[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5975921,"mediaKeyId","5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e","parentId",5834372,"title","Board adopts FY26 working budget framework and hears staff retention, benefits updates","audioSeconds",778,"startMs",3090000,"endMs",3868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e&start=3090&end=3868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e/thumbnail_3090000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975921/Kentucky/Board-adopts-FY26-working-budget-framework-and-hears-staff-retention-benefits-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975921-0c4c42d82ab2aa075d8d613b589d04ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775324486&Signature=OT8FKTLj4nQz-FeAvW1OkpayrDA3NE8jiIeTCr8aXszXXMsww3bGrLSF~0QUULBLsjqIBuIm7fZs-ohWhGkV2sjwfXB-2mcI9J5I-P14E0TLnLc7~kcxWl25cyrThnaXsO-w3rm9YTkduwRI4XsD87~T5TS6CTuvrS3NLFHBy1niQ1QZ8Xs0fAlnStILStJWvk7AGWPPl0DaZ8WLmFqjUKKZKSYQU9sMk1-IbYPVtHSzWwCMhVldEaR3AS0NOnZspD1s-5-d476kKPL7SUzLvnaNlNmNZvv5etVSjRIwYb7MM924RxiCho7-QnWuEPYlYWAXT6mPBr3~kQTtkfoAYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nelson County Schools","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Nelson County Board of Education on Sept. 23 approved the district’s fiscal year 2026 working budget framework and received updates on employee engagement and staff retention initiatives. District staff said the working budget refines figures from the tentative budget approved earlier and incorporates updated payroll and revenue estimates.

Why it matters: The working budget sets the financial framework for the fiscal year, clarifies payroll and revenue estimates and informs district planning for staffing and services. Staff said payroll increases are estimated at roughly $1.0–$1.3 million over the previous year and that the district expects more than $300,000 in additional general-fund revenue versus the prior year’s estimates. Staff also noted a Title I increase for the year (amount described as several hundred thousand dollars) and that state SEEK funding remains an estimate until finalized in spring.

On human-resources updates, staff presented retention rates (district retention increased to about 87% by staff accounting methods) and described a suite of employee benefits and supports designed to improve retention. Those include staff childcare (described as a largely revenue-neutral program that saves participating employees about $200 per month), parental leave, career-growth and professional-development pathways, and a competitive pay strategy (district said average certified pay increases over six years total about 25%). Staff and board members discussed how retention metrics differ from state school-report-card numbers and how internal accounting captures district retention more accurately than some public reports.

Board action: The board approved the FY26 working budget as presented by motion and voice vote. Staff said certified pay rankings and some salary tables will be updated in December to reflect more current data.

Ending: Staff requested and the board granted permission to proceed with the working budget; staff will return with updated salary-rank comparisons and additional retention-data breakdowns in future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nelson County Board of Education Meeting September 23rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the fiscal year 2026 working budget framework and heard updates on staff retention and benefits initiatives aimed at making Nelson County Schools an employer of choice, including staff childcare and parental leave programs.","taxTitle","Nelson County, School Boards, Kentucky","taxId",57885,"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},5975927,"Board approves applications for STEM, CTE and literacy grants",95,2986000,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e&start=2986&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e/thumbnail_2986000.jpg","/articles/5975927/Kentucky/Board-approves-applications-for-STEM-CTE-and-literacy-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975927-e4e840760440f7a4848401230a3d5b3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775324486&Signature=Y7d3O~56wntR4oJQ58rRc9rMT18SccLmlU0wlaG8Z7IOoSbY7Kvkz8RpHIO57j-NbFFZZ4abMIPbLiKthy~SEy0MVidKsHFlNb~ov4GxtiMwp42JcJTemFuQFpYYeSaMTfp6m-sx3LxFXyDhO8NSUn5~MpmJJ9tnBPo8iiUYfPrRmFpP0v7jTdpWKVhT5nyh~BOqhb4lj87ESK2NXO6TYdzVacfDL-ikL2NX08gsH2UIqpIvj9agOXqUWMbrNP-zNWQ23MNSG-Y4Mxxm1kZSYgVu~u6PX2jUppfBiRbqDpQAKUl4PmkFXIzxe4RfwTk7k4UGEEVtBtTwPEVUJ9O9aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 23 meeting the Nelson County Board of Education approved district staff to submit three grant applications: an AAUW Community Action Grant to support the LaunchLab STEM program, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation and Support Grant (noted as $100,000) to support new or expanded career pathways, and the Read to Achieve grant (formerly called the Reading Diagnostic Grant) with elementary schools applying for roughly $70,000 each to fund tier-2 and tier-3 literacy interventions.

