Regular Meeting
August 25, 2025 6:00 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the School Board Room, 118 E Arcadia Ave, Dawson Springs KY 42408 with the following school board members present: Michael Wes Ausenbaugh, Meredith Hyde, Christy Winfrey and Mary Beth Drennan.

1. Call to Order and Welcome  
2. Roll call  
Discussion: None
Also present: Leonard Whalen, Amanda Almon, Jennifer Ward, Elizabeth Robinson, Spencer Spratt, Cassie Ipock, Larry Cavanah, Tony Latham, Kent Dillingham

3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7152 - Motion Passed:  Recommendation to approve the agenda passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

4. Discussion/Approval to discuss the open Board vacancy application of R. Kent Dillingham and potentially make a selection to fill the open seat vacated by Vicki Allen. (If a selection is made, the Board may appoint the new member immediately)   
Discussion: Mr. Whalen noted Mr. R Kent Dillingham is the only applicant. No board approval taken.

5. Discussion/Approval to appoint _______ to the Dawson Springs Board of Education to fill the unexpired term that will run until the end of 2026 (election in Nov. of 2026). Upon appointment, we will have a brief swearing in ceremony.    
Order #7153 - Motion Passed:  Approval to appoint Kent Dillingham to the Dawson Springs Board of Education to fill the unexpired that will run until the end of 2026 passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

6. Recognition, discussion, communication and report items (No Board Action)  
6.A. Recognitions:  
6.A.1. Congratulations to our preschool staff and Mrs. Merrill as our Preschool was recently recognized by the Kentucky Department of Education to be a Level 5 All-Star Program.  
6.A.2. Tony Latham was recommended for recognition by one of our teachers who said, "upon completion of any repair in my area, Tony always asks what else I might need repaired." He always goes above and beyond to get the job done. Thank you Mr. Latham for your efforts.  

6.B. Communications   
6.B.1. Insurance deductible buyback information from Malcolm Blane as attached.
6.B.2. Board Member Communications  
6.B.3. Citizens and Delegations: This is an opportunity for any citizen or delegation to approach the Board and be heard on any item/issue on the agenda or not on the agenda. An individual is limited to 2 minutes to speak. Please keep in mind this is not for questions and answers, simply individuals to share information with the Board. (The Board appreciates and anticipates that the building Principal and Superintendent get the opportunity to resolve any issues prior to addressing the Board).  

6.C. Reports  
6.C.1. Preschool Update/Report  
6.C.2. Elementary Principal's Report  
6.C.3. Jr./Sr. High Principal's Report    
6.C.4. DPP Enrollment and Attendance Report    
6.C.5. Chief Academic Officer Report  
6.C.6. Superintendent's Report  

7. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
7.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7154 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the treasurer's report as presented passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.B. Discussion/Approval to set the tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year (2025 taxes) at the same rate as current: 
General Fund Real Estate Rate: 74.7 cents 
Tangible Personal Property: 	 74.7 cents 
The revenue generated by the real estate rate and personal property rate should be approximately $672,099.84
Merchants Inventory 		 74.7 cents 
Motor Vehicle/Watercraft 	 68.7 cents
Personal Aircraft 		 68.7 cents
Utility tax 3%
  
