Published: November 13, 2007 08:47 am      

Vet receives honorary diploma from Laurel BOE

By Heather Cole / Staff Writer

Due to the observance of Veteran’s Day the Laurel County Board of Education meeting garnered a patriotic feel.

The board opened the meeting with a veteran’s program. The North Laurel High School JROTC was on hand for the presentation of colors and the South Laurel High School Chorale Octet sang the National Anthem. The Laurel County BOE Chairman Ed Jones then bestowed an honorary diploma to Vietnam War Veteran Jason Sullivan.

“It’s pretty nice,” an emotional Sullivan said about receiving the diploma.

During the meeting the board also took time to recognize the passing of a valued member of the Laurel County school system. Randall D. Baker’s family was present at the meeting as the board presented plaques of gratitude in honor of Baker’s service to Laurel County.

Barney Paslick presented the 2008-09 District Technology Plan.The plan allows provisions for providing reliable technology to all Laurel County students and staff, as well as enabling all users to maximize the technology value in the classroom.

Paslick said the next goal is to move the schools to a higher speed connection.

“We’ve always had one of the finest fiber networks in the state. We want to make other districts even more jealous,” Paslick said about upgrading the speed levels.

Also discussed during the meeting, the board:

• approved a recommendation for Cold Hill Elementary and Keavy Elementary to apply for KDE Mathematics Achievement Fund Grant and authorized the appropriate signatures. It is a competitive grant that both schools will have to individually apply for.

• approved a recommendation for a part-time classified ESS position (five hours per week) at Sublimity School.

• approved a modified contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for FRYSC contract services and authorized the appropriate signatures.

• approved for board members to attend a KSBA Winter Conference in Lexington Nov. 30-Dec 1.

• approved for board members and district Administrators to attend the NSBA Annual Conference, Orlando, Fla., Mar 28-31.

• approved a recommendation to create three part-time positions for Title 1 Para-educators at Cold Hill Elementary.

• approved a recommendation to re-create one special education instructional assistant position at Hazel Green Elementary School.

• approved a recommendation to create one educational interpreter position.

• approved hiring an architect for the South Laurel High bleachers for the balcony of the gymnasium.



Heather Cole can be reached at hcole@thetimestribune.com