Special Meeting
January 28, 2026 5:30 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session January 28, 2026 at 5:30 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, Spencer Spratt  

3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7200 - 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

3.A. Election of Board Chairperson (2 year term per Board Policy 01.41)  
Kent Dillingham nominated Michael Wes Ausenbaugh as Board Chairperson.  All in agreement. 

3.B. Election of Board Vice-Chairperson (2 year term per Board Policy 01.41)  
Mary Beth Drennan nominated Meredith Hyde as Board Vice-Chairperson.  All in agreement.

3.C. Discussion/Appointment of School Board Secretary (Board Policy 01.412) 
Amanda Almon and Treasurer (Board Policy 01.413) Amanda Almon (Both 2 year term to run concurrent with board chair election per Board Policy)  
Kent Dillingham nominated Amanda Almon as Board Secretary and Board Treasurer.  All in agreement.

4. Recognition, discussion, communication and report items (No Board Action)  
4.A. Recognitions  
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).  
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. Current School Year School Calendar Update (if applicable)  
4.C.6. Chief Academic Officer Report  
4.C.7. Superintendent's Report  

5. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
5.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7201 - 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
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

5.B. Discussion/Approval of Board Meeting Dates for 2026 to be the last Monday of each month at 6pm in the Dawson Springs Board of Education Office except for May 18, June 22, and December 14. The first meeting in 2027 will be January 25. All Board meetings will be streamed if possible "live" on the District Facebook page or some other similar platform.  
Order #7202 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Board Meeting Dates for 2026 to be the last Monday of each month at 6pm in the Dawson Springs Board of Education Office except for May 18, June 22, and December 14 The first meeting in 2027 will be January 25. All Board meetings will be streamed if possible "live" on the District Facebook page or some other similar platform 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

5.C. Discussion/Approval of 2024-2025 audited Annual Financial Report (AFR)
Order #7203 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2024-2025 audited Annual Financial Report (AFR) 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

5.D. Discussion/Approval of 2026-2027 Draft Budget  
Order #7204 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2026-2027 Draft Budget 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

5.E. Discussion/Approval of SFCC Construction Offer of Assistance in the amount of $3,339  
Order #7205 - Motion Passed:  Approval of SFCC Construction Offer of Assistance in the amount of $3,339 passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

5.F. Discussion/Approval of 2026-2027 school calendar as proposed by Mr. Marshall and the District Calendar Committee  
Order #7206 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2026-2027 school calendar as proposed by Mr. Marshall and the District Calendar Committee passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Mary Beth Drennan.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

6. Student Learning and Support Consent Items  
Order #7207 - Motion Passed:  Approval of consent agenda passed with a motion by Meredith Hyde and a second by Christy Winfrey.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

6.A. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes for December 15, 2025  
6.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
6.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions:
Hired:  Janice Moore   	Substitute Teacher   12/15/2025
  W. Isaac Borne 	Substitute Teacher   1/5/2026
  Samantha Crider Substitute Teacher & Instructional Assistant   1/9/2026

Additional Extra Duty: Amanda Scott   HS Girls' Basketball Head Coach   1/5/2026

Internal Transfer: 
Scott Raup 		PT Voc. Instructor/SRO to FT HS FMD Teacher   1/1/2026
Helen Sizemore   	Sub Cook to FT Cook   1/5/2026

On Leave: 
  #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)
  #4135   FMLA / Family      from 12/15/2025 (60 days intermittent)

Resigned:  Syble Dinovo   Cook/Baker   12/31/2025
 	     Jon Palmer     HS Girls' Basketball Head Coach   1/4/2026
     Amber Chappel  Substitute Teacher   1/18/2026

Retiring:  Rebecca Oliver   Elementary Teacher   2/1/2026  
6.D. Approval of Superintendent expenses  

7. Motion to Adjourn  
Order #7208 - Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

_____________________________________	_____________________________________
Michael Wes Ausenbaugh	Amanda Almon
Chairman	Secretary