Union Co. leaders review successful 2016-17 year which superintendent credits to "definitely at team effort;" new principal briefs board on plans to build student growth
Sturgis News, June 26, 2017
UC Board Of Education Addresses Lengthy Agenda
Staff report
The Union County Board of Education met in regular session Monday night with a lengthy agenda before them. Many items on the agenda concerned the closing out of the 2016-17 school year and getting the 2017-18 year underway.
Before addressing the regular business of the board, thirteen retiring teachers were recognized for their dedication to education and the Union County Schools; seven of the retirees were present at the board meeting and were presented watches to commemorate their service to the school district. Dottie Davis, Dilbach, James Frazier, Brenda Hardesty, Mark Jenkins, Cindy Loxley, Marilyn Nalley, David Nolan, Dana O’Nan, Donna Pollard, Regina Taylor, Patty Arnold and Nancy Hancock have all retired this year.
The board also recognized several UCHS students for their success in the “Project Lead the Way” program. Maggie McGraw provided an overview of the program and recognized students who scored advance on the end of course assessments.
In her report, Superintendent Patricia Sheffer told the board that the district “finished the year strong;” she shared a video highlighting many of the district’s achievements during the 2016-17 school year. Among those achievement are having three schools named as Lighthouse School, implementing seven high effective habits, UCHS wrestling earning another state championship; Robert Ervin being named Kentucky’s wrestling coach of the year; Bruce Bell earning the FRED award, Jim and Linda Baird begin named KSBA Friends of Education at the state level; the implementation of the Morganfield Elementary School mentoring program; Eli Neitz winning the district spelling bee, 17 students earning CNA certifications, having three students accepted to the Gatton Academy and having
nine middle school students enroll in accelerated classes at UCHS. The successes listed are just a few of the items Sheffer highlighted as she told the board, “We are very proud of our students’
accomplishments.”
The superintendent also reported that the district scored well on their report card, surpassing established goals for preparing students to be strong readers, moving from 45 percent to 60 percent of students in grade two reading at grade level, and in finance where the district has allocated resources to maximize learning. The district is also making significant gains in cultivating an inspiring environment and hiring quality staff that will stay in the district and recruit others.
The successes, Sheffer said, “were definitely a team effort. I’m excited about the progress we’ve experienced so far.”
The superintendent also announced that Union County High School has been named a National Beta School of Merit.
In other reports, Sheffer noted that the Read and Feed Program is going well throughout the county.
New Morganfield Elementary principal Ryan Scott also addressed the board. Scott told the board, “Everyday I wake up blessed. I have not stopped thinking about what we can do in Morganfield. I believe in community based education and getting the community involved.”
Scott added that he will ask community members and businesses to “Hero Up,” and do what need to be done to help children. Scott said he plans to visit businesses and ask them to “Hero Up” and support and invest in the children of Morganfield.
He concluded his remarks telling the board the school will focus on a growth mindset and implementing five minutes a day for working memory exercises.
“I think you’ll see some magic coming out of Morganfield,” he said.
In other board matters, Amy Morris gave an overview of the financial picture for the district, and the board approved a list of 33 consent items.
The board thoroughly reviewed each of those items at their Wednesday, June 21 work session.
Among the consent items approved were
*the approval of a change order on the asphalt project. The change order calls for the addition of the loop and parking behind the high school where the preschool will be located
*closing out of a certificate of deposit at 5/3 bank in the amount of $4012.50. The money will be sent to UCHS for a scholarship awarded to Kyle Franklin Brantley
*approval for four students and a staff member to travel to Anaheim, CA for the national FBLA convention
*approval of KSBA policy and procedure updates which include change in language in some policies, dress code language, calendar issues, preschool bus restraints, graduation requirements and language which addresses human trafficking and the district’s ‘duty to report,” and driver’s license revocation regulations for 16-17 year olds based on academic deficiency and/or unexcused absences.
*the salary schedule for employees
*approval of the revised fees for English, Lucas, Priest and Owsley, the board’s attorneys; the fee has increased by five dollars an hour
*approval of handbooks for each school, coaches’ handbook, substitute handbook, employee handbook and the district code of conduct. Also listed among the consent items were a request to accept a $3000 McElroy family scholarship and the release of UCHS student bank funds for use by FBLA for their trip to the national convention. The funds were originally provided to the school by Old National Bank, but the school bank has closed and ONB asked that the funds be redirected to the FBLA.
An agreement with Franklin Covey for Sturgis Elementary to continue to participate in the Leader in Me program was approved as was the annual bond of depository.
The board also approved participation in the Community Eligibility Program which will provide free breakfast and lunch for students at Uniontown Elementary, Sturgis Elementary, Morganfield Elementary, Union County Middle School and Union County High School.
Memorandums of agreement were signed for Audubon Area Head Start meals and the National School Lunch Program procurement certification was approved.
Following the approval of the consent items, the board went into closed session for discussions regarding the superintendent’s evaluation.
When they returned to open session, board chair Jennifer Buckman announced that Sheffer had received exemplary for all seven evaluation standards (see related story in this week’s The Sturgis News).