Regular Meeting
March 30, 2026 6:00 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session March 30, 2026 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, Larry Cavanah, Kristin Merrill, Todd Marshall, Spencer Spratt, Cassie Bruch, Shannon Garrett, Sherry Barnes, Amy Thomas
 
3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7215 - Motion Passed:  Recommendation to approve the 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

4. Recognition, discussion, communication and report items (No Board Action)  
4.A. Recognitions: Fine Art Award Winners: Elementary--Alaina Adornato, Kindergarten, Middle School--Pearlena Hoffines, 8th Gr. High School--Kalyn Cotton, Freshman  
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).  
Amy Thomas (parent) spoke to the board concerning the high school GPA calculation and how it is affected compared to students transferring to DSHS from other districts.  Concerns regarded the SBDM policy.  The board addressed the concern and told Mrs. Thomas this concern will be explored. 
	
4.C. Reports  
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  
4.C.6.a. Discussion to potentially accept donation of lot/property located at 414 Hickory St.  

5. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
5.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7216 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the treasurer's report as presented 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.B. Discussion/Approval of FY2026 KETS 2nd Offer of Assistance for $4,445 to be matched by the district at the present time  
Order #7217 - Motion Passed:  Approval of FY2026 KETS 2nd Offer of Assistance for $4,445 to be matched by the district at the present time 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.C. Discussion/Approval of Family Resource Youth Service Center (FRYSC) Assurance Certification 2026-2028  
Order #7218 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Family Resource Youth Service Center (FRYSC) Assurance Certification 2026-2028 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.D. Discussion/Approval of FRYSC Continuation Program Plan 2026-2028  
Order #7219 - Motion Passed:  Approval of FRYSC Continuation Program Plan 2026-2028 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

5.E. Discussion/Approval to participate in the KISTA used bus sale to sale buses 0503 (runs), 0508 (runs), and 0610 (does not run)  
Order #7220 - Motion Passed:  Approval to participate in the KISTA used bus sale to sale buses 0503 (runs), 0508 (runs), and 0610 (does not run) 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 resolution to authorize superintendent to either accept or reject any and all bids received for the used buses in the KISTA used bus sale immediately following the sale without further board action  
Order #7221 - Motion Passed:  Approval of resolution to authorize superintendent to either accept or reject any and all bids received for the used buses in the KISTA used bus sale immediately following the sale without further board action 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.G. Discussion/Approval to continue with Cunningham Landscaping for mowing and grounds work at the same rates as 2025-2026 until March 31, 2027  
Order #7222 - Motion Passed:  Approval to continue with Cunningham Landscaping for mowing and grounds work at the same rates as 2025-2026 until March 31, 2027 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.H. Discussion/Approval to surplus scrap metal in the bus compound and the old snowplow.  
Order #7223 - Motion Passed:  Approval to surplus scrap metal in the bus compound and the old snowplow 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.I. Discussion/Approval of updated job description for District Library Media Specialist (as attached)  
Order #7224 - Motion Passed:  Approval of updated job description for District Library Media Specialist (as attached) 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.J. Discussion/Approval to create, post and hire a Jr/Sr High School certified half time agriculture teacher/teacher  
Order #7225 - Motion Passed:  Approval to create, post and hire a Jr/Sr High School certified agriculture teacher/teacher 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

5.K. Discussion/Approval to purchase a new cafeteria oven in replacement of another as funded by Food Service (Proposal and quotes are attached)  
Order #7226 - Motion Passed:  Approval to purchase a new cafeteria oven in replacement of another as funded by Food Service (Proposal and quotes are attached) 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.L. Discussion/Approval to surplus old cafeteria oven in Food Service  
Order #7227 - Motion Passed:  Approval to surplus old cafeteria oven in Food Service 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

6. Student Learning and Support Consent Items  
Order #7228 - 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 February 23, 2026  
6.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
6.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions: 
Hired: Sherry Barnes   Elementary FMD Instructional Assistant   	  3/1/2026
 James "Robert" Davis   Substitute Custodian (student)    	  3/2/2026

Additional Extra Duty: Erin Woolsey - HS Softball Assistant Coach   3/23/2026

Internal Transfer: 
Christy Brown	Part-time (4 hour) Custodian to Sub Custodian   2/5/2026
Trisha Smith   	Sub Custodian to Part-time (4 hour) Custodian   2/5/2026

On Leave: 
#4135   FMLA / Family   from 12/15/2025 (60 days intermittent)
#4418   Maternity   	3/27/2026 thru 5/22/2026 (36 days)

Resigned: 	Kelsey Mitchell   HS Softball Assistant Coach   2/25/2026
Schyuler Storms   Co-ed Golf Coach   		3/3/2026

Retiring: 	Kimalyn Menser  	MS Science Teacher   		   7/1/2026
Rhonda Simpson    Library Media Center Librarian   8/1/2026  

6.D. Approval of Superintendent expenses  
6.E. Acknowledge and authorize Superintendent to personally utilize 5 days of annual leave as specified in Board policy 03.122 for the 25/26 school year.  

7. Motion to Adjourn    
Order #7229 - 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