With state education budget set, city school district plans for future
Board member Franklin Hibbs examines a 3-D printed model of a three-legged sawhorse created by a team that included a Bardstown High School student.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 — The Kentucky General Assembly’s override of Gov. Matt Bevin’s vetoes has school finance officers back at work making calculations for the next school year’s budget.
TRACEY ROGERS
District Treasurer Tracey Rogers said the General Assembly’s approval of a bill that gives the district relief from the large payment due next fiscal year for the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) means the district’s programs will not face any cuts.
The legislation means that the district can spread the large pension payment out over a number of years, Rogers explained.
The state budget also restored transportation funding. The final budget also gives schools slightly more in SEEK funding. While the budget includes some funding for preschool and Extended School Services (ESS), it does not have funding for professional development.
Overall, Superintendent Brent Holsclaw said he was pleased the district will be able to move forward and maintain its programs without major cuts.
Rogers said the board will have a tentative budget for its review next month. The district must approve a tentative 2018-19 budget by May 30.
CITY STUDENTS AT THE NCATC. Holsclaw introduced Jeremy Booher, the principal for the Nelson County Area Technology Center.
Booher explained that he and Holsclaw met two years ago and set a goal of building the number of district students who attended the ATC.
BOARD MEMBER ANDY STONE
Two years ago the city schools had 49 students; last year it was 70. In the fall, 108 city school students will be taking advantage of the programs the ATC h as to offer, Booher said.
“We’re thrilled to be working with you all to educate our students,” he said.
Andy Carter, the ATC’s computer-aided drafting instructor (who is also a former graduate of the ATC’s automotive technology program) explained that a Bardstown ATC student and his partner competed in a recent state competition and used 3-D printing to create models of a three-legged sawhorse, an invention whose idea had its origins from the ATC’s welding instructor who operates a sideline business of making welding repairs in the field.
Carter said local employers are anxious to work with students who are being trained, and some students are waiting to earn their drivers licenses so they can take advantage of the opportunities to get real-world employment experience.
In other business, the board of education —
— approved the staffing allocations provided to each school’s side-based council.
— approved a contract to hire Betty Pendergrass for audit consultant services.
— approved the 2018-19 pay date calendar. District employees will continue to be paid on the last working day of each month.
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