001August 19th, 2025, 1800 Koala central office building. All board members are present. Like to welcome everyone. Please stand for the pledge. I 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. >> Need a motion to approve the agenda if we need no changes on it. >> I move to approve. >> Miss Amanda so moves. >> Second. Miss Ashley seconds. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. Any public comments. Anyone hearing? No public comments. Moving to board member comments. Miss Becky. >> Uh Brianna, welcome. >> Thank you. >> We're so excited that you're here. >> Happy to be here. >> Yeah. And we're really excited that you're going to sing for us. at
002uh the regional meeting uh September 2nd, I hope. >> Yes. >> Right. Awesome. >> I will be there. >> Excellent. Okay. Well, we're really excited about that. Um just want to remind everybody once again about the regional meeting September 2nd 5:30 receptions event centering. Um dinner's at 6 program I think at 6:30 or 7. We should be there by 8ish. We look forward to it and we highlight as much of county as we can that evening. So if you want to, you know, do a little something extra, that'd be great, too. >> We'll talk. >> Um, I think that's all I have. >> And Miss Becky, I will get you a list of the ones you asked for. >> The legislators that come in. Awesome. Awesome. Okay. Thank you, >> Manda. >> I do. Um,
003I wanted to bring up and and apologize that we have not done this sooner, but when is the last time we've had the banners updated in the gym? >> And you probably don't know that answer because I think it's been a minute, but >> I do not know. >> Is that something that maybe we could work on? Because I we've had some >> definitely something we can work on. >> Yeah, because we've definitely had some um student achievements there and uh need to be recognized >> about seven years. >> Yeah. Yeah, and that's what I said. So, we we've missed some opportunities to showcase our our athletic teams. And so, yeah, if we can work on that, that would be great. >> Okay. >> How uh how long does it take to do them, John?
004>> Do those banners? >> Yeah. >> Depends on what vendor they use nowadays. But, u I can't think was Randy Smith or something like that. >> We use Vista Print down at work for banners outside with the pictures and it's like a week Dating them should take nothing. You just call the company and they send you years and letters and whatnot. >> How much it normally run? >> Next to nothing for that. Now, if you buy a full banner, it's going to cost you a little bit of money. >> I'm just curious. >> I think they bought all the banners. They've just not updated that in year 2000. So, and so somebody won something. >> Okay. >> That's all. >> Miss Ashley. No, >> Mr. Jones. >> No, sir. >> I reserve Item six, student
005recognition. Student workers Bradley Reid and Ben Reed. >> So these guys along with the next two, Justin Pila and Carlos love it, which they all play football, so they they might might still be at football practice, but I just wanted to to call attention to them. Uh they they worked extremely hard uh this summer working with the the maintenance guys. They helped put together a lot of the furniture in the uh college and career lab that had to get put together just helping constantly moving desk working on I can't remember which one talked about wanting to do some HVAC work when they got out of school so being able to be paired up with Troy who's certified to do that and getting opportunities uh to to work on some of those things. So, uh, just
006really appreciate the work that those four young men put in this summer and just helping make sure everything uh, was good for the start of the school year. So, >> Mr. Arvin, I'd like to apologize because I need to add Justin Pila to that and Carlos Love. >> Yeah. >> And then, uh, we got a special guest, Mr. Joey Turner, I believe, is here with us. >> Yes. So, Jo Joey's sitting over there and he he's famous. He was in the paper and and he came and we we got our picture together. once, but he had a lemonade stand to raise money uh during during the the 42 yard sale and to for students in his school to be able to get uh some birthday party treats uh from the cafeteria when they have birthday.
