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I.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II.
COMMUNICATION
II.A.
Board Report
II.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."
II.A.2.
Financial Report
II.A.3.
Attendance and Enrollment
II.A.4.
Rapid Identity K-12 Cybersecurity Presentation
II.B.
School Reports
II.B.1.
Elementary
II.B.2.
Middle School/High School
II.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.
III.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion Passed: Approval of the agenda as written was passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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IV.
BUSINESS/CONSENT ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
Motion Passed: Approval of the Business/Consent Items for Board Consideration passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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IV.A.
Minutes
Approve the minutes of the board meetings on July 27, 2026, and August 11, 2026, requested by Ms. Knight, Secretary, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
IV.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. Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
IV.C.
Middle School Academic Team Donation
Approve depositing Nicholas Roger Jurich's $2,000 donation for Berea Community Middle School Academic Team to be used for competition fees and other purchases. Requested by Beth Ellis, Middle School Academic Team Coach, and recommended by Dr. Ryan Neaves, Superintendent.
According to Fiscal Management Policy 04.61, donations valued at more than $1000 must be approved by the Board.
IV.D.
Superintendent Travel Reimbursement
Approve reimbursement to Dr. Neaves, Superintendent, for travel expenses, totaling $189.55 incurred during August, requested by Mr. Nathan Sweet, Director of Finance, and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chair.
V.
BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
V.A.
BISD Student Conduct Code
Per Berea Board of Education Policy 09.438 and KRS 158.148, approve the BISD Student Code of Conduct. State requires the Code to be reviewed every two years. Requested by Mr. French, Safety Coordinator and DPP, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion to Amend Passed: To amend the motion from: "Approve the revised BISD Student Code of Conduct" to: "Approve the revised BISD Student Code of Conduct with the exception of p. 12" passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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Motion to Amend Passed: To amend the motion from: "Approve the revised BISD Student Code of Conduct" to: "Approve the revised BISD Student Code of Conduct with the exception of p. 12" passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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Motion Passed: Approve the revised BISD Student Code of Conduct with the exception of p. 12 passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.B.
2026-2027 General Fund Tax Levy
Under updated Kentucky statutory requirements (HB 757 amending tax rate adoption procedures), local school districts must complete a multi-step public process prior to the final adoption of annual property tax rates.
Boards must vote on a proposed rate, then public notice requirements must be followed. After the two week public notice period is over, the board will meet to officially set tax rates.
The Board of Education must formally consider and select a proposed tax rate prior to advertising any rate above the compensating rate. Failure to do so will result in the automatic adoption of the compensating rate.
Current 2026 Rate: 86.7 cents on real property and 88 cents on personal property (per $100 of assessed value)
Evaluation of the Compensating Rate ($0.845) and the 4% Increase Rate ($0.878) has been completed. District staff recommends proposing a tax levy of $0.878 per $100 assessed value for Real Property and $0.880 per $100 for Personal Property.
Impact on Berea Independent: The compensating rate would produce an amount of revenue equal to what was billed in 2026. The 4% Increase Rate would produce $106,524 in additional revenue.
Impact on Taxpayers: For a residential property valued at $100,000, the 4% rate represents an approximate increase of $11 per year. The compensating rate would represent a $19/year reduction for the same property.
Recommended Action:
Approve the proposed 4% increase tax rate for real and personal property for public advertisement requested by Mr. Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Under updated Kentucky statutory requirements (HB 757 amending tax rate adoption procedures), local school districts must complete a multi-step public process prior to the final adoption of annual property tax rates.
Boards must vote on a proposed rate, then public notice requirements must be followed. After the two week public notice period is over, the board will meet to officially set tax rates.
The Board of Education must formally consider and select a proposed tax rate prior to advertising any rate above the compensating rate. Failure to do so will result in the automatic adoption of the compensating rate.
Current 2026 Rate: 86.7 cents on real property and 88 cents on personal property (per $100 of assessed value)
Evaluation of the Compensating Rate ($0.845) and the 4% Increase Rate ($0.878) has been completed. District staff recommends proposing a tax levy of $0.878 per $100 assessed value for Real Property and $0.880 per $100 for Personal Property.
Impact on Berea Independent: The compensating rate would produce an amount of revenue equal to what was billed in 2026. The 4% Increase Rate would produce $106,524 in additional revenue.
Impact on Taxpayers: For a residential property valued at $100,000, the 4% rate represents an approximate increase of $11 per year. The compensating rate would represent a $19/year reduction for the same property.
Recommended Action:
Approve the proposed 4% increase tax rate for real and personal property for public advertisement.
Under updated Kentucky statutory requirements (HB 757 amending tax rate adoption procedures), local school districts must complete a multi-step public process prior to the final adoption of annual property tax rates.
Boards must vote on a proposed rate, then public notice requirements must be followed. After the two week public notice period is over, the board will meet to officially set tax rates.
