Rowan County Board of Education approves officers, insurance renewal, audit contract, calendar and other business

The Rowan County Board of Education held a special called meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, during which the board swore in new members, elected officers, approved routine business and voted to go into closed session to discuss real property, potential litigation and personnel matters.

At the start of the meeting a judge administered the oath of office. The board then conducted officer elections: a nomination for board chair for “Jeff” carried and the chair took over the meeting; Brenda was elected vice chair; the superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) was appointed board secretary; and the board’s finance officer, Lauren Littleton, was appointed board treasurer.

The board established regular meeting dates as the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the board office, with special-called meetings used when necessary. It approved regular business items — previous meeting minutes, payment of monthly claims and the personnel report — and approved the consent agenda, which included an out-of-state softball trip to the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach scheduled for March 30–April 3.

The board reviewed the draft budget for fiscal year 2025–26 as required by the Kentucky Department of Education; board members voted to record that the draft budget had been reviewed. The board approved renewal of student accident insurance through Robert Insurance (bided through Axis) for an amount presented as $100,725.60. (The transcript shows a slight variance in the final readback of the amount; the motion cited the dollar figure $100,725.60.)

The board awarded a three-year audit contract for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27 to Kelly Galloway Smith Golsby PSC, not to exceed $24,500. The board approved the second and final reading of the 2025–26 school calendar and approved two shortened school-day requests for students as recommended by the special-education admission and release committee.

Before adjourning to closed session, the board received a treasurer’s report indicating property-tax receipts were starting to arrive and that the district’s cash position was within normal year-end ranges. The board then voted to enter closed session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(b) to discuss the possible acquisition or sale of real property where publicity might affect value, proposed or pending litigation involving the public agency, and personnel matters that could lead to appointment, dismissal or discipline. The board stated it would take no action while in closed session.

Votes at a glance - Elect chair: Nomination of “Jeff” — motion passed (voice vote; roll-call votes not recorded in transcript). - Elect vice chair: Brenda — approved (voice vote). - Appoint board secretary: Superintendent (name not specified) — approved (voice vote). - Appoint board treasurer: Finance officer Lauren Littleton — approved (voice vote). - Establish regular meeting dates/time: Third Tuesday each month at 6 p.m. — approved. - Approve regular business items (previous minutes, payment of monthly claims, personnel report) — approved. - Approve consent agenda (including out-of-state softball trip to Myrtle Beach, March 30–April 3) — approved. - Review draft budget for FY2025–26 (KDE requirement): Motion to record that the draft was reviewed — approved. - Renew student accident insurance through Robert Insurance (Axis bid) — approved; amount presented $100,725.60. - Award three-year audit contract to Kelly Galloway Smith Golsby PSC, not to exceed $24,500 — approved. - Second and final reading of 2025–26 school calendar — approved. - Shortened school day requests (two elementary students) — approved as recommended by the ARC. - Enter closed session under KRS 61.810(1)(b) to discuss real property, litigation and personnel — approved; board announced no action will be taken during the closed session.

Board members and staff present handled the votes by motion, second and voice vote; the transcript records aye/oppose responses but does not include roll-call tallies or individual recorded votes.