It was a bleak atmosphere at Thursday evening’s Christian County School Board meeting, as the board heard a presentation about the draft budget for fiscal year 2018-19.
Director of Business Jessica Darnell informed that board that based on projections generated after Governor Matt Bevin’s budget proposal, the school district could face a $1.6 million reduction due to cuts to transportation.
Superintendent May Ann Gemmill says that the $68 million budget is very much subject to change, as they gather more information from Frankfort about the state’s budget and grant opportunities. This is just the start of the process, as a tentative budget and working budget must be presented in May and September.
The board heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for School Safety, who surveyed Hopkinsville High School and Indian Hills Elementary. The agency randomly selects two schools to assess in the district every year, at the board’s request.
Dan Orman says both schools had strong relationships with local law enforcement, both had people that students found trust worthy and both had good security on keeping exterior doors locked. He says Hopkinsville High School had some points of concern, including open beverage containers, low staff morale and fighting.
Orman says Indian Hills had excellent safety overall, but said they could improve on making sure classroom doors are shut and locked during instruction and reviewing emergency plans.
In other action, the calendar for school year 2018-19 was approved, which would make the first day of school August 9 and the last day May 22. **