Ft. Thomas Independent
July 14, 2025 6:30 PM
Board of Education Regular Meeting
Return
I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein called the meeting to order 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:



  • 4th of July parade was enjoyed by all

  • Early AP test results indicate HHS administered 1243 exams; 472 students scored a 3 or higher; based on NKU, 4114 college credits were earned with a value of over $1.9M

  • Niche rated HMS the top middle school in NKY

  • First day of school for students is August 13

  • Welcome David Russell to the Board

I.C. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

No community members signed up to speak.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Renovation
Chad Niedert
II.A.1. Project Update
Chad Niedert
Discussion

Chad Niedert gave the Board an update on Tower Park noting soccer teams will be able to practice starting around July 22.  The facility will be open to the Public in mid to late September.  NKU will be the alternative home field until the project is complete.

II.A.2. Change Order #4
Chad Niedert
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2665 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Change Order #4 in the amount of $30,150.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.A.3. Morel Construction Co. Pay Application #12
Chad Niedert
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2666 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #12 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $1,417,630.73 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.A.4. The Motz Group LLC Pay App#1
Chad Niedert
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2667 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #1 to The Motz Group LLC in the amount of $11,250.00 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park project passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.A.5. The Motz Group LLC Pay App 2
Chad Niedert
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2668 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #2 to The Motz Group LLC in the amount of $372,231.24 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.B. Living Media Contract 2025-26
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2669 - Motion Passed:  Approval to accept the Living Media Contract in the amount of $65,000 for the 2025-26 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.C. Adoption of KSBA Policy Updates for 2025-26
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2670 - Motion Passed:  Adoption of the proposed KSBA Policy Updates for 2025-26 as presented for a 2nd Reading passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
Discussion

Jamee Flaherty shared with the Board that we made modifications to 3 policies: 3.19, 7.1 and 8.2323.

II.D. Lunch Program Recommendation for 2025-26
Jamee Flaherty
Actions Taken

Order #2671 - Motion Passed:  Approval to opt out of participation in the Federal Lunch Program for the 2025-26 school year passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.E. Amended 2025-26 Calendar
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2672 - Motion Passed:  Approval to amend the 2025-26 School Calendar to change May 19, 2026 to a Make Up Day and May 26, 2026 to Closing Day passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.F. School-wide Fundraisers for 2025-26
Jamee Flaherty
Rationale

Highlands High School
Jostens

Highlands Middle School
Jostens
PTO Annual Fundraiser
Book Fair
Health Moves Minds

Johnson Elementary School
Jostens
Hullabaloo
Johnson Color Run
Book Fair (Fall and Spring)
1st Day of School Supplies Kit
Restaurant Nights
Artsonia
Kroger Rewards/Box Tops
H2O for Life (Service Learning)

Moyer Elementary School
Jostens
Santa House
Artsonia/Artome
Book Fair (Fall and Spring)
Restaurant Nights
Kroger Rewards
EduKit (Supply Kits)

Woodfill Elementary School
Jostens
Big Top
Book Fair
Turkey Trot
Volleyball Boosters League
Artsonia/Artome
Restaurant Nights
Supply Kits

Actions Taken

Order #2673 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the School-wide Fundraisers for the 2025-26 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.G. Traceable Communications System
Jamee Flaherty
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2674 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Traceable Communications System passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
Discussion

Jamee Flaherty shared the 4 page document for our compliance with SB181.

III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
III.A. Board Committee Updates
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein shared the HOF inductees will be recognized at the Blue/White Scrimmage on August 15.

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2675 - 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. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Yes
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Absent
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of June 9, 2025 and Special Annual Working Meetings of June 18 and 19, 2025
Attachments
IV.B. Financial Report for Month of June 2025
Attachments
IV.C. Food Service Report for June 2025
Attachments
IV.D. Attendance Report for 10th Month of 2024-25
Attachments
IV.E. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.F. District Technology Report - 4th Quarter
Attachments
IV.G. KSBA Procedure Updates for 2025-26
Attachments
IV.H. SRO Agreement for 2025-26
Attachments
IV.I. Trauma-Informed Care Plan for 2025-26
Attachments
IV.J. 2025-26 Employee Handbooks
Attachments
IV.K. Updated School Fees for 2025-26
Attachments
IV.L. Administrator Indices 2025-26
Attachments
IV.M. Driver Approval Agreement
Attachments
IV.N. Transportation Procedure Verification Form
Attachments
IV.O. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.O.1. HHS Football - Hoover, AL - July 10-12, 2025
IV.O.2. HHS Football - Ironton, OH - July 18, 2025
IV.O.3. HHS Dance - Lexington, KY - July 23-26, 2025
IV.O.4. HHS Volleyball - Lexington, KY - August 1-3, 2025
IV.P. Grant Extended Leave
IV.P.1. Audrey Kinney - Maternity - September 27 - December 1, 2025
IV.Q. Personnel Action Taken Since June 9, 2025
Rationale

Employment of the following Certified Employees
Lauren Bailey – Elementary Teacher – MES
Denise Bezold – Special Education Teacher – HMS
Jessica Gross – Special Education Teacher – HHS

Change in Position for the following Certified Employee
Amanda Wagner – Special Education Teacher to English/LA Teacher – HMS

Employment of the following Classified Employees
Heather Beckett – Cafeteria – WES
Briana Daley – Preschool IA – MES
Catherine Raaker – Special Education IA – WES
Morgan Smith – Special Education IA – WES

Employment of the following Extra-Service Positions
Nathan Dilts – FBLA Coach – HHS
Lindsey Van Orsdel – Instructional Resource Support – MES
Katy Wall – Instructional Resource Support – MES

Employment of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Cali Rochelle Abramson – Color Guard Coach – HHS
Thomas Gray Torsell – Cross Country Assistant Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Certified Employee
Amanda Zornada – Teacher – HMS

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Tina Bacon – Counseling Office Secretary – HHS
Jessica Gross – Cafeteria – HMS
Christopher Middendorf – Custodian – HHS
Linda Schwarz – Bus Driver – Districtwide

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
Bert Richey – Boys Head Golf Coach and Girls Assistant Basketball Coach – HHS
Jen Meier – 8th Grade Volleyball Coach – HMS

IV.R. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.R.1. Leadership Retreat - July 21-22, 2025 - Louisville, KY
IV.R.2. KASA Conference - July 23-25, 2025 - Louisville, KY
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:15pm.