The Board of Education must formally consider and select a proposed tax rate prior to advertising any rate above the compensating rate. Failure to do so will result in the automatic adoption of the compensating rate.
Current 2026 Rate: 86.7 cents on real property and 88 cents on personal property (per $100 of assessed value)
Evaluation of the Compensating Rate ($0.845) and the 4% Increase Rate ($0.878) has been completed. District staff recommends proposing a tax levy of $0.878 per $100 assessed value for Real Property and $0.880 per $100 for Personal Property.
Impact on Berea Independent: The compensating rate would produce an amount of revenue equal to what was billed in 2026. The 4% Increase Rate would produce $106,524 in additional revenue.
Impact on Taxpayers: For a residential property valued at $100,000, the 4% rate represents an approximate increase of $11 per year. The compensating rate would represent a $19/year reduction for the same property.
Recommended Action:
Approve the proposed 4% increase tax rate for real and personal property for public advertisement.
Motion Passed: Approve the proposed 4% tax rate increase for real and personal property for public advertisement passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Donna Lovell.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.C.
2026-2027 Motor Vehicle Tax Rate
Purpose:
To set the motor vehicle tax rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 in compliance with KRS 157.440 and other applicable regulations.
Background:
The motor vehicle tax rate for the previous year was set at 59.1 cents per $100 of assessed value. The proposed rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 will be 59.1 cents per $100 of assessed value, as calculated under KRS 157.440.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Board approve the motor vehicle tax rate of 59.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for the fiscal year 2026-2027, as outlined in the report generated by the Kentucky Department of Education. This is requested by Mr. Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve the motor vehicle tax rate of 59.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for the fiscal year 2026-2027, as outlined in the report generated by the Kentucky Department of Education, passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.D.
Unpaid Disability Leave
Per board policy 03.2234 Unpaid disability leave may be granted by the Board, upon written request, for the remainder of the contract year. Thereafter, leave may be extended by the Board in one (1) year periods.
Recommended action:
Approve unpaid disability leave for one employee for the duration of the 26-27 school year due to a verified personal medical condition, requested by Mr. Nathan Sweet, Director of Operations, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve unpaid disability leave for one employee for the duration of the 26-27 school year due to a verified personal medical condition passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Donna Lovell.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.E.
District Writing Policy, Curriculum and Instruction 08.215 (Second Reading)
Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, HB 257 (2026) amended Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 158.6453(19) to require each superintendent to adopt policies that determine the writing program for the local school district as a whole. The writing program adopted by the superintendent must be published on the district's website and include disciplinary-specific writing across the curriculum that incorporates a variety of language resources, technological tools, and multiple opportunities for students to develop complex communication skills for a variety of purposes.
With the implementation of district-wide writing programs, HB 257 (2026) further amended KRS 158.6453 to no longer require an on-demand writing assessment or editing and mechanics assessment as part of the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA).
Approve the second reading of the District Writing Program Policy, Curriculum and Instruction 08.215, requested by Mr. Molton, Director of Academics, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve the second reading of the District Writing Program Policy, Curriculum and Instruction 08.215, passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.F.
i-Ready Renewal
Rationale:
The i-Ready platform provides diagnostic assessments, personalized instruction, and progress-monitoring tools to support student achievement in reading and mathematics at the elementary and middle school levels. Renewal of the district’s existing contract with Curriculum Associates will ensure continued access to consistent student performance data and individualized instructional resources that help educators identify learning needs, monitor growth, and provide targeted support.
Approve purchasing the i-Ready for $46,030.50, requested by Mr. Molton, Director of Academic Services, and recommended by Dr. Neaves, Superintendent.
Motion Passed: Approve purchasing the i-Ready platform for $46030.50 passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Donna Lovell.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.G.
Board Member Mr. McCay's Resignation
Accept Board Member Mr. McCay's resignation, requested by Mr. McCay and recommended by Mr. Morgan.
Motion Passed: Accept Board Member Mr. McCay's resignation passed with a motion by Dr. Jacqueline Burnside and a second by Ms. Donna Lovell.
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Dr. Jacqueline Burnside
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Yes
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Ms. Jenny Hobson
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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.H.
Closed Session - Personnel
Go into Closed Session to discuss Dr. Neaves's Professional Growth Plan, requested and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chair.
Motion Passed: Go into Closed Session to discuss Dr. Neaves's Professional Growth Plan passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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V.I.
Return to Regular Session
Return to Regular Session, requested and recommended by Mr. Morgan, Board Chair.
Motion Passed: Return to Regular Session passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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VI.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
VII.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion Passed: Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Ms. Donna Lovell 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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Absent
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Mr. Tom McCay
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Absent
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Mr. J. Morgan
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Yes
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Ms. Donna Lovell
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Yes
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VIII.
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
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 5:30 PM* MS/HS Library (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
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