County school board takes action to prepare for return of fall classes
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Sunday, July 22, 2018 — District Energy Manager Josh Bunch told the board of education Tuesday, July 17, that having all of the district’s eligible buildings now with Energy Star ratings represented not only a significant financial savings, but a reason to be proud of the results of years of forward-thinking district leadership.
Josh Bunch, the district’s energy manager, discusses the district’s energy savings thanks to its projects to improve the efficiency of its buildings.
The only district building that lacks an Energy Star rating is the Early Learning Center, which Bunch explained, isn’t eligible to be rated. But all the district’s other buildings that can attain the rating have done son.
In real-world savings, it means the buildings typically use 38 to 39 percent less energy.
In the 2007-2008 school year, energy projects saved the district approximately $210,460. By the 2016-17, the total avoided energy costs totalled more than $6 million.
Bunch said this school year he plans to create a pilot project to create student energy teams in several schools to allow students to get involved in learning about energy use and savings.
BOARD TRAINING. The board approved paying the $245 registration fee for three board members — Diane Berry, Diane Breeding and Jeff Dickerson — who attended the two-day 2018 Summer Leadership Institute offered by the Kentucky School Board Association July 13-14, 2018 at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington.
The Nelson County Board of Education met Tuesday, July 17, 2018. From left, Board member Diane Breeding, Jeff Dickerson, Superintendent Wes Bradley, Board Chair Damon Jackey, and board members Diane Berry and Rebekka McGuire-Dye.
In addition to the registration fee, Berry was reimbursed $357.50 for hotel costs and $50.31 for travel. Diane Breeding was reimbursed $56.93 for travel costs, and Jeff Dickerson was reimbursed $67.08 for travel expenses.
KLEFPF FUND. The board approved the district’s participation in the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund. The fund is created by fees assessed on insurance policies, and are used to provide training and incentives to law enforcement officers. Participation costs the district nothing, and will benefits the district’s new School Resource Officer Bradley McCoy.
INSTRUCTIONAL FEES. The district’s new Director of Student Leadership and Learning, Chase Goff, reviewed the high schools’ instructional fee schedule for the 2018-19 school year. The fees at NCHS include: Concert Band – $100; Instructional Fee – $50; Marching Band – $200; and Parking Permit – $10
At Thomas Nelson High School, there are only two instructional fees listed — a $40 Technology Fee and a $10 Parking Permit fee.
The board briefly discussed the fees prior to their approval.
CENTRAL OFFICE HIRES. The board’s actions Tuesday also approved the hiring of several individuals to fill new and open positions at Central Office.
Brooke Whitlow was hired as the new Sch/Communications Media Coordinator; Chase Goff was hired as the new Director of Student Leadership and Learning; and Laura Arnold was hired as the district’s Director of Workforce Development.
The board approved hiring Bradley McCoy as the school district’s new school resource officer, and Jessica Sekulski moved from guidance counselor to the Director of Pupil Personnel at Central Office.
In other business, the board:
— approved the 2018-19 code of acceptable student behavior and discipline;
— approved a memorandum of agreement between the district and Central Kentucky Head Start to provide special education and related services;
— approved the list of individuals who can serve as ARC and 504 chairs;
— approved renewal of a consulting contract with Dr. Amy Spriggs of Lexington for mental health consulting services.
— approved renewal of contracts with local mental health providers Communicare, JP Interventions and Astra Behavioral Health LLC.
— the board approved appointing Wes Bradley to a one-year term as the board of education’s secretary;
— and also approved appointing Chief Financial Officer Amy Owens, as the board’s treasurer.
NEXT UP. The Nelson County Board of Education next meets at its working session 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at the board’s meeting room in Central Office on Wildcat Lane.
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