Continuing Contracts confirmed by BOE

by Benita Fuzzell
Fulton Independent School Board reviews new, continuing contracts for teachers Fulton Independent School Board reviews new, continuing contracts for teachers

In the absence of Board Chair Debbie Vaughn, Fulton Independent Schools Board of Education Vice-Chair Carol Bransford presided over the board’s special called session June 11, when agenda items listed included the closing of the books for the 2018-2029 school year.

Finance Officer Becky Fisette was authorized by Bransford and board members Rea Jones and Christy Pettigrew to pay outstanding bills and balance negative internal accounts in order to close the books for the school year, with the board also voting to approve the financial report and the Orders of the Treasurer.

On a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller, as defined by Kentucky Revised Statute, the board made a declaration of emergency, to permit the district to issue emergency teaching certificates to individuals having a minimum of 64 college hours, with the certificate only used for the purpose of substitute teaching, per annual approval.

The Kentucky Department of Education also allows for non-certified substitutes who have completed KDE non-certified emergency substitutes’ program to also substitute teach.

For future construction projects to be specified at a later date, the Superintendent was authorized by the board to commit and assign unrestricted funds for additional future construction and maintenance projects, up to $50,000, an action required to be approved by June 30 each year, per Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 54.

As explained by Dr. Miller, the authorization accommodates actions required in the event of an immediate need regarding repair or construction projects, when the convening of a school board meeting may not be possible in time to take action.

The Medicaid School Based Health Services program, in existence to assist school districts which seek reimbursement for covered health services for children eligible for both the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and Medicaid, with all paperwork required handled through the Kentucky School Board Association, results in approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per year recovered by FIS, according to Dr. Miller, which could include provided services for special education and speech. The KSBA receives a percentage of the funds recovered, with a rate increase from 8% to 9% effective July 1, 2019.

The board approved the contract with KSBA to continue to administer the Medicaid billing program, with the increase to be retained by KSBA, at 9%.

The second and final reading of the FIS student handbooks was conducted and approved, as were board policy updates and procedural updates, with minimal revisions, for the first reading. Among revisions, was a streamlined policy/procedure regarding background checks for individuals who conduct business on school campuses and properties.

The July regular school board session, set for July 16 at 5:45 p.m., was cancelled per board action at the recommendation of Dr. Miller, to accommodate for administrative training in Louisville, as well as financial information unavailable for board review, the result of employee vacation. In the absence of the board chair, Vice-Chair Bransford requested a special called meeting set for July 15 at 5:15 p.m. at the board office.

The enrollment report included May’s district total enrollment at 304, with one fourth grade student re-enrolled to another Kentucky district and one ninth grade student re-enrolled to another Kentucky district.

Kindergarten enrollment was reported at 23, first grade, 25, second grade, 25, third grade, 30, fourth grade, 31, fifth grade, 30, sixth grade, 19, seventh grade, 18, eighth grade, 17, ninth grade, 20, 20th grade, 26, 11th grade, 20 and 12th grade, 20.

Fundraisers approved were for the FHS Girls’ Volleyball team to hold a sponsorship drive, with sponsor names to be placed on a team banner to hang in the school gym, requested by Coach Chad Malray.

Board members were provided with information from the Kentucky Department of Education, as to the Determination Letter for Special Education services, with FIS attaining a “Meets Requirements” status.

Travel approval was provided to Dr. Miller for June 18, KASA Conference Planning Committee, at no cost to the district; July 8, to Lexington for the Persistance to Graduation Conference, required, July 16-19, to Louisville for the KASA Conference and July 24-26 for the Gifted Education Training in Nashville, Tenn.

In the personnel report, one appointment was listed, for Rebecca Copeland, 21st Century After School Program Site Director; and one resignation, for Mark Roberson, Carr Elementary AC Monitor and High School Girls’ Basketball Coach.

Also relating to personnel, Continuing Contracts, for “tenured” teachers, were listed for Cynthia Brown, Barbara Buckingham, Jennifer Caldwell, Nathan Castleman, Mancell Elam, Allison Evans, Daniel Farmer, Tammy Malray, Chad Malray, Beverly Pledge, Brad Rozzell, Kathy Thweatt and Sarah Townsend.

New Continuing Contracts were listed for Nakia Brown, Joseph Dublin, Stephanie Fulcher and Sheila Tiberi.

Limited Contracts were listed for Paige Adair, Shannon barnes, Terra Bryan, Dana Crawford, Amy Chicoine, Cierra Cole, John Dillard, Kent Green, Erin Henderson, Sherri Langford, Christopher Mason, Melissa Martin, Brittany Moxley, Matthew Moxley and Morgan Wade.

Non-Renewal of Contracts listed included Don Bellah, Charlotte Goddard, Amity Grinstead and Stacey Smith.

There were no retirements listed.

Fulton Independent Schools Classified personnel listed for the 2019-2020 school year included clerical, Kelly Cash, Kim Farmer, Becky Fisette, Debbie Hastings and Asha Jenkins.

Food Service personnel listed includes Ashley Teasley, Director, Jana Large, Patricia Ray and Kala Tubbs.

Instructional personnel listed includes Beth Clark, Lori Crocker, Tammy Crumble-Weatherspoon, Judy Hollliman, Harold Hutcherson, Monnica Maddox, Kayla Roach, Sarah Sparkman and Tracy Tibbs.

Custodial personnel listed includes Tim Adams, Doug Fisette, Jimmy Smith, Chan Malray, part time and Maria Jackson, part time sub.

Health Services personnel listed was Ashley Kendall, transportation, Doug Fisette and Thomas Mulcahy; and program coordinators, Tracy Pulley, Family Connection; Karen Dean, Community Education and Rebecca Copeland, 21st Century After School Program Site Director.