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I.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II.
RECOGNITION
II.A.
Black History Month - Dr. Carter G. Woodson
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
These are the words of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, distinguished black author, editor, publisher, and historian (December 1875-April 1950). Known as the “Father of African American History,” Dr. Woodson holds an outstanding position in early 20th Century American History. He wrote numerous books and articles in order to present a more accurate view of African American’s history and accomplishments. Dr. Woodson received his Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College during the years 1900-1903. In 1915, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in Washington, D.C. This organization initiated Negro History Week in 1926. The celebration of African American History Month was proclaimed by President Gerald Ford in 1976 and this year marks the 50th anniversary. Schools, churches and businesses celebrate African American culture and contributions during African American History Month.
II.B.
Counselor Appreciation Week (February 2-February 6, 2026)
Craig Dollins and Mary Lewis
II.C.
FRYSC Appreciation Week (February 9-February 13, 2026)
Marilyn Benton and Natasha Johnson
II.D.
Student Recognition
Lily Glennon
II.E.
Anchor of Excellence (Staff Recognition)
The Anchor of Excellence recognition honors one Certified and one Classified employee each month who exemplify dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to our students, colleagues, and school community.
This recognition is intended to celebrate the everyday excellence that keeps our district moving forward, including both highly visible contributions and the important work that often happens behind the scenes.
Certified Staff: Taylor Fuit and Charlie Owens
Classified Staff: Aaron Brown and Naomi New
III.
COMMUNICATION
III.A.
Board Report
III.A.1.
Superintendent Report
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."
III.A.2.
Financial Report
III.A.3.
Attendance and Enrollment
III.B.
School Reports
III.B.1.
Elementary
III.B.2.
Middle School/High School
III.C.
Audience Comments
Berea Independent Board of Education welcomes public comment during all regular meetings. Generally, School Board members do not respond to public comment during a meeting. The public comment period should not be viewed as an opportunity for questioning of board members or administrators, or for back-and-forth discussion or debate. It is an opportunity for members of the public to express their views regarding matters which are within the scope of the Board's decision-making authority.
IV.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion Passed: Approval of the agenda as written was passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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V.
BUSINESS/CONSENT ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
Motion Passed: Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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V.A.
Minutes
Approve the minutes of the board meeting on January 15, 2026, requested by Ms. Knight, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
V.B.
Financial Reports
Approve the financial reports of the Elementary, Middle School, High School, Food Service and General Fund, including the Orders of the Treasurer, requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
V.C.
Notice of Shortened School Day-School Year 2025-2026
Notice of Shortened School Day- School Year 2025-2026:
Approve request submitted by Mrs. Jennifer Whitt, Exceptional Children Services Director, to shorten the school day of a student enrolled at the Berea Independent School District. The school day will begin at 9:00 A.M and end at 11:00 A.M. The following documents are on file in the Central Office:
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Minutes of Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) Meeting documenting the ARC decision that a shortened school day is needed
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Copy of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) documenting the shortened school day
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Copy of the physician’s statement of the medical need for a shortened school day
Requested by Mrs. Jennifer Whitt, Exceptional Children Services Director and Admissions and Release Committee.
Recommended by Dr. Ryan Neaves, Superintendent.
V.D.
Graduation Date
Approve the high school graduation date, May 22, 2026, requested by Ms. Caldwell, MS/HS Principal, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
V.E.
2026 National Career Development Conference
The middle and high school JAG programs have had an outstanding year and request approval for 20 students to attend the 2026 National Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 29 – May 3, 2026, once funds are secured.
Both Middle and High school JAG Programs demonstrated leadership, dedication, and excellence at the regional level. Our students performed exceptionally well and have advanced to the State-level Career Development Conference on February 24–25, 2026, at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Attending the National Career Development Conference provides students with opportunities to apply leadership, communication, academic, and career-readiness skills in real-world scenarios. Students gain experience in critical thinking, professionalism, teamwork, and career exploration. Students will not stay overnight for the State competition and are asked to contribute $25 toward transportation if they can. JAG Kentucky will cover registration, breakfast, and lunch, and we will stop for dinner on the way home.
Looking ahead to Nationals, estimated costs per student are $1,500–$1,600 for registration, airfare, meals, lodging, and transportation. Families will have opportunities to offset costs through fundraising, sponsorships, and scholarships. The middle school JAG program is also working with the administration to seek approval to host a Spring Vendor Market to help with expenses.
We respectfully ask for the board’s approval for our middle and high school JAG programs to attend the 2026 National Career Development Conference and represent our district at the national level. Requested by Ms. Harris and Ms. McHenry, JAG instructors, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
V.F.
Senior Trip to Cincinnati
Approve the Senior Trip to Cincinnati, Ohio on April 25, 2026. The students will travel by Berea Independent School buses to Cincinnati to visit attractions such as the zoo, bowling or arcade, and Riverboat. Requested by Ms. Johnson, Senior Trip Sponsor, and Ms. Caldwell, Middle School/High School Principal, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
VI.
BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
VI.A.
2026-2027 District Calendar-Second Reading
Approve the second reading of the following calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, re
quested by Mr. French, DPP, and the Calendar Committee and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve the second reading of the amended calendar for the 2026-2027 school year with the revision stating 187 Staff Days passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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VI.B.
Churchill's Prom Contract
Approve Churchill's contract for the BCHS junior/senior prom to be held on May 2nd, requested by Ms. Caldwell, Middle School/High School Principal, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve Churchill's Contract for the BCHS junior/senior prom passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Ms. Jenny Hobson.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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VI.C.
Amended 2025-2026 District Calendar
Approve amended 2025-2026 school year calendar, requested by Mr. French, DPP, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve amended 2025-2026 school year calendar passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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VI.D.
School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) Offer of Assistance-KETS
Approve the Kentucky Department of Education's FY2026 KETS (Kentucky Education Technology System) Offer of Assistance in the amount of $9,888. As per the terms of the offer, this amount must be matched equally by the Board and allocated to the restricted education technology fund: Fund 2, Project 162M EdTech Account, requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve the Kentucky Department of Education's FY2026 KETS (Kentucky Education Technology System) Offer of Assistance in the amount of $9,888 passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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VI.E.
2026-2027 School Staffing Allocations
Per Berea Board of Education Policy 02.4331, approve the staffing allocation in order to be compliant with KRS 157.360 and KRS 160.345. Requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve the staffing allocation in order to be compliant with KRS 157.360 and KRS 160.345 passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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VII.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VIII.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion Passed: Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Yes
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Yes
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Sarah Rohrer
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Yes
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IX.
2026 Meeting Schedule
2026 Meeting Schedule
All meetings will take place at 7:00 PM in the Kennedy Theater.
Thursday, January 15, 2026* Kennedy Theater
Monday, February 16, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, March 16, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, April 20, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, May 18, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, June 15, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, July 20, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, August 17, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, September 21, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, October 19, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, November 16, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Monday, December 21, 2026 Kennedy Theater
Thursday, January 14, 2027* Kennedy Theater
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