[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6587251,"mediaKeyId","5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521","parentId",5664126,"title","Votes at a glance: Muhlenberg County Board approves contracts, policy updates, personnel items and a 0.1% tax‑rate increase","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",67000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521&start=67&end=67","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521/thumbnail_67000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587251/Kentucky/Votes-at-a-glance-Muhlenberg-County-Board-approves-contracts-policy-updates-personnel-items-and-a-01-taxrate-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587251-fd899d0b46787270df5b1e7744516ceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773571312&Signature=GnIOTrO~pQTAkPdk3aG6abg7bJ5gLHQXGhOA~ELY~9JKpKbR4MQYlm8lW6JsAGgkVh-3aDVRkFzk3ddpiV3ILa2ZvzWPfUMwRQJdv6B4yQtmzrw--nukUKyCkbeCDdF~XCz~fiyUHKw0HGUFBfwAQvqbxsWigu6p~tEykhVsZ3bGTs7U8uOrHcm9J6BpSY0CWaeAibjzXGxxMzG1e9acfG3NBjdRnng9XtE8om-AEXYaf6bUq1793eTs55LTE0CTyslpgzAeJ-TMNwDp9PBkgLU-bIstKBO3l1BgzKvFoNCNRI-i8mHtXSY5vNzcWNapaiMCmVKaTEJgVhAyDlkhew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Muhlenberg Co Schools","date","2025-08-22T13:59:17.363Z","article","At its August meeting the Muhlenberg County Board of Education recorded approvals on multiple routine and contract items. The board used voice votes for the items listed below; the minutes presented in the meeting packet show motions, seconders and unanimous voice‑vote approvals with no roll‑call breakdowns.

Votes (motion text condensed, mover/second as recorded in meeting):

- Approve meeting agenda. Motion by Mr. Porter; second not specified. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve treasurer’s report (financials as of July 31). Motion by Ms. Garn; second by Ms. Johns. Outcome: approved on voice vote. Treasurer reported monthly receipts of about $4,000,040 and highlighted variances: federal receipts up $59,000, state down $212,000, food service down $294,000; payroll for the month was reported at $949,007.49.

- Approve payment of bills and salaries (August bills totaling $1,428,740.20). Motion by Sean; second by Mr. Gillard. Outcome: approved on voice vote. Board packet noted $612,000 of the total was for recently received buses and listed significant vendor payments including CNC contracting ($453,389 reported in packet) and final payment lines for sports turf.

- Approve Ross Torrent as architect for the DFP/renovation projects. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved on voice vote. (Architect representatives later introduced themselves as Sarah Mayer and Chris Gibson of Rosthern Architects.)

- Approve final contracts for Area B, Area D and Alternate 1. Motion by Ms. Carr; second by Ms. Jones. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve revisions and updates to the student code of acceptable behavior and discipline (biennial KRS review). Motion moved; second by Mr. Porter. Outcome: approved on voice vote. (Meeting referenced KRS requirement to review code every two years.)

- Approve memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Muhlenberg County Job Corps Center. Motion by Ms. Johnson; second by Ms. Ford. Outcome: approved on voice vote. Board discussion noted Job Corps enrollment is rebuilding after earlier reports of possible closure; the center director reported gradual re‑enrollment.

- Review and approve alternate program policies and procedures (annual review). Motion moved; second by Mr. Porter. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve contracts for school psychology services (to address staffing shortfall). Motion moved; second by Ms. Ford. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve contract for orientation and mobility services (Katrina Verney). Motion moved; second by Ms. Youngs. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Add band first assistant and second assistant coach stipends at Muhlenberg County High School and eliminate the previous assistant director stipend; board indicated existing staff would be reallocated. Motion moved by Mr. Jelar; second by Mr. Porter. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Post two full‑time bus monitor positions. Motion moved by Ms. Ballard; second by Mr. Gillard. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Western Kentucky University for dual credit classes (2026–27). Motion moved; second by Ms. Yachts. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve second reading of KSBA board policy update number 48 (policy changes and legal updates). Motion moved; second by Mr. Porter. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Add a driver’s‑education stipend for the 2025–26 school year to expand course capacity (funded by high‑school site allocation). Motion moved; seconded. Outcome: approved on voice vote. The board was told 263 students requested the class while capacity was 156; the stipend would open another block.

- Amend the 2025–26 salary schedule (stipend adjustments for middle/elementary levels). Motion moved; seconded. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve a 4% revenue increase (described in the motion as equivalent to a 0.1 percentage‑point increase to the district’s property tax rate for FY26). Motion moved; second by Ms. Johns. Outcome: approved on voice vote. Staff explained the change would move a $534 per $100,000 assessed‑value levy to $535 per $100,000 (county figures presented by staff), reflecting assessment growth and new property additions.

- Approve district funding assurances for FY26 required by the Kentucky Department of Education. Motion moved; seconded. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

- Approve board consent agenda items (minutes, contract approvals, ARC/504 appointments, facility use, field trips, fundraising, emergency certification blocks, surplus items). Motion moved by Ms. Shontz; second by Mr. Porter. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

