This is an opportunity for the community to provide input and comments on district business.

Members of the public may address the Board during the period set aside by the Board without submitting an item for the agenda. No action shall be taken during this portion of the meeting on issues raised by employees or the public unless deemed an emergency by the Board. Please note: Speakers are asked to refrain from personal remarks in which an individual is named. Comments are limited to two minutes unless extended by the board chair. Critical comments or complaints are processed through the District’s complaint procedures. Questions and concerns will be addressed by the Board through various venues, including, but not limited to, the district website and e-mail. In addition, copies of the meeting rules and procedures will be provided at every board meeting.

KRS 158.856 requires that an annual assessment of school nutrition in the district be conducted by the school food service director and that a written report of that assessment be issued to parents, local board members and site based council members.

During the 2019-2020 school year the Covington Independent Schools has been developing a district wide curriculum for grades K-12.  The district curriculum will cover the new Kentucky Academic Standards in all content areas.  The curriculum development process has been led by district leadership in collaboration with school administrators and teacher leads.  Those involved in the process include all teachers K-12 in all 5 elementary schools, HMS, HHS and TLC.  The process will be ongoing until its initial completion.  After its initial completion we will develop a review/revision process in order to maintain the curriculum.  We will also develop monitoring systems which will monitor schools fidelity of implementation of the curriculum, communication with teachers regarding implementation concerns, monitoring of assessment performance of all schools and further professional development for teachers and administrators around all components of curriculum implementation.   

The personnel actions listed on the exhibit have taken place since the board meeting of December 12, 2019.

The Covington Independent Public Schools in October 2019 created a “Request for Proposal” (RFP) for the district’s Voluntary Employee Benefits Program and Section 125 Plan Administration Services.  These benefits are voluntary to our employees and do not have to be taken out if they choose not to.  Some examples of these benefits are short term/long term disability, life insurance, cancer insurance, and accident insurance.

Four companies submitted a proposal to the district in November of 2019.  A benefits committee was formed to review the proposals and to narrow down to two companies.  Those two companies would be offered a chance to come in to give a detailed presentation to the benefits committee.  Those presentations happened in January of 2020.

After much discussion with the benefits committee, it is the recommendation of the committee to stay with American Fidelity.

During the annual review of the district's insurance policies with the insurance agent, it was brought to the attention of the Finance Officer about having a school bus maintenance agreement.  This agreement is entered into when Covington provides school bus maintenance services to another school district for a fee.

The Finance Officer consulted with the Superintendent, the Transportation Department, and the district's Board Attorney on creating the School Bus Maintenance Agreement.

Please find attached for board review and approval of this agreement.

This Draft Budget Cycle is required by State Stature KRS 157.060, 157.420, 160.390 and 160.470. At this time there are many unknowns related to the adoption of this budget cycle.  We will continue to accumulate pertinent information and update the information as we work through the FY 2020-2021 budget. 

This draft budget was created by rolling over the Working Budget (current budget) from FY 2019-2020.

Budget Narrative for December FY2020 monthly financial statement:

1. General fund (fund 1) – as of 12/31/19, revenue received of 31.5 million with expenses of 16.5 million. 

2. Special revenue (fund 2) – as of 12/31/19, revenue received of 3.4 million with expenses of 3.7 million.  Many grants in fund 2 are on a reimbursement basis.  Money is requested after the expenses have occurred.  There is a delay on receiving fund 2 revenue. 

3. Capital outlay (fund 310) - as of 12/31/19, revenue received of $162,000 with expenses of $0.  The state does not provide all the capital outlay funding until the end of the fiscal year.  This fund is used to pay the district’s bond payments.  Bond payments occur throughout the whole fiscal year under fund 400 (new for FY’13 per KDE).  Money will be transferred out of capital outlay into the debt service fund throughout the fiscal year. 

4. Building fund (fund 320) - as of 12/31/19, revenue received of 1 million with expenses of $0.  This fund is used to pay the district’s bond payments.  Bond payments occur throughout the whole fiscal year under fund 400 (new for FY’13 per KDE).  Money will be transferred out of building fund into the debt service fund throughout the fiscal year. 

5. Construction fund (fund 360) - as of 12/31/19, revenue received of $1,092,000 with expenses of $691,000.  This fund is used to pay for the district’s construction projects. 

6. Debt Service fund (fund 400) – as of 12/31/19, revenue received of $0 with expenses of $289,000.  See detailed explanation under capital outlay and building fund.

7. Daycare fund (originally fund 50 – switched to fund 52 per KDE) – as of 12/31/19, revenue received of $296,000 with expenses of $144,000.  Revenue comes in throughout the fiscal year.

8. Food service fund (fund 51) – as of 12/31/19, revenue received of 2.4 million with expenses of 1.2 million. 

    

    

   Completed 1/7/20 by Annette Burtschy

Pursuant to Policy 04.3111, the treasurer shall prepare warrants or "Orders of the Treasurer" to be acted upon at each regular Board meeting. The Board shall give subsequent approval to all budgeted disbursements made between meetings of the Board. Disbursements shall only be made on invoices for purchases made in accordance with District policy and procedures.

The Kentucky Department of Education recognizes that it is a best-practice for board members to be knowledgeable of each schools’ activity fund balances.  School activity fund balances for a 6 month period will be brought to the board in January/February (July through December) & July/August (July 2019 through June 2020) of each year.  

The School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) is making an official offer of assistance in the amount of $36,303 for the annual debt service for bonds to be sold for proposed construction or major renovation of facilities outlined in the districts most current approved facility plan.  The Commission is making this offer now, no bonds may be sold prior to June 30, 2020, which assumes that funding is included in the 2020-2022 biennium budget.  These funds can be escrowed for the purpose of receiving this offer for a priority one project in the plan.

Information provided by Bob Tarvin 1/7/20:  Here is a little background.  This is a new offer of assistance from the SFCC.  You always receive a new offer every 2 years prior to the General Assembly meeting.  The offer is for $36,303 and will bond approximately $500,000.  You should have your Board accept the offer at their next meeting.  However, the bonding will not be available until July 1, 2020.  The General Assembly has to approve the budget.  The new bonding potential can be saved for up to 8 years and can be used for your next project down the road.  In simple terms this increases your bonding potential and you can save it until you issue bonds for your next project.

Pursuant to CIPS Policy 09.33 Fund Raising Activities, Board approval is required for all school-wide fundraising activities. Latonia Elementary is requesting to utilize SchoolStore.com SchoolStore is an online shopping program where companies like Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Old Navy will give up to 50% of their online sales to participating schools. SchoolStore also allows supporters to donate a Caring for Classrooms gift card directly to the teacher of the student they are supporting with 100% of the donation going to the teacher for classroom supplies. Schools are earning around $30 for each student that participates. 

Pursuant to CIPS Policy 09.33 Fund Raising Activities, Board approval is required for all school-wide fundraising activities. Glenn O. Swing Elementary would like to raise money to provide materials and incentives for students by hosting a Ties and Tiaras dinner and dance. 

Thank you to our Board members for your service to our district. 

January 31 ~ Term 3 Mid Terms go home and posted to the parent portal 

February 12 ~ 100th Day of School

February 17 ~ Holiday #4 Presidents Day, Schools Closed

February 21-23 ~ KSBA Annual Conference, Galt House Louisville

March 20 ~ Professional Development Day #2, Schools Closed

April 4-6 ~ NSBA Annual Conference, Chicago 

May 5-27 ~ Testing Window

Download the Covington Independent Schools District app for athletic events.

Pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) the Board may go into executive session.