Regular Meeting
April 27, 2026 6:00 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session April 27, 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, Cassie Ipock, Elijah Dunbar 

3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7230 - 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  
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. Chief Academic Officer Report  
4.C.6. Superintendent's Report  

5. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
5.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7231 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the treasurer's report as presented 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.B. Discussion/Approval of Food Service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Intent to Participate for FY 2026/2027.  
Order #7232 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Food Service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Intent to Participate for FY 2026/2027 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.C. Discussion/Approval of FY 2026-2027 Certified, Classified, Substitute and Extra Service salary schedules.  Certified and substitute schedules will include a 3% salary increase.  Classified schedules will include a $1 per hour salary increase.  The Extra Service salary schedule will not include any changes.    
Order #7233 - Motion Passed:  Approval of FY 2026-2027 Certified, Classified, Substitute and Extra Service salary schedules.  Certified and substitute schedules will include a 3% salary increase.  Classified schedules will include a $1 per hour salary increase.  The Extra Service salary schedule will not include any changes passed with a motion by Kent Dillingham and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         No
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes

5.D. Discussion/Approval acknowledging the 2025-2026 final school calendar to reflect that the last day for students will be May 21 and graduation and closing day for staff will be on May 22, 2026.  
Order #7234 - Motion Passed:  Approval acknowledging the 2025-2026 final school calendar to reflect that the last day for students will be May 21 and graduation and closing day for staff will be on May 22, 2026 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 retain Duguid, Gentry and Associates, P.S.C. as our school district auditor for FY2026 at an anticipated approximate cost of $24,800  
Order #7235 - Motion Passed:  Approval to retain Duguid, Gentry and Associates, P.S.C. as our school district auditor for FY2026 at an anticipated approximate cost of $24,800 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.F. Discussion/Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with KCTCS, OCTC and HealthForce Kentucky for 2026-2027 school year  
Order #7236 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with KCTCS, OCTC and HealthForce Kentucky for 2026-2027 school year 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 partnerships with the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (WKEC) for 2026-2027 in multiple disciplines at an approximate cost of $12,300  
Order #7237 - Motion Passed:  Approval to continue partnerships with the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (WKEC) for 2026-2027 in multiple disciplines at an approximate cost of $12,300 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.H. Discussion/Approval of Agreement to utilize Mountain Comprehensive Care Center as needed for student services for 2026-2027.  
Order #7238 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Agreement to utilize Mountain Comprehensive Care Center as needed for student services for 2026-2027 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.I. Discussion / Approval to add 5 contract days to the Technology Assistant position  
Order #7239 - Motion Passed:  Approval to add 5 contract days to the Technology Assistant position 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.J. Discussion / Approval to create, post and hire for Title I Jr/Sr High School Instructional Assistant position.  The contract will be 185 days paid from the classified salary schedule based on experience.  The position will be continued annually as grant funds provide.  
Order #7240 - Motion Passed:  Approval to create, post and hire for Title I Jr/Sr High School Instructional Assistant position.  The contract will be 185 days paid from the classified salary schedule based on experience.  The position will be continued annually as grant funds provide 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 create, post and hire for Title I Jr/Sr High School Certified RTI Teacher position.  The contract will be 185 days paid from the certified salary schedule based on rank and experience.  The position will be continued annually as grant funds provide.  
Order #7241 - Motion Passed:  Approval to create, post and hire for Title I Jr/Sr High School Certified RTI Teacher position.  The contract will be 185 days paid from the certified salary schedule based on rank and experience.  The position will be continued annually as grant funds provide 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.L. Discussion/Approval of extra service job description for Athletics Public Information Coordinator position.  
Order #7242 - Motion Passed:  Approval of extra service job description for Athletics Public Information Coordinator position 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.M. Discussion/Approval to post the position and add Athletics Public Information Coordinator position to the extra service salary schedule with a stipend of $1,500.  
Order #7243 - Motion Passed:  Approval to post the position and add Athletics Public Information Coordinator position to the extra service salary schedule with a stipend of $1,500 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 #7244 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Student Learning and Support Consent Items 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 March 30, 2026  
6.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
6.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions:
Hired:  Stevon Brown   		Assistant Athletic Director   	4/1/2026
  Brooklyn Clark   	HS Girls' Basketball Head Coach   	7/1/2026
  Cameron Gudgell   	HS Co-ed Golf Coach   			7/1/2026 
  Derek Scott   		MS Boys' Basketball Head Coach   	7/1/2026

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

Resigning:	Erica Davis   	FRYSC Assistant   			6/30/2026
Lora Davis   	Cook/Baker   				6/30/2026
Chun-yun Gibson   Elementary Instructional Assistant  6/30/2026
Jonathan Palmer   District Technology   			6/30/2026
Tamara Rice   	High School Math Teacher   		6/30/2026
James Schultz   	Elementary Science Teacher   		6/30/2026

Retiring: 	Kimalyn Menser   	MS Science   				7/1/2026
Rhonda Simpson   	Library Media Center   			8/1/2026  
6.D. Approval of Superintendent expenses  

7. Discussion/Approval to enter closed session to discuss the future acquisition of real property by the Board as publicity regarding the acquisition or sale would be likely to affect the value of a specific piece of property, as authorized by KRS 61.810(1)(b)  
Order #7245 - Motion Passed:  Motion to enter closed session to discuss the future acquisition of real property by the Board as publicity regarding the acquisition or sale would be likely to affect the value of a specific piece of property, as authorized by KRS 61.810(1)(b) 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

7.A. Motion to exit closed session and resume regular open session  
Order #7246 - Motion Passed:  Motion to exit closed session and resume regular open session 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

8. Motion to Adjourn  
Order #7247 - Motion Passed:  Approval of motion to adjourn 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

_________________________________	    __________________________________
Michael Ausenbaugh                      Amanda Almon
Chairman                                Secretary