Fulton Independent sets tax rate, reports 2021-22 enrollment

Fulton Independent Schools’ Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller introduced new Principal Nathan Castleman to members of the Board of Education during regular monthly session Aug. 17.

Board members Debbie Vaughn, Carol Bransford, Bill Robertson and Christy Pettigrew welcomed Castleman to his new position, after his previous service to the district as Guidance Counselor and Special Education teacher, over the course of nine years.

“I am happy to be here as Principal. I am in my ninth year, and had thought I would just come to Fulton Independent and get my retirement after five years, so I could work in my yard. But it’s hard to leave here, I love it,” he said.

“I spent 32 years in the Obion County School system, and often I have said I wish I could have spent that time here. I look forward to continuing our rich history and making our own history,” Castleman added.

He commended the recently hired new Assistant Principal, Jean Little, for her efforts, noting she “hit the ground running”.

For the 2021-2022 school year, student enrollment reports as of Aug. 17, Castleman said, were at 148 for Carr Elementary; 86 at Fulton Middle School; and 84 at Fulton High School.

Castleman shared with the Board of Education that the Kiwanis Club of the Twin Cities had agreed to sponsor “Students of the Month” and five students were already enrolled for Dual Credit courses.

Regarding Professional Development days for staff, both Dr. Miller and Castleman reported success in all aspects, with topics including active shooter procedures and blood born pathogens. The School Board members were thanked for their provisions of backpacks and school supplies for students.

As part of the process to set tax rates for 2021-2022, board members were provided with the steps in the determination of a recommendation for the rates.

In the process, the local Board of Education first determines the total educational needs of the district in financial terms, followed by the local Property Valuation Administrator’s completion of the annual property valuation, and his provision of that information to the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet.

Next, the Revenue Cabinet certifies district property assessment and provides that information to the Kentucky Department of Education. The KDE then verifies property assessment information, calculates rates per Kentucky Revised Statute and supplies information to the local district.

Local Boards of Education then review the information, determine the type of taxes and rates, conduct hearings as necessary and set rates to meet the predetermined educational needs of the district.

Possible actions afforded to the Board included to take the compensating rate of 74.3 for property, and motor vehicle tax rate of 78.0; maintain the current rate of 74.5 for property and 78.0 for motor vehicle; or take the 4% increase rate of 77.2 for property and 78.0 for motor vehicle tax.

Dr. Miller’s recommendation to the board was to take the compensating rate of 74.3, which she noted would result in a reduction in taxes for the citizens, while still maintaining the district’s budget for a quality education provided to students.

The board approved the compensating rate.

Carr Elementary School was notified of the awarding of the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant, funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. The grant was awarded in the amount of $10,140.

Surplus property, 12 cafeteria tables, was declared as surplus with the board, at Dr. Miller’s recommendation, authorizing the sale or disposal of the items.

Cayce Batts, the FIS Social Worker, awarded Certificates of Recognition to Matt Moxley and Daniel Farmer, each named as July’s Teacher of the Month for Carr Elementary and Fulton Middle/High School, during the Summer session.

Batts was also lauded for her coordination of and oversight of the FIS Summer school session.

In the personnel report, appointments were listed for Jessica Randall, High School English Teacher, Lisa Kerney, Special Education Teacher, Ethan Freese, Elementary Teacher, Rebecca Copeland, High School Math Teacher, Peter Zalucki, Custodian and Jamaull Holloway, 21st Century After School Program Assistant.

A resignation was accepted from Josh Hawkins, Elementary Math Teacher.

Transfers for the 2021-2022 school year included Nathan Castleman, from High School Special Education Teacher to Principal; Taylor River, from 21st Century Program Director to Third Grade Teacher; Melissa Martin, from Instructional Assistant to long-term Substitute Teacher; and Danielle Cruse Lopez, from Elementary School Secretary to 21st Century After School Program Director.

Kent Green, Director of Pupil Personnel, presented the FIS Covid-19 2021-2022 Mitigation Strategies for the board’s review and approval.

“This is different than last year. This has given us the famework to start. If the County goes up, we can increase the strategies. We will look at guidance from the Kentucky Department of Education and Gov. Beshear, as to the indoor school mask mandate. This could all change,” Green said. The Strategies were approved.

Included in the initial strategies was the availability of traditional and online learning; mandatory masks worn in buildings; promotion of literature for vaccinations; sanitation and environmental standards; and screening.

A revised District Emergency Operation Plan for alignment with School Board Policy 09.436 was approved, including the update of personnel on Emergency Team and the addition of Covid-19 pandemic information.

With the Kentucky Department of Education’s permission to allow school districts to issue emergency teaching certificates to individuals having a minimum of 65 college hours, the board approved the declaration for an emergency and permitted the use of substitute teachers with emergency certification for certified and KDE approved certified substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.

“We are desperate for substitute teachers and bus drivers,” Dr. Miller said.

In a related matter, the board approved the use of teachers with emergency certification for the 2021-2022 school year, in the content areas of high school math and middle school science.

“We have two teachers, one for high school math and one for middle school science, and they have applied to Murray State University and the University of the Cumberland to gain their teaching certificates. They both now have bachelor’s degrees, but they will now have this alternative certification to be able to teach these subjects while they attend college and take courses to be certified in these areas,” Dr. Miller said.

Following board action, student and adult breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same, as in the previous school year, with students not charged for either meal, and adult prices remaining at $2.55 for breakfast and $3.85 for lunch.

Dr. Miller reminded the board, as in the past, teachers and staff who choose to share their meals at the students’ table will not be charged.

With a recent approval by the Kentucky Board of Education for an emergency regulation titled “District Employee Quarantine Leave”, expected o be filed soon at the Legislative Research Commission, and with the recommendation for approval by the Superintendent, the board approved a resolution, reserving the right to enact the three items attached to it, regarding paid quarantine leave to all eligible employees.

The items included in the resolution are that each district shall provide paid quarantine leave to all eligible employees if the employee has been placed in quarantine by medical professional, health department, school district and has been vaccinated against covid-19 or if they present a statement from a treating medical professional that a disability prevents them from taking the covid-19 vaccine, or if the employee is prevented from taking the vaccine based on sincerely held religious belief. The emergency regulation is to apply only to the 2021-2022 school year and relates only to covid-19 and its variants.

Board member Bill Robertson voted against the motion, with board members Vaughn, Bransford and Pettigrew voting for the approval.