Re-engagement grant to transition FIS students

Members of the Fulton Independent Board of Education were updated by Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller during regular board session Oct. 20, about the district’s receipt of a $50,000 Student Re-Engagement Mini Grant, following notification from the Kentucky Department of Education, Division of Student Success.

In the notification, Christina Weeter, Director congratulated the district, for their selection to receive the funding, with FIS ranked among top applications for the award.

Dr. Miller explained to board members Debbie Vaughn, Bill Robertson, Carol Bransford and Christy Pettigrew, that the funds will be used to re-engage students back into school life, including extracurricular activities, comradery and the formation of an advisory counsel similar to student government, which will include students in the virtual learning setting online at the Middle and High School level.

Dr. Miller recognized Sherri Langford, faculty member and Librarian, who achieved the status of Mastery of Dataseam IMacs Project, as well as the September Middle/High School Teacher of the Month award.

Langford shared with the Board about her recent “Apple Certified” status, achieved following her instruction in operating the Dataseam system and the passing of exams administered following the instruction, which also earned the school district 25 computers, valued at from $1,000-$2,000 each. The equipment, while used by students and staff at Fulton Independent, is used simultaneously to run research for cancer, and now, for corona as well, utilizing the University of Louisville as the main base for the research center.

Paige Adair was awarded September Employee of the Month for Carr Elementary.

In the review of the personnel report, two appointments were listed, Amy Chicoine, Middle School Academic Team Coach and Chris Mason, Certified Substitute Teacher; and one resignation, Karen Dean, Community Education Director.

One fundraiser was approved by Dr. Miller, as well as Principal Mancell Elam, for Victoria Zalucki, Fulton Parent Teacher Organization, for online, facebook and face-to-face sales of t-shirts, to go toward the purchase of PTO Awards snacks.

Principal Mancell Elam reported positively on the district’s return to in-person learning, through the hybrid method, with two groups of students alternating in-school attendance for two days each week, and no in-person classes on Fridays.

Elam noted the staff members and students were excited to be back in school, and while it was a challenge, it was “awesome” to return.

“I thank Dr. Miller for making this decision. Kids need to be in school,” Elam said.

In her report, Tracy Pulley Coordinator for the Family Connection, Fulton Independent School’s Family Resources Youth Services program, reported she had accepted a $750 donation from St. Edward Catholic Church for the FIS Backpack program, was notified WAVE-Ag planned to donate $500 to the Backpack program, which will sponsor four students, made 30 home visits inquiring as to whether residents wanted school meal delivery; 16 home visits to deliver health forms, in all 77 home visits for the month. Pulley also reported her attendance for a three day online training session, delivered dairy item boxes to households, contacted 79 NTI households to gather numbers for a grant application; and communicated with T.C.M.O. representative regarding the referral of students in need of clothing and shoes throughout the school year, as no in-person Christmas season shopping trip will be able to be conducted by the organization this year.

The BOE approved the formation of the 2021-2022 FIS proposed Calendar Committee, which includes one principal, Elam; district administrator Kent Green; BOE member Bill Robertson; Victoria Zalucki and Melissa Trice-Martin, parents; Elementary teacher Nakia Brown; Middl/High School teacher Morgan Wade; Classified employees Tammy Crumble and Harold Hutcherson; and community members, business community, Bridget Pirtle and Daniel Thomas.

Following a review by board members present and a recommendation by Dr. Miller, the contract with Memory Book for the Carr Elementary School yearbook was approved, for Advisor Paige Adair.

Submitted by the Superintendent, for board consideration and action, was the Working Budget for the Fulton Independent Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Among information submitted for the budget was funds required for the current expenses, debt service, capital outlay and other necessary expenses, as well as the estimated total amount needed to be raised by local taxation in preparing the budget, by the Superintendent.

Dr. Miller voiced her initial concerns regarding the budget preparation, however she stated “our kids have so many opportunities, supplies and programs available to them, we are well staffed, due to grant money. Because of that, we are able to not put our working budget in jeopardy, and it really pays off for the kids.”

The Board approved the working budget for the 2020-2021 school year, which included for the general fund, total revenue from local sources, a budget appropriation of $919,700, compared to last fiscal year actuals, at $1,053,688.21.

Board member Rea Jones was absent from the meeting.