001We'd like to welcome everybody to the McCreary County Board of Education special board meeting June 2nd, 2020 6:00 7:00 p.m. Central Office. Call the roll and record. Braxton? >> Here. >> Drew? [snorts] >> Here. >> Cody? >> Here. >> Esther? >> Here. >> Chair is here. Is there a motion to and second to approve agenda? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> I'll second the motion. >> We'll start with the Cody. >> I. >> Esther? >> I. >> Chair moves I. Braxton? >> I. >> Drew? >> I. >> This time prayer by Mr. Braxton Keith. >> Since the focus of tonight is Mr. Taylor, we'll say a little prayer for him tonight. Father, we thank you right now that your word says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
002not into your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path. Lord, we just pray over Clint right now, Father, that you would watch over him and his family. We thank you, Lord God, for giving him wisdom in the decisions that he makes and just put a hedge of protection around him and lead, guide, and direct him, Lord. And we thank you for it in the name of Jesus. >> Amen. >> You have any other announcements to make? >> I'll turn it over. >> Pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> At this time uh KASA Council uh new superintendent on boarding capstone presentation, Dr. Taylor.
003>> [snorts] >> Mr. House, touch it. I'm guessing he touched it here. >> Okay. >> I want to share that PowerPoint. So, let's go share. >> Yeah, just click share right there. And then uh >> screen >> Uh I think you got to share maybe the presentation. Is that right, Andrew? >> You can click You can click the screen and then bring that >> And click the screen to share. >> Yeah. >> Okay, there it is. There it is. Can Can you see that, Dr. Biggerstaff? Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you all for uh you all for coming to my presentation. And thank you all for coming to my presentation. Um so, we'll go ahead and get started here. All right. So, acknowledgements um I'm not going to read these word for word,
004but um there's a lot of folks that have been with me through this journey. We've had lots of challenges and uh lots of uh opportunities to grow. Um had had a few obstacles along the way, but we we've worked through them and and we've uh persevered. And I want to thank uh my mentor, Dr. uh Kurt Biggerstaff. Um he's always been there. He's been a phone call away when I need uh to run something by him, to uh to think about um you know, any decision that is going to be very impactful and uh I've tried to call him and I I've called Mr. Hawkins a few times and and talked to him about some different things. Uh so, I'm grateful for my colleagues and staff that work alongside of me each day. This year,
005more than ever, I've been reminded that leadership is not about one person, it's about a collective effort, a team effort. And if you all know know me, I'm not a micromanager. I like to like to have a good team. I like to have good people around me that make sound decisions and and work hard and and I don't I don't micromanage. To the district and school board members, thank you all for trusting me to serve in this leadership capacity. You know, like I said, we've had challenges, we've celebrated successes, and we've worked through difficult decisions. And that has helped to shape this capstone. I want to thank my family for their unwavering support, time, patience, and and the encouragement. I'm trying to teach my wife a little more patience. I tell her that I pray
006for patience for her. She said that brings me trials. So, she says, "Please [clears throat] stop." She's She's a She's a good one. [cough and clears throat] So, here's just a little bit about you know, some things that that are milestones and important for me. Of course, this is the board and and the the night down in the right corner, that's that's Wendy, Sarah, and Abby. Sarah is the one directly behind me. She's my oldest. And then this is Abby at graduation last year when I was interim. I got to give Abby her diploma and actually got to sign her diploma. So, that was that was really nice. In the middle, that's that's my little buddy. That's That's my grandbaby. Delilah, but we call her Gib. And she's a catwalks girl. She runs 100 miles
007an hour, though. She doesn't She doesn't She doesn't stop. So, um my vision, mission, goals, and beliefs. My vision statement is to create a high-performing school district where every student is empowered to achieve at high levels. Every educator is supported to grow. Every school is a place of pride for the community, building a legacy of excellence for generations to come. Um and this is the actual mission statement of the district. Me and Lonnie talked about that the other day. The mission that is on our district webpage is not the correct mission. I don't know where that came from, but it's not the correct mission statement. So, the mission of the Hurricane School District is committed to provide a safe, supportive, engaging learning environment that prepares all students for success in college, career, and life by