007So, you know, not only for his class, but for so many others. And he raised >> head over here >> raised almost $1,500. So, he did a great job. That's a lot of lemons. >> On behalf of the Gen County Board of Education, thank you. >> This is yours. >> All right. Y'all got to look right there. Hold on. >> Joey, can I get your picture? >> Yeah. >> Turn it around. >> There you go. >> All right. Good job. >> Thank you, Joey. >> Good job, buddy. >> That's That's a big exhale. >> So, how did you get that idea, Joey? I'm just curious. You just thought about it. >> No. >> He wanted He kept asking for us to send in money all the time for ice creams. So, we didn't. And then
008he wanted to buy the whole class of ice cream. So, then we would do that. And then it was like he wanted to buy everybody birthday. So, we're like, "Okay, we're gonna have to come up with an idea." So, school was getting ready to start. So, >> why not do a lemonade stand and people will pay a dollar for lemonade. So, That's what they did. And we had a lot of donations. Tell them what your goal was. >> $45. >> Almost cost $23 to do the birthday party. So then he thought that we made $250, but then we ended up I think it was 1463. >> Wow. >> Yeah. So >> was that a lot of work? >> Yeah. I thought you were tired after that. Yeah. Well, thank you. That's great. Great. service. >>
009If y'all bear with us for one more second, we have one more thing we need to do. You need to step over here for a minute. >> Yeah. Nobody sworn in the student board member board member. Can you name your picture? >> Yeah. What's >> wrong with our internet down here tonight? >> Did they update the password? I have no idea. >> Raise your right hand. Do you, Brianna Griffin, being duly sworn, swear or confirm that your other partner of the law to serve as a student member of the board of education of Gan County, Kentucky, and further state that you do swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States in the Constitution of the Commonwealth, be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, so long as you continue
010to be a citizen thereof, that you will faithfully execute to the best of your ability the office of student board member of Gaton County Board of Education according to law, that you do furly, solemnly swear since the adoption of the present constitution, you being A citizen of the state have not fought a duel for deadly weapons within the state and round of nor accepted a challenge to file a dual deadly weapons or have you acted as a second carrying such a challenge rather assist any person thus offending up you got >> do the same thing don't worry about it >> we got to have that duel with deadly >> weapon Anyone else? Moving on to item seven, staff school reports, principal report. Uh, Dr. Melinda Ersen. >> Hi. I'm just here to to introduce myself.
011I don't know if I'm supposed to stand or whatever, whatever you want to do. >> Um, is the new principal at um, the upper elementary school. And just to let you know, I'm so so excited and very blessed and feel very fortunate about being um in this role and looking forward to partnering with parents and community members. Um I welcome you to come in any time, see what we have going on um at the UEE, and just if there's any ideas that you feel like, you know, we need to think about implementing in the school, I'm very open to to hearing feedback. So, um, hello and and thank you. So, great to meet you. >> All right. Nice to meet you. >> Yep. >> Welcome aboard. And I do have a question for you. >>
012Sure. >> Uh, you're what? Uh, up to sixth grade, I believe. >> Fifth. Would you consider a Bible appropriate reading material? answer question. Would you consider the Bible appropriate reading material >> in what setting? >> Uh during a child's free time during recess whenever they're allowed to read freely and stuff in classrooms and things >> for independent reading. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. >> So if a child had a Bible and stuff and want to read that Bible during their free reading time during recess and stuff, then that child would be allowed to. Correct. Yep. >> Okay. And all of our teachers in your building are aware that if a child wants to read a Bible during recess during that they're allowed to. >> That I I don't know. Um I don't know what has
013been as a precedent before me, but I would hope that a teacher would at least ask me before they shut anything down. And if that were the case, then I would hope that a kid or a parent would come to me and say, "Hey, this happened." just so I could address it. >> Well, I had a parent contact me, an attorney contact me, and a preacher contact me all in one day today. >> Okay? >> And that's why I brought it up tonight uh of all books that should be read. I'm 100% firm believer in the Bible and believe every word in it. If it's in red, I know to really not to do it. But the uh but I I was just wanted to make sure that nothing had changed in our schools and
014stuff where a child during recess during free reading and stuff that uh Bible is not restricted. >> I have not made any of that. >> Okay. >> Clear or set any restrictions. So that's all I had for you. >> If that parent would reach out to me so I would have a little bit more detail so I could look through that further. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anybody have anything else? Moving on to item 7B. Uh student board member. Here you go, Miss Griffin. >> So, like I said, I'm I'm Brianna. I'm at the high school. I am our um D County FFA president. This is Sentinel. This is from two years ago. Um um I'm a percussionist in the band. I'm I keep I keep myself busy. Um I have a job outside of
