Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, January 8th at 6:30 p.m. at  the Butler County Educational Complex.  Debbie Hammers was unable to attend due to family illness.

 Dr. Amy Hood was elected chairperson of the board and Delbert Johnson vice-chairperson. 

District Finance Officer Eric Elms gave the financial report for December 2017.  The beginning balance was $2,465,883.35.  The end-of-the-month balance was $2,419,601.75.

 January is Board Appreciation Month and board members were presented with a gift of appreciation.

  Superintendent Scott Howard thanked the board members for their service, "It is a pleasure to work with this board, they are 100% focused on doing what is right for the district."

 Superintendent Howard informed the board about the athletic facilities improvements (BG-1.)  

 "We have made the trip to Frankfort and there are still a lot of questions to be answered and numbers to be checked," said Howard.  

 The projected cost of the project is $1.7 million requiring a $35,000 to $40,000 commitment from the board for seven years.

 Board member Ryan Daugherty questioned the turf field. 

 "I have not found a school with less than an enrollment of 1,000 students that has a turf field," said Daugherty.  "The turf, which costs considerably more ($300,000) than grass, only has a 10-year lifespan and will cost $10,000 to $15,000 a year to maintain.  

 The board approved the BG-1, which is only the first step, no commitments have been made concerning the athletic facilities improvements.   

  Superintendent Howard gave his monthly report on meetings and events he has attended.  He informed the board that progress is moving along on the LEAP Bus (Learn, Explore and Play) is moving along and should soon be ready.   He will be accepting an Energy Award, as Butler County Schools is number two in the state.  Howard will also be attending the GRREC Board Meeting, CDIP Instructional and Leadership meetings. 

The board approved the 2018-19 calendar. The start date will be August 8th for students.

Butler County Schools Calendar 2018-2019
                   

August 6, 2018           Opening Day
Aug 7, 2018                 Professional Development (Flexible)
August 8, 2018              First Day for Students
September 3, 2018        Labor Day (Holiday) – No School
October 1 – 2, 2018        Professional Development (Flexible)
October 1 – 5, 2018         Fall Break
November 5, 2018        No School – Professional Development – Teachers only
November 6, 2018        Election Day – No School
November 21, 2018        Professional - (Flexible)
November 22, 2018        Thanksgiving Day (Holiday) – No School
November 23, 2018        No School
December 14, 2018        Last Day of Fall Term
December 17, 2018        Winter Break Begins
December 25, 2018         Holiday
January 1, 2019              Holiday
January 2, 2019              First Day of Spring Semester
January 11, 2019            No School – PD – Teachers only
January 14, 2019           No School - (Required by law)
February 18, 2019        No School - (Make-up Day)
April 1 – 5, 2019        Spring Break – (April 1-2, 2018 Make-up Days)
May 21, 2019             Election Day – No School
May 24, 2018             Last Day for students
May 28, 2018             Closing Day – Teachers Only

 

CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR2018-19 Butler Co. School Calendar.docx

Assistant Superintendent Robert Tuck presented the mid-year DPP Report.  The district is down 37 students from last year.  According to Tuck, there are 55 students being homeschooled, 40 attending Belmont Christian Academy and 68 students at Oak Ridge Christian Academy.  Butler County has 69 students enrolled from surrounding counties while allowing 54 students to attend other schools. Fifth grade is currently the largest class in the county with 189 students; the Senior class has 142 students, eighth-grade enrollment is 166 and kindergarten is 143. 

 CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE REPORT:DPP Report.pdf

The Board approved the following:

 •Monthly Board Meeting Schedule

 •FY 19 Draft Working Budget

 •Fund 2 401C and 401D Revised Budgets

 •BCHS FCCLA Overnight trip to attend the State Conference March 25-28 in Louisville, KY

 •BCHS FCCLA Overnight trip to attend Leadership Conference on June 4-6 in Hardinsburg, KY

 •BCHS FCCLA Overnight trip to attend National Conference on June 28-July 2, in Atlanta, Georgia

 •BCHS Band Winter Performance Ensemble Out-of-State trip requests to attend competitions on February 3rd, and March 3rd in Spring Hill, TN

 •Family Medical Leave for a BCMS teacher