Berea Independent
March 16, 2026 7:00 PM
BEREA INDEPENDENT BOARD OF EDUCATION
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I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. RECOGNITION
II.A. Anchor of Excellence (Staff Recognition)
Rationale

The Anchor of Excellence recognition honors Certified and Classified employees 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: Emma Fraley and Daniel Morris

Classified Staff: Kristi Baker and Nathan Sweet

III. COMMUNICATION
III.A. Board Report
III.A.1. Superintendent Report
Rationale

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
Attachments
III.A.2.a. District Finance Audit Report
III.A.3. Attendance and Enrollment
Attachments
III.B. School Reports
III.B.1. Elementary
Attachments
III.B.2. Middle School/High School
Attachments
III.C. Audience Comments
IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Actions Taken

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

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
V. BUSINESS/CONSENT ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Ms. Jenny Hobson.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
V.A. Minutes
Rationale

Approve the minutes of the board meeting on February 16, 2026. Requested by Ms. Knight, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Attachments
V.B. Financial Reports
Rationale

Approve the financial reports of the Elementary, Middle School, High School, Food Service and General Fund, including the Orders of the Treasurer. Requested by Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations and recommended by Dr. Ryan Neaves, Superintendent.

Attachments
V.C. Hardship Early Graduation
Rationale

Approve requested hardship early graduation. Requested by student, parent, and Ms. Caldwell, BCMS/BCHS Principal, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Background: According to Policy 08.1132, "Students who experience extreme health or economic hardship may apply for assistance with graduation requirements for hardship reasons. In the case of extreme hardship, the District may provide alternative methods for the student to complete District graduation requirements which may allow for early graduation....

During the semester preceding the final semester, the student shall submit a letter from the parent and student as an official request for graduation assistance for hardship reasons."

V.D. IDEA Admissions and Release Committee Chairpersons
Rationale

Approve the following persons to serve as Admissions and Release Committee chairpersons for the 2025-2026 school year:

 

  • Gretchen Wasson

  • Megan Bruner

  • Jennifer Cornett-Hodson

  • Dammian Stepp

 

All required certifications and training have been completed to qualify these staff members to be eligible to represent the district in this role.   

Requested by Ms. Whitt, Director of Exceptional Children, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

V.E. Summer Feeding Program
Rationale

Approve the agreement between Berea College and Berea Independent to "provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to youth ages 1 through 18 when school is not in session."

"From June 2, 2026, until August 7, 2026, Berea Kids Eat will continue to provide sponsorship of the USDA SUN Meals Program, and partner with the School to distribute non-congregate, bulk and multi-day meals as defined by USDA."

V.F. Superintendent Travel Reimbursement
Rationale

Approve reimbursement to Dr. Neaves, Superintendent, for travel expenses, totaling $380.97 incurred during the month of February, requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Finance, and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chair.

 

VI. BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
VI.A. Amended 2025-2026 District Calendar
Rationale

Approve amended  2025-2026 school year calendar, requested by Mr. French, DPP, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Attachments
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve amended 2025-2026 school year calendar passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.B. Update to Supplemental Pay - FY26 Salary Schedule
Rationale

Rationale:

In order to address behavior and attendance, an addition to the Supplemental Pay section of the Salary Schedule is proposed adding a line item for Detention coverage.  Requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Ryan Neaves, Superintendent.

 
 

Attachments
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approve the updated Supplemental Pay section of the Salary Schedule passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Ms. Jenny Hobson.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.C. Closed Session - Personnel
Rationale

Go into Closed Session for the purpose of Personnel (Superintendent Evaluation), requested and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Chairman.

Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Go into Closed Session for the purpose of Personnel (Superintendent Evaluation) passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VI.D. Return to Regular Session
Rationale

Return to Regular Session, requested and recommended by Mr. J Morgan, Chairman.

Actions Taken

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

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Actions Taken

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

Member Votes
Dr. Jacqueline Burnside Yes
Ms. Jenny Hobson Yes
Mr. Tom McCay Yes
Mr. J. Morgan Yes
Ms. Sarah Rohrer Yes
IX. 2026 Meeting Schedule
Rationale

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