Principals recognized by Fulton Co. BOE

Fulton County Board of Education Vice Chair Kim Haglar presided over the Oct. 21 special called session of the board, in the absence of Board Chair Perry Turner.

Board members Barry Patrick and Brian Emmons were also present, along with Fulton County School District Superintendent Patrice Chambers. Board member Rob Garrigan was absent.

Following the roll call, invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the Mission Statement, “Compassion + High Standards = Growth for All”, the minutes from the previous board meeting, as well as the night’s agenda were approved.

In her Superintendent’s Special Spotlight, Supt. Chambers recognized the district’s three Principals, for October’s designation as National School Principals Month. Fulton County High School Principal Ellen Murphy, Fulton County Middle School Principal Tiea Davis and Fulton County Elementary School Principal Ashton Giles were recognized and presented with a special gift, and praised for their service to the district and students.

The attendance report for Sept. 2-27, reflected the elementary school with attendance at 94.7%; the Middle School attendance at 95.7%; and the High School at 95.1%. The District attendance was reported as 94.88%.

Enrollment for preschool during the same period was reported as 51; for elementary school, 262; for middle school, 123; high school, 174, and district enrollment, reported at 610.

Vice Chair Haglar was nominated and accepted the nomination to serve on the FY 2026 Calendar Committee, as a board member. 

Other members of the FY 2026 Calendar Committee approved included Ellen Murphy, district principal; Sondra Gibbs, district office administrator other than the superintendent; Roneika Blair and Kim Major, parents of students attending a school in the District; Ashley Moore, district elementary teacher; Laura Miller, district middle or high school teacher; Jessica Goodman and Deena Anderson, district classified employees; and Bernita Cheirs and Val Yandal, two community members from the local Chamber of Commerce, business community, or tourism commission.

The District Calendar Committee, after seeking feedback from the District employees, parents and community members recommends school calendar options to the Superintendent for presentation to the Board. The committee’s recommendations comply with state laws and regulations and consider the economic impact of the school calendar on the community and the state. 

One school related student trip request was submitted for board consideration and approval, for 15 students and three chaperones to attend the Kentucky Youth Assembly, KYA, Nov. 24-26 in Louisville, Ky. 

Ellen Murphy, high school principal explained the event will promote leadership, through students participating in the governmental process of creating and debating a Bill, as part of a team effort. Murphy explained the lodging, transportation and fees would be covered by the YMCA, with students responsible for food. The board approved the request.

The board authorized, at the recommendation of Supt. Chambers, the FY 2025 KETS first offer of $6,191. Kentucky Department of Education provides a yearly funding stream referred to as KETS Offers of Assistance, based on adjusted average daily attendance, AADA, as reported on the Superintendent’s annual attendance report, SAAR. Districts must match or escrow the funds for up to three years, which are used for the district’s technology. 

At the request of the representatives of the Joe Coffey Scholarship Fund, the funds were transferred to a 12 month Certificate of Deposit with a rate of 4.75%, with the board approving the transfer. 

Jennifer Davis reported year to date revenue at $1,076,724.25, against a budget of $5,881,888.16, with 13.66% of the budget collected. As to the expenses, year to date, she reported $1,391,764.19 as compared to the budget of $7,881,888.14, at 17.66% of the budget spent.

She reported the budget was at 15.19% spent at the same time period last year, however the increase this year could be attributed to an increase in the district’s property insurance, bus garage start up, equipment, one month’s rental of a cooling station and repairs on the property grounds, with “lots of front end expenses” incurred this year. 

The Fulton County High School Activity Fund Financial Report reflected a beginning balance of $115,604.75, receipts and transfers in at $17,889.10, less expenditures and transfers out at ($9,648.28),  and an ending balance of $123,845.57. 

The Fulton County Elementary/Middle School Activity Fund Financial Report reflected a beginning ledger balance of $24,418.95, with deposits and transfers in at $12,499.76, less expenditures at ($6,44488), and an ending ledger balance of $30,473.83. 

The District’s Food Service Director Lindsey Bridges provided her October Board Report which included her attendance for the KDA meeting and WKEC Co-op meeting; collaboration with Brandon Uzzle, FRYSC Coordinator to provide Backpack Program for students at Fulton County Schools, set to launch in November; the district’s awarding of the LFS grant in the Spring, with a shipment received of fresh beef and pork from a local farmer, Porter House Road. She reported the fresh beef and pork had been incorporated into the October school menu and the students provided with fresh BBQ sandwiches were a huge hit.