What would be considered a shorter than usual agenda turned into a longer than usual regular meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education Monday night with all members present.

Portions of the one hour and 40-minute session included a presentation about a program for middle school students that were recognized and a lengthy discussion in approving next year’s school calendar (A separate article on the school calendar appears elsewhere this week.).

The board first recognized some middle school students who participated in the Kentucky Youth Assembly program, a program through the YMCA.

Students attended a three-day conference and learned about government and how it works, as well as about workings of governments in other countries.

Some of the students got to pen their own version of “House Bills” and learned the process of how they make it through committees and onto the senate floor and eventually to the governor for his signature.

Board members viewed a power point presentation of the students’ three-day conference trip, part of the Y-Club and also another phase of the KYA, KUNA (Kentucky United Nations Assembly.)

Following the presentation, Superintendent Mickey McFall presented the students who were on hand with certificates for their participation in the learning program.

The board delayed hearing the Early Childhood Center’s assessment data report until next month when more information can be gathered.

After approving minutes of the March meeting, two leave of absences were approved, including a family medical leave to Robyn Warinner through August 1 and a medical leave to Amanda Burchett through the end of the school year.

The board then unanimously approved subsequent disbursements and voted to pay claims and bills.

Supt. McFall then presented the monthly personnel report, which included the following: Substitute teachers–Jessica Cummings, CCHS and Laurie Cross, district-wide; classified hired–Sandra York, bus monitor; retired–Robert Osborne, JROTC teacher at CCHS; and certified resignation, Amy Davis, middle school teacher.

The board voted to allow students and faculty from Albany Elementary to conduct its Penny Drive fundraiser for Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) and delayed action on a second requested fundraiser for the same cause until more information on the type of fundraiser can be presented.

They also approved membership renewal with the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative for the 2011-12 school year.

A payment of $6,554.57 to architect Gary Scott was approved for professional services on the softball concession stand, which will be ready for use by the next softball home game. Also approved were payments to Albany Plumbing and Somerset/Burnside Garage Door-Glass Company for related materials.

The board then approved second reading of a policy amendment instituting a KRS as a reference to financial statements and approved a non-resident pupils contract with Somerset Independent Schools for the 2011-12 school year.

Superintendent McFall then gave the monthly attendance report for the seventh month of school. Compared to the same month a year ago, overall attendance district-wide was up by a full percent to 92.26, while average daily attendance was up from 1515.63 to 1561.55 and total enrollment was 1694.76, four students above the same time period a year ago.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education is slated for May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Office and is open to the general public.