School Board Votes To Hold Special Election

The Adair County School Board voted unanimously to hold a special election for the new nickel tax, putting the fate of the financial upkeep of the school district into the hands of the voters.
Under the recommendation of Adair County Schools Superintendent Darrell Treece, the board made the decision during the special called regular meeting of the board last Thursday.
Treece's recommendation came after learning that the petition that had been circulating to get the nickel tax on a ballot or recalled would more than likely have the 755 required approved signatures to force the recall or election.
Board member Mike Harris informed those present at the meeting, "This isn't about politics because if it were, we as politicians would not be trying to enact a new tax."
"This is about the students of Adair County," he continued.
Once Adair County Clerk Sheila Blair certifies the petition, the board will have to rescind the tax, put it on the ballot during the next general election on Nov. 2, 2010, or call for a special election within the timeframe set out by Kentucky statutes.
According to Treece the election will likely be held sometime around the middle of December depending on the final verification of the signatures on the petition.
"A vote against the tax isn't a vote against the school board or the schools, it is a vote against the kids," stated Treece.
Board member Floyd Burton informed the members of the board that Adair County is the lowest in the sate in dollars spent per student.
"Green County was, but they got their nickel tax and now we are at the bottom of the list," commented Burton.
The decision to hold the special election, which could cost the board up to $14,500, came after Treece and the board members began receiving calls in support of the tax.
The board also voted to approval the purchase of a new school messenger service that will allow the central office as well as each school to call each of the students individually to inform them of school closings, updates, tardy and much more.
The program will cost the district $5,970 for the first year and $5,000 per year for the next three years.
Treece also informed the board that the property insurance coverage for the district received a 25-percent increase and the board approved to pay the additional $4,719 required to get the district into the state's compliance for insurance coverage.
The board also received a presentation from Tammy Smith regarding the district's grant and report on the district's Title I funds from Mike Akin.
Superintendent Treece then gave an update from the district's reconfiguration committee, saying that he recommended three plans that would put age appropriate kids together.
Treece stated that no action was taking by the committee regarding the suggestions but he informed the committee members to take the options back and discuss them with their schools.
The board also approved a request from the Adair County Football team to hire a charter bus to take them to Union County this Friday for the first round of the state playoffs.