Why it matters: The grants target equity in rural STEM access, CTE program innovation and literacy supports for elementary students, and — if awarded — would supplement district resources to expand instructional programming.

During the meeting Dr. Sheerhorn (grant staff) outlined each opportunity: AAUW is an external nonprofit STEM grant for rural schools; the CTE grant focuses on creating or innovating career pathways and was described as a $100,000 opportunity; and Read to Achieve is an established KDE grant that the district has applied for in prior years. Board members moved and seconded a motion to approve the applications and approved by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will submit the applications and return to the board with award notifications or any grant conditions if funds are granted.","The board authorized staff to apply for three grants — an AAUW STEM grant, a $100,000 CTE innovation grant and the Read to Achieve literacy grant (formerly Reading Diagnostic Grant) — to support STEM programming, career-technical education and tiered literacy interventions.",{"_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},5975932,"Residents ask board to cancel student flu vaccination clinic, raise consent and liability concerns",82,1678000,1760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e&start=1678&end=1760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e/thumbnail_1678000.jpg","/articles/5975932/Kentucky/Residents-ask-board-to-cancel-student-flu-vaccination-clinic-raise-consent-and-liability-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975932-0662d99b7b384d03d7c5b49aeb90ff13/orig.mp4?Expires=1775324486&Signature=fzfql-4LrIb2LqW1IbBF647rvkTwywW0OlPHultmgwW6P2ShMnVGZMizy-w4hLaAiDovCN0eCJ143e9l8QKNtpqdUzDY4Jb8Z9Pm~eqlwaIyhovXGzlBiID7Q0ZZrCRSw1AO96WbyKftyq3vra1AKRM1BB40qTWgFaWQXXFQGfFXU5g~LweA1I8907RyFaocWLA3ozdRya2SHj1CjD-V~PunyLiI2X4F2mn~jdARfgJ1Hb3mhLQlozZMP7ZFSHlDuZO5tCAEIJerHx7ppE06dTAeySJTNmV3N-QET5sZTjCKSszZrO-Gb~z4KIT~aa-iQGFLG~JKHYhFWm9w0~9QVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the board’s guest-comment period on Sept. 23 to urge the Nelson County Board of Education to cancel a proposed mass influenza vaccination clinic for students and staff, citing what they described as failures in informed consent, electronic disclosure systems and privacy protections. Commenters also warned of possible liability for the board and alleged risks from live-virus intranasal vaccines.

Why it matters: The comments asked the board to reconsider or cancel a planned clinic for students and staff, raised questions about how informed consent materials were provided, and urged district leaders to evaluate legal and procedural responsibilities related to school-sponsored vaccination events.

Public commenters included Sierra Hamm, who identified herself as a mother of four, a nurse and a member of a national health steering committee; Rosanna Conturo, a retired teacher; Kurt (last name not specified), who identified himself as an international health forensic analyst; Charles Michael (came late and spoke about oath of office); and others. Their concerns included claims that electronic informed-consent disclosures were not functioning, that families could not access risk and contraindication information, privacy and HIPAA questions about how vaccination status would be handled, and liability if injuries or other harm occurred. Commenters also claimed the physician group administering vaccines had received substantial research payments; those claims were made from the public podium and were not supported within the meeting record by documents entered into the official agenda packet.

Board response and process notes: Board leaders acknowledged the comments, noted that state law does not mandate influenza vaccination, and said the district “doesn't mandate vaccines” and follows state law. The board indicated it would work with the director of nursing to review and report back on the details raised about consent and program administration.

