Fulton Co. board reviews draft facility plan reflecting needs totaling $14 million, with just $1.7 million in bonding capacity; panel tweaks athletic eligibility policy
The Current, Fulton, Oct. 4, 2017
Fulton Co. Athletic handbook revised
By Charlotte Smith
For Fulton County Schools it is all about a balanced budget and working to be the district of choice in western Kentucky.
Currently, the district is serving 25 students that have chosen to attend school at Fulton County, meaning they reside in another district. This adds ups to approximately $84,000 in additional SEEK funding.
The working budget for the 2017-18 school year was approved by members of the school board Sept. 28, with the Fulton County Area Technology Center hosting the meeting.
The additional SEEK funds and an increase of $40,000 in tax revenue aided in balancing the budget, for now.
“There are discussions of increasing the CRS an additional $60,000,” noted Financial Officer Jennifer Davis. “That is detrimental to this budget. So far, those are just preliminary figures we are receiving.”
“We are trending straight when we look at expenditures and revenue,” added Superintendent Aaron Collins. “We appreciate our community and their support. Our goal is to keep the district solvent.”
With that in mind, the board also reviewed the district’s current bonding capacity, as well as a draft of the District’s Facilities Plan.
“A very conservative number for our bonding capacity is $1.7 million,” stated Supt. Collins. “That is much higher than I gave you six months ago. Some bonds are ending and being paid off. That is what is allowing this money to become available.”
The $1.7 million might seem like a big chunk of money, but when the draft of the Facilities Plan is reviewed and the overall mount needed to make all recommended district improvements is seen, which is $14.3 million, $1.7 is just a drop in the bucket.
The ATC, which is receiving a $410,000 grant to improve all of their equipment for their programs, is operating in a building that also requires an additional $2.6 million dollars in renovations.
The district bus garage is needing to be replaced, renovations to classrooms at both the high school and middle school, such as adding art, science band and vocal music rooms, are all included in the plan, as well.
An addition that has been talked about for several years is the track and field facility. This addition goes along with the future plans to make improvements to the football field, bleachers, press box, concession stand and work at both the softball and baseball fields.
Community members Lindsey Bridges and Keri Cole, both active members of the Fulton County Booster Club, inquired about the future plans for the football concession stand after football season.
“We are requesting from KDE, to allow us to use our bonding capacity to replace the football bleachers,” explained Supt. Collins. “The football stands and press box has lived their lifespan and we need updated bleachers that are enclosed and ADA accessible.”
Special projects, which cannot be funded by bonding dollars, are often placed on the back burner when budgets get tight. “We may be two years away from being able to do some projects,” Supt. Collins added. “We are committed to work on adding track and field and updating the athletic complex, but we must remain solvent as a district.”
Fulton County students Sida Brown, Hailee Edgin, Suanna Johnson, and Tyler Love were all recognized for their National achievement as members of the Young Leaders in Action team. Their sponsor, Fulton County teacher Beth McWhirt, was present as the students were recognized for this achievement.
“These four students received National recognition, receiving an award as members of our Young Leaders in Action team, named among the top five,” commented Supt. Collins.
Resignations were received from Kelly Sipes, Assistant Track Coach and Jerome Warren as the high school boys assistant basketball coach. “Brian Hood, science teacher, has been named the interim assistant boys basketball coach following Jerome’s resignation,” stated Supt. Collins. “Jerome appreciates the confidence the district has placed in him, but his work schedule is conflicting with abilities to assist the team at this time.”
The board approved the appointment of board member Kim Hagler to the Calendar Committee. They also approved the facilities request from Hickman Electric, Memorandum of Agreement with Four River’s Foundation and the Cross Country Schedule.
Two discussion items included school funding and the proposed recommendations by Governor Matt Bevin and a request by Fulton County High School Principal Ellen Murphy for the board to consider amending the grading policy in the athletic handbook.
Currently, Fulton County students are not allowed to participate in a sport if they have an ‘F’ in any class. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association policy allows a student to have two ‘F’s.
A special called meeting held Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., at the board office included information regarding the possibility of amending the athletic handbook policy on the grading system.
Following a 20 minute discussion the board voted unanimously on the following: “On a weekly basis, a student shall be making continual progress during the school year by passing their academic classes in which he or she is currently enrolled to be eligible to participate in athletics for that week. This weekly check of grades shall be conducted on each Monday by noon. A student found to be failing one subject is deemed eligible, but must have the F removed from a grade check within two weeks of the initial grade. If the F is not improved to a passing grade within two weeks, the student will be ineligible until the grade is passing on the day of grade check. (The students may participate in practice.)
“Students found to be failing two or more subjects are deemed ineligible immediately and grades will be checked at next grade check. If a student is failing, the student must attend a study hall during the practice time. If a student works diligently to improve his/her grade during the week of ineligibility then the student may request an updated grade check prior to an athletic contest and if the reported grades have improved the ineligibility shall be lifted.”
Before voting on the above, the board reviewed for different amendments with the board requesting Supt. Collins to review the law and bring to the board four amendment possibilities.
Supt. Collins gave an overview of the grade check policy as it relates to Fulton County over the last 15 months. After a short discussion, Mr. Goodman stated that he was in agreement with Amendment two (the above quoted amendment). Kim Hagler made a motion to approve the Athletic Handbook that included amendment two and Mr. Goodman made the second. All board members approved the motion.