Nelson County Board of Education Regular Meeting
September 16, 2008 05:00PM
Central Office, Bardstown, Ky.
The Nelson County Board of Education held a regular session at the District Central Office, 288 Wildcat Lane, Bardstown, Ky., beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 with the following members present: Mr. Frank Hall, Mr. Damon Jackey, Ms. Judy Richardson Jett, Mr. Nicky Rapier, Mr. Adam Wheatley

I. Call to Order: The regular session of the Nelson County  of Education was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Judy Richardson Jett.  

II. Changes to the Agenda: No changes to the agenda were requested.  

III. Student/Employee Performance  
Teacher Jason Detre introduced Nelson County High School FFA members Jessica Gies, Kellie Vittitow and Kirstie Vittitow, who presented their award-winning marketing piece, “Sweet Sorghum Marketing Program.”   These students won the state FFA competition, and are progressing to the national competition. At the end of the presentation, new agriculture teachers John Hammond and Amber Houk were introduced.

IV. Student/Employee Recognition  
Central Office: Tom Dekle and Bruce England, communications/public relations staff members, have been chosen to receive awards as part of this year’s OASIS (Outstanding Achievement in School Information Services) Professional Development Program, jointly sponsored by KSBA and the Kentucky School Public Relations Association (KYSPRA). This year’s OASIS Awards ceremony will take place at a luncheon to conclude the KYSPRA annual professional development conference, Nov. 20-21 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Lexington.
Nelson County High School: The National Council on Youth Leadership (NCYL) and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to sponsor a unique leadership adventure for high achieving youth leaders that is called Town Meeting on Tomorrow (TMOT). This year’s TMOT conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, October 18th-21st. Annie Wigginton has been selected from Nelson County High School by the Lincoln Trail Youth Salute Program in Elizabethtown to attend this conference. Seniors of the Month are Jessica Humphrey & Josh McMillan. 
Foster Heights: Elaine Beam has been named Wal-Mart Regional Teacher of the Year.
Bloomfield Elementary: Rep. Floyd will be meeting with BES fourth grade students September 30th to discuss the public’s role in government as well as his own role.
The following BES 5th grade students (4th in May 2008) will have their poems published in A Celebration of Poets anthology sponsored by Creative Communications.  Our school is also now eligible for a Language Arts grant ($250) since we had such a large percentage of the students’ poems being accepted for publication: Cody Black, Tyler Bradley, David Austin Burkhead, Taylor Case, Megan Coulter, Chelsie Dalton, Tre Defazio, Dakota Hartwell, Houston Hendricks, Hannah Lang, Austin Lewis, Devon Mattingly, Megan Mitchell, Abbie Prather, Francisco Rodriguez, Michaela Sanders, Monica Sellers, Ethan Stone, Tabatha Sztanya
Whitney Seigle took part in the Bonnie’s 3rd Grade Cabbage Program. She planted and then cared for her cabbage for 10 weeks and submitted photos and her check-off calendar to be entered in the cabbage growing contest. 
All State Choirs: 
Bloomfield Elementary: All-State Children’s Choir: Tre DeFazio, Jesse Chowning, Corey Kieslich, Madeline Kays, Michaela Sanders, Connor Chesser
Bloomfield Middle: All-State Children’s Choir: Jacob Hardin, Nathan Brooks, Dylan Moran, Aleah Graham, Alyssa Graham, Baylen Smith
Jr. High Choir: Kailyn Rucci, MaKayla Richardson, Morgan Johnson, Abby Brown, Brittany Bowling, Shawn Hardin
Bloomfield Middle:Grandparents’ Day was a huge success; a record number of grandparents attended to have lunch with their grandchildren. Students of the month: 6th Grade, Hallie Hardin; 7th Grade, Shanique Turner; 8th Grade, Kaitlyn Kawa
Boston: Students of the Month: Primary, Emily Shouse; Intermediate, MiKayla Barnes; Middle School, Alison Land; Staff of the Month:  Janet Owens
New Haven: Parent Jamie O’Bryan, is volunteering each week with the guitar club, bringing his expertise as an amateur country music band member to the school. With Mr. O'Bryan's help, students are progressing faster this year than last year. 
OKHMS: Students Sadie Middleton placed 1st in the Rolling Fork Iron Horse 5K run for the girl’s 12 and under division, Tyler Reynolds placed 1st and Steven Bain runner-up in the 12 and under boys division.
Annie Wigginton, Nelson County High School, was named this year’s Nelson County Junior Miss.

