A small portion of the regular monthly meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education Monday evening was before a standing room only audience, as several of the district’s younger students were recognized prior to the start of administrative business. Four of five board members were on hand for the November session.

The board recognized some 22 Early Childhood Center students who have had perfect attendance thus far during the school year and later, Director of Pupil Personnel Julie York presented ECC principal Tina Langford with a plaque in recognition of the school winning the region’s high attendance award for small schools. That event was held on September 18 across Kentucky, with all schools in the state competing for the highest average of daily attendance.

(A photo with names of those students recognized for perfect attendance will be published in next week’s Clinton County News.)

Superintendent Charlotte Bernard also led the entire audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, with Monday being observed for Veterans’ Day. She also introduced the cadets of the CCHS JROTC who were at the meeting and thanked that group for another job well done in presenting its annual Veterans’ Day program at the high school on November 9.

Also recognized was Travis Garmon, who was presented a certificate for “Most School Spirit” by the superintendent and board members.

After approving minutes of a regular and special meeting, the board voted to approve five medical and/or family medical leave of absences, including: medical leave for Angela Smith through November 9; family medical leave for Angela Renee Polston through January 1; medical leave for Kim Fitzgerald through December 1; medical leave for Beth Sullivan through November 16; and a family medical leave for Mark Garner through January 31, 2013.

After voting to approve between meeting disbursements and voting to pay claims and bills, Superintendent Bernard gave the monthly personnel report, which included the hiring of five substitute teachers, Martina Brown, Michial Conner, Patricia Sawyers and Cassandra Huddleston, all district-wide and Brian Tarter at the middle school.

Board member Kevin Marcum then questioned about substitute positions and whether or not younger residents with degrees, or were waiting for full-time employment, were given priority as opposed to those who are retired or not looking for full-time positions.

Supt. Bernard and Albany Elementary School Principal Tim Armstrong, who was also at the meeting, both said that all substitutes in the district are being utilized almost daily and Bernard thanked all the substitutes for their service to the district.

The board then voted to request permission from the Kentucky Department of Education to utilize $74,009 from Capital Outlay funds for general operating expenses as permitted by the biennial budget bill HB 265 RS 2012.

The board approved a fundraiser for the Early Childhood Center to sell soft drinks for the purpose of upgrading technology, math manipulates, attendance awards and items for the playground.

Two overnight trips were approved, including for selected band members from CCHS to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee November 15-17 and the high school boys’ varsity basketball team to participate in a tournament at Lloyd Memorial High School in northern Kentucky December 27-29.

DPP York then gave the monthly attendance report for the third month of the school year. Attendance at three of the four schools continues to be above the same rate a year ago, with the exception of the high school, which was down about two-tenths of a percent.

York also noted that on Monday of this week, several students were absent due to a virus that is going around. She also added that each school is pushing for a “high attendance” day next Tuesday, November 20, which will be the last day for students prior to the extended Thanksgiving holiday break, that will begin Wednesday, November 21.

The board then entered into a closed session on personnel but took no action upon returning to open session.

The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, December 10 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office and is open to the general public.