Garrard County Board of Education members approved a $444,936.58 pay application for improvements to Garrard County High School student athletic fields and facilities and voted unanimously on a slate of routine contracts, grant authorizations and policy updates during their Oct. 1 meeting.

The board—three members present—approved the pay application after the superintendent recommended payment based on approval from the district's construction manager and architect. The superintendent said the district expects to present the final pay application within one or two months as remaining work is completed.

In the same meeting the board approved several other items by unanimous voice vote: acceptance of a KETS first offer of assistance (state technology funding), permission for all three elementary schools to submit an RTA grant application, an early-graduation approval for a Garrard County High School student who plans to begin classes at the University of Louisville in January 2026, a short-term speech therapy contract to cover a maternity leave, and a three-year renewal of the district's Avaya phone contract ($26,164.80 total over three years).

The board also approved updates to the district's gifted-and-talented manual, an update to the Child Nutrition procurement plan to raise the micropurchase threshold from $1,000 to $10,000 consistent with federal guidance, and revisions to the Garrard County Schools facility kitchen use policy. All motions were adopted with all board members present voting in favor.

The superintendent provided two informational briefings: an update on the district's bonding capacity, which rose to $12,930,000 as interest rates declined, and a review of advanced coursework practices that the district says are intended to align local practice with legislative requirements. The presentation clarified these are district practices and plans, not changes to board policy at this time.

Board business opened with recognitions—including technology director Chris Lang for district IT work, Teacher of the Month Sabrina Cawley (special education), and several Students of the Month—and closed with routine consent-agenda approvals. The meeting convened with three board members present; two were absent.