Fulton Ind. BOE updated on enrollment, student progress

The Dec. 17 regular monthly meeting of the Fulton Independent Board of Education was the final session for longtime school board members Debbie Vaughn and Rea Jones, and each received a special token of appreciation for their service from Superintendent Terry Sullivan as well as words of gratitude from board members. 

When the board convenes for their January meeting, two new board members will take the vacated seats, Janet Gossum and Karen Dean. 

Vaughn took the opportunity during the public comments portion of the meeting’s agenda, to thank the students, teachers, administrators and Superintendent for trusting her to be a representative for the students and the community. 

“It was back in 1999-2000, when I signed up, and I really enjoyed my time. I appreciate everyone supporting me and the rest of the board. I won’t be on the board any more but I will always still support the school,” Vaughn said.

Outgoing board member Rea Jones praised the teachers and students of the district, explaining that her grandchild had relocated to the school, from a much larger district. She said recently, she had been provided with information regarding the growth her grandchild had experienced since she became enrolled with FISD.

She said while some may be critical of the school district, the students’ successes speak for themselves.

“People should stand back and look at the great work they (teachers and students) are doing,” she said.

“This group has been the best group to work with. There is no better group, who loves the kids. We are all friends. I will love and miss each of you,” Board Chair Carol Bransford said.

Board members Christy Pettigrew and Dr. Austin Ferrell were also present, as was Superintendent Terry Sullivan.

During his presentation of “Top Banana” awards, Superintendent Terry Sullivan presented his community awards to Cayce Batts and Dianne Owen; the elementary student award to India Noonan; the middle school student award to Cameron Dodson; the high school student award to Madison Acosta; the Classified award to Candace Govern, Carr Secretary; and the Certified award to Morgan Whitworth, Carr teacher.

The first reading of the 2025-2026 School Calendar was conducted, with the calendar committee having submitted four possible options. 

The labeled “Option 3” was Supt. Sullivan’s recommendation as well as the committee’s. Dr. Ferrell, who served on the committee said he believed the option was the best choice for students, staff and faculty and expressed his appreciation to Amanda LeClere, Director of Pupil Personnel for her oversight of the process.

The Option 3 has professional development days listed for Aug. 5-7; and the first day of classes, Aug. 11, 2025.

September shows classes dismissed Sept. 1 for the Labor Day holiday; Oct. 6-10 is Fall Break; Nov. 4 is listed as a professional development day; and Nov. 26-28, Thanksgiving holiday. In December, 2025, classes are dismissed Dec. 22, 2025-Jan. 2, 2026.

In February, 2026, Feb. 16 is a Presidents Day holiday, with classes dismissed; and Feb. 27-March 2 is listed for a snow day. In April, 2026, April 3-10 is Spring Break; and May 19 is a work day, with May 21 the last day of classes for students. May 25 is Memorial Day holiday and May 26, listed as a snow day.

LeClere noted Oct. 23, 2025 and March 12, 2026 are designated early dismissals for parent/teacher conferences.

The first reading was approved with an additional reading and approval required.

LeClere provided to the board, a proposed Needs Assessment Survey, to be used to identify gaps, challenges, and priorities within a specific setting, such as a school, organization or community. It helps gather input from stakeholders, including students, teachers and parents, to better understand their needs, experiences and perspectives, enabling decision makers to allocate resources, plan interventions and implement improvements effectively.

She said the survey would be used to pursue Title money, and it would be made accessible to students, families, and community members, on the school district’s website, through email and publication of information in the newspaper.

As part of Superintendent Sullivan’s ongoing effort to enlighten and educate the board as well as the public in regard to FISD operations, LeClere provided a presentation on Title funding, including Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV and Title 5.

She said the district receives Title I funding, as currently there are 20 students identified as homeless, Title II funds support effective education, Title III funding pertains to English Learning and immigrants, Title IV is for health and safety as well as technology, improving school conditions and Title V is a supplemental funding, when the other Title funding sources are not enough to meet needs. 

She explained how the Title funding is obtained and how it is regulated, as well as programs supported by the Title funding.

She said because of time constraints this year, she, Supt. Sullivan and Finance officer Chris Morris served as a committee, to gather information and data in order to apply for the funding, however, next year a committee will be formed for that task. She said the board does not approved the committee’s recommendations, but the Kentucky Department of Education must approve them.

The assessment survey presented at the meeting and approved will assist the committee with determining needs and funding required, she said. 

