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Estill County board approves FY25 budgets, staffing schedule and new insurance plan
Summary
The Estill County Board of Education on June 20 approved multiple FY25 budget and policy items, a 2% across‑the‑board staff raise, and a new district insurance arrangement after reviewing competitive bids. All motions passed by unanimous votes.
The Estill County Board of Education approved a series of fiscal and personnel items at its June 20 meeting in Irving, including the FY25 family resource budget, bond depository, treasurer's bond, KSBA policy updates (first reading), a special education coach/facilitator position, the FY24–25 staffing policy and salary schedule that includes a 2% across‑the‑board raise, and a new district insurance arrangement.
Superintendent Brock told the board the family resource budget change reflected a new South Irvin family service center and a hired coordinator, and recommended approval. "It's my recommendation we approve the budget," Brock said; the motion was moved by Veil Samples, seconded by Carrie Smallwood and carried 4-0.
On banking and bond matters, Brock recommended continuing with the district's prior depository for a two‑year term and explained the annual need to approve the treasurer's bond for bond payments. Those measures passed unanimously. The board also conducted a first reading of KSBA (Kentucky School Boards Association) policy updates drafted to reflect recent legislative changes; the board voted to accept the updates as presented for first reading.
On staffing, Brock outlined changes driven by a wind‑down of ESSER funds and internal position reassignments. The board approved a staffing policy and salary schedule for FY24–25 that includes a 2% raise for staff this year; Brock characterized the increase as a sustainable step while noting the district has provided larger cumulative raises over several prior years.
The board spent significant time comparing insurance bids for two separate coverages: property/liability (buildings, employee liability, weather events) and workers' compensation. Brock summarized three options, including a higher‑cost Liberty Mutual renewal (about $468,000 as presented), a lower‑cost London Insurance Agency bid, and a fund option through Assured Partners called Bluegrass Risk Management, which had higher first‑year cost but offered lower deductibles and potential future refunds for participating low‑claim districts. "It's my recommendation that we go with Bluegrass Risk Management and Kiwi for our insurance," Brock said. The board voted to approve the recommended insurance arrangement.
Routine consent items — May meeting minutes, the treasurer's report, memoranda of agreement with New Vista, Mountain Comp and Second Mile, and device‑agreement items for school MacBooks — were approved as a package by unanimous vote.
All formal votes recorded in the meeting were unanimous as stated by the chair during roll calls. The board moved into and returned from a closed session later in the meeting to complete the superintendent's evaluation, which the board later described publicly as exemplary.
