SCPS School Board Summary
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Core Value Nominations for March Now OPEN!
Board Meeting Video on YouTube
Recognitions
Maddie Cunningham and Izzy Herrick
...from Collins High School, were recognized for finishing in the Top 3 at Regionals and the Girls 400 Free Relay.
Ryan Cinotto
...of SCHS performed in the Kentucky Junior High Mixed Chorus.
Special Thanks to Our Counselors
Lindsey Haggard, Melissa Midkiff (she looks a little different tonight), Christopher Collins, and Miranda Shaw worked to train and organize personalized scheduling for the high schoolers in our district.
MLCHS KMEA All-State Choir Members
Congratulations to Liam Schippers, Jack Fuhrmann, Ben Whitehead, and Trent Smith.
Kylee May and Bella White were also accepted into the ACDA Southern Region Choir.
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Sugg's Superintendent Report
Yesterday, the legislature adjusted the regular session calendar which signals plans to begin negotiations on current bills through Conference Committees. Many bills are beginning to move and the pace of the General Assembly will pick up from this point until the end of the session which is currently scheduled to be April 15th.
Updated Bills to Watch from the 2024 Legislative Session
Budget Bills
The Senate released its budget plan (HB6 with SCS1) on Wednesday. While the education community was hoping for a stronger investment in P-12 education at this point in the budget policy development process, the Senate did improve the Tier 1 funding from 15% to 20%, which adds to the overall SEEK Program. However, they kept the SEEK Bases the same. The Senate also reduced Transportation funding to 90% in FY26 compared to 100% in the House. As a result, the total increase to the SEEK program is $97,296,300.
While not in the SEEK Program, the SRO funding proposed in the House budget has been removed. The Senate version did add an additional $16 million to the Kentucky Center for School Safety. They also increased funding for three other programs - Gifted and Talented, KECSAC, and Teach for America. It’s disappointing that Extended School Services (ESS) and FRYSC's were not increased in the Senate version.
Neither the House nor the Senate version will result in significant pay raises for teachers and other staff across Kentucky. Based on the current budget bills, Shelby County Public Schools has committed to a 3.5% pay increase for all staff but we had been hoping for more legislative support and funding to enable a larger percentage.
HB2 with HCS1 - The Constitutional Amendment that will allow the legislature to provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common (public) schools, passed the full House yesterday. It was slated to be heard today upon adjournment at a special called Senate Education Committee meeting. This bill will pass, and the proposed amendment will be on the general election ballot in November. It is a presidential election year, so voter turnout will likely be strong. The real work will be educating the voters in our communities across Kentucky on exactly what they are voting for.
High School Scheduling Project
What an incredible experience scheduling our high school students for next year was thanks to many individuals, especially the high school counselors. They dedicated hours of preparation, organization, and training for all high school teachers and administrators to assist students as they select courses. The overall collaboration of this project yielded more than an organized scheduling plan. It united the leaders within our high schools and brought together all for the good of our students. In addition to the high school counselors and those who assisted our students, I would like to also thank Steve Coleman and Dr. Adam Hicks for helping get this project off the ground early last fall. Their vision for collaborative and coherent practices related to scheduling students to courses will pay dividends for years to come.
Other Activities This Month
State Vex Robotics Tournament
State Swim Meet
District Basketball Tournament
Educators Rising Conference
KSBA Conference
Joanna Freels - KSBA Board of Directors
Maintenance Workers Day
SCATC Machine Tool Students Presentation at KSBA
Community Schools Meeting
High School Scheduling Project
Staying Connected to the Work
Donor Day Reminder 3/15/24
Highlights from the EL Staff Report
Dr. Adam Hicks announced a partnership with Base Lang to continue the Immersive Spanish PD that many of our certified AND classified staff have participated in and can now, continue their participation.
Board Discussions
Board Discussions
Ms. Jackson appointed herself to the Superintendent Selection Screening Committee.
Superintendent Selection Criteria:Joanna Freels - I want us to continue the programs we have started under Dr. Sugg.
Allen Phillips - I want to continue to improve our Agriculture Education Programs in Shelby County.
Andrew Cline: Previously we utilized the following criteria:
Provides evidence of a student-centered career.
Is a trusted educational leader with demonstrated management and human resource experience.