008daily expectations, empowering educators, and strengthening partnership. Uh beliefs. Uh I believe all students can learn at high levels, that relationships matter, great teaching is the most important in-school factor, leadership is a shared responsibility, uh data should inform decisions, a safe and supportive environment is essential, uh family community partnerships strengthen our schools, and uh we believe in continuous improvement. We can always grow and get better. Uh-oh. All right, here we go. So, professional growth goal uh by June 30th, 2026, design and implement a district-wide communication and engagement plan that increases transparency, fosters trust, and includes feedback loops with internal and external stakeholders. So, we have a district-wide communication and engagement plan. Uh it's hyperlinked there. I can get a copy of that for you all. Uh and we have a Breckinridge County School District communication and
009engagement survey that we will be sending out. Goal number two, by um June 30th, 2026, develop and implement a clear district-wide vision and mission statement in collaboration with the Board of Education and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, and improve communication across all schools and departments. Um so, we talked about this at the at the May board meeting, and I'll be I'm working on some things to send you all to get your your feedback and ideas. Uh strategic leadership, I'm not going to read that small print to you all. Um but we have some artifacts here. We have monthly board meetings to ensure that board policies and board actions are in line with favorable state requirements while meeting the needs and staff and stakeholders. Uh KASA summer meetings, we did a district retreat at um
010KASA annual meeting in July. We met with educated education leaders from across the state uh for updates regarding school law regulations. This is fellow right here is actually I don't know what this what word to use, but anyway, the guy sitting next to me is David Brooks. He is with Houchens Insurance Group. We work closely with Houchens, Tiffany and I do to look at insurance policies and claims that we might have. And even down to as much as somebody falling and scraping their knee and doing a workman's comp claim. We we look at that at that mod number to make sure that we're trying to save as much money as we can on our insurance and with all those deductibles. This is a continuation of standard one. We had a data retreat. Um Several Over
011several years, we've had data retreats. A lot of them go to a state park and they'll spend couple two three nights. We wanted to have something away from campus but close enough if something happened we could get back to campus relatively quick if we needed. So we had our data retreat at the Rural Center for Rural Development in Somerset. The principals came and they brought key folks to look at components of their CCAP. And they worked through their goals. They made smart goals and then and looked at instructional practices to help reach those goals. That was a a good two three days of team building for the schools as well. We're working with KDE on an attendance pilot program. And Darrell King, the DPP, is sitting back here in the back. He He plays a
012big part in that. We've had several meetings and we're looking at reducing chronic absenteeism. Uh a lot of a lot of great conversations and um ideas have came out of those meetings, and we look forward to uh seeing success with that. Uh standard two is instructional leadership. Uh district district-wide training. Uh this is another uh training that uh KDE is uh a part of. Every teacher received professional development regarding the vibrant learning initiative and how it connects to the district's uh portrait of a learner. Uh so, we we've had several meetings with uh the lady from KDE. Her name Her name leaves me right now. I can't remember her name, but uh we've had several meetings with her, uh and we're we're we have some good things going on. And we're also working with uh
013Southeast Southcentral co-op um in this capacity, you all saw. We revamped our virtual instruction program. Um updates were made to improve the virtual learning program. We increased personal check-ins, um made eligibility, and set uh more stringent requirements for enrollment. Um And we're looking to um to partner with uh a group that has a day treatment uh in the county, so we're going to have a virtual component for them. And um Mr. King has been working diligently to uh bring back some home school kids. You know, we need them back to one, help make sure they're educated, and they're um they're getting what they need, and then two, uh nice for funding. So. Uh standard two continue, we have a new teacher mentor program. Uh and I met with those folks and we discussed different goals
