The Whitley County Board of Education met on Jan. 15 to review a clean 2024-2025 audit report, discuss the initial 2026-2027 draft budget, and recognize board members for School Board Appreciation Month.
Auditor Artie White from White & Associates PSC reported no findings in the district’s 2024-2025 audit.
“Clearly, you all had an excellent audit,” said White, noting that there was no need for a corrective action plan or any response from the district. “You all are doing an excellent job, and we appreciate that.”
Superintendent John Siler gave a review of the 2026-2027 draft budget, emphasizing the word “draft” because it may change depending on the 2026 Kentucky legislative session.
“When I say this is a draft budget, it truly is a draft,” said Siler. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in Frankfort. Whatever happens there, if they decide to decrease the amount of funding per student, we’ll change this budget.”
Highlights from the draft budget include a 3.6 percent contingency, which is higher than the Kentucky Department of Education’s required 2 percent, planned purchases of new school buses, and small construction projects within district schools, such as restroom renovations.
Siler reported that more information will be available in April after the legislative session concludes. At that point, they will know what the funding will look like and can make more finalized decisions.
Director of Pupil Personnel Patrick Bowlin shared updates about the 2026-2027 calendar, which was well received by staff.
Bowlin explained that they met with the calendar committee to receive feedback.
“A lot of people are really happy with our calendar that we have this year,” said Bowlin, referencing the changes in Professional Development days for teachers and staff. “Our parents are happy with the breaks and the start of the school year.”
The calendar update has strong support for instructional “data days” tied to MAP testing.
Siler pointed out that people are really happy with the request to have Good Friday off due to Easter coming early next year, especially families traveling who may need that extra day.
The 2026-2027 school calendar designates May 17 as the last official day, totaling 170 instructional days for students.
Bowlin presented the calendar to board members for potential revisions and stated that a finalized update would be available for the February board meeting.
The board members were recognized for School Board Appreciation Month. Each board member received an appreciation gift.
The board members are Board Chairperson Brenda Hill, Board Vice-Chairperson Kenneth Carr, and members Paula Grubb, Joanne Jones, and Brenda Rose.
The board approved moving forward with keeping Brenda Hill as board chair and Kenneth Carr as vice chair.
The board approved a motion to continue holding regular meetings on the third Thursday of each month.
The board approved renewal of the student accident insurance for the 2026-2027 school year through Roberts Insurance at a cost of $57,076.75, and authorization to offer voluntary student accident insurance to parents.
The board also approved acceptance of a $42,688 School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) offer of assistance, which can be applied to future facility projects without additional costs to taxpayers. For the Feb. board meeting, board members approved changing the date from Feb. 19 to Feb. 17 due to the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA)’s annual conference in Louisville.
