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PINEVILLE — Gifted Education Coordinator brought several of her “best and brightest” students before the Bell County Board of Education during their regular meeting on Monday to recognize their outstanding academic achievements.

Zeb Vance and Jeffrey Saylor took home impressive trophies because the two Bell County High School juniors were named Kentucky Governor’s Scholars in 2008. Every year, students throughout the Commonwealth are invited to apply to the program. Scholars are chosen from approximately 1,700 applicants based on their academic achievement, overall student profile, essay and teacher recommendation. Only 1,050 students become Governor’s Scholars. The two will spend five weeks of their summers on a college campus, participating in classes and in community life. The mission of the program is to prepare some of the state’s top-performing high school students for college and to mold them to become future leaders in the state.

Each year, Duke Talent Identification Program offers outstanding 7th grade students the opportunity to take the ACT college entrance exam. During the past school year, Bell County had 19 students who took the ACT alongside high school juniors and seniors. Three of those students qualified for state recognition (by scoring a 21 or above in different disciplines). Benjamin Barnett took home a trophy and was recognized for his achievements in reading and science. Nathaniel Calloway took home a trophy and was recognized for his achievements in English and science. Jared Philpot took home a trophy as well and was recognized for his achievements in reading.

During the board meeting, the board entered into an executive session to discuss personnel, but due to the absence of board member Shelby Stewart, no decisions were made and no action was taken. The board did, however, proceed to schedule a special called meeting for tonight at 7 p.m. in order to consider action for the selection of a school superintendent.

During the “facilities” portion of the meeting, the board learned that the HVAC enhancement project for Page, Right Fork, Frakes and Yellow Creek School Centers is ahead of schedule. The board was disappointed to learn that they would need to approve two change order requests for the vocational school construction. Due to inclement weather during the month of May, the expected project completion date was extended five days. The board approved a change order concerning the foundation and cassions, an additional $69,000 expense (to be taken out of the $340,000 contingency fund). The project is about 12 percent complete at this point, said Vaughn and Melton representative Shawn Bensor.

Board member Dean Knuckles was especially frustrated by the change order at an early stage in the construction.

“That’s one thing I don’t like. When I met with Vaughn and Melton, I said that I don’t like change orders. They assured me there would be virtually no change orders. I know how change orders work — I’m in the construction business,” Knuckles said.

Bensor said that the need for additional cassions was not due to a design error. “We knew that the foundation would mean a bit of guess work,” he said. “I don’t think that this was a design error. It just couldn’t have been anticipated.”

Bensor did assure the board, however, that the project is moving along smoothly otherwise. In fact, he said that masonry will begin next week, marking a milestone for the project.

An employee of the Bell County Education System raised her concerns about gas prices to the board. She said that with the system’s 36 cent reimbursement, she does not break even when she drives her personal vehicle for work purposes. She asked that the board review their reimbursement rate and consider paying more. Board Chairman Kenneth Sams indicated that they would take her concern into consideration and that they sympathize with her.

The board took the following action:

Approved the May 19 regular meeting minutes, the May 27 special called meeting minutes and the May 29 special called meeting.

Approved the payment of bills, fund raising requests, facilities requests and out-of-state transportation requests.

Approved proposed grant applications.

Approved the first reading of 2008 policy update #31.

Approved the 2008-2009 KECSAC MOA.

Approved the health clinic contract for 2008-2009 school year.

Awarded bids for food service (Every item within the food service budget increased in price).

Accepted and awarded bids for: School pictures, year book, concession items, soft drinks, school supplies & furniture, and office supplies & equipment.

Accepted and approved a bid to resurface the Bell County High School track for $27,960.

Approved KDE Assurances - DCIP.

Approved MOA with Pulaski County Schools.

Approved school textbook plans.

Approved the 2008-2009 athletic trainer services contract.

Accepted proposal for 2008-2009 workers compensation.

Approved and accepted a student insurance proposal for 2008-2009 from R.J. Roberts Co.

During an attendance report, the board learned that the dropout rate for Bell County High School decreased from 7.45 in 2003 to 2.49 in 2007. The dropout rate for 2006-2007 for grades 7-12 was an outstanding 1.59.

Brandy Calvert is the Senior Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at bmurray@middlesborodailynews.com.

Photos:

Pictured are three Bell County School students who received state recognition through the Duke University Talent Identification Program. From left: Jared Philpot, Benjamin Barnett and Nathaniel Calloway. BRANDY CALVERT/Daily News