Clinton County Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening with all members present as they dealt with school calendars, recognized several middle school students and voted on several other general items of business. The meeting also included a brief closed session on a student disciplinary issue prior to the meeting being adjourned on March 14.

The board first recognized several CCMS students who participated in the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA). The organization, which meets twice yearly, mimics the political and governmental workings of the United Nations and several local students and groups won awards at the most recent event held in Louisville.

Two other middle school VSA students were recognized for having winning art displays that will be showcased along with other state winners throughout the state.

Under consent items, the following was approved: previous meeting minutes; approval of subsequent disbursements; payment of bills; approval of a family medical/maternity leave of absence for Jamie Cooksey through April 8; approval to extend a leave of absence for Dana Shelley without pay for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year; and approval of a family medical leave of absence for Sandy Shelton through March 8.

Mike Reeves, Director of Finance, then gave his monthly finance report, noting that discussions pertaining to the next fiscal year budget would begin being discussed at the board’s next working session in April.

Board Chairperson Paula Key then gave a brief monthly personnel report, which included the following: Certified resignation–Jessica Conner, girls’ golf coach at CCMS and CCHS; Classified hired–Nicholas Spears, full-time substitute bus driver district-wide; and Classified resignation–Ronald McGill, part-time custodian at Albany Elementary School.

The board then voted to amend the current 2015-16 school year calendar as presented.

Director of Pupil Personnel Julie York noted that the district had been somewhat fortunate this year in relation to a year ago, noting that the three Non-Traditional Instructional Days used had also been a huge asset.

Under the revised calendar, students will–barring any unforeseen missed days–still get all of their spring break, with the last day for students scheduled for Thursday, May 26; CCHS graduation on Friday, May 27 and closing day for staff, Tuesday, May 31.

The board also approved the 2016-17 school calendar as presented. York said the calendar had been put together by the Calendar Committee, which was given different options to choose from. She noted 75 percent of the staff was in favor of the calendar for next year.

The school year will begin a little earlier, with the first day of class for students being Monday, August 8. They will have their first break on Friday, August 12 which has been set as a professional day for staff only.

The remainder of the calendar mirrors with current school year, with the annual fall and spring breaks and two week Christmas and New Year holiday vacation. The closing day for students under the calendar is targeted for mid-May.

The board also approved some minor amendments to the Foothills Academy calendar, as well as the Academy’s proposed 2016-17 year version.

The board then approved a contract with Cumberland Family Medical Center, Inc. to provide school nursing services. (A separate article on the Healthy Kids Partnership relating to this issue can be found in this week’s edition on page 1.)

The board also voted unanimously to apply for a PLTW Biomedical Sciences Career Pathway grant in the amount of $30,000.

Superintendent Charlotte Bernard said the goal of the grant would be to offer one course beginning with freshmen at CCHS the first year and two classes the next year and hopes there will be at least 20 students per classroom. The program is designed to help students interested in the medical field to begin a “pathway” for career and college course readiness through the program.

No additional instructors will be needed if the grant is approved and the funds will be used for materials, such as laptops to update the existing lab, maintenance and operations.

The board then voted to approve a fundraiser for Clinton County Middle School students “Coins for Chrome Books” drive. The next type of technology teaching equipment work something along the line of a small, unmovable version of a laptop computer and CCMS Principal Teresa Scott noted students were really excited about using the new Chrome Books and by having the drive would give them, parents, businesses and the community a chance to participate in helping purchase more of them for students at the school to use.

Scott even said she would have the Chrome Books demonstrated at the next board meeting for those who are somewhat unaware of what they are and how they work.

The board then voted to request permission from the Kentucky Department of Education to utilize $108,733 from Capital Outlay funds for general operating expenses as permitted by the biennial budget bill.

Finance Director Reeves noted that, under that bill, those funds that were usually only set aside for building and grounds, or school facilities, could now be used in other areas as needed by school districts, such as insurance costs, etc.

Director of Pupil Personnel York then gave the monthly attendance report for the sixth month of school, which ended February 22.

Attendance district-wide, compared to the same month the previous year, was up by nine tenths of a percent, from 93.24 a year ago to 94.14 this year.

The Early Childhood Center had both the highest rate of attendance (96.05) and most improved rate for the month, although attendance for the month was up across the board.

York warned that next month’s numbers may not be as good, as some illness has been going around among students in recent weeks, but hopes it will stay near the 94 percent mark for month seven.

Superintendent Bernard then gave the monthly attendance report. She noted the district has been doing faculty evaluations, putting together and revising school calendars and also the district would in all likelihood apply with the state for additional Non-Traditional or Cyber School days next school year, possibly up to all 10 that the state allots, since those days this year had a positive effect on the district, especially in keeping the school year from having to be extended past May.

Bernard also discussed the Food Services program and how students at each school, who did not use all their food offered during breakfast in the “grab and go” would put additional items they didn’t want into the “No Child Hungry” box. Those boxes can be accessed by students who get hungry or thirsty at any time during the day, and the superintendent noted it was very good to see other students putting food they didn’t need into those boxes to help out other students.

Following the superintendent’s report, the board voted to enter into executive session pursuant to KRS 61.810 (1) (f), ”for a hearing which may lead to the discipline or expulsion of a student.”

Upon returning to open session approximately a half-hour later, it was announced that a high school student had been “disciplined” but, upon advice from the board attorney, the exact discipline was not disclosed because it involved a juvenile student.

The next school board work session is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m. and the next regular business meeting Monday, April 18 at 5 p.m. Both meetings will be at the Central Office board room and open to the general public.