Google classroom for snow days highly praised;

BOE Regular December meeting, some principals complain of flu problems…

(LOUISA, Ky.) – January 22, 2015.The Lawrence County Board of Education met Tuesday, January 20, at 6pm at the LCHS Library.

The meeting was called to order by new Board Chairman, Heath Preston.  The agenda was approved, then student and staff recognitions were announced. January was school board recognition month, which has been proclaimed in the community by County Judge Executive, John Osborne. Dr. Fletcher commended the board members for their dedication, and each member has been presented with a certificate and special gift.  Heath Preston is now the new board chairman, and John Goble is newest board member.  
 

The topics of the Superintendent’s update included the AEP Foundation Grant, for which the board will be applying.

Snowbound Learning Days (Google Classroom), was mentioned including Google Classroom, a program implemented when school is cancelled due to weather.  After missing 34 instructional days last year due to the extremely harsh winter, alternatives were explored in which students could still be ‘in the classroom,’ even though they were at home. Hence, Google Classroom. Students simply log in on the computer and receive classroom instruction.  
 

Board member, Garnett Skaggs, said teachers at Blaine Elementary felt that once some of the bugs were worked out, it will be a good thing.  Superintendent Fletcher said, “It has the potential to change the way we teach,” explaining that it could be used not only for snow days.  He said the parent involvement with Google Classroom was great.
 

Other topics included an air quality test at LWES which has been completed, transportation review, updates to the boy’s locker room at Fallsburg Elementary, mid-year reviews for principals, and the use of Google documents at the central office.
 

There were no outside comments during the public comment portion of the meeting, but board member, Garnett Skaggs did report that two $500 prizes were awarded to a couple of 8th grade Blaine Elementary students.  She said “$750 was donated by Blaine Alumni and $250 was donated by Grayson Electric.
 

Biology Teacher, Brandon Meddings, who also coaches the fishing club, announced that there will be a swap meet of fishing gear.  He invites the public to bring in any fishing equipment they want to get rid of.  Meddings said any money raised from the event will go back into the fishing club and other activities.  “It keeps the kids involved with fishing, and out of other things.” 
 

The minutes of the January 15 special meeting were approved, then the financial report was read by Business and Finance Director, Edris Humphrey.  Humphrey reported that the December beginning balance was $2.347 million, revenue was $1,632 million, expenditures were $1.5million, and the ending balance was $2,412,879.  The financial report was approved as was Claims and Orders of the Treasurer.

Humphrey said they are still working to reduce expenditures and said it is “a work in progress.”  She said a meeting would be scheduled in February to discuss the new budget,and that it had to be submitted by the end of May.

The consent agenda was approved, and included such things as utility service, school trips, fundraisers, use of facilities, and other similar items.

The Pathway to Proficiency Accountability Dashboard was next on the agenda, in which the principal of each school in the district reported answers to three questions posed by the Superintendent; what did they have to celebrate, where did they need improvement, and what steps would be taken to get to where they needed to be.Chief Academic Officer, Cassandra Webb and Superintendent Fletcher also discussed Pathway to Proficiency.

It was reported by some principals that low attendance due to the flu was a major factor in recent scores.

Other items discussed were bidding of lawn care for this year at the central office,Superintendent and Board attendance to KSBA Annual Conference, and discussion of funding needed to compensate for the proposed increase in utility rates.

The board then recessed the regular meeting for the convening of the Lawrence County School District Finance Corporation.  After the regular meeting resumed, new business was discussed and the Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update was approved. (See separate posting).

The meeting was adjourned and the next regular meeting of the Lawrence County Board of Education will be Tuesday, February 17, at 6:00 pm, at the LCHS Library.A schedule of 2015 meetings are currently posted on the Lazer.

Superintendent’s Personnel Action

January 20, 2015

Hiring;

Substitute Bus Monitor

Delena Bradley

Resignation;

Shawna West    -Instructional Assistant at Louisa West Elementary School (1-Year)