Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Decisions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Washington County Board of Education reappoints officers, approves FY26 draft budget and authorizes superintendent contract signature
Summary
At its Jan. 6 organizational meeting the Washington County Board of Education reappointed leadership, adopted its 2025 meeting schedule, approved consent items and donations, approved a FY26 draft budget and calendar Option B, and authorized the chair to sign the superintendent employment contract (one abstention).
The Washington County Board of Education met virtually on Jan. 6, 2025, and approved a series of organizational and governance actions to guide the district in 2025.
In opening actions, the board reappointed Jeremy Thompson as vice-chairman (Bd. #25-001), Judy Spalding as board treasurer (Bd. #25-002), and reaffirmed Superintendent Dr. J. Robin Cochran as board secretary (Bd. #25-004). All three motions passed by unanimous recorded votes as listed in the minutes. A separate motion (Bd. #25-003) reappointed Jeremy Thompson as the board’s legislative liaison.
The board approved a payroll payment schedule for FY2025 (Bd. #25-005), listing bi-monthly payment dates from January through December 2025, and adopted its regular meeting dates and times for 2025 per KRS 160.270 (Bd. #25-006). The schedule lists monthly evening meetings from Jan. 6, 2025 through Dec. 8, 2025 and a Jan. 5, 2026 meeting date.
The board approved the consent agenda (Bd. #25-007), which included approval of minutes from Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, 2024; payment of bills; budget amendments; acceptance of submitted donations (cash and in-kind) to Washington County Schools; approval of school and district comprehensive improvement plans; multiple student trip requests; and contract addenda. Donations recorded in the minutes included gifts to WCMS, WCES, NWES and WCHS from several organizations and individuals as listed in the minutes.
On items requiring separate action, the board approved a revision to the 2025–2026 school calendar (Option B) (Bd. #25-008) and approved the FY26 draft budget as presented (Bd. #25-009), both by unanimous votes.
The board took a separate roll-call vote to authorize the board chair to sign the superintendent employment contract document (Bd. #25-010). That authorization passed with four members voting YES and one member, Jeremy Thompson, recorded as ABSTAIN. The motion’s mover and seconder are recorded in the minutes as Ray Canterberry and Carissa Harley, respectively.
The board recorded a set of personnel actions for January, including the certified hiring of Maggie Rockett as a teacher at WCHS; classified hires of Krista Thompson and Sheila Bowman as substitute lunchroom workers; and extra-services assignments for Laura Piasecki (choir director & drama coach, WCHS) and Eric Sagrecy (athletic director).
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. (Bd. #25-011). Minutes were submitted by J. Robin Cochran, Ed.D., board secretary, and approved by Board Chair Curtis Hamilton.
Votes at a glance
- Bd. #25-001 — Reappoint Jeremy Thompson, vice-chair: Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 4-0 (SEG 001). - Bd. #25-002 — Reappoint Judy Spalding, treasurer: Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Jeremy Thompson; outcome: approved 4-0 (SEG 001). - Bd. #25-003 — Reappoint Jeremy Thompson, legislative liaison: Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 4-0 (SEG 001). - Bd. #25-004 — Reappoint Dr. J. Robin Cochran, board secretary: Mover Ray Canterberry; Second Jeremy Thompson; outcome: approved 4-0 (SEG 001). - Bd. #25-005 — Approve FY2025 salary payment dates: Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 4-0 (SEG 001). - Bd. #25-006 — Approve 2025 meeting schedule (KRS 160.270): Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 002). - Bd. #25-007 — Approve consent agenda (minutes, bills, donations, plans, trips, contracts): Mover Carissa Harley; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 004–005). - Bd. #25-008 — Approve 2025–2026 calendar (Option B): Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Jeremy Thompson; outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 005). - Bd. #25-009 — Approve FY26 draft budget: Mover Carissa Harley; Second Ray Canterberry; outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 005). - Bd. #25-010 — Authorize chair to sign superintendent employment contract: Mover Ray Canterberry; Second Carissa Harley; outcome: roll-call 4 YES, 0 NO, 1 ABSTAIN (Jeremy Thompson) (SEG 005). - Bd. #25-011 — Adjourn: Mover Sherri Cheser; Second Carissa Harley; outcome: approved 5-0 (SEG 006).
What’s next: The FY26 budget was approved as a draft; any further required public hearings or final adoption are not recorded in these minutes. The superintendent contract signature was authorized; the minutes do not state whether the contract was signed that night.
