Russell Independent
November 24, 2025 6:00 PM
Russell Independent Regular Board Meeting
I. Call To Order
Rationale

Mr. Whitt called the Regular Meeting of the Russell Independent Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m.

I.A. Moment of Silence
Rationale

Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in a Moment of Silence.

I.B. Pledge to the United States Flag
Rationale

Mr. Whitt led those in attendance in the Pledge to the United States Flag.

I.C. District Mission Statement
Rationale

Our mission is to inspire and empower all students to reach their maximum potential: one student, one lesson, one day at a time.

 

Progressing into the future…

Our Students are our top priority.

 Our School Family plays a crucial role in student development, achievement, and success.

 Our Parents are supportive partners and are essential in the advancement of each student.

 Our Community shares our desire to develop highly skilled and productive citizens.

 Our Technology enables our students to reach beyond the classroom.

 Our Culture inspires leadership and excellence.

 Our Academics focus on rigorous standards and global success.

II. Adopt the Agenda
Actions Taken

Order #68505 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the agenda passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
III. Delegations
Rationale

Procedures for Addressing the Board of Education

The Russell Independent School District Board of Education encourages attendance at meetings of the Board of Education.  The Board of Education understands that from time to time the public may wish to share opinions with them at these meetings.  Procedures for speaking to the Board of Education are detailed below:

 

·      Those who wish to address the Board of Education must sign the Delegation sheet provided prior to each Regular Meeting.  This sheet can be found beside the Board Agenda on a podium near the entrance of the room.

 

·      Generally, in the first ten minutes of the Meeting, the Board Chair will ask for delegations.  At this time please state your name, the name of the organization or group that you are representing, and the subject that you would like to address.  Please keep in mind that issues regarding a specific school should be shared with Principal and/or Site Based Decision Making Council, as that is the governing body for that school.

 

·      Individuals may address the Board of Education for a maximum of 5 minutes, as determined by the Board Chair.

 

·      The Board Chair reserves the right to intervene in order to maintain order and to ensure the expedient conduct of the Board’s business.

 

·      Comments to the Board should be stated in a professional manner.  Accusations and/or disparaging remarks about individuals will not be permitted. 

IV. Recognitions/Achievements/Reports
IV.A. Recognition of Russell Independent Schools Band Program
IV.B. District Title IX Report
V. Notification of Personnel Matters
Rationale

Personnel for Board Information Only in accordance with KRS 160.390 (2)

VI. Regular Business
VI.A. Approval of Minutes of the October 27, 2025 Regular Meeting
Actions Taken

Order #68506 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the minutes from the October 27, 2025 Regular Meeting passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VI.B. Treasurer's Report
Actions Taken

Order #68507 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Treasurer's Report showing a balance of $7,905,210.73 passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VI.C. Payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll
Actions Taken

Order #68508 - Motion Passed:  Approval of payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll passed with a motion by Mr. Terry Vest and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VII. Consent Agenda
Actions Taken

Order #68509 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VII.A. Fundraisers
VII.B. Rental Applications
VII.C. Approval to pay Fall Mentor Extra Service Pay for Teacher Academy
VIII. New Business
VIII.A. Consider payment of Uncollectible School Lunch Charges
Actions Taken

Order #68510 - Motion Passed:  Approval to pay from General Fund approximately $4,479.95 to the Food Service Fund for Uncollectible School Lunch Charges passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.B. Consider approval of revised KISTA Participation Resolution for previously authorized bus purchase
Actions Taken

Order #68511 - Motion Passed:  Approval of revised KISTA Participation Resolution Lease of $168,162.00 for previously authorized bus purchase passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Samuel Pack.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.C. Consider approval of Pay Application #4 for the RHS HVAC and RAT Roof Project #25-264
Actions Taken

Order #68512 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #4 in the amount of $641,236.91 for the RHS HVAC and RATC Roof Project #25-264 passed with a motion by Mr. Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. Sean Whitt.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.D. Consider 1st Reading of the 2026-2027 School Calendar
VIII.E. Consider approval of unpaid leave request for Marsha Eastwood through November 30, 2025 contingent upon proper medical certification
Actions Taken

Order #68513 - Motion Passed:  Approval of unpaid leave request for Marsha Eastwood through November 30, 2025 contingent upon proper medical certification passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.F. Consider approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Greenup County Health Department for Oral Health Services for students
Actions Taken

Order #68514 - Motion Passed:  Approval of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Greenup County Health Department for Oral Health Services for students passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
VIII.G. Consider approval of submitted Booster Fundraisers
Actions Taken

Order #68515 - Motion Passed:  Approval of RMS Dance Booster Fundraisers passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
IX. Updates and Information
IX.A. Student Enrollment/Attendance Reports
IX.B. Meeting Reminder-December 15, 2025
IX.C. SBDM Information
IX.D. Cards/Letters
X. Superintendent's Progress Reports/Updates
XI. Other Business and Information
XI.A. Enter into Executive Session Per KRS 61.810 (1) f
Actions Taken

Order #68516 - Motion Passed:  Enter into Executive Session Per KRS 61.810 (1) f passed with a motion by Mr. Samuel Pack and a second by Mr. John Jones.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
XI.B. Return from Executive Session
Actions Taken

Order #68517 - Motion Passed:  Return from Executive Session at 7:25 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. Sean Whitt and a second by Mr. Johnny Highfield.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes
XII. Closing
Actions Taken

Order #68518 - Motion Passed:  Meeting adjournment at 7:26 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.

Member Votes
Mr. Sean Whitt Yes
Mr. John Jones Yes
Mr. Samuel Pack Yes
Mr. Terry Vest Yes
Mr. Johnny Highfield Yes