Lawrence County schools weekly UPDATE
May 22, 2015
Fletcher says burned bus was ‘duly maintained and inspected’
BLAINE – In the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education Monday night at Blaine School, the members of the Board and the audience were treated to music, a presentation of awards to school volunteers and details regarding student achievement.
With a district high of 4,122 hours logged of volunteer efforts, Blaine Principal Shawn Jennings accepted the honor of retaining the volunteer banner from Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher and District Parent Involvement Coordinator Betty Mullins. He lauded the efforts of the school’s volunteers and Jennifer Boggs was recognized with a plaque from the District.
Mrs. Dawn Rose of Louisa East Elementary was recognized as the District’s outstanding individual volunteer, while Mariann Mueller was recognized for her volunteer efforts at Louisa Middle School, Neil Wilson was recognized for volunteering at Lawrence County High School and Cathy Webb was recognized for volunteerism at Fallsburg.
The Blaine School band, under the direction of Ms. Jessica Crittenden, entertained the attendees of the meeting with a pair of musical selections and Mrs. Rhonda Colvin recognized the schools’ PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) teams school by school. PBIS has been a major factor in reducing the number of behavior related incidents district wide and Lawrence County Schools has been recognized for implementation with fidelity of the PBIS method of student intervention, according to Colvin.
Dr. Fletcher went on to brief the board on the fire that destroyed a Lawrence County school bus driven by Brian Ratliff.
“When I arrived I could see smoke and the bus, but I could not see the kids and that made my heart drop,” Fletcher said. He went on to explain that the kids had been removed a safe distance from the bus by Mr. Ratliff, and then related how the fire had appeared to be extinguished, only to engulf the entire bus. Dr. Fletcher noted the bus had been duly maintained and inspected according to policy and procedure and further investigation into the fire was forthcoming.
He also updated the Board on the potential of another round of School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding for the District to continue improvements at Lawrence County High School and the Board was then informed regarding Pathway to Proficiency Dashboard Data by each building principal.
Both Chairman D. Heath Preston and member Barbara Robinson expressed concern over the fact that many students remain below grade level in mathematics and reading. Preston said, “We want to do, and are committed as a Board to doing whatever it takes to get our kids at or above grade level academically. If there are additional things that we can do, we want to know what they are so we can get there.”
Additionally, parent Robin Preece Parker and her son, Aidan, expressed dismay at cuts to the school nurse program. She disclosed that her son battles a chronic health condition and is concerned over the impact that a reduction in staff has on students with health concerns.
Chairman Preston talked with Mrs. Parker and echoed her concerns and pointed out how the school nurse program began as one funded by outside sources but eventually became fully funded by the school district. Both Mr. Preston and Dr. Fletcher empathized with the Parkers and thanked the public for their comments on the issue.
The Board later went into executive session and returned later before adjournment.
Superintendent’s Personnel Action/Update
May 18, 2015
Hiring:
Substitute Custodian
Cody Diamond
Change of Position
Tiffany Brooks – From Clerk/Data Entry Assistant/Attendance Specialist to District Purchasing Assistant/Attendance Specialist
Resignations
Jennifer Jefferson- Teacher at Louisa Middle School effective 06/30/2015
Brenda Copley- Cook Baker (7hrs/day) at Lawrence County High School
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Lawrence County Schools
NOW HIRING
School Secretary at Louisa West Elementary School
and
Clerk / Data Entry Assistant at the Lawrence County Board of Education
Applications available on the District Webpage:
Please return applications to:
Lawrence County Schools
ATTN: Vernon Hall
50 Bulldog Lane
Louisa, KY 41230
Applications can also be submitted via email to:
vernon.hall@lawrence.kyschools.us
