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

Board members shared the following:

• Emma Hood is the State Runner Up in Girls Wrestling


• Six athletes from the Boys Wrestling team qualified for State


• Spelling Bee Winners at JES, MES and HMS represented the district at the Regional Spelling Bee


• HMS student George Weghorst won the Regional Spelling Bee and will be representing the district at the National Spelling Bee in May


• MES Kindergarten Circus was a hit and very entertaining


• FTEF Parents Night Out was enjoyed by all


• The Nesties are quickly approaching and will be held on April 10


• Congratulations to the combined Swim & Dive team for being State Runners Up


• Our district has the top 2 regional teams for Governor's Cup with JES taking 1st and WES taking 2nd


• WES earned their Lighthouse Certification


• Alyssa Davis was named Forensics Coach of the Year


• HHS student Charlotte Weghorst is the Forensics State Champion in the Informative Speaking category


• The HHS Forensics team took 8th place overall in the state competition


• The JES Odyssey of the Mind team are regional winners


• Teachers Katie Smith (MES) and Mike Lipscomb (HMS) are Golden Apple Winners


• Students Tyriana Berry and Reese Witte also received awards and will be recognized next month at the Excellence in Education Dinner


• HHS Dance Team are National Champions in Medium Pom


• The SpongeBob Musical runs March 20-23


• LPC Public Forum is Wednesday, March 12 at 5:45pm


• Spring Break begins on Friday, March 28

The White Family nominated Alyssa Brown for a Tradition of Excellence Award for her dedication and commitment to supporting and encouraging students both in and out of the classroom.  Both current and prior students attended the meeting to support this outstanding teacher.

• Kentucky ElementaryMiddle All State Art Competition

JES Fourth Grader Evelyn Brossart received the Best of Show award for her artwork at the All State Art Show.  This art show included submissions from elementary and middle school students across the state.  The Board congratulated Evelyn on her Award and presented her with a Certificate of Achievement and a Champions t-shirt.

• KSBA Banner Artwork

Keith Faust shared the artwork chosen for the district KSBA banner.  The artwork was a joint project from HHS students Tabitha Tobergte and Will Claytor.  Mr. Faust shared this piece was chosen, because it represented the many opportunities available to students in our district.

The following students have been chosen 2025 National Merit Finalists:
Ben Gilkerson
Oliver Martin

HHS seniors Ben Gilkerson and Oliver Martin have been named 2025 National Merit Finalists.  While Oliver could not attend the meeting, Ben shared what a great honor this was for him.  The Board congratulated him on his accomplishment.  Both students received Certificates of Achievement and "Rich in Tradition" t-shirts.

The Board recognized the students selected for All State Chorus and Orchestra.  Students recognized were:

The KY All State Children's Chorus

Zealand Haretuku, WES

Evie Laber, JES

Genevieve Deinlein, HMS

Norah Dillon, HMS

Avery Fennell, HMS

Lily Hobson, HMS

Nina Salzman, HMS

Kaitlyn Zilliox, HMS

The KY All State Junior High Chorus

Avni Jani, HMS

Grace Manning, HMS



The KY All State High School Chorus

Garrett Cutajar, HHS

Georgia Horton, HHS

Natalie Lorenz, HHS

Rafe Pinkston, HHS

Norah Shadwell, HHS

The KY All State Orchestra

Noah Huber, HHS

Elliot Martin, HHS

Chase Pawsat, HHS

The Board recognized the HHS Varsity Dance Team on their National Championship in Medium Pom.  While the team could not attend, the Board acknowledged their hard work and wonderful accomplishment.  Certificates of Achievement and custom National Champions t-shirts were presented to Mr. Darnell to be distributed to the team.  Team members include:



Ella Cunningham

Drew Ellison

Rose Ewald

Cate Fischer

Elise Hellmann

Morgan Herald

Brianna Horner

Meredith Kleier

Annie Kuhnhein

Addy Orme

Abbie Rowland

Adalynne Shaw

Shelby Shields

Sarah Steiden

Saryn Stepner

• MES FT Graduate Presentation

Students from Mrs. Posinski's 5th grade class at MES shared their Fort Thomas Graduate presentation.  The focus of the presentation was Defense of Learning.  This class is the first in the district to present on Defense of Learning.  Students presenting included:

Cecily Fennell

Maxine Gabbenesch

Harper McDowell

Wren Simmons

Stella Vetter

The Board shared how impressed they were with the presentation, thanking the students and presenting each with a "Rich in Tradition" t-shirt.

No community members signed up to speak.

Jerry Wissman shared that workers on site are taking advantage of the nice weather and hoping to make good progress this week on the foundation and building.  He also shared the video board installation is scheduled for mid-April and that Duke should be able to get power to the site soon.

• Change Order 2

Order #2619 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $48,757.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

• Morel Pay App 8

Order #2620 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #8 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $505,426.50 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

• FTIS Custodial Bid Package 25-26

Order #2621 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the RFP for Custodial Supplies passed with a motion by Mr. Noah Gibson and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

• Calendar 24-25 Draft A to Amend March 2025

Order #2622 - Motion Passed:  Approval to revise the 2024-25 School Calendar to change May 23, 2025 to the Last Student Day, May 27, 2025 to a Teacher Work Day, and May 28, 2025 to Closing Day passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Order #2623 - Motion Passed:  Approval to authorize the superintendent to enter into a Lease Agreement with Apple and accept Proposal #2213139240 for $2,631,019.50 over four years passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Noah Gibson.

Board members shared that the Budget and Salary Committees will be meeting in early April.

Order #2624 - 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 Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

• Minutes - 02-10-2025 - Board Meeting
• Minutes - 03-06-2025 - Working Meeting

• 8 2025 BOE REPORT

• FOOD SERVICE SUMMARY 2025 SCHOOL YEAR

• 6th Month Attendance 24-25

• 8 2025 PAYMENT REGISTER

• 2024-2026 FTIS Technology Plan rev2025

• Motz Contract

Employment of the following Certified Employee
Gordon Hallmark – Physics Teacher – HHS 

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Hilary Hale – Instructional Assistant – WES 

Employment of the following Extra-Service Position
Nina Kearns – Dept. Chair Social Studies – HHS

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Angela Aber – Girls Track Coach – HMS
Jenna Sammons – Freshman Volleyball Coach – HHS

Employment of the following Certified Substitutes
Elizabeth Derickson
Brianna Frost
Reagan Wildoner
Elizabeth Zaebst

Retirement of the following Certified Employees
Susan Anderson – Science Teacher – HMS
Sally Brewer – English/Language Arts Teacher – HMS
Patrick Richardson – Psychologist – Districtwide
Willie Schlarman – Mathematics Teacher – HHS
Scott Turner – Physics Teacher – HHS

Retirement of the following Classified Employee
Cindy Nedderman – Elementary School Secretary – MES
Cindy Woolum – Cafeteria – WES

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Nancy Hensley – Cafeteria – HMS
Rebecca Thomas – Instructional Assistant – WES

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Tom Eckerle – Baseball Assistant Coach – HHS
Brooke Meier – JV Volleyball Coach – HHS

Request for Medical Leave
Melissa Trimbach – March 3-25, 2025 – HMS

There was no other business to discuss.

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:25pm.