014and different support mechanisms that we have in place. It's a year-long support program where we have veteran teachers that mentor newly hired teachers. Um and this program is also in partnership with Southeast Southcentral. Now we purchased HQIR, which is highly qua high-quality instructional resources. Uh they were purchased through the KYCL 25 grants. Uh cultural leadership, um opening day address. Um you know, all the district admin is um down in the gym uh addressing talking Thank you. Just setting setting expectations, letting the uh let the staff know uh the importance of being uh professionals and um you know, at that meeting I I I remember that that opening day very well cuz I told them I said I I have an open door policy if you need to talk to me, you can talk to me
015anytime. And I I I said you'll feel that way. I had two teachers approach me within 10 ft of the podium said we need raise. I mean just just like within 30 seconds. So, uh but that's okay. You know, I'm willing to listen and um you know, I'll listen to anybody. I I might not have a solution for them right then, but I I'll listen to them. Approval and use of Parent Square with uh with Senate Bill 181, when it came out last year it was kind of uh very confusing for everybody and we didn't know what we were going to do. We kind of scrambled a little bit, but we were in the same boat that everybody else was across the state. So, we adopted ParentSquare as the official uh communication platform. Uh Portrait
016of a learner, we kind of bring that back up again here. Uh the community came together and we had different folks that played parts uh in that giving their perspective as what they thought different components of Portrait of a Learner should look like. Uh for uh cultural leadership continued here. Uh I took around t-shirts to to all the schools for staff appreciation. That was just a small token of of uh appreciation just to show, you know, that we really appreciate what they're doing and the schools done a phenomenal job that week uh having cookouts and and uh different tokens of appreciation for the staff. Uh promotion of student staff achievements, uh we are really I think we do a really, really good job here with our social media uh sharing positive things that go on
017within within the school and uh you know, seems like everybody has Facebook and and that's where they that's where they get their news a lot of times. So, the more positive things we can put out, the better and and the schools do a phenomenal job pushing things out and then we share it as a district, we post stuff and then you know, we just continue to try to share and share and share that positive. Uh human resource leadership, uh certified evaluation plan uh was established and utilized throughout the district as a means to support and evaluate all certified personnel. Uh this is in alignment with state evaluation requirements. Uh hired new staff or our new faculty and staff. Um I was sharing with Dr. Bigstaff and Mr. Hawkins. Uh I think we've hired principal at
018Connor Primary, one at Connor Intermediate yesterday, one at the middle school, a director of operations, director of district-wide services. Um and then we done some other reallocations here. So, we've we've hired um not new to the district folks, but new to the positions. And I was sharing with with those folks that these people work hard and and and we we have the same vision. We going in the same direction. So, I'm really excited about uh about some of the new folks. Some of them have been there a year, but some of them are are newer. Uh staffing allocation meetings. Uh this is something we've done at our last regular board meeting. Um staffing allocations. Met with each principal principal and central office staff to discuss staffing allocations for the upcoming school year. Uh so, the
019personnel decisions and staff planning could be made accordingly. Uh Tiffany plays a tremendously big part in this uh and Karen does as well with the title uh funds. And then all You know, obviously the board you all finalize that in the decision-making that you do. Okay, operational leadership. Um you know, athletic complex planning. Uh Top left picture there is a meeting with architect company to finalize the uh inside of the athletic complex. Uh this was kind of in we had several different planning stages that occurred along the way. Uh so we met with those folks. They threw up ideas. We put it out for bid and you all know it came back astronomically high and then we opted to self-perform that work which saved us a tremendous amount of money uh and allowed us to
