Regular Meeting
December 15, 2025 6:00 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the School Board Room, 118 East Acadia Street, Dawson Springs, KY with the following school board members present: Michael Wes Ausenbaugh, Meredith Hyde, Mary Beth Drennan, Christy Winfrey, and Kent Dillingham

1. Call to Order and Welcome  
2. Roll call  
Discussion: None
Also present: Leonard Whalen, Amanda Almon, Jennifer Ward, Elizabeth Robinson, Kristin Merrill, Todd Marshall, Larry Cavanah, Colton Clark, Eli Dunbar, Nicholas Thomas, Shawn Denny, Crystal Denny, Lauren Thomas, Kim Swenson, Katie Fields

3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7196 - 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
Kent Dillingham           Yes

4. Recognition, discussion, communication and report items (No Board Action)  
4.A. Recognitions: Fine Art Award Winners
Elementary: Roland Clark
Middle School: KayleeRae Baldwin
High School: Raelee Poe  
4.B. Communications  
4.B.1. Board Member Communications  
4.B.2. 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).  
Shawn Denny, Crystal Denny, Kim Swenson, Lauren Thomas, and Katie Thomas each presented to the board their concerns regarding a Jr/Sr High teacher situation preventing the teacher to be in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Per policy, no board comments were made regarding these presentations.

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

5. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
5.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7197 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the treasurer's report as presented passed with a motion by Mary Beth Drennan and a second by Kent Dillingham.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

6. Student Learning and Support Consent Items  
Order #7198 - Motion Passed:  Approval of consent agenda passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Kent Dillingham.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

6.A. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for November 24, 2025  
6.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
6.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions:
Hired: 	Ava Ward   Substitute Teacher & Instructional Assistant   11/25/2025
Bridget Dillingham   Substitute Teacher   12/1/2025
Aaron Gamblin   HS Teacher   12/1/2025
On Leave: 	
#4366: FMLA / Family from 11/7/2025 thru 2/4/2026 (possible full 60 days)
#3823   FMLA / Medical   from 11/19/2025 thru 3/4/2026 (60 possible days)
#4338   FMLA / Maternity   from 12/1/2025 thru 3/10/2026 (60 possible days) 
#4353   FMLA / Maternity   from 12/1/2025 thru 3/10/2026 (60 possible days)

Resigned:  L. Carol Niswonger   HS English/LA   12/31/2025  
6.D. Approval of Superintendent expenses  

7. Motion to Adjourn (Next regularly scheduled meeting is January 26, 2026)  
Order #7199 - Motion Passed:  Motion to adjourn passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Christy Winfrey.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

_____________________________________	_____________________________________
Michael Wes Ausenbaugh 	Amanda Almon
Chairman	Secretary