Board Chair Joanna Hinton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

The adoption of agenda

Order #1069 - Motion Passed:  The adoption of agenda passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

• Audience Comments

Lana Botha, visiting from her native country South Africa, thanked district employees and board members for allowing her to observe the LaRue County School District.  She is a teacher.  She commented on the comparisons between the educational system and student expectations versus those in the United States and LaRue County Schools.

• Board Comments / Updates

Board Member Janet Cruse commented on how elements in the Strategic Plan tie into what Lana Botha spoke about.

Board Chair Joanna Hinton commented on the positive significance of having Preschool teachers greet students at the elementary schools on the first day of school.

• Attendance Report - Chris Price, Penny Cecil
• Communications Report - Caleb Phelps
• Strategic Planning Report - Amanda Reed
• Personnel Report - Cindy Dunn
• Superintendent's Activities & Comments - Adryanne Warren
• SBDM Reports     LCHS   LCMS   HES   ALES

Approval of Consent Agenda

Order #1070 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Consent Agenda passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

Request approval for Therapy Dog Use in School Setting

To the LaRue County Board of Education:

Therapy dogs have been shown to significantly benefit students by reducing stress and

anxiety, teaching empathy and social skills, increasing confidence, and encouraging

emotional expression.

At Hodgenville Elementary, we are entering our fifth year of successfully incorporating a

therapy dog into our school environment. The positive impact on student well-being and

engagement has been evident, and we are eager to continue this valuable support.

I respectfully request approval to continue the use of my therapy dog at school and during

school-sponsored activities. I plan to incorporate the therapy dog in the following ways:

- Small Group Counseling and Classroom Lessons

- De-escalation Techniques

- Social Skills Groups

- Individual Counseling Sessions

- Intervention Groups

- Positive Behavior Incentives

- Greeting Students and Welcoming New Students

I have reviewed and agree to comply with all provisions outlined in the policies and

procedures adopted by the LaRue County Board of Education regarding the use of

therapy dogs.

Following a discussion, Board Member Teresa Gilbert made a motion to table the therapy dog at HES until September.  Her motion died due to lack of a second.

Approval of the therapy dog Clover for annual renewal and for use at school and school sponsored activities as presented

Order #1071 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the therapy dog Chloe for annual renewal and for use at school and school sponsored activities as presented passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

Therapy dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety among students, improve attendance, help teach empathy and social skills, increase confidence in reading, and encourage students to talk about their emotions. Therapy dog will be used in some of the following ways.

• Small Group Counseling and Classroom Lessons
• De-escalation Techniques
• Social Skills Groups
• Individual Counseling Sessions
• Reading Intervention Groups
• Rewards for Attendance or Behavior

• Intervention Incentives
• Greeting Students and welcoming new students

Following a discussion, Board Member Teresa Gilbert made a motion to table the therapy dog at Preschool until September.  Her motion died due to lack of a second.

Approval of the therapy dog Dixie for annual renewal and for use at school and school sponsored activities as presented

Order #1072 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the therapy dog Dixie for annual renewal and for use at school and school sponsored activities as presented passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) administers federal funds also known as ERATE.  ERATE is a program that provides schools and public libraries with federal funds for the purpose of providing internet access.  The application is done annually and provides our district 80-90% discounts on internet service as well as hardware required to provide internet access to our schools.   The discount rate is calculated based on the Free/Reduced status of our district. 

Approve the request to apply for ERATE for FY 2027

Order #1073 - Motion Passed:  Approve the request to apply for ERATE for FY 2027 passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

The military process for onboarding new JROTC teachers and applying for full Kentucky JROTC teaching licensure requires military processes and documentation that typically take additional time to complete. Emergency licensure may be needed but should be temporary.

Approve Emergency Teaching License #1 and #2 as presented

Order #1074 - Motion Passed:  Approve Emergency Teaching License #1 and #2 as presented passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

Due to a lack of certified applicants, we are requesting approval to apply for emergency teacher certification for middle school math. We have a candidate who meets all requirements for emergency licensure.

Approve Emergency Teaching License #3 as presented

Order #1075 - Motion Passed:  Approve Emergency Teaching License #3 as presented passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

LaRue County Middle School has been a Unified Champion School for the past 2 years and has received grant funding to support a unified club. The sponsor, Kelsey Cote, has completed the grant application again this year for funding to support her unified club in the 26-27 school year.