V. Operations Consent Agenda  
Primary Motion Passed:  Motion to approve consent items as presented passed with a motion by Mr. Frank Hall and a second by Mr. Adam Wheatley.  Motion carried unanimously.

V.A. Information: Personnel Actions  
Offers of employment were extended to the following: Ruby Osbun, Secretary, Boston; Katrina Haydon, Migrant Worker; Jean F. Demoisey, Teacher, OKHMS; Carly Nalley, Teacher, NCHS 
The following transfers were approved: Sara Wilson,  Interim Director of Human Resources; Denise Skaggs,  Interim Principal, NCHS
The following emergency hire under TC4F was approved: Jeremy Hill
Offers of employment were extended to the following:
Classified Substitutes: Gracie Downs; Tabitha Kerr; Frances Henken; Shannon Hardin
Day Care Substitutes: Ashley Glass; Alyssa Rountree
Certified Substitute Teachers:  Kim Goff; Chris Taylor; Jane Taylor; Rhonda Hutchins; Judy Crume; Kathy Yates; Jason Johnson; Laura Barnett; Elise Jones; Patricia Ballard; Margaret Jury
Student Workers: Amanda Kurtz; Ashley Hettinger
The following Suspension/Reprimands were issued: Kris Durbin; Mark Thomas 
Resignations were accepted from the following: Catherine Turner; Aundrea Locke; Jeremy Dyer; Hazel Greenwell; Dot Dennis; Ginger McMahon Mosley; Melanie Cundiff; Alice Renea Ford; Erin Filiatreau

V.B. Treasurer's Report  

V.C. Bills and Claims  

V.D. MUNIS Report  

V.E. Leaves of Absence  
The following is a list of personnel that are presently taking leaves of absence with board approval:
Medical Leave: Christina Johnson, Teacher, Bloomfield Elementary; Wallace Rogers, Bus Driver,   Transportation
Maternity Leave: Kimberly Kaufman, Teacher, New Haven School; A. Rene Metcalf, Teacher, New Haven School; Heather Warrell, Teacher, Old Ky. Home Middle School

V.F. Minutes from Previous Meeting  
The minutes from the previous meeting of August 19, 2008 were approved as written.

V.G. Overnight/Out-of-State Trips  
The following Overnight/Out of State event was approved: Marc Monroe, Jessica Sparrow to host a Student Council Lock-in, for 30-40 students, grades 9 – 12, on Sept. 5-6, 2008 at Nelson County High School.

V.H. Shortened School Day - High School Student  
The following action was approved with regard to a high school student requiring a shortened school day and shortened school week.
The Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) has determined it necessary to modify the Individual Education Program (IEP) and the school day for a high school student identified with a disability. All proper documentation has been received and will be forwarded to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) as required by the Nelson County Special Education Procedures. 

VI. Student Support Services  

VI.A. Construction Update  
Michael Salsman, BCD, Inc. discussed all current renovations and additions still in progress at Nelson County High School and the Vocational School.	Steven Ward, Studio Kremer, talked about the status of the plans for the Foster Heights addition/renovation and ongoing planning for the new high school.   Mr. Ward noted that the Kentucky Department of Education had approved the schematics for the Foster Heights addition/renovation, with some very minor changes, as presented.

