[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6164180,"mediaKeyId","5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4","parentId",5430646,"title","Board outlines waiver process under new communications law, says in-person verification required","audioSeconds",821,"startMs",1845000,"endMs",2666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4&start=1845&end=2666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4/thumbnail_1845000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164180/Kentucky/Board-outlines-waiver-process-under-new-communications-law-says-in-person-verification-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164180-b70bea35386593ded6b64165df9142a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643167&Signature=VzhLbDnNO2Q4rtyYHlTd6nzVcj~7oHX9b3zqb3RxyzZQO-joHl8kSepRNS690Bszuw0~BtNiusj1RjY68IBZY7xKItjhuNH9k7MNSALz9rmIAK0zc61-o9uylLPErvO54uQvxdP2yfDKALc82SemZb156UP92JdGWvy~5IMA59JBzFoU4NcMxxXGvc6FTVRFeRwG3UGq4BtszjHrnMv6Tln6~sDqaDaefhAtw6CtVt4UuPH1UQhJK3ryCOYTB3JptS00srxKRl6nBkf9ph~CKgdj9M5fEhGSNa-yvkfy~Nc9LFbckxO3tvOLD8vc2sEx21Rjv0YsLwYu~4eW6XAFKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Estill County School District","date","2025-07-17T22:57:54Z","article","Board members and the superintendent explained how parents can use a statutory waiver to exempt specified employee-to-student communications under the new communications law (referred to repeatedly in the meeting as Senate Bill 181, and once as House Bill 181). The district said waivers must be completed in person so staff can verify the identity of the parent or guardian.

During the board forum, a trustee explained the law’s limits and the district’s interpretation: the exemption language in the statute covers parent-to-child communications, but if a parent wants a non-parent caregiver (for example, a grandparent) or an employee other than a parent to communicate with the student without district tracing, the parent must complete a waiver for each employee. “It cannot be a blanket exemption,” the trustee said, adding, “If you want Miss Smith to be able to contact you, you have to fill out for Miss Smith.”

The superintendent described the district’s current process: waivers will be completed in person rather than electronically so staff can verify the adult’s identity, similar to checking identification when a guardian comes to pick up a child. He said the district will consider electronic waivers in the future but will not accept them now because the district needs a reliable verification method.

Board members also said the district will preapprove apps for extracurricular communication (sports, band, clubs) and that those approved apps will be the channel for team and club messages. Trustees noted the law took effect June 27, and the district said it has already approved apps for extracurricular groups and provided training relevant to the law’s documentation requirements.

The board instructed staff to provide the waiver form and in-person process to families; no new board policy vote was taken on the waiver process at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 17, 2025 - Estill County School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Board members explained how parents can exempt certain employee-to-student communications under the new law (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 181) and said the district will require in-person waivers to verify parental identity.","taxTitle","Estill County, School Boards, Kentucky","taxId",46656,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164185,"Estill County board approves annual personnel, salary and federal assurance items",439,1521000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4&start=1521&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4/thumbnail_1521000.jpg","/articles/6164185/Kentucky/Estill-County-board-approves-annual-personnel-salary-and-federal-assurance-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164185-4953c09c58709f34ca0df4ad62fc2f1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643167&Signature=T1lphfgP6a82V4HcikYweD-1EM6kisnNvnb4pDkDy18NqnRzKIF2a8cLYUhfh1FLpStnlNjhq8BCTfqCuw935yqx8EsZ17LtwnzyXoC3VtJotHuW9Hw57MhKS5A-JvKs5t1QUwKU0EB5QCDxCBWsMUyRsAPuxX5D83wLm62X1EvHeoNd2eLSlEpu5nMYglVUorryOkKHy51zG2cGRUU2wS5ZqL6vgztMt9chlb9eD~rna38gfXaW~2xKE4QWAQhb0LdkzHvix8rLO4SgdQbldWYbl1Fbv~mQf7xWvfTjq56BLW-df84ORva5amrSjamICcHwYj6GUb5cO14CRdHiGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Estill County Board of Education approved multiple routine annual items, including a revised 2025–26 salary schedule, federal district funding assurances and a series of consent items that included June minutes, the treasurer’s report and policy second readings.

