Covington Independent
May 14, 2020 5:00 PM
Covington Board of Education
I. Call to Order
Mr. Tom Wherry, Board Chair
II. Roll Call
Mr. Tom Wherry, Board Chair
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Tom Wherry, Board Chair
IV. Welcome and Board Chair Comments
Mr. Tom Wherry, Board Chair
V. District Recognition and Presentations
Board Member
V.1. 2020 KEA Education Support Professional of the Year
Mr. Alvin Garrison, Superintendent
VI. Informational Items (Action Possible)
VI.1. James E. Biggs Annual Update
Ms. Elizabeth Miller, Principal
Rationale

James E. Biggs Preschool administration and staff will report to the Board their annual update.

VI.2. 2020-2021 Carnegie Proposal
Suzanne Thompson and Alissa Paasch
Rationale

The partnership and collaboration with  Carnegie has allowed both students and staff to grow in the Arts Program. Continuation of this program will provide instruction, lessons and professional development in the area of Arts and Humanities to the five elementary schools. The partnership with the Carnegie has given the five elementary schools the opportunity to participate in the 4 areas of Arts and they are a huge support of our “Whole Child Supports” section under Opportunity and Access for the new accountability system for this school year.

After reviewing the reflections from the principals, Option 1 provides their requests.

The Carnegie will provide 3 (10 session) cycles for 30 weeks of project-based, arts instruction per school. Along with the 3 cycles of programming in differing art forms, each school will choose how to best use their remaining 2 sessions (approximately 2 weeks) which will be established during the early planning meeting with school leadership. This extra time will provide more time to focus on specific school goals, like culminating events, arts integration, one day projects/strategies, and more.

This option will provide approximately 32 weeks of arts instruction in each elementary school, earning top points (3) for Rich Curriculum in Visual and Performing Arts in Kentucky Accountability System Overview. Each cycle will include project-based, arts lessons focusing on creating, performing/producing, responding, and connecting in 3 of the following art forms: Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, Music, and Media Arts.

Approximately 3076 hours delivered by Carnegie Teaching Artists,

  • plus, training, professional development, research, prep and planning time, classroom teacher assistance, meetings, and Carnegie Education Director support

Total Program Cost: $130,848 for the 2020/2021 school year.

VII. Report of the Treasurer
Ms. Annette Burtschy, Director of Finance
VII.1. Capital Funds Request
Ms. Annette Burtschy, Director of Finance
Rationale

The General Assembly continues to allow flexibility in the use of school district capital funds without forfeiting the district’s eligibility to participate in the School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) program.  To exercise that flexibility, a district must submit a Capital Funds Request (CFR) electronically through e-mail to Jana Cox, at the Kentucky Department of Education, Division of District Support, in order for proper processing to occur. Due date for CFR forms is May 30th.

Please find attached the Capital Funds Request (CFR) that will be submitted to KDE.  The district is including HHS & HMS FY’20 lease payments on the 1 to 1 devices along with the FY’20 property insurance premiums on our buildings.  The total of these expenses are $620,955.  Once approved by KDE, these general fund expenses will be moved over to this funding.  This will free up the general fund by $620,955.  This freed up money will be used to help balance the FY’21 general fund budget.

VII.2. 2021 Tentative Budget
Ms. Annette Burtschy, Director of Finance
Rationale

This Tentative Budget Cycle is required by State Stature KRS 160.470.  The Tentative Budget must be approved by the local school district and submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education by 5/30 of each year. 

The budget committee has met on several occasions over the last few months creating the budget for FY2020.  This budget takes into consideration the increase in retirement fringes that the school district incurs based on information provided by KDE.  This budget incorporated non-personnel expenditures based on actual expenditures. 

The budget committee will be looking into how cost saving measures can be incorporated into the budget.  At this time there are many unknowns related to the adoption of this budget.   Once those unknowns become available, the budget will be amended and will be reflected in the Working Budget that is presented to the Board of Education in September of each year.

VIII. Consent Agenda
VIII.1. Approval of Minutes ~ March 30, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
IX. Individual Approval Agenda Items
IX.1. Teach for America Contract Renewal
Mr. Scott Alter, Assistant Superintendent
Rationale

Teach for America is the national corps of top recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity.  Teach for America partners with districts and charter schools nationwide.

The proposed three year contract renewal would be applicable through the 2022 - 2023 school year.

Teach for America Southwest Ohio currently has both corps members and alumni working in a variety of roles within Covington schools.

  • Holmes Middle School: Brittney Riffle and Tara Sorrell

  • Holmes High School: Tony Magner, Brian Moore, Heather Axton, Megan O'Brien, Eli Rolfes

  • Transformational Learning Center: Marissa Masters

IX.2. NKCES Vision Impaired Services for 2020-2021
Ms. Esther Brady, Director of Special Education
Rationale

The Special Education Department is asking for Board approval for the addition of Visual Impairment Services through NKCES to previously approved contract item.

X. Addendum Agenda (Action Possible)
XI. Report of the Attorney
Ms. Mary Ann Stewart, Board Attorney
XII. Further Discussion and/or announcements by the Board of Education
Mr. Alvin Garrison, Superintendent
XIII. Upcoming Events
Mr. Alvin Garrison, Superintendent
Rationale

May 15 ~ Last day for students

May 28 ~ Regular Board Meeting, 5 p.m. 

June 11 ~ Regular Board Meeting, 5 p.m.

June 25 ~ Regular Board Meeting, 5 p.m.

July 10-11 ~ KSBA's Summer Leadership Institute, Lexington

XIV. Executive Session
Rationale

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

XV. Adjournment
Mr. Tom Wherry, Board Chair