015school, so I stay I'm always busy. Like to go to church. Um at the high school I have this year with the cell phone being a new policy. I'm really surprised at how well like they're actually like going on it because there was a girl a couple seats down from me at lunch and she had like under the table and then Ken was like I saw that give it here and then she was like right in the run and then Butler walked by and he was like dang you really caught you. I was like I was just kind of like whoa. But yeah, they are they're really cracking down on it a lot. Like and honestly I when I heard it I was like you know I was thinking it's yes it's the law now
016but I was like how well are kids really going to how well is it actually going to be implemented? And I'm very surprised. So yeah that's actually like that's like the priority right now. So yeah I'm fairly surprised and everything's going good over there. I haven't seen any problems yet. >> Awesome. We like to hear your perspective on things that are going on or things that are upcoming or whatever comes to mind, you know, as our meetings go on. So, yeah, look forward to it. >> I did have a question about um some of the new like rules with field trips and like the fundraising. I did have a question about the mainly the fundraising because it's I've been told that it is one in the fall and one in the spring. That is that
017right? >> For one what >> like one fundraiser for the fall semester and one fundraiser in the spring cuz somewhere that's what we've been told at least for FFA. >> I always say tell everybody that as many as we get. >> Well that it's not the case. Yeah. that that's not okay because >> good point. >> I don't know because that's what we've been told because we had our FFA meeting yesterday and we were like, well, we have to really choose what fundraiser really makes us the most money. So, I I don't I don't know cuz the field trip thing I don't obviously there's other reasons for that. That's whatever. I was more concerned with the fundraisers because that's like if we can only do one in the fall, one in the spring, that's going
018to make a big impact on us. >> Mr. Bushel might ask if that was maybe a sidebased. >> Yeah, I was going to say it's you know that you the board's going to set policies and each individual school is going to set policies and you know your individual club and group is going to set policy. So I don't believe that's a board policy but it could be the school or just your group you advisor may be like I I know from past experience we don't want to do more than two because we're going to overcommit ourselves. Could be any of those things but I don't believe it's a board policy. >> Okay. So who want to talk to Mr. Butler then? I was >> because I know Miss Mclen I know that she was like
019I don't really know why because she said it was the board and I've heard multiple teachers say it was the board and that's what >> it's always going to be the board. >> It's the lawyer. It's not the board. It's the lawyer. But I >> now and now that you're on the board it's going to be partly your fault too. >> Yeah. That's what I was like that's going to be one of the things the first things I ask is what's going on with the fundraisers. >> I talked to Mr. Butler problem just to make sure it's not out of sight. >> We did a lot of fundraising. >> Okay. Cuz I know at the last meeting you guys had all of our fundraisers were approved and we were really confused. We were like, >>
020well, if it's if they're really only doing one in the fall, one in the spring. >> Yeah. >> I don't know why they approved all of them. >> Thank you for bringing that up. >> Yeah. The board is not about this one. >> If I remember right, did we not agree to pay for field trips for the elementary school >> K through eight? >> Yep. And that was And that was one in the fall and one in the spring, I thought. >> No. Well, we give them 8,000 a school. John, what we done, you remember, we give them 8,000 school because I look back at red book, what they was raising and spending was around 7,000 or something. So, we raised each school to the 8,000 and that was a five six00 more than what
021they was getting. And that's where I come up with 8,000 number when I set that. >> I think that's really the only thing that's happened. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And I think people have got confused. >> Is it a field trip thing >> and that was for lower levels that wasn't the high school. >> So are Okay. Cuz I've also been told that field trips can be on the weekends unless it's a competition or it's only offered one day. >> Do you guys know anything about that? >> That's not a board, but that's probably a high school or academic or something. Mr. Arva may be able to answer to that. >> Okay. So talk to Butler then again. >> Okay. Cuz we were like, "What the heck, man? What? What is this? >> I will
022for sure be talking to tomorrow. >> The lawyer. >> Okay. Yeah, I think that's all I have. Those were my two big things and I was like, whoa, those are big changes. I have questions. >> Mr. B, >> you had the attendance report in front of you. I do have a typos. I copied over the spreadsheet from the year before. I forgot to update the date in the top left corner. So, it still has 24 up there. Enrollment is up a little bit compared to this time last year. It is right at about where we left off in May. I think in May we were at 1345. So, 1346 as of yesterday. Numbers are are pretty good. I was I talked with a couple DPSPs on Friday who said that their enrollment was down a
023little bit and they were a couple of them were worried about it. So, that's good that ours is holding steady. Um, other than that, pretty cut and dry looking at it. Off to a good start. We're tracking down a couple no-shows. Other than that, things are going pretty well. Questions on enrollment? >> We did talk at our retreat um about maybe hearing later on in the year from you on truency issues. So, just >> we can do that. Yeah, truency. I know when I started here around Octoberish last year, there wasn't really anything and then all of a sudden >> it snowballed pretty quickly. So, as we get deeper into the year, I can update you on some of those numbers. >> And we are hoping that some of our proactive communication and efforts on
