Ft. Thomas Independent
February 10, 2025 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
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I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:30pm.

I.A. Pledge of Allegiance
Julie Kuhnhein
I.B. Recognitions
Julie Kuhnhein
I.B.1. Board Bravos and Updates
Discussion

Board members shared the following:



  • HHS Girls Bowling are Regional Champs and will be competing at State

  • MES Kindergarten Circus is February 27

  • FTEF Parents' Night Out is March 1

  • HHS won the statewide high attendance day 

  • Art students will be featured at the Contemporary Arts Center on February 22

  • HMS won several Scholastic Writing Awards

  • JES had a successful family dance earlier this month

  • Congrats to Beth Brubaker (HHS) for being named a Sponsor of Distinction by the Kentucky Journalism Teachers' Association

  • HHS, JES & WES are District Governor's Cup Champions

  • 13 students are TSA Regional winners and will advance to State

  • HMS 7th & 8th grade girls are Regional Basketball Champs

  • HHS students Oliver Martin and Ben Gilkerson are National Merit Finalists

  • HHS & HMS Forensics are Regional Runners-up

  • Alyssa Davis was named Regional Forensics Coach of the Year

  • STLP across the district has over 20 submissions for State

  • Good luck to the HHS Dance Team at Nationals

  • HHS Cheer team placed 11th at Nationals

  • Many Fine Arts events coming up over the next month

  • HHS Swim Team (boys & girls combined) Regional Champs

  • Schools are closed on Monday for Presidents' Day

I.C. Student Showcase - HMS: Girl Power
Attachments
Discussion

Student representatives from the HMS Girl Power club shared a presentation with Board members.  The club has approximately 50 members this year.  Students presenting included:



  • Elena Arey

  • Clara Burkhardt

  • Esther Caswell

  • Isla Clark

  • Elizabeth Dunne

  • Irelynn Lynch

  • Nadia Phelps

  • Anna Grace Philippe


The Board thanked the students and presented each with a "Rich in Tradition" t-shirt.

I.D. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There were no community members wishing to speak to the Board.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Staffing Guidelines 2025-26
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2615 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Staffing Guidelines for 2025-26 passed with a motion by Mr. Noah Gibson and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Absent
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mr. Noah Gibson Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
II.B. Spectrum Enterprise Service Agreement
Brian Robinson/Jody Johnson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2616 - Motion Passed:  Approval for Superintendent to enter into a service agreement with Spectrum Enterprise passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Absent
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mr. Noah Gibson Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
II.C. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Jerry Wissman
II.C.1. Project Update
Jerry Wissman
Discussion

Jerry Wissman shared the project status with Board members.   He said the district anticipates soccer will be able to use the facility in the fall for training and competition.

II.C.2. Morel Construction Co. Pay Application #7
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2617 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #7 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $858,616.20 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Noah Gibson and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Absent
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mr. Noah Gibson Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

The Board shared the following:



  • The LPC met earlier this month and is working toward recommendations for the DFP

  • Title IX met and reviewed many topics for the remainder of this year and the upcoming school year

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2618 - Motion Passed:  With all Board members having had the opportunity to review and pursue any questions about all of the items contained therein, approval of the consent agenda passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Absent
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mr. Noah Gibson Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 13, 2025; Joint Board and SBDM Councils Meeting of January 22, 2025; and Working Board Meeting of February 6, 2025
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of January 2025
Attachments
IV.C. Food Service Report for January 2025
Attachments
IV.D. Attendance Report for 5th Month of 2025-26
Attachments
IV.E. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.F. Revised Athletic/Drama Worker's Pay Scale
Attachments
IV.G. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.G.1. HHS Orchestra - Louisville, KY - February 5-8, 2025
IV.G.2. HHS Girls Bowling - Louisville, KY - February 10-11, 2025
IV.G.3. HHS Swim & Dive Teams - Lexington, KY - February 20-22, 2025
IV.G.4. HHS Anatomy - Fort Wayne, IN - February 21, 2025
IV.G.5. HMS Forensics - Lexington, KY - February 21-22, 2025
IV.G.6. HHS Mock Trial - Lexington, KY - February 28 - March 2, 2025
IV.G.7. HHS Culinary - Louisville, KY - March 3-7, 2025
IV.G.8. HHS Forensics - Bowling Green, KY - March 7-9, 2025
IV.G.9. HHS Robotics - St. Louis, MO - March 12-14, 2025
IV.G.10. HHS FCCLA - Louisville, KY - April 22-25, 2025
IV.H. Grant Extended Leave
IV.H.1. Brooke Dinkelacker - Maternity (August 13 - November 4, 2025)
IV.H.2. Sarah Mays - Maternity (August 13 - October 20, 2025)
IV.I. Personnel Action Taken Since January 13, 2025
Rationale

Employment of the following Extra-Service Positions
Alyssa Brown – Drama – Costume Designer – HHS 
Christopher Eaton – Music Director – HHS
Nate Roberts – Sixty Minute Football Club – HHS
Nikkia Scherrer – Mock Trial – HHS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Lauren Abner – Girls Golf Assistant Coach – HHS
Maleah Abner – Girls Head Golf Coach – HHS
Jeremy Jordan – Percussion Assistant – HHS
Thomas Gray-Torsell – Boys Track Coach – HMS
Maureen Ryan – Girls Assistant Tennis Coach – HHS

Retirement of the following Certified Employees
Kym Grillot – Social Studies Teacher – HHS
Jody Johnson – Director of Technology and Information – Districtwide
Jennie Kendall – Teacher – MES

Resignation of the following Extra-Service Positions
Elise Carter – FBLA and Student Council – HHS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Taylor Abbott – Girls Freshman Soccer Coach – HHS
Hannah Toler – JV Dance Team Coach – HHS

IV.J. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.J.1. KSBA Annual Conference - Louisville, KY - February 20-22, 2025
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

There was no other business to discuss.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 6:56pm.