Ft. Thomas Independent
August 10, 2026 6:30 PM ET (5:30 CT)
Board of Education Regular Meeting
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I. OPENING OF MEETING
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:31pm.

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:


  • Shout out to the staff in all of the buildings for getting everything ready for the students to return

  • Back to school events will be this week and next

  • The first day of school is Tuesday, August 18

  • Fall athletes are fully into their respective seasons

  • Friday night will be the Blue/White Football Scrimmage and the Hall of Fame Induction will be Saturday

  • Johnson and Moyer playgrounds received new turf over the summer

  • Woodfill received a brand new marquee

I.C. Community Forum
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

No community members requested to speak.

II. ACTION ITEMS
II.A. Propose Real and Personal Property Tax Rates for 2026-2027
Brian Robinson
Attachments
Actions Taken

Order #2772 - Motion Passed:  Proposal of Real Property Tax rate of 90.2 cents and Personal Property Tax rate of 102.7 cents for the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
II.B. Employee Perfect Attendance Incentive
Brian Robinson
Actions Taken

Order #2773 - Motion Passed:  Approval to authorize the Superintendent to award a yearly perfect attendance bonus and develop monthly incentive drawings September 2026 through May 2027 passed with a motion by Mr. David Russell and a second by Mr. Clem Fennell IV.

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

No additional updates at this time.

III.B. Highlands Athletic Project at Tower Park Update
Chad Niedert
Discussion

Chad Niedert advised the Board the status is the same at the Tower Park facility with the priority being the punch list and HVAC controls.

III.C. Notification/Report of Personnel Action Taken Since July 13, 2026
Brian Robinson
Rationale

Employment of the following Certified Employees
Ashton Hahn – Elementary Classroom Instructor – JES
Brooke Kraus – Elementary Classroom Instructor – WES

Change in Position for the following Certified Employee
Samantha Reynolds – Elementary Teacher at WES to School Counselor at WES

Employment of the following Classified Employees
Katlyn Combs – Special Education Instructional Assistant – JES

Employment of the following Paraprofessionals
William Busener – Boys JV Soccer Coach – HHS
Mahammad Dabdoub – Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach – HHS
Graham Koppi – Woodwind Instructor – HHS

Employment of the following Extra-Service Positions
Bailey Cain – Girls on the Run ½ Split Coach – JES
Danielle Cooper – DC Trip Coordinator – HMS
Jenny Davis – STLP Sponsor – HMS
Scott Pahren – Grade Level Leader – 8th Grade – HMS
Holly Workman – Science Department Chair – HMS 

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employees
James “Cal” Frank – Soccer Goalkeeper Coach – HHS

Resignation of the following Certified Employee
Casey Gesenhues – Elementary Classroom Instructor – JES

Resignation of the following Classified Employees
Lori Bogart – High School Cafeteria – HHS
Tarrance O’Connor – Special Education Instructional Assistant – HHS

Resignation of the following Extra-Service Positions
Katie Leftin – Girls on the Run ½ Split Coach – JES
Katie Mills – Grade Level Leader - Kindergarten – JES
Katie Stewart – National English Honor Society – HHS
John Warford – Grade Level Leader – 8th Grade – HMS

Leave of Absence for the following Employees
Teresa Beggs – 08/13/2026 – 09/25/2026 – HHS
Madison Helminiak – 08/28/2026 – 11/30/2026 – MES

IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Julie Kuhnhein
Actions Taken

Order #2774 - 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. David Russell.

Member Votes
Mr. Jeff Beach Absent
Mr. Clem Fennell IV Yes
Mrs. Sarah Foster Yes
Mrs. Julie Kuhnhein Yes
Mr. David Russell Yes
IV.A. Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 13, 2026 and Working Meeting of August 6, 2026
Attachments
IV.B. Authorization for Payment of Claims
Attachments
IV.C. Financial Report for Month of July 2026
Attachments
IV.D. District Technology Report - 4th Qtr. 2025-26
Attachments
IV.E. District Data Security and Breach Procedures
Attachments
IV.F. School Fundraisers
Rationale

Highlands Middle School
Sunset Slush
PTSO Spiritwear

IV.G. Notification and Approval of Student Trips
IV.G.1. HHS Dance - Lexington, KY - July 23-26, 2026
IV.H. Approval of Superintendent Travel
IV.H.1. KASS Fall Summit - Lexington, KY - September 8-9, 2026
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Julie Kuhnhein
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Julie Kuhnhein
Discussion

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 6:49pm.