed:  Return to Regular Session passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Theater except for work session meetings and those noted which will take place in the Central Office.

2025 Meeting Schedule

Monday, January 27, 2025                   Kennedy Theater

Monday February 17, 2025                  Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 17, 2025                      Kennedy Theater

Monday, March 31, 2025                     Kennedy Theater (Special-Called and Closed)

Monday, April 21, 2025                       Kennedy Theater

Monday, May 19, 2025                        Kennedy Theater

Monday, June 16, 2025                       Central Office

Monday, July 21, 2025                         Central Office

Monday, August 18, 2025                    Kennedy Theater

Monday, September 15, 2025              Kennedy Theater

Monday, October 20, 2025                   Kennedy Theater

Monday, November 3, 2025                Central Office (Assessment – Work Session)

Monday, November 17, 2025               Kennedy Theater

Monday, December 15, 2025               Kennedy Theater