020get the weight equipment that that was needed and uh we just tried to be very um cautious in how we how we spend our money and it's okay to tell a uh contractor no, we can't do that and reject those bids. Uh local planning committee meeting um you know, this happens once every 4 years and >> [snorts] >> um I believe this uh top right-hand corner is is a picture of that. Um and you can see sitting next to there is Kelly Bear, Kelly from Bear. Uh she talks about our finances, our big buckets and little buckets and different buckets that money's can come out of and and tries to explain that um to uh to the folks that are part of that local planning committee. Uh district tentative budget with staff raises that this
021is what you all done last week. Um reassignment of some duties and and the money that we saved by reassigning those duties and still being able to to give raises and change the percentage of uh supervision here for the district admin to get it back close to where it was uh about 10 years ago. Uh high school construction, the bottom right-hand corner. Um that is um another architect hiding behind this picture. Uh I'm hiding right hiding right here. Um different architect group because it was a different project and you got Branston, Jonathan Smith, VP Branston on the right, and Mr. Tim Friel's. Uh this was part of the laid-back project. Most of it is already complete. Uh when Tiffany was closing out the books and she found some money that the architects had put in
022different codes, so she found enough money to uh renovate the auditorium and to uh have new shop doors in the carpentry and I think automotive. >> [snorts] >> So, I'm [clears throat] really excited about that and that work's getting ready to start soon. Whoop. Okay. All right, so standard five, this is continuous uh operational leadership. Uh GEAR UP, we work closely with GEAR UP and and we are super fortunate to uh uh to have a GEAR UP grant and all the resources that they provide for us. Uh and the picture the top picture here is uh a work plan and budget meeting. Uh they came down and sat down with uh with all the stakeholders within the district and uh we looked at different options and and different needs that the district has. Uh Rural
023Impact is a component uh I guess it's the big umbrella over GEAR UP. Uh Dr. Keith Moore and I were uh privileged to attend the national conference in Buffalo and we got to meet and network with lots of uh different folks from across the United States and talk about what they were doing in their rural areas to to to help with reading and math. Um the Elgin Foundation, we're also very blessed to be part of the Elgin Foundation. Uh they have monthly meetings in London. Um they have meetings for district administration and they have meetings for um school level principals. Um they pick typically pick a topic and they go with that for the year to try to build some capacity in in different areas. Uh this picture there bottom left is the winter retreat.
024Um they had keynote speakers and uh different breakout sessions that we were able to attend um to gain some more knowledge. And then you know, this is something uh Mr. Hawkins, I should have said that I was really proud of is partnering with CAP, which is Christian Appalachian Project. Uh and Karen has played a big part in that. Uh CAP provides lots of um lots of resources for our families uh and community. And they bring at least one tractor trailer load of uh supplies. It can be it can be food, it can be water, it can be household items. Uh just a vast array of different things that they bring and and we actually constructed a building uh out here just to house this shipment once a month. They said, "We need someplace to bring
025your tractor trailer load." And we have a good partnership with CAP and uh really uh really really blessed that they that they work with us. Uh next steps for 2026, uh I listed a couple things under each standard. Uh student achievement, targeted instruction uh uh based on data, progress monitoring each quarter. High high quality instruction uh uh clear instructional expectations, consistent classroom walkthroughs. Uh culture and climate, attendance, and behavior focus, which we're we're working on that. Staff and student recognition. I want to do more recognitions at at board meetings. We do some, but I I'd I'd like to see uh see us do more of that. Uh leadership development, uh have a monthly principal cohort that's different than our leadership meetings. Uh grow teacher leaders. Uh you know, if if you look around the district,
026we have several um admin that will be reaching retirement in the next few years, and and I want to look at building the capacity there. Uh communication engagement, clear and consistent messaging, increased community visibility. Uh operational excellence, align resources to student needs. Uh ensure safe and efficient systems. So, I think we're we're on the right path. We we never run out of work to do. There's always something to do tomorrow. Uh and as long as we can um make tomorrow better than it was yesterday, then I think we're we're on the right track. So, I appreciate you all. I appreciate your confidence and appreciate your support, you know, no matter you know, when I call you with with a question or just to give you a heads-up, I I appreciate I appreciate your feedback and