All items above were recorded in the meeting packet and passed on voice votes; where specific vote tallies or individual roll‑call votes were not read into the record, the packet minutes show unanimous or unopposed voice votes as described.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 21 2025 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a range of consent items, contracts, personnel permissions and a revenue/tax update. This summary lists each formal approval recorded during the meeting and key details.","taxTitle","Muhlenberg County, School Boards, Kentucky","taxId",58074,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587258,"Muhlenberg County board selects architect for renovation projects and hears construction updates",413,1990000,2403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521&start=1990&end=2403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521/thumbnail_1990000.jpg","/articles/6587258/Kentucky/Muhlenberg-County-board-selects-architect-for-renovation-projects-and-hears-construction-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587258-634bb257d784d7727a2e6f053b7d9153/orig.mp4?Expires=1773571312&Signature=I-F5tFbL3YztCxdTJHlxeR6u26q~lX7DQDC~CLt8YzhjPjqmJMVVRntrxjrV1sC9W~5pJb-S2NgZr5Apzza7Vwf6dnfg2io5LDjbu42bzXJbIUFAuefL4jz85f8nxWAMUnnQbGsA8rY0Ukh-NPIw0zXk-cBvr-dWJc4ynM77E1ZD2-Npl6xlijnXLv9D-ZQddJ8MMMjoTs-wyvgLHqpQioZNpvD1xLnpZGsrB8MCKNu3bh2-uBSwB9rml2K5amUDNq6~laawu1ZAQXdl8N1AgYtA-pPP8sSFYoP6BFlsOu9S2cI7hNYrpCHlw3OKbqr1Ft1-og8QtlChwXSTwSiabg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muhlenberg County Board of Education approved the selection of an architect for a district facilities planning process and heard construction updates for several ongoing projects at its August meeting.

During the meeting Superintendent Orr reported that the district conducted an RFP and recommended selecting “Ross Torrent” as architect for the Longest Elementary early‑childhood wing renovation and the Muhlenberg County High School flex lab and auxiliary gym renovation. The board voted to approve that selection. Representatives identifying themselves as Sarah Mayer and Chris Gibson introduced themselves as arriving from Rosthern Architects and described the anticipated schedule.

Sarah Mayer said the design timeline is expected to take about six months and that the firm has started field measurements. “We think we can design it in about 6 months,” Mayer said. She added the firm has begun preparing the district facilities plan (DFP) material the Kentucky Department of Education requires when a district intends to bond a project.

Construction updates provided in the meeting packet and by contractors included: the Muhlenberg County Middle School classroom renovation was reported as completed on Aug. 4, 2025; the middle school field house remained under construction with a target final completion date the contractors listed as Oct. 29, 2025; and the high‑school baseball field and kitchen renovation had outstanding punch‑list items being addressed with scheduling from A&K Construction.

Contractor representatives from Summit and CODEL reported remaining punch‑list items at Longest Elementary and that kindergarten classrooms would be available for use within days of the meeting. Board members approved final contracts for areas B and D and an alternate; the motion passed on voice vote.

All approvals on architect selection and the listed contracts were made by voice vote with no roll‑call breakdown recorded in the minutes presented at the meeting.","The board approved an architect selection and final contracts for several facility projects, and staff reported progress and timelines for multiple school construction and renovation efforts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587261,"Muhlenberg County board hears SOAR early‑childhood update; foundation awards $311,000",1220,604000,1824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521&start=604&end=1824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664126-86efea7c89039cd3e2d2ea1a0efe9521/thumbnail_604000.jpg","/articles/6587261/Kentucky/Muhlenberg-County-board-hears-SOAR-earlychildhood-update-foundation-awards-311000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587261-bbccdc7228409c0628091aff14365cd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773571312&Signature=arKgZqPtFDrzYDaFAvcsQ378DJAlepK67xOP0lCqrd6dQyeUSAAzve~ldtfnR5zT9VIKzo4vyL6WxAEOfFYyt8tsLLirC435xesCMazv~SPpMEWTv1NLgqYTtw0sF9~d6TFvVSW3ZNJb2uURPbmhs3H-WBiGlEhI26wn8mgTbbL4aum1H1tBg42hivoqSwPtRYVMVQ1oQ7YLBE6ImXnW7F6WyL2qJTTex70Q60UnjLMLirqAniJY0FLJq3F~GviC7WP0WIefL-OEsSMZYrOFUEdnfr0neybDWpPNxAn5tHOloIxslhY6qj34qNNQi5dxWbP7K9w69Kwh1fBK8xsNEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muhlenberg County Board of Education heard an update on the district’s SOAR early‑childhood program on the board’s August meeting, including a $311,000 grant award and program participation statistics.

Vicky Yance, presenting on behalf of SOAR, said the Philip C. Martin Jr. Foundation has provided more than $3.6 million to support early‑childhood initiatives and that the foundation recently approved an additional $311,000 for SOAR. “Children and families participating in the SOAR programs are entering kindergarten more ready, if that's the word, more prepared than those who aren't,” Yance said.

The presentation summarized outreach and services: 1,100 children are enrolled in the Imagination Library program (birth to age 5), the program distributed 20,247 books this year, and the district’s kindergarten readiness screener was reported at about 50% ready compared with a state figure the presenter cited at 48%. Program staff said about 25 birth certificates are filed each month in the county—roughly 300 births a year—underscoring the program’s target population.

Yance described new and continuing initiatives: a “Getting Ready to Welcome Baby” program for expectant parents, a community baby shower that connects families to local services, kindergarten camp that drew a record 245 children this year, sensory‑friendly events and collaboration with regional partners for special needs families, and father‑engagement activities. The presenter credited local libraries, Head Start, healthcare partners and volunteers for supporting events such as Read Across America, family reading nights and book giveaways.

Board members and staff applauded families and local partners highlighted in the presentation. Yance closed by recognizing families with high reading participation and by thanking the Philip C. Martin Jr. Foundation and district staff for support.

The presentation was informational only; no board action or funding change was taken during the meeting.","Board received a presentation on the SOAR early‑childhood program, including a new $311,000 grant from the Philip C. Martin Jr. Foundation, enrollment and outreach figures, and program activities aimed at improving kindergarten readiness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Muhlenberg County Board approves contracts, policy updates, personnel items and a 0.1% tax‑rate increase

Muhlenberg County board selects architect for renovation projects and hears construction updates

Muhlenberg County board hears SOAR early‑childhood update; foundation awards $311,000