 While Heath Cartwright, Principal was not present for the meeting, Supt. Sullivan provided information to the board regarding recent comments made about the Fulton High School Bulldogs basketball team when they played Egyptian. He said referees praised the team, stating the “players were gentlemen and the coach was classy.”

Supt. Sullivan also pointed out that current sports program participants have a GPA, collectively, of 3.7. 

Matt Moxley, Dean of Students at Carr Elementary, provided information regarding tremendous growth at Carr, in the areas of reading and math, including the Kindergarten class showing 7% at grade level at the beginning of the school year, as compared to 67% on grade level at present. First grade, he said, showed 24% grade level, compared to 4% at the beginning of the school year; second grade showed 38% now, grade level and 19% at the beginning of the school year; and third grade showed 41% now, compared to 18% at grade level at the start of the year. 

“What’s changed? Well, the teachers, the new leadership at Carr pushing teachers and students. And, we reward the students who now have the mindset of wanting to do better,” Sullivan said. 

Enrollment figures were provided in the board packet, which reflected a beginning enrollment Aug. 14, totaling 250 throughout the district, and a current enrollment of 306.

Kindergarten enrollment was reported at 27; first grade, 26; second grade, 17; third grade, 23; fourth grade, 21; fifth grade, 32; sixth grade, 18; seventh grade 21; eighth grade, 17; ninth grade, 20; 10th grade, 26; 11th grade, 13; and 12th grade, 14. Preschool total enrollment is at 31.

Several fundraisers were approved to be conducted, including the FHS Girls’ basketball team, popcorn sales, and laundry detergent sales and cupcakes, cakes and cookie sale; FHS boys basketball team, sale of Bulldog Pride and We Are Bulldogs shirts; and the FHS Class of 2025 candy with a note, Valentine candy gram, to raise money for the senior trip and prom. 

The ESports program will raise funds through “Send Your Crush a Crush”, with delivery of a Crush soda and note by the end of the school day from Jan. 13-Reb. 13, and also a Homecoming chili supper and bake sale.   

The Family Connection, Fulton Independent FRYSC Coordinator Tracy Pulley provided her monthly report of activities, which included the Nov. 7 Parent and Youth Cafe with 22 participants; Nov 12 Grow Festival with 70 participants; Nov. 20 Cooking Club, 11 participants; Nov. 20, Family Reading Night with 40 participants; Mentoring meetings; BADD Club with 14 participants; connection of 25 FISD families with Ken-Tenn Food Bank Thanksgiving food boxes; utilization of United Way funds to provide gas for a FISDA family in need; and to provide space heater for a family in need.

Pulley reported that three students completed Stanford My Health Future program, one with Pulley and two with ASAP Coordinator Kimberly Brann. She also connected FHS juniors with the new 4-H regional teen leadership program.

The Food Service Report, as prepared by Food Service Director Ashley Teasley, was reviewed and approved, with Sullivan praising her efforts in that department.

The board also approved, with Sullivan’s recommendation, the revised 2024-2025 School Risk Assessments, with team members added to the assessments, an action Sullivan said would be compliant with state law. While the School Risk Assessments plan is not released to the public, because of the confidential nature of the security data, the plan was made available for review, at the board meeting. 

The Orders of the Treasurer were approved, with Chris Morris reporting  a good month, financially, with expenses/spending below budget. He said he was currently giving attention to grant funding, particularly making sure all grant funds owed to the district had been obtained. He also said he is currently researching a difference in “omitted personal property taxes” the district receives, this year, $208, as compared to the usual amount of approximately $10,000. He said he had spoken with Pete Morgan, Fulton County Property Valuation Administrator regarding the substantial difference in this year’s collection.

Omitted personal property is property which was discovered or reported too late to be included on a county’s yearly certified tax roll.This includes returns filed after the May 15 due date. Omitted property is assessed by the Department of Revenue, and the actual tax rates are the same, however in accordance with KRS 132.290, a penalty of 10% for voluntary late filed listings and 20% for involuntary listings will be applied to the tax plus interest starting year one from the assessment date.

The Sheriff collects the tax after assessment. 

As the result of audio issues occurring for the presentation of the Auditor’s Report via videoconferencing, the board approved the postponement of the audit presentation until the January meeting.

Supt. Sullivan said he wanted the board as well as those in attendance for the meeting to be able to hear Shad’s report, as it was a “good audit”, and good news.