Warren County school board approves agenda, consent items and two budget amendments; student reports and school recognitions presented

The Warren County Board of Education approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda that included recommendations for professional services and several operations items, and it approved two budget amendments for federal and general funds.

At the start of the meeting the board approved the night’s agenda on a motion by Mr. Jenkins with a second by Mr. Johnson. The board then approved the consent agenda — which contained a recommendation for professional services contracts for architectural, roofing, mechanical and civil engineering — on a motion by Mr. Bennett and a second by Mr. Brown. Administration reminded the board members they could pull any contract recommendation from consent for separate discussion; no member requested a pull.

The board later voted to approve Federal Fund budget amendment (Fund 430) for the 21st Century Community Learning grant. Administration said the amendment moves $27,006.49 into the teacher salary line (line 116) because more teachers than planned worked the after‑school program. Mr. Kennedy moved the amendment and Mr. Bennett seconded; the chair announced the motion carried.

The board also approved General Purpose Fund (Fund 141) budget amendment No. 4 to reallocate $40,200 into technology (cabling, software and supplies) from travel, in‑service and equipment lines to cover higher software costs. Mr. Jeffings moved the amendment and Mr. Brown seconded; the board approved the transfer.

Presentations: The meeting included the student advisory report (sports, clubs, bands and other school activities) and a school showcase from Bobby Ray Elementary. Martha Hillis, principal of Bobby Ray, outlined school programs including pre‑K offerings, veteran commemorations tied to the school’s namesake, a Kindness Club and STEM and music activities. The board also recognized teachers and employees of the month, including Becky Clark (classified employee of the month) and Phyllis Boren (certified employee of the month).

Why it matters: The budget amendments reallocate existing grant and local dollars to cover actual program staffing and technology needs and authorize procurement arrays contained in the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the transcript): - Agenda approval — motion by Mr. Jenkins; second Mr. Johnson; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (includes recommendation for architectural, roofing, mechanical and civil engineering professional services) — motion by Mr. Bennett; second Mr. Brown; outcome: approved. - Federal Fund (Fund 430) amendment for 21st Century Community Learning grant — move $27,006.49 to teacher salary (line 116); motion by Mr. Kennedy; second Mr. Bennett; outcome: approved. - General Purpose Fund (Fund 141) amendment No. 4 — reallocate $40,200 into technology (cabling, software, supplies); motion by Mr. Jeffings; second Mr. Brown; outcome: approved.

Implementation notes: The 21st Century amendment reflects actual staff assignments in after‑school programming and moves funds from instructional assistant lines and other categories into teacher salaries. The technology reallocation is an intra‑fund transfer for software and cabling; administration characterized it as a reallocation of existing resources rather than new spending.

Next steps: Administration will finalize contract approvals under the consent agenda and proceed with procurement and project design activities where applicable.