Fulton Co. Schools’ energy savings awarded

Barbara Atwill

A representative from Harshaw Trane was not able to attend the monthly meeting of the Fulton County Board of Education on Aug. 30, but plans on attending next month to have plaques ready as Fulton County Schools earned an “Energy Star” district-wide.

Superintendent Aaron Collins stated, “We are on the upper level in terms of what we are receiving in cash back for that work. We are about $10,000 over what we anticipated in savings. It has been a good program for us and again the high school building leads the way in terms of what they are doing for energy savings. The District has avoided paying $133,435 because of the program and energy savings is $11,919 more than the goal of $44,000.”

Superintendent Collins’ personnel report included the resignation of High School Assistant Baseball Coach Charles Choate. Recently employed positions included: Food Service Substitutes – Tomeka Holloway, Tammy Craigmyle, and Flora McNight; Certified Substitutes – Passion Wilson, Quiana Mayes, and David Station; Assistant high school boys basketball coach – Jason Sipes; middle school second assistant football coach – Savion Hayslett; high school assistant softball coach – Ashley Goodson; high school softball coach – Lindsey Bridges; high school baseball coach – Charles Choate; Special Education assistant – Angie DeHart; and assistant high school boys baseball coach – Larry Miller.

Information was provided as to how transportation costs is dealt with in terms of athletics.

“I think there has been a misunderstanding that all of the burden is on the athletic teams for transportation and that is not the case,” Collins said.

“The Board is roughly paying 55% of that cost. What happens is if the cost is roughly $2.80 per mile to run the bus, the Board charges $1.35 per mile to athletics for any trip. We have a trip per hour the bus driver receives, which is less than their normal trip. This is a nominal cost and the bottom line dollar is roughly $10.35 per hour,” reported Collins.

“If the coaches can find someone to drive, or an assistant coach to drive, or another head coach from other sports to drive, they can get certified with a CDL to drive the bus and could then make that cost $1 per mile. After doing the numbers this is the absolute lowest the Board can go, but the bus can’t be operated for less than $1 per mile,” continued Collins.

The Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) Regional meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, with the four board members registered to attend, at the First Assembly of God church in Clinton.

A public tax hearing is set to be held Sept. 6, at 5:45 p.m. The board is proposing to take the 4% of 53.6% on real property. Taxes will not be raised using the 4%. The negative is roughly $30,000 - $40,000 less in taxes because delinquent taxes were figured into the percentage and normally delinquent taxes are not received every year.

“If delinquent taxes are not paid again next year the school district could be in trouble,” stated Collins, “biggest delinquents are businesses, not individuals.”

The Board discussed a Request for Proposal (RFP) on campus for fuel tanks and researching which companies might be interested. Jennifer Davis looked into state contracts, finding the only one is the one the school board currently uses.

Administrative Team Reports included Ellen Murphy, Fulton County High School Principal, was recently named to the Education and Professionals Board by the governor; Tamra Parker is on the Early Childhood Committee, a governor council; Perry Turner, Board Member, is on the Purchase Area Development District Board; and Chuck Murphy, community member, is on the West Kentucky Workforce Board.

Notification of a Preschool grant to possibly add an additional classroom will be received Sept. 10. There are currently 58 enrolled in Preschool and 12 on a waiting list. If received the grant will allow Fulton County to have four classrooms.

There are four students looking to register at the high school, waiting on paperwork. There are 617 students registered from Pre-K to 12th grade.

According to Julie Jackson’s numbers of students eating lunch has gone up.

“Where we were receiving $100 a day for a la carte and extra meals, we are now looking at $500-$600 per day,” reported Collins, “We need to make sure everyone in the community can come to our schools, sign-in, and purchase a wonderful meal for about $3.50 and I guarantee it will be the best meal in Fulton County.”

Other action taken included:

• the receipt of facilities requests from the Fulton County Youth Football and FFA Alumni for the annual Boston Butts sale.

• approval of the coach’s handbook

• approval of the athletic handbook

• approval of the Four River MOA

• approval of contract with Hilliard Lyons to serve as financial advisor to the Fulton County School District for the proposed Four Rivers Career Academy and Safety project

Mark Rawlings, with Hilliard Lyons attended the meeting and the Board appreciated the sponsorship for the Opening Day Breakfast.

The Year-To-Date Revenues for July are $236,769.36 compared to last years of $190,211.20. Year-To-Date Expenses are $139, 636.79, compared to prior year of $145,790.63.

Jennifer Davis, Chief Financial Officer said, “Revenues are up and expenses are down, very positive.”