FIS Board approves assigned Bulldog Virtual Academy

Members present for the April 19 monthly session of the Fulton Independent Schools Board of Education meeting, approved a Pupil Attendance Regulation Waiver Request, and the Student Resource Officer (SRO) contract with the City of Fulton, among agenda items and business transacted.

In regard to the Pupil Attendance Regulation Waiver Request, Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller explained to board members present, Debbie Vaughn, Bill Robertson and Christy Pettigrew, the request was made, in order to allow for attendance based virtual learning that might remove barriers that exist, to improve learning for K-12 students.

To be offered, will be a Bulldog Virtual Academy for grades Kindergarten through 12, a “school within a school” model enabling students to be scheduled, or assigned for inclusion in a full time virtual course load while retaining enrollment in their school. A number of items to be assured throughout the proposed 2022-23 school year, were provided to board members, including the monitoring of student interaction and attendance, visual and verbal interactions and work review, as well as completion of assignments in both real time and on-demand. All truancy laws will be followed for virtual students.

Dr. Miller shared with the board that the assignment of a student to the Bulldog Virtual Academy will be conducted on a case by case basis, and the district will ensure all students enrolled in the virtual academy have appropriate digital access to fully participate in and access the virtual program.

The recommendation by the Superintendent was unanimously approved by board members present.

As to the district’s SRO, Dr. Miller provided the board with a copy of the City of Fulton’s School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding, as presented and proposed by the City, David Prater, Mayor.

“It is the law now,” Dr. Miller said, adding the district first partnered with the City of Fulton for the provision of a School Resource Officer, SRO T.J. Kirby providing that service, three years ago.

“Officer Kirby has been fabulous. The kids and parents both love him,” Dr. Miller said.

As part of the MOU, the Fulton Independent School District is to assume the majority of the costs associated with the provision of the SRO, and according to Dr. Miller, in reference to the proposed MOU, the cost has significantly increased from the initial agreement.

For the three-year term, as proposed in the new MOU presented, for the first year, the school district is to pay the sum of $81,271 for the first year, plus $58.60 per any hour worked over 40 hours per week. The second year, the sum is designated as $85,548, and the third year, $86,712 annually.

The overtime rate remains the same for each year in the term, with yearly figures to be paid by the school district in two installments, once in July and one in December of each year.

The previous Memorandum of Understanding included two yearly installments for the SRO pay, approximately $26,000+ each installment.

The SRO remains an employee of the City of Fulton Police Department, not an employee of the School district. The Fulton Police Chief is to assign and appoint an officer qualified to be an SRO, with the school district able to approve or disapprove of such officer by written notice to the City.

The MOU was unanimously approved.

Architect Chris Spurk was present for the board meeting, as FIS Building and Grounds director and Director of Pupil Personnel Kent Green updated the board on the plans proposed for the re-roofing of the Fulton High School building.

Funds to finance the project will be garnered from the ESSER ARP Title Grant.

Green explained FIS has been advised the life of the roof on the FHS building has expired and has been repaired multiple times over the past two years. He reported once approved by the board, the plan will be sent to Kentucky Department of Education for approval.

The plans were approved.

The district’s Indirect cost rate was approved for Non Restricted Indirect Cost Rate, a 13.88% and Restricted Indirect Cost Rate, 3.10%. Dr. Miller explained the Non Restricted Cost Rate is associated with state grants, such as for the cafeteria, and the Restricted Indirect Cost Rate is associated with federal grants.

The recommended cost rates were approved.

The FRYSC, Family Resources Youth Services Center, Continuation Assurances was approved for the 2022-2023 school year, as proposed. FRYSC Coordinator Tracy Pulley provided the board with her monthly report, with included assistance with Family Reading Night, coordinating the building of beds through a Benton, Ky. ministry to provide beds for eight households within the FISD, assistance with the Baby Bulldog event, Chess Club, Reality Store, Adopt A Senior lunch, Leader In Me podcast, BADD Club, mentoring program, backpack feeding program and 15 home visits.

A fundraiser was approved for the Fulton High School cheerleading team, for a BBQ bologna dinner, to-go, on May 5, to raise funds for uniforms.

Matthew Moxley was present to accept his award for March 2022 Teacher of the Month, with the recipient of the March 2022 Employee of the Month, Tim Adams, also recognized for his award.

In the personnel report, listed were appointments for Sherry Davis, substitute teacher with emergency certificate, Alexis Kirby, substitute teacher with emergency certificate, and Renee Brown, substitute food service assistant.

In compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, eligible employees are entitled to 12 workweeks for unpaid leave because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform functions of the position of such employee. Dr. Miller reported to the board, she had received a request from an employee to use FMLA days for the final two weeks of the school year, following her maternity leave.

The request was approved.

Prior to the commencement of business, a motion was made, seconded and approved to strike two items from the meeting’s agenda, item D., regarding House Bill 678 Resolution, and item I., Executive Session per KRS 61.810, for Superintendent’s Evaluation.

Board members Carol Bransford and Rea Jones were absent.