The Union County Board of Education met in regular session Monday night hearing several reports and updates. Following the pledge and recognition of two students, board members heard the auditor’s report, the food service audit and the quarterly report from Victory Tech.

 

Olivia Stone, who was recently named Miss Kentucky Youth, and Luca Marsh, who is presently the face of SMILE on Downs Syndrome and is pictured on billboards and other printed materials, were presented certificates for their accomplishments.

 

Superintendent Patricia Sheffer gave a state of the district report which covered finances, state rankings and other initiatives of the district. Director of Pupil Personnel Steve Carter reported that attendance for the third month of school was at 94.76 percent for the district. Attendance for individual schools for the third month is 96.52 percent at Morganfield; 96.08 at Sturgis, 96.18 at Uniontown, 94.70 at UCMS, 92.81 at UCHS, 77.07 at UCLA and 100 percent at both Victory Tech and Victory Tech 2.

 

Holly Keeney, Jeff Barton, Wayne Duke and Lief Johnson provided the quarterly report for Victory Tech and Victory Tech 2. Keeney told the board that attendance at the center is increasing at a rate of about eight students per month. She added that to date this school year 65 students have graduated from Victory Tech.

 

On Monday night, diplomas were presented to two more students: Cheyanne Frederick and Kendall Travis. According to Keeney, the program works with students to complete their high school course work and to encourage them to not become a drop out. Keeney added that the dual enrollment program has also provided a great benefit for students. Presently, high school students can take welding classes and UAW classes to earn certifications in those fields and become ready for the work force.

 

The partnership between Union County Public Schools and Earle C Clements Job Corps has been phenomenal, center director Jeff Barton told the board. “It is refreshing to see what can happen through out partnership,” he added. Barton also told the group that ECCJC has spent about $10,000 to add curriculum to Victory Tech and is in the process of providing additional funds for curriculum. “We want to continue this partnership and grow it and we want to add more area students to this program,” Barton said. Barton also indicated the center is interested in expanding the dual program to other areas.

 

Instructors Lief Johnson and Wayne Duke also provided insight to how their programs benefit students and the skills students are learning so they are marketable in the work force. Keeney has also been instrumental in developing the Work Ethic Seal Program which as 57 UCHS participants. By meeting the criteria of the program, the students will be designated ‘work ready’ when they complete their high school requirements. At the conclusion of the presentation, board member Jim Ricketts complimented the work being done and noted, “I’m excited about the partnership with the job corps and the opportunities it provides.”

 

In other business, food services director Shane Bosaw gave an update on the recent food service audit. He also noted that the number of students eating lunch at school is growing each year, and the breakfast participation is above the state average. The food services department completed an federal audit in late October and had only five minor deficiencies. Bosaw said it is possible to have thousands, so he was extremely pleased with the audit results.

 

Members of the Sturgis Elementary School Site Based Council gave a brief report, telling the board that the school continues to celebrate it K-Prep achievement. The Leader in Me program has been instrumental in helping students be academically successful, council members said. They also noted that the school is focusing on three goals: Accelerated Reading, math and attendance.

 

Theresa Jones of Alford, Nance, Jones and Oakley, provided a brief summary of the district’s most recent audit report. Jones highlighted portions of the 60 page report and commended district personnel for the cost cutting measures they have put in place to keep expenses down. Jones also noted, “I truly can’t say enough about the job Amy Morris (finance officer) does.” The district received a clean/unmodified opinion, the best report a district can receive, on its most recent audit. Jones also noted that there were no compliance issues with internal control, no compliance issues with Title I or Race to the Top, both federal/state programs. The auditor reported that processes and procedures at the school level are getting better (tighter) and are more streamlined. “You’ve been able to withstand many unfunded mandates but how long can you continue to do that?” Jones asked in commending the district for its work to be more financially efficient.

 

Following Morris; financial report, the board approved a list of ten consent items including travel reports, leaves of absence, trip requests, renewal of the Worker’s Compensation Insurance with KEMI and the approval of a BG-2 and BG-3 for an HVAC project.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.