This past January, Ms. Parrish signed her three fourth-grade classes up for the READBowl. READBowl is an annual competition hosted by Super Bowl champ Malcolm Mitchell in which classes from around the globe compete to log the most minutes of reading in a four-week span. A few weeks ago, they found out that Ms. Parrish's homeroom won first place in the entire Elementary Conference! Her second block got 3rd place. As first-place winners, her homeroom will receive a few prizes, including a 15-minute live video chat with Malcolm on Wednesday, April 29 at 8 am.

Below is the list of students that won:

1. Abril Aguilar-Barrera
2. Ava Baker
3. Ava Barrett
4. Bentley Callahan
5. Tucker Deckard
6. Parley Denny
7. Aniyah Gentry
8. Hunter Ingram
9. Blaiklee Jones
10. Skyler May
11.  Sterling Easton Hogg
12. Kinley Payton
13. Di’Ziem Prescott
14. Jonah Price
15. Brayden Riddell
16. Hudson Samarin
17. Ace Sarginson
18. Addy Spangler
19. Harrison Stallard
20. Abby Weakley

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 month, we are also recognizing community members.

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: Joseph Caudill and Tim Molton

Classified Staff: Linda Dean and Daniel Montoya

Community Members: Amanda Hembree, Jarrod Hembree, Christina Parke, and Steve Parke

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."

• DOC041326-04132026112105
• III. A. 2. BALANCE SHEET MARCH 2026
• III. A. 2. FIN REPORT MAR 26

• Board Meeting_ Attendance and Enrollment (8)

• III. B. 1. Board Report April 20th, 2026

• III. B. 2. April 2026 Board Report - Middle_High School
• III. B. 2. Final Dates 2025-2026 School Year

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.

Motion Passed:  Approve the agenda with the following revisions: remove HS Football Trip and include Superintendent Expense Report passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Motion Passed:  Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration (with removal-see Agenda- of High School Football Team Overnight Tennessee Trip) passed with a motion by Ms. Sarah Rohrer and a second by Ms. Jenny Hobson.

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

• V. A. 3-16-26 Minute Report

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. B. FS REC FY 2026
• V. B. Visa Report (2)
• V. B. Warrant (1)

Approve the out-of-state field trip for the 5th grade to go to the Cincinnati Zoo on May 14, 2026. Requested by Ms. Mills, teacher, Mr. Stepp, Elementary School Principal, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Approve the revisions to Procedure 02.14 AP. 2, requested by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent, and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chairperson.

• P02.14 AP.2

Approve scheduling the Special Called Meeting on April 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM, in the Kennedy Theater to share Dr. Neaves's Capstone Project, a presentation of Dr. Neaves's first year as superintendent. Requested and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Approve rescheduling the July 20, 2026, Board Meeting to July 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM, in the Kennedy Theater. Requested and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Approve the High School Football Team Overnight Trip to Tennessee on September 4-5 to play Sevier High School. The Head Coach has stated that they are willing to cover the costs of the tour bus transportation to the destination, as well as team meals before and after the game, tickets to Dollywood Park, and compensation for participating in the event. The only expenses to fundraise for are the hotel accommodations for the players to stay overnight and food for Saturday. Requested by Head Football Coach, Lee Atkins, and Athletic Director, Mr. Bingham, and recommended by Dr. Neaves.

Approve reimbursement to Dr. Neaves, Superintendent, for travel expenses, totaling $222.84 incurred during the months of March and April requested by Mr. Sweet, Director of Finance, and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chair.

Approve the proposed auditing contract with Denise M. Keene, CPA, to include auditing for the 2025-2026 fiscal year at a cost of $22,000, requested by Mr. Sweet, Finance Director, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

Motion Passed:  Approve the proposed auditing contract with Denise M. Keene, CPA, to include auditing for the 2024-2025 fiscal year at a cost of $20,000 passed with a motion by Mr. Nathaniel Hackett and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Motion Passed:  Approve the proposed auditing contract with Denise M. Keene, CPA, to include auditing for the 2025-2026 fiscal year at a cost of $22,000 passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Approve the Kentucky Department of Education's FY2026 KETS (Kentucky Education Technology System) Second Offer of Assistance in the amount of $7,416.00. 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 Daniel Montoya, District Technology Coordinator, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.

• BEREA IND KETS 2nd Offer March 2026

Motion Passed:  Approve the Kentucky Department of Education's FY2026 KETS (Kentucky Education Technology System) Offer of Assistance in the amount of $7416.00 passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky for 2026-2028 Family Resource and Youth Services Centers program, requested by Ms. Johnson, FRYSC Director, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent. 

The new contract will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028.

• Contract Draft - FRYSC BOE Region 10 C6187.PDF

Motion Passed:  Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky for 2026-2028 Family Resource and Youth Services Centers program passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Mr. Tom McCay.

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

Motion Passed:  Go into Closed Session for the purpose of Personnel (Superintendent Evaluation-Formative Assessment) passed with a motion by Mr. Tom McCay and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

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

Motion Passed:  Return to Regular Session passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Sarah Rohrer.

Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Ms. Jenny Hobson and a second by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside.

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 5:30 PM*         Kennedy Theater (Special Called Meeting)

Monday, May 18, 2026                         Kennedy Theater

Monday, June 15, 2026                        Kennedy Theater

Monday, July 27, 2026*                       Kennedy Theater (Special Called Meeting)

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