Regular Meeting
May 18, 2026 6:00 PM
School Board Room 
118 East Acadia Street 
Dawson Springs, KY
The Dawson Springs Board of Education met in regular session May 18, 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, Larry Cavanah, Kristin Merrill, Todd Marshall, Spencer Spratt, Jon Palmer

3. Approval of the Agenda  
Order #7248 - 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: Wyatt Skimehorn – Kindergarten, Haley Lewis - 8th Grade, Rory Reynolds - Freshmen
Recognition of Access Point Graduate: Nolan Wilson Hawkins  
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 (Verbal Report)  

5. Action Items (Affirmative Motion needed)  
5.A. Approval of Treasurer's Report  
Order #7249 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the treasurer's report as presented 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.B. Discussion/Approval of school start and end times of 7:50am to 2:50pm daily at all schools for the 2026-2027 school year (same as previous year)  
Order #7250 - Motion Passed:  Approval of school start and end times of 7:50am to 2:50pm daily at all schools for the 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.C. Discussion/Approval of 2026-2027 Tentative Budget  
Order #7251 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2026-2027 Tentative 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.D. Discussion/Approval of proposed 2026-2027 Elementary SBDM budget  
Order #7252 - Motion Passed:  Approval of proposed 2026-2027 Elementary SBDM budget 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

5.E. Discussion/Approval of 2026-2027 High School SBDM budget  
Order #7253 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2026-2027 High School SBDM budget passed with a motion by Mary Beth Drennan 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 FY2025-2026 Capital Funds Request  
Order #7254 - Motion Passed:  Approval of FY2025-2026 Capital Funds Request 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

5.G. Discussion/Approval of blanket Board order to hire emergency substitutes FY 2026-2027.  
Order #7255 - Motion Passed:  Approval of blanket Board order to hire emergency substitutes FY 2026-2027 passed with a motion by Mary Beth Drennan and a second by Meredith Hyde.  
Michael Ausenbaugh        Yes
Mary Beth Drennan         Yes
Meredith Hyde             Yes
Christy Winfrey           Yes
Kent Dillingham           Yes
5.H. Discussion/Approval of contracting agreement as attached with The Stepping Stones Group to provide tele/virtual services as needed to meet student needs for the 2026-2027 school year.  
Order #7256 - Motion Passed:  Approval of contracting agreement as attached with The Stepping Stones Group to provide tele/virtual services as needed to meet student needs for the 2026-2027 school year 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.I. Discussion/Approval of 2026-2027 contract with the Hopkins County Health Department to continue to provide a satellite clinic site at a rate of $15,600 which will provide school nurse for the District.  
Order #7257 - Motion Passed:  Approval of 2026-2027 contract with the Hopkins County Health Department to continue to provide a satellite clinic site at a rate of $15,600, which will provide school nurse for the District, 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.J. Discussion/Approval of MOA and approval for the District to contribute up to $30,000 towards a SRO (School Resource Officer) in collaboration with the City of Dawson Springs and/or the Hopkins County Fiscal Court and/or Sheriff’s Department and authorize Superintendent Whalen to work directly with those entities to obtain a potential agreement to provide SRO services for the 2026-2027 school year. (This is a potential $10,000 increase)  
Order #7258 - Motion Passed:  Approval of MOA and approval for the District to contribute up to $30,000 towards a SRO (School Resource Officer) in collaboration with the City of Dawson Springs and/or the Hopkins County Fiscal Court and/or Sheriff’s Department and authorize Superintendent Whalen to work directly with those entities to obtain a potential agreement to provide SRO services for the 2026-2027 school year 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 of Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) plan for 2026-2027 school year to utilize only if needed (as specified in current school and district improvement plan).  
Order #7259 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) plan for 2026-2027 school year to utilize only if needed 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

5.L. Discussion/Approval of school year 2026-2027 preschool tuition to be $25 per day  
Order #7260 - Motion Passed:  Approval of school year 2026-2027 preschool tuition to be $25 per day 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.M. Discussion/Approval of the district certified evaluation plan (CEP) for 2026-2027  
Order #7261 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the district certified evaluation plan (CEP) for 2026-2027 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.N. Discussion/Approval of creating an extracurricular wrestling program due to students' interest and AD recommendation.  Creation of the program will include adding the following coaching positions to the extra salary service schedule:  Wrestling Head Coach/Varsity Boys $2000, Wrestling Female Assistant Coach/Varsity Girls $1,000 and Wrestling Boys Assistant/Middle School Coach $1,000.  
Order #7262 - Motion Passed:  Approval of creating an extracurricular wrestling program due to students’ interest and AD recommendation.  Creation of the program will include adding the following coaching positions to the extra salary service schedule:  Wrestling Head Coach/Varsity Boys $2000, Wrestling Female Assistant Coach/Varsity Girls $1,000 and Wrestling Boys Assistant/Middle School Coach $1,000 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 #7263 - 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 April 27, 2026  
6.B. Approval of Payment of Bills and Salaries  
6.C. Acknowledge Notification of Personnel Actions:
Hired: 	Shannon Parker   		Library Media Specialist   	7/1/2026
Emma Thorp 			District Technology   		7/1/2026

On Leave:  #4418   Maternity   3/27/2026 thru 5/22/2026 (36 days)

Resigning:  Earl Fraliex  	Freshman Boys' Basketball 
Coach / V Assistant 			6/30/2026
Matthew Fraliex   ES Teacher & Boys' Basketball Coach 6/30/2026
Kammie Jackson   	PreSchool Interventionist   		6/30/2026
Melissa Larimore 	Middle School Language Arts 		6/30/2026

Termed:	Erin Purdy   	Elementary SpEd   			6/30/2026
Karen Weldon   	Elementary LBD Teacher   		6/30/2026
Aaron Gamblin   	HS Teacher   				6/30/2026
Sheila Hodges   	HS 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  
6.E. Approval of FY2026--2027 Overnight Athletic Trips  

7. Motion to Adjourn  
Order #7264 - Motion Passed:  Approval to adjourn the meeting 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 Ausenbaugh	Amanda Almon
Chairman	Secretary