MIDDLESBORO — The Middlesboro Board of Education (MBOE) met in regular session on Monday evening in the library of the Middlesboro Primary School (MPS) to discuss school district functions for 2010.

The meeting began with the election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson within the Middlesboro school district for 2010. MBOE member Kelley Shoffner nominated Bill Johnson to the position of Chairperson, and he was quickly reappointed to the position. Board member Eddie Ballinger then nominated Edith Kelley to the position of Vice-Chairperson, and all were in favor of the decision.

Board members then agreed to establish the third Monday of each month as the date in which regular meetings will occur. Meetings will primarily be at the Central Office Board Room in downtown Middlesboro at 6 p.m. each month.

Middlesboro Superintendent Rita Cook then discussed the importance of establishing roles within the school district, and presented the board with a organizational development chart.

“When I came on board, one of the things that I wanted to look at right at the very beginning is how our district is organized, especially the central office,” Cook explained. “And while we had job descriptions at the central office, it was still kind of nebulous. We really needed some clarification for what people’s roles were, and where they fit into the organization.”

The board approved the new district organizational chart as presented. The plan will go into effect immediately.

Superintendent Cook then updated the board on the budget planning process.

“We are trying to make some decisions about next year, where we are going to be financially,” stated Cook. “We feel like with the latest cuts — the three percent reduction we had — it’s going to put us where we are going to be for the rest of the year.”

“We need to start planning for what we’re going to do in the next school year,” Cook added.

Cook said that she has met with the district’s administrative cabinet, principals, and the central office staff, and discussed ways in which the district can save money in the next school year. She explained that once the board sets priorities for the future direction of the district, the next step will be to establish a task force made up of people from the community.

“I think at that point the focus of the task force will be to help the rest of the district sort of understand some of the decisions that have been made,” said Cook.

Cook then stated that it is important to get everyone involved in this process. She said that it is necessary for individuals to understand the reasons why certain decisions are made from an educational standpoint, as well as from a financial standpoint.

“I think it is really critical because any time you have change... you want everybody in the know. And that is the way we want it to be here as well,” Cook contended.

According to Cook, the Middlesboro school district will be establishing a Student Advisory Council and the first meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. She said that the council will be made up of two students from each grade level — sixth through twelfth grade — and it will center on student feedback in terms of the educational process.

“Just like everything we do in our district, the purpose will be to find out information to help us be better at educating our students,” declared Cook.

In other official school business, the MBOE addressed the following items:

• Building reports were given by district principals.

• Facilities Manager Larry Adams was appointed to the position of Board Treasurer with a recommendation from Middlesboro Superintendent Rita Cook.

• Approved the minutes of the December 14, 2009 regular-called meeting.

• Approved financial reports as presented from Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro Middle School, Middlesboro Intermediate School, and Middlesboro Primary School.

• Approved a School Facilities Construction Commission Bond Payment to the First State Bank of Pineville in the amount of $20,389.15 from June 1, 2002.

• Approved a School Facilities Construction Commission Bond Payment to First State Financial in the amount of $20,389.15 from February 1, 2005.

• Approved a School Facilities Construction Commission Bond Payment to Community Trust Bank in the amount of $33,163.18 from July 1, 2006.

• The board adopted a policy that Athletic Directors within the district cannot hold positions as coaches.

• Approved payments to Monticello Banking Company for KISTA Equipment Lease Series 2009 in the amounts of $8,553.37, $9,315.59, $8,991.65, and $8,665.63.

• Accepted assistance from School Facilities Construction Commission in the amount of $8,556.00.

• Approved the cafeteria report and financial report.

• Approved the payment of monthly bills and salaries.

The MBOE will hold a special-called meeting on Feb. 1, 2010 at the Central Office Board Room. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. The board will meet in regular session on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.