Fulton Independent BOE approves meal prices, tax rates at first regular session for 2019-2020 school year

Prior to the conducting of regular business for the Aug. 20 session of the Fulton Independent Board of Education, longtime board member Bill Robertson expressed his appreciation to the board, and well as his gratitude to students, after having received 300 "Get Well" cards from Carr Elementary classes and staff, and another large card signed by students at the Fulton Independent Middle/High School.

"Anyone who says we don't have good students here, well let me tell you, we do," said Robertson, who was present for the board meeting following his absence to recuperate from a stroke.

Other board members present included Chair Debbie Vaughn, Carol Bransford and Christy Pettigrew.

Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller introduced FIS Principal Mancell Elam, who provided a presentation to the board depicting the first few days of the 2019-2020 school year.

Also introduced was recently hired School Resource Officer T.J. Kirby.

In the communication items included in the board packet, fundraisers were approved for Melissa Clark, for the Lady Bulldogs Basketball program, for bake sales and sponsorship drive; and a back-to-school dance and block party Aug. 30, as well as a paint party Nov. 19.

As to the personnel report, listed as appointments were LeAnna Pritchard, Math Interventionist, Amie Huff, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Summer Frields, Primary Teacher, Morgan Ferguson, Instructional Assistant, Danielle Cruse, Instructional Assistant, Peggy Pryor, Food Service Assistant, Amy Chicoine, Volleyball Coach, Daniel Farmer, Assistant Volleyball Coach, and SRO Timothy J. Kirby.

Resignations listed included Barbara Buckingham, Primary Teacher, Tracy Tibbs, Instructional Assistant, Krystal Brandon, 21st Century After School Program Student Needs Specialist, Chan Malray, part time Custodian and Melissa Mora, Assistant Volleyball Coach and Head Softball Coach.

Overnight travel was approved for Dr. Miller, Sept. 5-6 to Frankfort for the KASA Conference Planning Committee, at no cost to the district.

Discussion took place by the board, in regard to the determination of the local property tax rates, with Dr. Miller providing information to the board for their review, as well as possible options or actions to take.

Local Boards of Education determine the total educational needs of the district in financial terms, and then the local Property Valuation Administrator completes annual property valuation, providing that information to the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet.

The Revenue Cabinet then certifies the district property assessment, provides that information to the Kentucky Department of Education, and the KDE verifies assessment information, calculating rates per Kentucky Revised Statutes, and provides the data to the local district.

The information is then reviewed by the local Board of Education, taxes and rates are determined, hearings are conducted if necessary and rates are confirmed and set to meet the needs of the school district.

Options to take by the board included the maintaining of the current rate at 75.4 cents per $100 assessed valuation; taking the compensating rate, at 74.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation; or taking a 4% increase in the tax rate, for 77.3 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

The board approved, with recommendation from Dr. Miller, the maintaining of the current rate, 75.4 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The setting of the tax rate, above, was rescinded in a special called meeting held after the regular board session Aug. 20, on Friday, Aug. 23. See the related story, also on The Current's website at www.thecurrent.press.)

Two items listed on the regular meeting's agenda were associated with the provision of Food Services, the consideration of pricing for A La Carte foods and the cost for adults' breakfasts and lunches served.

The adult meal prices for the 2019-2020 school year were set at $2.45 for adult breakfasts and for adult lunches, $3.75. Students incur no charge for breakfasts and lunches.

A La Carte meal prices for the 2019-2020 school year for adults and visitors were set at $1 for breakfast entree and $1 for pop tarts; 50 cents for cereal, $1.25 for lunch entree and $1.25 for peanut butter and jelly, 35 cents for milk, 40 cents for juice, vegetable/fruit, 40 cents, grain, 40 cents, 10 ounce water bottle, 50 cents, 16.9 ounce water bottle, .75 cents, snack variety, 50-75 cents and drink variety, 50 cents to $2.

The Newsela program, an online supplemental program for the area of English Language Arts, was approved for a contract, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Dr. Miller reported to the board that the program is a convenience for students and teachers, focusing on reading comprehension, though the Striving Readers Grant.

An Emergency Teacher Certification request was approved by the board, with a requirement the local board must declare an emergency as defined by Kentucky Revised Statute, to employ and use teachers with emergency certificates.

Dr. Miller explained a teacher for Health and Consumer Sciences had previously held the certification, allowed it to lapse and is in the process of reactivating the certification, projected to complete the process in December.

The board adjourned into closed executive session for the purpose of discussion of pending litigation and expulsion hearing, with no action reportedly taken upon return to open public session.