Ending: The board asked members of the public to provide any printed materials and said staff email addresses are listed on the district website for follow-up. The district said the director of nursing would review comments and report back to the board.
","Multiple public commenters urged the Nelson County Board of Education to cancel a planned mass influenza vaccination clinic for students and staff, asserting inadequate informed-consent processes, privacy concerns and potential legal liability.",{"_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},5975937,"Nelson County highlights new LaunchLab STEM program at OKH",1076,518000,1594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e&start=518&end=1594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/5975937/Kentucky/Nelson-County-highlights-new-LaunchLab-STEM-program-at-OKH","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975937-63f750c2f520cb49912afdfa18dee697/orig.mp4?Expires=1775324486&Signature=mM7jDjf~JOhLWMR71oytpsNogFZi2Hbs~1z-g1vaC1pDSE~qWbqeNCzFygdbbwkIm6pAUqDJkigCf0eHmSDaVNdlPlQWA-9NNDC86kKwN~de-GReplGKoDCvG9xfhL87SfVhUnmyQYpC3S0BfuHNCxNzm8Cg~ErOMNha1Txi9wnLuAuue6Yy4baHKr-oJ8Pxc8kYcmw4CpWnZmCS5Y~0-19UqYfWf6~hrBXuqqh3KMDsqc2RqJ7fWBhBcXT21v~kliCPkfXXu87cO5kCe6DT8Rk2R~cNvCNLOFIGedjHUfgZMQcHS1Qh1pqdPi2giEz0mTPKFbGqEwOEqxcC8jOv4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nelson County Schools staff on Sept. 23 gave the school board and public an overview of the college-and-career LaunchLab STEM program at OKH, previewed a ribbon-cutting event and described student participation and curriculum elements. District staff said the program blends literacy work with hands-on career modules and that about 120 students are currently enrolled this semester, with a projected 106 switching in the second semester for a combined 226 students participating across the school year.

Why it matters: The LaunchLab is part of the district’s early college and career exploratory offerings; staff said it exposes middle graders to roughly 32–33 different modules (students will not complete every module but engage deeply in at least one) and helps build foundational literacy and career-centered skills before high school.

Program staff and students led a short demonstration for the board; two students, identified as Nova and Gee, spoke about their experiences. Staff thanked Laura Arnold and Miss Hurst (named by staff as instrumental in launching and maintaining the lab) for setup and curriculum work, and invited the board and public to a ribbon-cutting scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m.

Staff presented district data tied to early college and career pathways, noting about 72% of students engage in some form of early college and career exploratory course districtwide, and that some eighth-graders take Algebra I and high-school credit courses that may appear on a high-school transcript if students earn a C or better. The district also referenced a “pre‑ignite” pathway linking students to Nelson County and Thomas Nelson and described off-campus learning opportunities tied to local businesses and the airport.

Ending: District staff said the LaunchLab will continue to grow and that officials will host a ribbon-cutting to let the public see students working in deeper modules.","District staff showcased the college-and-career LaunchLab STEM program at OKH, reporting about 226 students will participate across the school year and describing program modules, literacy integration and a public ribbon-cutting.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5975941,"Board approves Thomas Nelson bids, authorizes bonds and advances multiple school facility projects",622,2404000,3026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e&start=2404&end=3026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834372-d57ecf01e36eee2297a04ca6fc82b10e/thumbnail_2404000.jpg","/articles/5975941/Kentucky/Board-approves-Thomas-Nelson-bids-authorizes-bonds-and-advances-multiple-school-facility-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975941-cac29bf827f68deb80220ab8460139a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775324486&Signature=OZq8EuzqOq3LqS~bQb0N1dO6p-QExtEPf6tOutm6I80t21p5AVslGsIzO2C5xOztpRXC0MolnXeIuQ9vuDctEyOs8gPbB7B1NBTyP4tO3r4r57q1C5Z29s9-COGKEogXmoRQyYylirt1D6nD0HsS26P9ygLtvPZr40X5-dVC8z0Y1FqH0UXnYJ-cLlV98-BbKupvX1wydEdjt9wIAgumclFkwG~b2wKfWKlelQ7TY9q6YQMZrpTBp0lds3Zm8ax6wIPpJo1WaxuzMAzclFdIMtLbLLaQalB~X4dRn7vZgJmW92cfyRicMURaP-mm57fLQRjwvvh0j2Hf-hKdX6uSZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nelson County Board of Education on Sept. 23 approved recommended construction bids for the Thomas Nelson Middle School project, authorized the Nelson County School District Finance Corporation to issue revenue bonds to finance that construction, and advanced multiple other facility-planning steps including BG-4/BG-5 closeouts and new BG-1 design phases for New Haven School and Nelson County High School. The board recessed to convene the district finance corporation to act on the bond resolution and reconvened the regular meeting after the vote.

