The Estill County School Board appointed Randall Christopher as interim superintendent of the school district in their regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday night.
The board went into closed session and discussed the matter briefly. When the meeting was re-opened, a vote was taken among board members with all voting yes to the hiring of Christopher for 120 days with the exception of Jon Bicknell.
The board also honored several employees who are retiring from the school system.
Lopell Dixon was recognized for her 22 years in the school system by Tonya Isaacs who taught with Dixon at West Irvine and later became her principal. She commended Dixon for her love of the children and for her sense of humor.
Carolyn Young is retiring from lunchroom services after 22 years. She worked as a cook for 20 years, then as lunchroom manager at the high school. Principal Blain Click said Young “never stopped smiling,” although both she and her daughter have faced cancer diagnoses in the past year.
Principal of South Irvine Pre-K Lisa Reece recognized Lana Horn for her 23 years of teaching at South Irvine. Reece said Horn had made “a difficult decision” to retire early to help care for her husband Mike who suffered burn injuries earlier in the year.
Reece also commended Diana Long for 26 years of serving food with a smile. Long has worked at South Irvine as a cook for all those years.
Kathy Rawlins was not in attendance at the meeting, but her principal, Loretta Cruse, said Rawlins had worn many hats in her 19 years in the system, including the six years she worked as a special ed assistant. Cruze said Rawlins “treated every child like her own.”
School board chair Patty Hood emotionally presented retiring Bert Hensley with a gift, saying she remembered calling him for an initial interview during the hiring process, She said she was immediately struck by his intelligence and kindness.
Hensley responded by saying, “God brought me here, and I am a very lucky individual. I’ve had great people to work with.”
Board member Robbie Starling mentioned some of Hensley’s accomplishments in his nine and a half year tenure as superintendent.
“We went from $40,000 in our contingency fund to at least 10 times that-when we weren’t getting more from the state…white boards were furnished to all schools…MAP testing was implemented…renovations at the high school were completed, and a brand new school built at West Irvine,” said Starling. “Perhaps most satisfying is the funding of preschool and kindergarten when it was not being funded.”
Estill Springs Elementary Principal Loretta Cruze suggested naming a testing lab after Hensley who implemented the universal testing program here.
Hood also recognized out-going board member Charlie Bill Muncy for his four years of service. She said she appreciated that he was “truly caring” about the students.
Hensley thanked Muncy as well for all he has done.
In the communications section of the agenda, Hensley said the Kentucky Department of Education has approved the bleacher project at the high school.
He also referenced a report from the Council for Better Education which proposes replacing the SEEK allocation now based on average daily attendance with one based on the number of students enrolled and the resources needed for them to achieve academic success.
Tonya Isaacs presented an overview of a comprehensive improvement plan for the school district. She said the document was important to “make sure we stay on task.” She said it is required every year within 90 days after the test scores are released.
In a building and grounds report, Christopher said the problem with moisture under the floor at the high school has been resolved. He recommended putting down a moisture barrier and proceeding with the new flooring.
Marlin Wright was present to ask what measures are being taken to assure that children are being kept safe (in light of recent news reports).
Hensley suggested Wright speak with the principals, but said, “Safety is a huge issue with our children.”
Consent items approved were the minutes from the last meetings, the treasurer’s report and payment of the bills, approval of out of state trips, including $9,000 for the senior trip, trips by the Middle School band and the Middle School student council; the reconditioning of the middle school and high school football helmets and equipment per state requirements, and FBLA transportation to regional and state competition.
High School band director Jason Bowles was present to ask the board for help to purchase new uniforms. He said the ones the band has been using are now 10 years old, but the greater need is that there aren’t enough uniforms to go around because of the increasing numbers of students joining the band.
Board member Charlie Bill Muncy made a motion to supply the band with the funds to purchase the uniforms “if we have it,” and the board unanimously agreed to pay $40,000 for the purchase of 100 new uniforms.
Personnel actions acknowledged include the hiring of Pat Chasteen (returing from a leave of absence) as cook at the high school and Robert Palmer as bus driver.
Charlotte Brinegar, Alesia Freeman, Andrew Hatton, and Alison Thomas were hired as substitute teachers.
Beth Hill was hired for the Leadership Academy at the middle school.
Resignations (or terms) were announced from Traci Arthur, elementary basketball coordinator; Teresa Berryman, clerk at the Middle School; Danny Click, elementary athletic director; Jennifer Elliot, elementary basketball bookkeeper; Matthew Hall, Girls’ head soccer coach at the Middle School; Kimberly Barnes Horn, principal at the Alternative School; and Varie Pasley, bus driver.
Retirements were announced by Bert Hensley, Superintendent; Lana Horn, teacher at South Irvine; Angela Kirby, teacher at West Irvine; and Diana Long, cook at South Irvine.
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Christopher hired as interim superintendent
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