The Clinton County Board of Education approved the 2023 District Facility Plan during two separate meetings (one also being a work session) and a public hearing, all of which were held in a one-day session last Wednesday, June 7, with four of five members present.
The board first met at 5 p.m. with three items of business, including finalizing the 2023 District Plan with revisions. A public hearing on the final plan was held at 5:30 p.m. and a second meeting on the final draft at 6 p.m.
During the first meeting, Superintendent Dr. Paula Little noted that KDE (Kentucky Department of Education) had requested some minor changes be reflected in the 2023 plan submitted to the state, including footage area of the new gymnasium floor.
Board member Gary Norris moved to approve the 2023 plan, with changes, which passed by unanimous vote.
On motions by board member Ronald Albertson, the board approved a request for a Hearing Packet of Information from KDE for the District Facility Plan and appointing a Hearing Officer (Gary Norris) for the plan. Both motions passed with all voting yes.
Following adjournment of the short special meeting, the board waited until 5:30 p.m. to call the public hearing in session, with no public comments being made after the Hearing Officer (Norris) gave an overview of the District Facility Plan, as required by statute.
The facility plan, which is revised every five years, lays out the needs and priorities for each school in the district, including the high school, middle school, elementary school, and Early Childhood Center.
It lists priorities for the 2024-26 biennium period at each facility.
The total scope of needs in the plan overall is $105,754,931.00.
Among the top priorities, and much discussed, needs in the plan includes the construction of a new Clinton County High School. That would include the demolishing of the current facility (with the exception of the existing gymnasium), and construction of a new facility .
The current estimated price tag is $43,755,239 for the aforementioned project alone.
The plan included needs for each facility–other than construction–such as structure repairs, windows, exterior and interior walls, HVAC systems, roofing, electrical work, storage, plumbing, etc.
Following the public hearing on the facility plan, the board waited until 6 p.m. to call the special “work session/meeting” to order.
Superintendent Little conducted a brief work session covering items of business that will be acted on at the board’s regular business meeting next Monday.
The board also voted on three items of business on the agenda, including approval of first reading of policy and procedure updates recommended by KSBA (Kentucky School Boards Association), the aforementioned public hearing report and the final Clinton County School District Facility Plan.
Following the public comment period, during which no comments were made, the combined meetings were adjourned.
As of press time Tuesday, the school board had yet to act on hiring an interim schools superintendent to temporarily fill the vacancy created by Dr. Little, whose official retirement is effective after June 30.
The school board will hold its next regular business meeting Monday, June 19, at 5 p.m. at the Clinton College & Career Center on Hwy. 90 West. The meeting is open to the public.