024attendance will calm some of that. >> Thank you. >> Moving on. Mr. Tony Jur is not here. superintendent report, Mr. David Orbin. >> Yeah. So, it's been a uh been a a busy start to the school year. Uh but it but it's been good. Uh you know, walking through buildings, things seem to be going very well, a lot of energy, a lot of excitement, which which is a very good feeling. Uh you know, again, the document I shared with you uh just before is just something I received today. of the middle school's working on creating a news team uh to do announcements and and some different things. Uh I do know when uh you know they brought a new staff member on board and they took a look at the uh room in the back
025of the library. You know there's like a sound booth back there and that was something that got them very excited. Uh so they're working on getting some anchors and getting some things going and then potentially uh maybe even as they get toward the later in the year and get something established maybe bringing some upper elementary kids in on that as well. Uh so just really excited about their willingness to step out and do that. uh completed almost all of our uh I Ready testing the first round, getting that done so that way we can get our um interventions set up and going uh for students that need that. Um and also last week had an opportunity to take a tour of the Waters Edge over here and meet with them. Beautiful, beautiful facility. If you
026haven't had a chance to uh to get in there, I would highly recommend it. Um, and so, uh, also had an opportunity yesterday to go down to the public library and meet with their director, Shawn, and do a little podcast about the beginning of the school year and everything. So, uh, however long it takes them to turn that around, uh, I guess that'll be up on their website. But that was great just to get down and get an opportunity to talk about all the cool things that the school's doing at the beginning of the school year. Good deal. >> W's edge do proms. >> I think that's a distinct possibility. >> I've seen the pictures. It's beautiful. I said on mine it was. Yeah. >> Yeah. Standing up seat. Seating I think they said 400
027capacity standing about six. So I'd say some combination we would potentially easily fit right in there. So nice, >> something we can definitely look into that eliminates the potential for driving back and forth from Eur, you know, obviously, knock on wood, nothing bad's happened, but just to eliminate that possibility is always nice. Be able to keep things like that local. >> And maybe next year we can think about it for the regional meeting. That'll be the last year. >> Oh, that's nice. >> Um, but I just I don't know if we can afford it because keeping you know, paying for the place and the food. >> Did they say what the rates was going to be? >> Yeah, they mentioned I think uh again the one that stuck out to me was the the weekend
028and I believe that was like 6,400. Uh but that's talking Friday, Saturday night type of type of thing. I think 2,800 was like a daytime event. So um >> how much we pay you pretty much, Peggy? We we really don't pay anything for the facility. We pay $45 a person for our meal and the facility. We actually pay about 47, but we only charge 45. So the district is picking up a little bit there. So if we did the W's edge, you know, we have to have a big caterer. I mean, it might be 70 or $80 a school board member. And I I don't think districts will get into that, >> right? >> Yeah. Joey on that. >> Anyway, yeah, it would be great though to really showcase the county, especially the last year
029of the three-year rotation. >> Anything else, Mr. Arvin? >> No, sir. >> Everybody get a chance to look at the SPDM minutes, HR actions. Moving on to item eight, consent agenda. Any questions other than about John's golf fundraiser? >> I may we approve consent agenda. I >> think he's already got a bunch of people signed up. So, >> are you calling the question? >> No, no. I want it all. Bring it on. I don't want our new principal to feel like she's the only one who gets picked on. >> I do. Hey, real quick on the consent or I can do it after the consent. Uh, I'll go ahead. Miss Becky moves. I'll second. Uh, I know Brandon in the next few weeks should have us one on there. They're going to do the night
030golf again. Nobody's ever played that. Go do it. I've done it last year. So fun. It was fun. >> What you thought you knew about golfing? Death Perception and stuff at night. Good luck to you. >> Thing about golfing. >> You played with this last year. >> I did. Yeah. Don't Don't get the green. >> The red. >> Is it the red? The red golf ball. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think you had the red. We had red. It it went out my very last putt just right before. Not that it was going to go in anyway, but >> that's a sign of how many times you hit it. >> Yeah. Well, not well. I'll tell you that. >> It's going out on my drives. Even before I drove that one >> something real quick, I'll
031bring you up since we've got most a second on the floor for discussion. The uh John, where he don't get the salary for a basketball coach, can we give him that? This is legal question. J gray area. I know you love me. The uh the question. >> What you mean give it to him? >> Can we give him that money to use to for the basketball? >> So allocate that money to >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know. So just clarify for anybody watching you're talking about to the program. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So my my answer is going to be some districts do it. My recommendation is is no because you know if you voluntarily did it I guess it's okay. My issue comes when you know is is it going to be an expectation?