VI.B. Change Orders  

VI.B.1. Change Order # 12 - NCHS/Vocational School/Athletics  
During demolition it was determined that some masonry walls could remain in place.  A credit of $350.00 from L Thorn Company was realized.
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve Change Order #12, Nelson County High School, Vocational School and Athletic facilities, was passed with a motion by Mr. Adam Wheatley and a second by Mr. Damon Jackey.  Motion carried unanimously.

VI.B.2. Change Order # 46 - NCHS  
It was discovered that some of the firewalls had numerous penetrations due to computer cabling.  In order to maintain fire divisions as required by code, all openings were filled and fire caulked.  BCD, Inc. will provide all materials and labor for a cost of $1,655.24.
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve Change Order #46, Nelson County High School, was passed with a motion by Mr. Nicky Rapier and a second by Mr. Frank Hall.  Motion carried unanimously.

VI.C. Final Payment: Conrad Floors  
Conrad Floors have completed the installation and re-finishing of the gym floor at Nelson County High School.  The floor has been inspected and found acceptable by architect, construction manager and owner.  The final payment is $6885.00.
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve final payment to Conrad Floors for installation and refinishing of the gym floor at Nelson County high School was passed with a motion by Mr. Adam Wheatley and a second by Mr. Frank Hall.  Motion carried unanimously.

VI.D. Set Tax Rates  
Director of Administrative Services Tim Hockensmith recommended that the Nelson County Board of Education adopt the 4 percent rate of 57.4 cents per $100 dollars of real property and 57.4 cents per $100 dollars of personal property. This rate includes .4 to recover losses due to prior year exonerations. It was further recommended that the Nelson County Board of Education levy a rate of 54.80 per $100 dollars in valuation for motor vehicles.
Mr. Frank Hall noted that the district needs to keep progressing to reach proficiency by 2014, and that the district had made cuts wherever possible.   Superintendent Lantz stated that the district had not purchased any buses for the second year in a row, and Ms. Jett noted that the safety of district students was an important consideration when considering expenditures on buses.
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve tax rates as recommended was passed with a motion by Ms. Judy Jett and a second by Mr. Nicky Rapier.  Motion carried unanimously.

VI.E. Working Budget for Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009 
The working budget for fiscal year 2008 – 2009 was presented for approval. 
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve the working budget for fiscal year 2008 - 2009 as presented was passed with a motion by Mr. Adam Wheatley and a second by Mr. Damon Jackey.  Motion carried unanimously.

VI.F. Schematic Design: Foster Heights   
KDE requires that Board approval for Foster Heights schematics are reflected in Board minutes.  Schematics have been presented to the Foster Heights design committee.   At this time, Superintendent Lantz expressed her appreciation for the time and effort expended by Foster Heights and Old Kentucky Home Intermediate principals and staff in the planning efforts for the addition/renovation of Foster Heights School.   Ms. Jett indicated her appreciation for the fact that the redesign will provide student access to the playgrounds without crossing driveways.   Mr. Rapier also indicated that the City of Bardstown deserved thanks for construction of the sidewalks from First to Third Streets.
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to approve the schematic design as presented for the Foster Heights renovation and addition project was passed with a motion by Mr. Frank Hall and a second by Mr. Adam Wheatley.  Motion carried unanimously.

