Law Enforcement Officer position created for Fulton Co. Schools

Members of the Fulton County Board of Education met in regular session March 21 in the Fulton County Elementary/Middle School Library, with Perry Turner, Rob Garrigan, Kim Hagler, and Barry Patrick, school board members, and Aaron Collins, school superintendent, present. Member Jacob Goodman was absent.

Pilot Spotlight was awarded to the Fulton County Middle School Boys basketball team.

Superintendent Collins said, “These young men are leaders, they work hard, stay out of trouble, do what they are supposed to do, and that is what we want out of young men as they prepare to move on to high school. We want them to continue to grow, not only in athletics, but academically.”

Middle School Principal Brian Hood stated, “To me, these young men exhibited the perfection of Pilot Pride. They really came together and played together well. The first night I watched them try out, I wasn’t sure how many games they were going to win. It was a perfect testament of what happens when a group of young men, or ladies, come together for a common goal and really enjoy each other and pull together. One night after a game I talked to Coach Chuck and he stated I’m not sure how we won that one. I said you won because the kids care about each other.”

The Middle School Pilots were first place regular season champions in district play, second place in district tournament, and won their Christmas holiday tournament.

Middle School Principal Hood presented the Middle School Glows and Grows for 2018-2019, with members Melissa Newton, Beth McWhirt and Jennifer Dillon present. Jere Kinney and Ashley Coulson were absent.

“One of the things we’re all judged on includes KPREP Scores. Instead of focusing on scores, I also included the percentage of growth over the last year, from 2017-2018. We are looking at the growth number because it is the most important. This is where we need to concentrate on, our growth,” stated Hood.

KPREP Scores and Growth include eighth grade Reading - 89% Proficient/Distinguished (P/D), up 49%, grade level growth; seventh grade Reading - 81% P/D, up 23.5%, grade level growth; sixth grade Reading - 65.9% P/D, up 9% grade level growth; eighth grade Math – 61% P/D, up 29%, student growth; seventh grade Math – 67% P/D, up 34.5%, student growth; sixth grade Math – 63%, up 30.4%, student growth; and eighth grade Social Studies – 80.5% P/D, up 38%, grade level growth.

FCMS Glows reported were KPREP Test scores; Four Rivers Curriculum – seventh and eighth grade students able to take Automotive Mechanics, IT, Agriculture, Welding, Health Science and Business; Spanish added to the seventh and eighth grade Specials classes; Young Leaders in Action, Luke Jackson, Jason Mathews, Kaylee Young, and Natasha Slinkard, winning the regional YLIA competition, to compete at the National level; implementation of a new girls volleyball team; PBIS System – earned a score of 97% on PBIS fidelity assessment, and new TEAM Score system allowing students/classes to earn points toward rewards for positive actions, high attendance and exhibiting Pilot Pride;

Continuation of The Leader in Me grant for two years; New Gear Up Kentucky Grant through West Kentucky Educational Cooperative, including a financial literacy curriculum complete with texts for our middle school students and STEM consulting, college consulting, and teacher training; Region I Small School Attendance winner; middle school football completed a 6-1 season; First Place regular season Basketball Champions, second place District Tournament, and won the Christmas Holiday Tournament; ;and several students placed at Governor Cup and competed at Regionals.

FCMS Grows reported included Proficiency Goal – to increase the combined (reading and mathematics) percentage of Proficient/Distinguished students from 49.6% to 60.5%; Gap Goal – to increase the average combined Reading and Mathematics Proficiency rates for all students in the Gap Group (Consolidated Student Group) from 30.5% to 60.5%; Growth Goal – FCEMS to increase the Reading Growth Rate for combined Reading and Mathematics from 15.6 to 15.8; Continue to develop Tier II and III interventions for reading math, writing and behavior; continue to implement “The Leader in Me” and PBIS programs; and continue to establish and two positive relationships with parents and community partners to help our students succeed.

Supt. Collins reported personnel hired for March included Jamie Madding, assistant track coach; Autumn Grooms, student bus monitor; Malena Haney, cafeteria substitute; and Heather Kellum, food service substitute to food service worker, full-time.