027support. Yes. >> Uh Mr. Scott Hawkins, director of coaching and mentoring. >> You want to say a couple words, Scott? >> Sure. Uh >> [snorts] >> I told I told Johnny this in the in in our meeting before, but the the most important decision that a board of education has to make is who they'll hire as the superintendent. And because you don't get a do-over. Uh you got to get it right. And uh I've been really impressed with Clint this year. Uh I I think he has a heart for this school district and a heart for this community. He has a very even-keeled demeanor about Um And and I think he brings a stability and a calmness that is very much needed in a superintendent position. And so uh it's been an honor for me
028to walk alongside him this year. I got to spend a day with him down here back in the fall. And uh we talked on several occasions uh throughout the year as he's faced different situations. He's always open to calling and always open to uh getting another perspective about something, and I think that's a great quality to have. And so um it's just been a real a real pleasure for me uh getting to know Clint and also uh uh working with him this year. >> Thank you. Our committee staff, would you like to say a couple words? >> Well, I would just echo what Scott said. Uh the bottom line is uh you know, we communicated a lot this school year. Uh Clint and I did, and you know, he's very analytical when it comes to
029making decisions, very deliberative, and that's a great quality to have in a superintendent because, you know, I've often said I I rarely make a decision in isolation. I always talk to various people, whether it be my board attorney or my trusted uh advisors and his um and he he is very similar in that analytical leadership style. So, that that's great. And I you know, he is always calm, cool, and collected. He's had lots of challenges before him in his first year. Often we would talk about situations, and you know, I've been a superintendent for 12 years, and I'm thinking, I've never experienced anything like that. And so, you know, maybe I'll learn some things from Clint as well. But, you know, I said in the in the pre-meeting, bottom line, Clint Taylor is a good
030man. He is authentic and genuine, and I think he absolutely is what our Curry County needs right now. And I think you all found a superstar in Dr. Taylor. So, I fully recommend him, and wish him wish him nothing but the best in the future. >> Thank you, Dr. Pierce. Thank you. >> Need a motion and second to enter into executive session pursuant to KRS 156 .5576C and KRS 61.810 1K that should be done preliminary discussions by the board and or between the board and superintendent related to the evaluation of the superintendent. >> I'll make a motion we enter into executive session. >> I'll second. >> Chair votes aye. Braxton? >> Drew? >> Cody? >> Aye. >> Estes? >> Aye. >> [snorts] >> You got two videos. You're probably better to go there. >> Just
031pick up video here, you got video there. Y'all want me to go to the other room and stuff if you want. >> Any chance you can hear me okay? >> Same to you. >> Nice to meet you. >> Same to you. >> Clint, good luck. >> Good seeing you, Sheriff. >> I will. >> You in the front? >> Yes. >> I'd like to be with you if you don't mind. >> I got seats up there, too. >> I said we're just going to talk about >> They did? We didn't get any negatives. >> Need a motion to second to come back into open session. >> I'll make a motion we return to open session. >> And I'll second the motion. >> Preston? >> I. >> Drew? >> I. >> Cody? >> I. >> Efton? >>
032I. >> Sheriff side. Uh on the evaluation of Dr. Taylor um all five standards four being the highest, he scored a 3.88. >> You may want to have me read the score on each standard for you. >> [snorts] >> On standard one uh >> Has [snorts] your take been adopted? And do you need a motion to second to adopt the evaluation? >> On the standard one, strategic leadership he scored a 4.0. Standard two, instructional leadership a 3.8. Standard three, cultural leadership a 4.0. Standard four, human resource leadership a 4.0. And uh operations, standard five, operational leadership 3.6 with a total of 3.88 overall average out of four. Very good. >> Need a motion to second to >> I'll make a motion that we adopt uh Superintendent Kenny Taylor's evaluation. >> Second that motion. >> Drew?
033>> I. >> Cody? >> I. >> Efton? >> I. >> Sheriff votes I. >> Preston? >> I. >> [snorts] >> Motion and second to adjourn? >> I make a motion to adjourn. >> I second it. >> Mr. >> I. >> Mr. Klein, Mr. Bradley. >> I. >> Mr. >> I. >> Mr. Cogan. >> I. >> Thank you all.