Demonstrates practical experience in competency-based education.
Is a charismatic visionary with philosophical openness to student-centered curriculum solutions.
Is committed to the local community while ensuring our graduates are ready for the global marketplace. (discussed adjusting committed to community stakeholders)
Is a highly energetic communicator with evidence of multicultural and multimodal approaches.
Demonstrates transparent communication skills, an open-door policy, and listens to parents.
Provides evidence of fiscally responsible, strategic, trusted and innovative leadership.
Is forward thinking - future focused.
Discussed adding a statement about being "safety focused."
Ms. Jackson: question to candidates "in your last school district - speak to your student growth."
Mr. Phillips wants to add and be specific about agriculture.
Ms. Jackson asks Raelena thinks students should have.
Raelena - A superintendent should show up and be visible in the schools and in the community.
Andrew Cline: I am excited to announce that I have met Board Goal 1 and exceeded my CPUs by 6 and it's just March! We comitteed to exhibiting a growth mindset and I did! I attended many sessions about the use of AI in education, best practices and legal issues. I focused on the requirements at KSBA. We need to pay attention to the legislation going through the House and the Senate.
Joanna Freels: I attended the local school board advisory. We talked about the legislation. Main one to be concerned with is HB2. Three candidates were announced for Commissioner of Education.
Sonya Blackburn: I enjoyed networking and meeting people from around the state. Our poster was well done! (Shoutout to Aaron Bissmeyer and Julia Price, media arts pathway at SCHS).
Raelena Aispuro: Congrats to Mrs. Smith and VEX Robotics. They did an amazing job at hosting State VEX Robotics. We are doing our Seniors Feeding Seniors food drive March 8 - 18. Defenses are tomorrow!!
Brenda Jackson: Commented on the Constitutional Amendment Bill (HB2) that will allow the legislature to provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. It passed the full House yesterday. We are well on our way with the Superintendent Search.
Board Action Items
Board Action Items
A. Consider approval of Eagle Scout project at Southside Elementary School - SCHS Student and Eagle Scout Logan Mondy gave a presentation about his project. Mr. Phillips gave advice.
B. Consider approval of the Budget Committee recommendations for the 2024-2025 budget
C. Consider awarding a contract for the District Website/Mass Communication bid (TABLED)
D. Consider approval of new and revised job descriptions as submitted
E. Consider approval of employing Studio Kremer Architects, approve BG1 for Maintenance Shop External Storage Building Project BG 24-220, and authorize the Superintendent to sign the necessary documentation
F. Consider approval of revised salary schedules for 2023-2024
G. Consider approval of 2024-2025 Nonresident Tuition Rate
H. Consider approval of lawn care contracts for the 2024 mowing season
All Approved.
Consent
Consent Agenda Items
A. Consider approval of special board meeting minutes for March 1, 2024
B. Consider approval of waiving Board Policy 09.36 to allow for use of Common Carrier for Clear Creek Elementary to go to the Newport Aquarium on 03/28/2024
C. Consider approval of waiving Board Policy 09.3 to allow for Sunday travel for MLCHS TAG students to attend the NASA Artemis Roads 2 National Student Challenge 23-24 Hub event in Sylva, NC, 04/28/2024 – 04/29/2024
D. Consider approval of declaring listed items surplus and offering them for sale via Public Surplus auction
E. Consider approval to accept donation to Shelby County High School's Dance Team
F. Consider approval to accept donation to Martha Layne Collins High School Vex Robotics
G. Consider approval to accept donation to Shelby County High School
4. Other
A. Declare a positive review of revisions to Administrative Procedure 03.125 AP.2 Travel Expenses
B. Closed session for the purpose of a meeting (Superintendent's formative evaluation) which state law specifically requires to be conducted in privacy under KRS 61.810(1)(k)
5. Adjournment
Shelby County Public Schools
Preparing wise students who master standards, lead by example, and embrace social responsibility.
Email: cyndi.skellie@shelby.kyschools.us
Website: www.shelby.kyschools.us
Location: 1155 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY, USA
Phone: 502-633-2375
Facebook: facebook.com/shelbycountysch
Twitter: @shelbycountysch
Public Relations Coordinator at Shelby County Public Schools