School board sets special budget meeting

April 24--The Rowan County Board of Education spent much of its meeting hearing good news from the schools but later agreed to meet to talk about cutting the district's operating budget.

The board set a special meeting for May 7 at 5:30 p.m. to address a projected $300,000 cut in the 2015-2016 school year budget.

Earlier, the board members heard about art displays by the Bluegrass Discovery Academy, a report on the Rowan County Senior High School senior trip to New York, and a presentation by preschool students.

Negotiations will begin with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for the potential purchase of the existing Rowan Campus facility on Viking Drive.

KCTCS is in the process of raising $7 million to be matched with $21 million in state funds to build a $28 million project at the MMRC Regional Business Park on KY 801.

"These are just negotiations, nothing is final," said Supt. Marvin Moore. "Any information gathered will be brought back to the board which will have the final decision."

The board unanimously approved the motion to allow Moore to negotiate the purchase and subsequent lease of the campus site. Board chair Bill Redwine was absent.

Other business items discussed included renewal of property insurance, fleet insurance, educator's legal liability and general liability with Liberty Mutual and Kentucky Employer's Mutual Insurance at the rate of $193,182 for the 2015-2016 school year.

The renewal of student insurance with Bob Robert's Insurance and workers' compensation insurance with Jack Roe Insurance were both unanimously approved.

A new program will be introduced for students that are in grades 9-12 and home schooled.

RAVE is virtual learning that would bring classrooms to students that, for various reasons do not attend high school. It will not cost the district to implement but will open up several opportunities, said RCSHS Principal Ray Ginter.

The virtual classroom would hold students to state standards and would offer a range of class options but they must have internet access, go through an application process, and pay a deposit which is refunded once the class is completed.

For more information on RAVE contact the high school, 784-8956.

Shayla Menville can be reached at [email protected] or by telephone at 784-4116.

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