After 11 years of service to the Fulton Independent Board of Education, Carol Bransford tendered her resignation letter to the board July 14.
In compliance with a Kentucky Revised Statute, Bransford chose to step down as board chair since a member of her family is employed with the Fulton Independent School District. Her resignation date was effective July 15.
Vice Chairman Robin Whitesell will fill Bransford’s seat, and another vice chair will be selected from the current board. The process will then begin to select a new chairman.
Board officers are elected each January. If a member resigns, the superintendent mails his or her letter of resignation to the commissioner of education. The position will be advertised in the local paper for two weeks, and the superintendent will send all applications received to the commissioner of education, who interviews candidates and makes a recommendation for hire. The selected individual will serve out the rest of Bransford’s term until the next election in November 2010.
Also during the monthly board meeting, items in the student handbooks and Code of Conduct were discussed and approved. One issue addressed was whether class officers and Mr. and Miss Fulton High School should be able to obtain such position if the student was suspended the previous school year, as requested by the handbook committee. The board agreed the handbook should state “current” school year, and omit the previous school year.
Also, the manuals will state “clear or mesh backpacks are preferred,” but in next year’s manual it will be mandated.
Following the changes, the K-6 and 7-12 grade manuals, both will be posted on the Board of Education’s Web site, http://www.fulton-ind.k12.ky.us. In other business, the board:
• approved a memorandum of understanding for the use of the Carr Elementary and Fulton High school buildings as official emergency shelter/feeding stations to be used by Fulton County and/or Fulton City emergency officials, when needed during an emergency situation.
The memorandum of understanding was entered into between the Fulton County Kentucky Office of Emergency Management (FCEM) and the school district. The MOU states the high school cafeteria, commons area, library, gym, consumer science room and restrooms will be designated for emergency areas, and at Carr, the cafeteria, library, band room, and restroom facilities in the Charles Thomas complex will be accessible. The original building will be off limits to the general public during occupancies for emergencies.
• agreed to apply for a $5,500 Toys for Tots Literacy Grant, that will provide books for students in the P-6 grades. Students will receive free books during a library fun day.
• approved raising the charge rate for board reimbursement to $1 per mile and a surcharge of $.10 per mile if fuel prices exceed $3 per gallon. The change reflects a $.50 per mile increase.
• agreed to raise student and adult meal prices to: $1.10 for student breakfast ($.30 reduced) and $1.35 for adult breakfast; and $1.60 for student lunch ($.40 reduced) and $2.25 for adult lunch. A la carte remains at $1.
• approved a bid submitted by Turner Dairy for milk and juice products. The school previously received products from West Kentucky Coop.
• heard the first reading of board of education policies.
• declared an emergency in order to employ a candidate with emergency certification, to fill a position for the Family Consumer Science. The position has been posted, and efforts made by the superintendent to locate a potential candidate; however efforts were unsuccessful. Superintendent Dianne Owen said there is a current substitute teacher in the district who is willing to fill the position and obtain proper education and training.
• declared an emergency to permit the use of substitute teachers with emergency certification for certified and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) approved non-certified substitute teachers for the 2009-10 school year.
• approved the 2009-10 District Comprehensive Improvement Plan amended Assurances.
• agreed to keep the payroll distribution schedule as the 24th day of each month. If the 24th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the last work day preceding the weekend or holiday is scheduled for payroll distribution.
• reviewed the professional development schedule. Opening day is Aug. 4, with ceremonies in the Fulton High School commons area from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• learned the district was allocated $15,000 from KDE for Extended School Services (ESS) funds, which would aid in after school tutoring, summer school and remediation programs.
• approved the following personnel appointments: Jennifer Garland, Elaine Overcast and Jean Brady as primary teachers; Dr. Philip Winkler as history teacher; Sondra Gibbs as .5 curriculum specialist/.5 social studies teacher; Kelley Harris and Stephanie Rohme as instructional assistants; Maegan Jones as head start instructional assistant; Tracy Pulley as Family Resource Center director; Chad Malray as head boys’ basketball coach; Samantha Hicks as substitute teacher; and David Brodrick, Kevin Brown, Stephen Fly, Amanda Maddox, Rose Oliver, Ellen Rice, Timothy Spain, Terika Walker and Gina Wall as substitute teachers with emergency certification.
• noted the resignations of George Yarbo as Family Resource Center Director, head boys’ basketball coach and head cross country coach; Amy Tyler as Family Consumer Science teacher; and Chad Malray as softball coach; and approved the transfer of Johnny Gossum, librarian.