Order #7155 - Motion Passed:  Approval to set the tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year (2025 taxes) at the same rate as current: General Fund Real Estate Rate: 74.7 cents Tangible Personal Property: 74.7 cents The revenue generated by the real estate rate and personal property rate should be approximately $672,099.84 Merchants Inventory 74.7 cents Motor Vehicle/Watercraft 68.7 cents Personal Aircraft 68.7 cents Utility tax 3% passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.C. Discussion/Approval of Kristin Merrill, Jennifer Ward, Michael Davenport, Jessica Graham, Elizabeth Robinson, Micki Clark, and Brannigan Ethridge as ARC (Admissions and Release Committee) Chairpersons for 2025-2026 upon completion of required training and/or updates.  
Order #7156 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Kristin Merrill, Jennifer Ward, Michael Davenport, Jessica Graham, Elizabeth Robinson, Micki Clark, and Brannigan Ethridge as ARC (Admissions and Release Committee) Chairpersons for 2025-2026 upon completion of required training and/or updates passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.D. Presentation/Discussion/Approval, per 702 KAR 1:170, acknowledging the district has reviewed this guidance (meaning the Data Security and Breach Notification and Best Practice Guide) and implemented the best practices that meet the needs of personal information reasonable security in our district.  
Order #7157 - Motion Passed: Approval, per 702 KAR 1:170, acknowledging the district has reviewed this guidance (meaning the Data Security and Breach Notification and Best Practice Guide) and implemented the best practices that meet the needs of personal information reasonable security in our district   passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.E. Discussion/Approval of Fiscal Year 2026 (25/26 school year) funding assurances as attached (a paper copy is also provided).  
Order #7158 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Fiscal Year 2026 (25/26 school year) funding assurances as attached (a paper copy is also provided) passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Kent Dillingham.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.F. Discussion/Approval of revised/updated Memorandum of Agreement regarding the School Resource Officer (SRO) as attached.   
Order #7159 - Motion Passed: Approval of revised/updated Memorandum of Agreement regarding the School Resource Officer (SRO) as attached passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.G. Discussion/Approval of Agreement to provide Orientation and Mobility Services with Katrina Berry, COMS as needed as attached.  
Order #7160 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Agreement to provide Orientation and Mobility Services with Katrina Berry, COMS as needed as attached passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Christy Winfrey.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.H. Discussion/Approval to designate Jennifer Ward as our district school safety coordinator.  
Order #7161 - Motion Passed:  Approval to designate Jennifer Ward as our district school safety coordinator passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.I. Discussion/Approval of updated job description for Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP).  
Order #7162 - Motion Passed:  Approval of updated job description for Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.J. Discussion/Approval of creating a Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) position.  This would be a 185 day contract paid off the certified salary schedule based on rank and experience. This position will also include duties related to Federal and State Reports, Safe School Reporting, Infinite Campus Operations, Alternative Programs Coordinator, New Employee Orientation and Training, FRAM Coordinator, Civil Rights Data Reporting, and other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.  
Order #7163 - Motion Passed:  Approval of creating a Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) position.  This would be a 185 day contract paid off the certified salary schedule based on rank and experience. This position will also include duties related to Federal and State Reports, Safe School Reporting, Infinite Campus Operations, Alternative Programs Coordinator, New Employee Orientation and Training, FRAM Coordinator, Civil Rights Data Reporting, and other duties as assigned by the Superintendent passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Kent Dillingham.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.K. Discussion/Approval, at the request of Madisonville Community College (MCC), that the following communication systems be approved for students attending MCC: Blackboard (Anthology), Outlook (kctcs.edu domain), Starfish (EAB).  
Order #7164 - Motion Passed:  Approval, at the request of Madisonville Community College (MCC), that the following communication systems be approved for students attending MCC: Blackboard (Anthology), Outlook (kctcs.edu domain), Starfish (EAB) passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

7.L. Discussion/Approval of Amended Memorandum as attached from The Stepping Stones Group, formerly called Southern Kentucky Speech Therapy for Special Ed Services as listed/needed for students.
Order #7165 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Amended Memorandum as attached from The Stepping Stones Group, formerly called Southern Kentucky Speech Therapy for Special Ed Services as listed/needed for students passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Christy Winfrey.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

**(continued next page)

8. Student Learning and Support Consent Items  
Order #7166 - Motion Passed:  Approval of consent agenda passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Kent Dillingham.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

8.A. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for July 28, 2025  
8.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
8.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions:
Hired: L. Carol Niswonger   	HS English/LA Teacher   		 7/28/2025
 P. Ben Kennedy   	K-12 LBD Resource Teacher   		 7/31/2025
 William Ward   		HS FMD Teacher   				 8/1/2025
 Stevon Brown   		HS Instructional Assistant   		 8/4/2025
 Molly Thomas   		Kindergarten Teacher   			 8/4/2025
 Emma Thorp  		Elementary Instructional Assistant   8/6/2025
 Hailey Goodaker   	Substitute Teacher/Inst. Assistant   8/19/2025
 Tamara Stallins   	Substitute Teacher/Inst. Assistant   8/19/2025
 Felicea Joslin   	Substitute Cook/Baker   		 8/19/2025
 Tammy Marcum   		Substitute Cook/Baker   		 8/19/2025

Additional Extra Duty: 
 	Cassie Ipock   	District Communications Coordinator  7/1/2025

On Leave:  	EE# 4224   		FMLA/Maternity

Resigned:  Jesse Robinson   	MS Baseball Assistant
     Amber Chappel   	Substitute Teacher & Inst. Assistant
           Shellie Rambo   	Substitute Cook/Baker & Substitute Custodian  

8.D. Approval of Superintendent expenses  
8.E. Acknowledgement, per Board policy 03.18, that Barbara P'Poole and Kati Griffin were elected opening day to the certified appeals panel and Cindy Dukes and Tamara Rice were selected as alternates for 2025-2026.  

9. Motion to Adjourn  
Order #7167 - Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Christy Winfrey.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Kent Dillingham		  Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes

_____________________________________	_____________________________________
Michael Wes Ausenbaugh	Amanda Almon
Chairman	Secretary