Approve the Unified Champion grant application for LaRue County Middle School

Order #1076 - Motion Passed:  Approve the Unified Champion grant application for LaRue County Middle School passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Teresa Gilbert.

LaRue County Schools partners with Head Start to provide services to at risk 3 and 4 year old children in the community. Attached is the full utilization agreement detailing this partnership and the number of students necessary for full utilization of services (12).

Approve the full utilization MOA with Head Start

Order #1077 - Motion Passed:  Approve the full utilization MOA with Head Start passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Teresa Gilbert.

A shortened school day waiver is being requested for a student with limited tolerance and stamina to attend an entire school day at LCHS. As the student's tolerance and stamina improves, his day will be lengthened.

Approve the waiver for a shortened school day for a student at LCHS

Order #1078 - Motion Passed:  Approve the waiver for a shortened school day for a student at LCHS passed with a motion by Teresa Gilbert and a second by Ashley Reding.

A student at HES requires a shortened school day due to limited tolerance, vitality, and stamina. As his tolerance increases, his time at school will increase. His shortened school day is noted in his IEP and Conference Summary and supported by a physician's recommendation.

Approve the shortened school day for a student at HES.

Order #1079 - Motion Passed:  Approve the shortened school day for a student at HES. passed with a motion by Teresa Gilbert and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

Approve the recommendation raising adult meal prices to $3.50 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch.

Order #1080 - Motion Passed:  Approve the recommendation raising adult meal prices to $3.50 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch. passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

This update includes changing the supervisor of the Lead Custodian and Student Worker Custodian from the Director of Maintenance to the School Building Principals.  

Approve the updated job descriptions as presented

Order #1081 - Motion Passed:  Approve the updated job descriptions as presented passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

LaRue County Schools and KECSAC (Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children) partner together to provide services, training, and funding to students at the Life Connection. Attached is the MOA for a continued partnership. This memorandum of agreement must be renewed yearly. 

Approve the partnership between LaRue County Schools and KECSAC

Order #1082 - Motion Passed:  Approve the partnership between LaRue County Schools and KECSAC passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

The Life Connection contracts with LaRue County Schools to provide educational services to students who are placed at their facility. The memorandum of agreement between LaRue County Schools and TLC must be renewed yearly. 

Approve the memorandum of agreement between The Life Connection and LaRue County Schools.

Order #1083 - Motion Passed:  Approve the memorandum of agreement between The Life Connection and LaRue County Schools. passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

LaRue County FRYSC is partnering with Feeding America to provide Back Pack Services for students. 

Approve the agreement with Feeding America to provide Back Pack Services to LaRue County students

Order #1084 - Motion Passed:  Approve the agreement with Feeding America to provide Back Pack Services to LaRue County students passed with a motion by Ashley Reding and a second by Farrah Pruitt.

Due to the contingent default tax rate of 53.4 KDE requires us to use while the tax recall litigation is pending, I move to propose a tax rate of 54.0 cents per $100 of assessed value on real property (which includes exonerations of .2 cents – 53.8 plus .2 cents), and 54.0 cents per $100 of assessed value on personal property (which includes exonerations of .2 cents – 53.8 plus .2 cents), and to direct the superintendent to publish the advertisement required by KRS 160.470(6)(b)(1), with the anticipated increased revenue produced by this rate of $94,040 going to cost of collections $3,762, building fund $32,887, instructional $42,229, transportation $5,770, and maintenance $9,392; and in the event the Board is successful in the pending litigation or any recall election is ultimately in favor of the 2025 tax levy, I propose that the recallable 3.8 cents would be added to this 54.0 cent (which includes exonerations of .2 cents) tax levy

Order #1085 - Motion Passed:   passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

Closed Session, per KRS 61.810(f), for the purpose of Student Hearing

Approve to move into Closed Session, per KRS 61.810(f), for the purpose of Student Hearing

Order #1086 - Motion Passed:  Approve to move into Closed Session, per KRS 61.810(f), for the purpose of Student Hearing passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

Reconvene in open session

Order #1087 - Motion Passed:  Reconvene in open session passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.

The adjournment of this meeting of the LaRue County Board of Education

Order #1088 - Motion Passed:  The adjournment of this meeting of the LaRue County Board of Education passed with a motion by Farrah Pruitt and a second by Ashley Reding.