The Fayette Board of Education gave unanimous approval to a slew of items, including the addition of a second special education teacher at the middle school, during a busy regular meeting held on Wednesday, March 19.

The additional special education teacher was approved to meet a growing demand at the middle school. Principal Abby Annette told the board that Clark Middle School will have 20 special education students starting next year, nearly double the current demand.

The board voted to hire another special education teacher two years ago but received no applications, so the position was removed from the current budget. The cost to fill the additional position is around $55,000, including benefits.

Superintendent Brent Doolin said the district can afford the additional staff member but warned that once the state legislature stops funding the mandated higher baseline teacher salaries, the district will likely have to ask the public for another bond issue. The board cleared the way for that measure last month, voting to pay off current bonds, saving money on interest, and clearing room for future debt.

Board members all seemed to agree that hiring an additional special education teacher is necessary. Third-term board member Shauna Young called the move a “no-brainer.”

Superintendent Doolin said that more high-need students are advancing to middle school.

“That’s a very important portion of our student body that we just can’t ignore,” said board president Skip Vandelicht.

Board members gave unanimous approval to a new course list for the middle school, which will expand choices for elective classes to sixth-grade students starting next year.

“Last year, our goal was to offer options for seventh grade and eighth grade regarding their elective choices,” Mrs. Annette explained. “This year, our goal was to add on for sixth grade as well so that they can start having choices, too.”

New electives include a personal finance class, possibly a literature class, and a STEM class for the seventh grade.

Board members reluctantly agreed to continue its participation in a health insurance consortium, although rates are increasing by 7.9 percent. Further details were mentioned but not discussed, such as how much the board will cover premium hikes to individual district employees.

Mrs. Young inquired about leaving the consortium. However, Mr. Doolin cited that the danger of leaving includes not being allowed back in for five years. Another similar consortium he cited often switches insurance companies, causing issues for its members.

The board also approved several grant applications and overnight trips for FFA and FBLA students. 

In addition, board members agreed to allow the district to seek proposals to accept credit and debit cards. This would not only allow parents to pay off outstanding lunch balances, as was reported last month in the Fayette Advertiser, but it could also be expanded for use in event ticketing and concession stands.

Fayette principal Jason Hannum highlighted the scholar bowl team for claiming the first-ever Central State 8 title with an undefeated conference record. Led by teacher Andy Bentley, the team is poised to compete in the Class 3 District 5 tournament.

In other business, members set May 7 for the annual board awards, which honors a citizen and teacher of the year and recognizes students’ academic achievement. Middle school awards will be presented at 6 p.m., with high school awards at 6:45 p.m.

The school board meets at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library on the third Wednesday of every month except for July. Next month’s meeting was moved to Monday, April 14, to comply with state law requiring school boards to hold a reorganization meeting within two weeks of the latest election, which occurs on Tuesday, April 8. Meetings are open, agendas are published in advance on the district’s website, and the public is invited.