There was one resignation Nicole Webb, food service worker.

In his report, Supt. Collins stated, “Thanks to Mark Rawlings, with Hilliard & Lyons, and Craig Thomas, architect, for working through the upcoming renovations at Fulton County Schools and the LPC for creating the plan.”

“Pressing through to Spring Break, we had training last week with Aundrea Giggetts of Jacksonville, Fla., with training on ‘Words Matter’, as to how we speak to others. We are professional educators 24/7, it doesn’t change. Very good reminders for all of us,” Collins continued.

“The BG#1 was revised after the bids were looked at, with the total construction cost at $1.609 million. Construction contingency fee was redesigned to $80,450, with architect engineer fee at $1367, and total $1,985,493,” stated Collins.

The Board approved a contract, rent and lease with the Fulton County School District Finance Corporation and approved all documents in connection with the proposed Fulton County School District Finance Corporation School Building Revenue Bonds.

Also approved was the bid for construction, to M.P. Lawson Construction of Paducah, with the lowest bid of $27,500, at $1.609 million, including special inspector, BFW engineer and testing of $9,200; test and balance $5,660; and commissioning agent, $10,604.

The Food Service and Wellness Report Card for 2017-18 was approved, with highlights including 7,407 breakfast meals eaten in February 2019 as compared to 4,881 for the 2016-17 school year. February lunches sold 11,034, compared to 8,755 for 2017-18.

Collins stated, “With the numbers up we can now look at the cafeteria, move old equipment out and move new equipment in, and add to what we are doing.”

The Auditor’s Service Contract with ATA of Murray was given Board approval.

“It has been three years since bids were received for the audit report. Bids were requested from four auditing firms by letter and only one bid was returned. ATA’s bid was $18,000, a 9% increase over last year,” said Supt. Collins.

The Board discussed coaching allotments for coaches and assistant coaches for 2019-2020.

Jennifer Davis, Fulton County Schools Financial Officer, informed the Board members, “Current base salaries alone for coaches are $73,976, and bonuses are $3,750, for a total of $77,726 for 2018-19. The proposed additions for next year of $6,200 will bump the minimum to $83,926, plus benefits of up to $8,300, bringing the total coaches and assistant coaches somewhere close to $94,000+.”

No decision was made and the Board decided to table the matter until next month’s meeting.

Board members approved the Classified and Certified salaries for 2019-2020, the same as this year, and Extra Service Supplements for $1,100.

A position for a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) was discussed as opposed to SRO (School Resource Officer), a resource to the school from another department like the city or sheriff’s office.

Collins suggested creating a LEO person/supervisor position who is already certified POPS (Police Officer Professional Standards), who has already been through the Police Academy, and already has a bachelor’s degree in some type of law enforcement field, and criminal justice.

“Title IV money is available for two years from federal funds. We have not spent any of our Title IV funds this year so we can draw on them, basically two years worth to cover the position,” Davis stated.

The Board voted to advertise a 215 day contract on a certified salary, post the job on May 30, for a 15 day posting, hire in June and start the position working in July.

Collins stated, “Chief Tony Grogan, we appreciate being here tonight and for all you do for us. You are a big partnership for our schools. Your time and effort that you do here is incredible and we thank you greatly for the great work you do for our students, community and our city.”

Grogan replied, “The City of Hickman pays me to be here, so I’m happy to be here for you and they want us here. They want us to actively take part and I’m here to help you.”

A Law Enforcement Office to be located on the school campus through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council was approved.

Davis presented the Financial Report reporting, “Total Revenues collected to date are $3,453,908.50, compared to our budgeted number of $4,644,540.22 for the year. We have collected 74.36% of the Budget, which is excellent.”

“Expenses to date are $2,330,328.52. We have spent 50.17% of the budget and are over half way through the school year. Salaries alone, we have paid out 58.33% already and the total budget is at 50% and we are saving in other areas big time, which is great. We have spent 57.75% of the budget this time last year, basically we have spent $61,000 more this time than last year, but we have more expenses because we have more revenue, more students, more busing, and staffing,” reported Davis.