Board members voted on each item after motions and seconds. For the 2025–26 salary schedule revisions, the board approved the motion after Shayla Samples moved and Tammy Hardy seconded; the meeting record shows the motion “carries with a four-zero vote.” The superintendent described the changes as mostly label and description updates rather than salary changes.

The Federal District Funding Assurances — the annual certification the district uploads to GMAP — were approved after a motion by Shayla Samples and a second by Tammy Hardy; the meeting record again notes the motion “carries with a four-zero vote.” The superintendent said the assurances confirm the district’s compliance with the standard federal documents required by GMAP.

The district staffing policy revisions were presented as cleanup to reflect position eliminations, retirements and funding-source flexibility; Tammy Hardy moved and Carrie Smallwood seconded the motion to approve, and the record states simply that the motion carries. The superintendent explained the staffing policy edits were intended to allow the district to move positions between funding sources (Title and local funds) as needed to maximize state reimbursement for benefits.

Consent items — including board minutes, the treasurer’s report, the superintendent’s field trips and policy updates (second reading) — were approved after a motion by (Shayla) Samples and a second by Tammy Hardy; the minutes show the motion “carries with a four-zero vote.” The superintendent noted the district will revisit some policy language later but presented them as acceptable at the second-reading stage.

All motions described above were presented as routine governance approvals and the board recorded no opposing votes in the meeting transcript.","The board approved the 2025–26 salary schedule revisions, federal district funding assurances and several staffing and consent items; motions were made by board members and carried without recorded opposition.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164190,"Estill County schools present annual cybersecurity review; district uses phishing tests and insurance",61,219000,280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4&start=219&end=280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/6164190/Kentucky/Estill-County-schools-present-annual-cybersecurity-review-district-uses-phishing-tests-and-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164190-ab70f0a951b79f004742f08006f759d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643167&Signature=J4Rshq65dxQ3PARWHz~CqZutLGfMRJC8xpnPdqtzn6cCKMA-qe-7Aiyvr2mh8FY2oxJ6ypqVUKXEExuwYQhlv8cRyxhNhnwgUJ5QhPSiRBOeL1zp0sg8UOqtdBZ8t9ts4E2jiBfcXh8hl-Rlk2cNbce~lSZX7Ch1-8tEFo2Uz6LHYFglqbVn0pGCk8AJ7ItpyN2cBYG6rTLYjVkU417YQuVeiGcEUmxASSsRETJ2lK5dtNjQdf8C-amhZa168bjk5HEZuJxENtW6wwJGqgbEkUhnmikFNmanC9mdn8taw-ZXNP4cEFPlG7FqM78L4Qh8Ojx44R467Ip1OxTccvy1Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeremy Simpson provided the board with the district’s required annual review of data security practices, saying the district performs phishing tests and maintains cybersecurity insurance to respond to and remediate any breach.

Simpson told trustees the review is an annual, July–August requirement intended to inform the board and community about district cybersecurity protections. “We currently have been using know before for phishing testing,” he said, and added that the district “do have cybersecurity insurance, and that in case there ever is a cybersecurity breach, the Estill County School District and the board, do have insurance policies in place to take care of those situations and to respond and remediate as according.”