032I mean is he going to say hey I did it. The district owes the program $3,000. If so then he's not really doing it for free. He's doing it for that expectation that the program is going to do it. >> That's not his expectation. >> Well I hear you. I'm just saying that's an one more layer of >> John. What's your expectation, John? That's that's one more layer that the OEA is going to examine if somebody makes a report. So, >> if it's truly if it's truly a gift, >> I I wish it's a gift. It's from the board's heart to John's for him doing this. >> It's truly a gift. >> It makes me a little bit nervous that it's going to be construed as an expectation that there really is payment to John's
033directed program. >> He said he didn't even expect that. >> Can Can we pay him and then he fill out a donation form? >> No, I can't. No, no. The only way I can get paid is if I quit. >> Can we try maybe put that all over? >> He's doing it for free. He's doing it as a volunteer. If you're truly doing it as a volunteer, there's no expectation. You know, there's no quit proquo there. It's truly I'm doing it for free. >> Well, I'm I'm going to move money into his account for free then. >> Well, I don't drink out there. I mean, I understand that's what the law is. I mean, it's he's doing as a volunteer. Volunteer is volunteer. I'm doing it for free. offer any expectation of anything. Not an
034expectation that the program's going to benefit. So, you know, can you do it? Other districts have done it. I'm just telling you it's another layer of stickiness. If anybody makes a complaint, we got to deal with it. >> Oh, well, >> I mean, hey, I decision. I'm just telling you, giving you some advice there for the board to think about. >> Sounds good. Since John's got no expectation of us doing nothing for him and him have to get out. >> Zero expectations. >> I want to make it clear. John has no expectation of this board helping him. >> I Yeah. I mean you you can do it. Other districts do it. I'm just >> Okay. >> I'm just ask Jake. Other districts do it. >> Question. >> What question? >> All in favor signify by
035saying I. >> All oppose. Same sign. I think >> moving on to item number nine. >> Too late. >> New business. Uh first read district cell phone policy. I so move. >> Second. >> Mr. Jones seconds. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. Item 9B. Second reading of the change to Mercy policy for certified personnel. I so move. >> Second. >> John seconds. All in favor? >> Item 9 C. Second reading change mercy leave for classified I so move >> second don't mess it up John >> done second >> harness >> all in favor >> item 9 D second reading change of high school graduation requirement to reflect the addition of personal finance credit I so move >> I'll second >> Miss Becky second >> I do have a question have you gotten any
036feedback or anybody asked questions since we talked about this at last meeting. >> no. >> Hear no further discussion. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Item 9E, review, approve, set tax rate for 2526 school year. I'm going to make the recommendation to hold our tax rate at the 649 on tangible, 649 on real, and a 55.7 max by state law on vehicle. Sec. Did you make that motion? >> Yes. >> I'll second. >> John seconds. Any other discussion? Hearing no further discussion. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign. >> Tax rate is 649 649 and 557. Item 9F review approved sheriff's tax collection rate. We discussed that and we just have to do it get it in writing. Uh the I need a motion. >> I'll make
037a motion. >> Mr. Jones moves. I need a second. >> Second. >> Miss Amanda seconded. All in favor signify saying I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Item 10 adjourn. Mr. Jones. So moved. >> Second. >> Miss Amanda seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose same sign. Thank you all. >> All right. >> Thank you.