Why it matters: The Thomas Nelson project will add a new middle-school wing and field-house elements and is expected to be a visible, 19-month construction program that district leaders say will expand classroom capacity and modernize aging facilities. The bond authorization creates the local financing mechanism the district plans to use to pay construction costs.

Board and staff discussion focused on contract closeouts for completed jobs, starting the design phase for New Haven, and a multi‑phase master plan for Nelson County High School. Facilities staff described BG-4 and BG-5 forms required by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to close contracts and projects. For New Haven, staff said an initial planning estimate aligned with a previously discussed $6,000,000 budget; for Nelson County High School the district presented a phase‑1 classroom project budget of about $40,000,000 to replace the 1969 wing. Staff said the Thomas Nelson Middle School bid packages came in competitively with a recommended total construction cost of about $28,200,000 and that, if approved, work would start around early November with substantial completion targeted in April–May 2027.

Superintendent Bradley, facilities lead Mr. Martin and finance staff Miss Rogers explained next steps: approving BG-4/BG-5 closeouts for completed projects, approving BG-5 to close an older BG for New Haven and opening a new BG-1 for the new scope, approving a BG-1 for Nelson County High School phase 1 (classroom wing), and accepting the Thomas Nelson bid recommendations so construction contracts can be executed. The board approved BG-4/BG-5 closeouts and the New Haven and Nelson County High BG motions by voice votes. The Thomas Nelson bids and the bond resolution were approved on 3–2 recorded votes.

Quotes: “The bidding process was competitively bid,” facilities staff said, noting multiple bidders on nearly every package. A construction representative said the large project landed where market expectations predicted and that participation from local contractors was healthy. \"If the bids are accepted, the timeline is early November start and April–May 2027 completion,\" a staff member said.

Details and next steps: The board approved staff requests to close older KDE projects using BG-4/BG-5 forms and to open new BG-1 design authorizations for New Haven and Nelson County High School. For Thomas Nelson, staff presented separate bid-package totals that sum to approximately $28.2 million and recommended the low or next-lowest qualified bidders for the packages; board members noted the project will be highly visible during construction. The board adopted a resolution authorizing the district finance corporation to issue revenue bonds for Thomas Nelson and recessed the regular meeting to convene the finance corporation, which approved the resolution and then adjourned.

What the board did not do: The board did not finalize construction contracts at the meeting; it accepted bids and authorized bond issuance. Specific contract award letters and individual contractor contracts were not read into the record at length during the public meeting.

Ending: District staff said they will return with design documents, updated project budgets and construction schedules as the design and contracting phases proceed.","The Nelson County Board of Education approved recommended construction bids for Thomas Nelson Middle School, authorized revenue bonds for that project, and approved design and closeout steps for several other school facility projects including Nelson County High School and New Haven School.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts FY26 working budget framework and hears staff retention, benefits updates

Board approves applications for STEM, CTE and literacy grants

Residents ask board to cancel student flu vaccination clinic, raise consent and liability concerns

Nelson County highlights new LaunchLab STEM program at OKH

Board approves Thomas Nelson bids, authorizes bonds and advances multiple school facility projects