The presentation was informational; board members had no further revisions or action at this meeting.","District technology staff delivered the required annual review of data-security practices, noting phishing tests and cybersecurity insurance coverage as primary protections.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164195,"Estill County board hears 50% design update for new middle school; funding, safety remain central",1829,299000,2128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4&start=299&end=2128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5430646-4e5fd989ff256a5b88207ab28d7a82b4/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/6164195/Kentucky/Estill-County-board-hears-50-design-update-for-new-middle-school-funding-safety-remain-central","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164195-297f2c576ba61823101086a3a6bdb769/orig.mp4?Expires=1773643167&Signature=RP~noJRjMexDhWdiQ5~WpQKy4huO2WI08gfZc0QWZkku9aiUK1m8TxMJkXH6MsmwpDeCaTK-NW3sOEmAx1J0C2BgSJlHcrxiccIioPH7MDKHZvoWbx3zBDE6qZRVlDiPXABj7I5Wqwwi0YZ4ZN~QgQob3jwOfDayLm8yD3oOqXfkgFEmYWJeyVWnSiG3zS-uDp0KHx2bRpahw~M5ZnwMb5MfisNBl~-pkLJ2jPE3ZMIRoNexCQLf8mk8vjkotkTbt5lwspeeFJ26ivhwZI6nlBSNdwUHBNo64ncLLuHeKcwICuGLsZd8el3kAY-Cl7TTsv5lg1z7JY2RM95w6w0pCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Design partners showed the Estill County Board of Education a 50% design development package for the proposed Estill County Middle School and Superintendent Mr. Brock said state funding remains unresolved, which has prevented full site work from starting. The design team said the layout has matured since earlier drafts and emphasized changes to the main entry, administration placement and expanded cafeteria and gym areas.

The design presentation began with Wayne Roberts of DECO, who told the board the package is at “what we call 50% DD, 50% design development,” and walked trustees through a video fly-through and updated renderings. Roberts said the design team rearranged the administration, entry and band spaces to improve functionality and described a central “hub” that places administration at the building’s heart. “This is our heartbeat,” Roberts said of the hub and media space.

Superintendent Mr. Brock provided financial and safety context. He said the district has received $5,000,000 so far and has continued to spend those funds on design, site development and geotechnical work, including borings to measure pyritic shell in the soil. “We have been utilizing that for the design process, which you have seen, and for the site design,” Mr. Brock said. He said an additional $16,000,000 appropriated by the legislature is currently “in flux” because the budget office requires formal action by both the House and Senate before those funds can be released to the district.

Mr. Brock gave figures and constraints the board should expect if the district tried to use current funds for temporary relocation of students. He said $5,000,000 “would not even begin to touch the amount of money that it would take” for external classroom campuses, estimating such a temporary campus at roughly $13,000,000 and earlier temporary-classroom options at about $9–10 million. He said a full site package to prepare the new campus was estimated at $7,250,000, which exceeds the portion of funds currently available for site work.

On safety, Mr. Brock said the existing middle school is regularly monitored by a structural engineer and with instrumentation on the walls. “Any place students access currently is safe for them to be and there is no place in the building that is dangerous for them as far as the building falling on them and hurting them,” he said, adding that engineers will re-inspect the building in August before students return and that the district would seek emergency state funding if immediate relocation ever became necessary.

Design-team details included classroom planning (three identical wings with removable partition walls for collaborative spaces), an enlarged cafeteria and a gym with seating the team described as “in excess of 800 seats.” Wayne Roberts said provisions exist for adding two classrooms at each wing later, which the team estimates would push capacity above 600. Roberts and Mr. Brock said a bus canopy is not shown in the current rendering but will be part of later drawings, and that safety glazing and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) analysis will be included at the 100% design submittal.

Trustees asked capacity and classroom-size questions during the presentation; Mr. Brock said the district’s current design goal is roughly 550 students but that projections show enrollment could exceed 500 within four to five years. The design team said they are aiming for about 550 as the design target and that the cafeteria size was increased to better accommodate future growth and potential classroom additions.

The board received the 50% design presentation as an informational update; no formal vote or KDE approval was required at this meeting. DECO said further refinements and the 100% design package will address remaining items such as the bus canopy, site-specific topography and final material choices, and the district stated it will continue to seek the additional legislative funding required to bid and complete the site package.

Board members and district staff invited trustees and interested community members to review invoices and monitoring data; Mr. Brock offered to show the structural-monitoring instrumentation and geotechnical reports to any trustee or citizen who requests them.","Design firm DECO presented 50% design development renderings for the proposed Estill County Middle School and superintendent Mr. Brock outlined the current funding status, remaining site costs and ongoing structural monitoring of the existing middle school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board outlines waiver process under new communications law, says in-person verification required

Estill County board approves annual personnel, salary and federal assurance items

Estill County schools present annual cybersecurity review; district uses phishing tests and insurance

Estill County board hears 50% design update for new middle school; funding, safety remain central