Awards and accomplishments consumed most of the time at last Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
The Adair County School District was presented with the KEMI Destiny Awards for the fourth year in a row. KEMI insures over 18,000 policyholders in all 120 Kentucky counties and 151 of the 171 Kentucky school districts. Adair County was one of eight school systems to be recognized. This is an elite group with only 24 schools to achieve this award since 2015.
The district’s workers’ compensation coordinator, Carolee Lloyd, takes great pride in winning this award.
“To do as good as you all do is remarkable…Our average school district has a 69 percent loss ratio. You all have a 34 percent loss ratio, which means that KEMI has only paid out 34 percent of what you all have paid in. That’s unheard of,” said Zachery Boggs, a representative from KEMI.
Each month three individuals are presented with ASCEND awards based on nominations from any employee in the district. This month’s awards were presented to Lisa Hayes, JR Thompson, and Kelly Dial.
Attendance awards, including a champion belt and chain, also returned. This month’s winner was Adair County Elementary School under the leadership of Principal Jordan Williams.
“We know how important quality instruction is, and we work on that every day. We also work on trying to get kids in front of our quality teachers,” said Director of Pupil Personnel Robbie Harmon.
Volleyball Team Recognized
The Adair County High School volleyball team broke team and individual records this season. Superintendent Jason Faulkner said they recorded the best season in team history, made the class 2A state tournament for the first time, and won other awards. Each player was presented an award from Faulkner.
“The work these girls have done, especially the last few years of teams that you’ve [Coach Michelle Neat] had. They’ve really energized the youth of the programs. I mean you can see it with these girls. You can see how many girls are involved,” said Faulkner. “You talk about leaving a legacy, the girls who are sitting here right now – The difference you are making in the elementary students right now, these kids absolutely think you all are rockstars.”
Holly Trowbridge and Dayna Parnell presented the board with information about offering both a snack and a supper meal to students in the after-school programs. Currently, only a snack is provided. A recent audit recommended adding the supper option, which would be fully funded through the food service program. The board approved the proposal unanimously.
Other items discussed and approved were replacing the seats and rails in the gym at ACES at a total cost of $69,950.
Faulkner requested the purchase of new track equipment for the track built at the new football field. With the new track and equipment, the track team could have their meets on campus. The equipment can be split into two payments with one due now and the other due July 1, 2026 at a total cost of $76,000.
Steven Osborne, project manager with Codell Construction, gave an update on the new middle school. Everything is still on schedule to be completed by spring. There have been a few hiccups along the way, but all in all everything is going smoothly.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
