Board approves contracts, staffing posts and budget items; delays dress-code decision

The Muhlenberg County Board of Education on the May agenda approved a series of administrative, construction and staffing measures and voted to table the first reading of a revised dress-code policy.

Major approvals and formal actions taken at the meeting (motion/procedural details are recorded as made at the meeting):

- Agenda amendment: The board approved an amendment to remove action item D from the published agenda. Motion made and seconded; voice vote carried.

- Treasurer’s report: The board approved the treasurer’s financial report for the period ending 04/30/2025. The report showed monthly revenues of $3,457,741.93 (down $240,000 from the prior month) and listed several large April expenditures and payables. Motion to approve carried by voice vote.

- Payment of bills and salaries: The board approved monthly bills totaling $416,999.69 for board bills (breakdown by fund described in packet). Motion carried by voice vote.

- Interim contracts — Longest Elementary renovations: The board approved interim construction contracts (multiple trades) needed to renovate kindergarten classrooms at Longest Elementary so classrooms and restrooms are ready for the new school year. The flooring contract noted it would cover the rest of the building as well. Motion recorded (mover: Mr. Porter; second: Ms. Johns). Outcome: approved.

- AIA contract for high‑school roofing: The board approved an AIA contract with Ronald Johnson and Associates to prepare bid documents for replacement of the Millenburg County High School metal roof. Motion (mover: Ms. Barr) carried.

- Change order No. 3 — Muhlenberg County Middle School: Approved a change order to create an ADA-accessible restroom in the special‑education area, subdivide oversized rooms into permanent classrooms, and related work. Motion (mover: Ms. Youngs; second: Mr. Porter) carried.

- Bid process for DOT physicals: The board authorized bidding for annual Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals for bus drivers. The action cited the regulation referenced in the meeting packet (see Authorities). Outcome: approved.

- Certified Evaluation Plan (CEP) 2025–26: The board approved the district’s 2025–26 certified-evaluation plan; the plan reflects staffing changes and the state’s move to a five‑year summative cycle for tenured teachers (House Bill 48). Outcome: approved.

- Staffing and job postings: The board approved early posting of a food-service manager position at the high school (to prepare for a July/August retirement), approved posting for an additional speech-language pathologist (district said it currently has eight therapists and needs 12; district has used contractors at $65/hour), and approved a job description and posting for a media‑specialist assistant position at Muhlenberg South Elementary. Outcomes: approved.

- Career-education purchase and related funding: The superintendent reported the district purchased Paxton Patterson career labs (30 for the middle school, six per elementary) and described funding: Martin Foundation $100,000; Perkins $50,000; Title funds $85,000; community donations $20,295; total purchase and related costs ~$255,295. The board was informed; the superintendent said additional funding will be sought for carts and technology accessories.

- Parking lot pavement: The board awarded a bid for asphalt pavement construction for the board office parking lot, which required repair after an identified sewage issue. Outcome: approved.

- MOAs for dual credit: The board approved memoranda of agreement for dual‑credit instruction with Madisonville Community College and with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for 2025–26. Outcome: approved.

- Annual audit contract: The board approved the fiscal-year 2026 annual-audit contract with the firm mentioned in the packet (the contract included a cost increase noted by the auditor). Outcome: approved.

- Fiscal items, budgets and schedules: The board considered and approved principals’ combined budgets and other routine fiscal items in the consent agenda. The board discussed but tabled a separate salary-schedule proposal and scheduled a work session to revisit compensation proposals.

Items tabled or deferred:

- First reading of the revised dress code (policy 9.427): Board tabled the first reading and instructed the committee to reconvene and return a revised draft that incorporates public comment.

Why it matters: The approvals move capital and operating projects forward (classroom renovations and roofing procurement) and add district capacity (speech-language staffing, food-service posting, media-assistant). The job postings and budget items affect classroom services and operations for the 2025–26 school year.