~from the Sturgis News
Board Renews Superintendent’s Contract
The Union County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to renew superintendent Patricia Sheffer’s contract for another four years. Sheffer will complete her first four years at the helm of Union County Public Schools June 30. Her new contract which has no changes from her present one will become active July 1.
The board spent about 25 minutes in closed session discussing the superintendent’s contract before returning to open session to vote on the matter. Following the vote, board chair Jennifer Buckman commended Sheffer for “doing a wonderful job and taking pride in her work.” She added, “At a later date after more review of the budget we (the board) may come back and look at additional compensation (for Sheffer).” “The board is behind you one hundred percent,” Buckman said.
Sheffer noted, “I appreciate the confidence the board has shown in me. This is the best place I could be. I have asked the board to wait on (additional) compensation because I wouldn’t want to take more unless the staff is also compensated. Thank you for the opportunity (to serve Union County Schools).” District personnel is scheduled to receive a two percent salary increase for the 2015-16 school year; however, that increase is not funded by the state. Should it become a reality, Sheffer would also be compensated that amount.
The board also approved a working budget of $26,167,265 for the 2015-16 school year. That budget, treasurer Amy Morris said, reflects a half of a percent reduction from the previous year. She also reminded the board that the working budget “is a very rough draft due to all the variables” that the district faces. Among those are the estimated loss of $380,000 in tax revenues due to the sale of TVA land, a 9.57 proposed rate increase from Kentucky Utilities, and the two percent state mandated raised which will increase the district’s share of retirement costs.
Morris also noted that the district’s SEEK funding has been reduced by $24,486 this year, but the full impact of SEEK reductions is still not known. Average daily attendance could also impact the budget as it was presented Monday night. The budget does include the purchase of three new buses which will make 74 percent of the busses agree with the Kentucky Department of Education recommended replacement cycle. The district is also waiting for grant notifications to have a more accurate financial picture. Grants should be awarded between now and March. In concluding her budget review, Morris told the board, “The loss of TVA revenue is significant and something we will have to overcome.”
Judge Executive Jody Jenkins was in attendance at the school board meeting and issued the oath of office to Evelyn Meacham and Melissa Whitsell who were re-elected to the board in November. Jenkins also read a resolution proclaiming January School Board Recognition Month. He urged the community to support the effort of their local board of education.
In other board business, Jennifer Buckman was re-elected board chair and Evelyn Meacham was elected vice-chair. The board also recognized the job corps students who laid tile at the central office.
In other matters Steve Carter presented the attendance report, telling the board that the period from December 5 to January 14, was one of the district’s worst attendance months, with attendance percentage at just 93.09. Carter noted that the district was greatly affected by the flu which seemed to move from school to school.
In her report regarding Victory Tech, Holly Keeney told the board that the initial goal of school personnel was to increase the enrollment by 50 percent. That goal was surpassed with a enrollment increase of 70 percent, Keeney said. “We are doing whatever it takes to get students a GED or high school equivalent,” she said. Keeney also reviewed a number of initiatives she and other personnel are working to achieve. Keeney said she hopes to work with local high school students so they can take advantage of programs offered on the job corps campus such as welding and deck hand. Job Corps director Jeff Barton interjected, thanking the board and Sheffer for putting Keeney on board at the center and “helping grow Victory Tech.” “ I value our partnership with the school system,” he said.
Darrell Pfingston, who is working with the district on energy conservation also addressed the board to present his annual report. Pfingston reported that district energy costs are up in part because of the increases in electrical costs. He also noted that the district’s natural gas usage is up by eight percent, but added that the usages by the local district are on trend with the entire state. “We feel the district’s annual goals and game plan is to continue to focus on energy efficiency district wide,” Pfingston said. He also told the board that Union County along with other districts represented by the school board association to intervene in the latest rate increase proposed by Kentucky Utilities. Pfingston urged the board to “continue to fund and implement the board’s energy plan.”
Food Services director shared the district nutrition report card with the board noting that based on 2013-14 data 238,672 lunches were served to local school children with the district receiving federal reimbursements in the amount of $749,557. The district served 127,821 breakfasts and 6,697 snacks to school children. The nutrition report card reviews both nutrition and physical activity opportunities for students at all grade levels. It also provides a review of how the local food services department is meeting federal regulations and providing nutritious meals for school children.
In other business, Morris reviewed two technology offers of assistance totaling just at $35,000. Morris told the board the funds must be matched with local revenue; however, the board could opt to escrow the money for three years. She recommended the offers be accepted and the funds escrowed. Jim Ricketts made a motion to accept Morris’ recommendation and Meacham gave a second; the board approved the motion.
Carter presented an adjusted calendar which reflects making up the two days students have missed due to inclement weather. Students will now go to school all day on February 13 (originally a half day), and will make up the second missed day on Monday, February 16. The board approved the adjustment.
Carter also presented the 2015-16 school calendar which shows students reporting for the first day of classes on August 13; teachers will report for professional development on August 10. Fall break is slated for October 12-16; spring break is scheduled for April 4-8, and the last day for students is May 20. The board approved the proposed calendar.
A number of items were approved by consent including the renewal of the FRYSC and Community Education grant, a foster grandparent contract renewal, a memorandum of agreement for the energy manager, non resident contracts, and monthly report such as trip requests, leaves of absences, fund raiser requests and the travel report.