VII. Student Instructional Services  
Prior to the discussion of KCCT scores, Superintendent Lantz introduced interim high school principal Denise Skaggs and interim director of human resources Sara Wilson.   Ms. Jett expressed gratitude to these two individuals for agreeing to assist the district by assuming their new duties, and Mr. Rapier indicated that their efforts were greatly appreciated. 
VII.A. KCCT Scores  
John Casper, Mark Thomas and Greg Hash presented date regarding CATS scores and provided comparisons to previous years’ scores.  
Nelson County Schools
-made a gain of 2.9 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 5.46 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-Elementary Schools made gains in the areas of Mathematics, Social Studies, and Writing On-Demand from the 2007 CATS scores
-Middle Schools made gains in the areas of Mathematics, Social Studies, Practical Living/Vocational Studies, and Writing Portfolio from the 2007 CATS scores
-High School made gains in the areas of Practical Living / Vocational Studies and Writing On-Demand from the 2007 CATS scores
Bloomfield Elementary
-made a gain of 8.6 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 8.37 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Arts & Humanities, and Writing On-Demand from the 2007 CATS scores
Bloomfield Middle
-made a gain of 3.8 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 10.28 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Practical Living / Vocational Studies, and Writing Portfolio from the 2007 CATS scores
Boston School
-made a gain of 6.0 points (with the Concordance Adjustment – is currently going through a CATS Reconfiguration stage because of becoming a K-8 School and therefore has the District’s Accountability scores until the Reconfiguration phase is complete) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 8.77 percentage points (currently going through a CATS Reconfiguration stage because of becoming a K-8 School and therefore has the District’s Novice Percentages until the Reconfiguration phase is complete) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium 
-made gains in the areas of Mathematics, Social Studies, and Arts and Humanities from the 2007 CATS scores
Cox’s Creek Elementary
-made a gain of 13.1 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 11.33 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts and Humanities, Practical Living / Vocational Studies, and Writing On-Demand from the 2007 CATS scores
Nelson County High School
-had a reduction of 3.1 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-had a slight increase in the Novice Percentage of 1.16 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Practical Living / Vocational Studies and Writing On-Demand from the 2007 CATS scores
New Haven School
-made a gain of 4.4 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 5.23 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Elementary Scores were Mathematics, Social Studies, and Arts and Humanities
-made gains in the areas of Middle School Scores were Science, Practical Living/ Vocational Studies, and Writing Portfolio from the 2007 CATS scores
Old Kentucky Home Intermediate
-made a gain of 8.8 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 9.48 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the area of Mathematics from the 2007 CATS scores
Old Kentucky Home Middle
-made a gain of 2.9 points (with the Concordance Adjustment) from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-reduced the Novice Percentage by 8.79 percentage points from the 2006 Biennium to the 2008 Biennium
-made gains in the areas of Mathematics and Social Studies from the 2007 CATS scores

VIII. Guest Comments  
Mr. Ellis Summers asked about inter-school visits with comparable, more successful schools to identify strategies that might assist the Nelson County District, and inquired about whether comparisons were available anywhere.   Superintendent Lantz indicated that this information is available on the KDE website.   Ms. Diane Berry indicated that, since we are not comparing well with neighboring districts, especially at the high school, we need to find some assistance.   Guidance counselor Susan Santa Cruz expressed her feeling that the people in each school are what can make each school successful.

IX. Adjourn Regular Session  
Primary Motion Passed:  Motion to adjourn passed with a motion by Mr. Damon Jackey and a second by Mr. Adam Wheatley.  Motion carried unanimously.

X. Convene Executive Session  
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to convene an Executive Session of the Nelson County Board of Education to discuss personnel and legal issues was passed with a motion by Mr. Adam Wheatley and a second by Mr. Frank Hall.  Motion carried unanimously.

XI. Adjourn Executive Session  
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to adjourn the Executive Session of the Nelson County Board of Education was passed with a motion by Mr. Damon Jackey and a second by Mr. Adam Wheatley.  Motion carried unanimously.

XII. Reconvene Regular Session
At this time, it was noted that no action was taken during the Executive Session.  
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to reconvene the Regular Session of the Nelson County Board of Education was passed with a motion by Mr. Adam Wheatley and a second by Mr. Damon Jackey.  Motion carried unanimously.

XIII. Adjourn Regular Session  
Primary Motion Passed:  Action to adjourn the Regular Session of the Nelson County Board of Education was passed with a motion by Mr. Nicky Rapier and a second by Mr. Frank Hall.  Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________________
Chairperson
_____________________________________
Superintendent