By: Melodie Phelps, News Editor
CNHI
4-24-13 — It was an historic evening on Tuesday, April 16, when the Wayne County Board of Educa-tion unanimously voted to accept an amended version of the merger agreement with Monticello School.
"The Wayne County Board of Education made an historic decision for our local community when they voted to accept the request to merge
from the Monticello Independent Board of Education," stated Wayne
County Superin-tendent John Dalton. "Effective July 1, 2013, the
students of Wayne County will become one student body."
A detailed version of the final draft of the agreement was signed by Wayne County Board chairperson Patty Roberts at the conclusion of the meeting. In the final draft of the merger agreement Wayne County is released from liability of the $1.1 million debt incurred by Monticello School this year.
The motion made in regard to the merger agreement stipulated that
each school district will be responsible for sending non-renewal
letters to their non-tenured classified and certified staff, as well
as letters notifying affected staff of their reduction in
responsibility and salary levels and demotion letters for any
affected administrators.
The board met in special session last Tuesday after taking 24 hours
to review the merger proposal which was presented to them officially
on Monday, April 15. Board members went into executive session during
the Monday meeting to discuss the proposal with legal counsel and
opted to wait until the following evening before taking any action.
As Dalton opened Tuesday's meeting he noted that the board had
reviewed the document with lawyers and had taken time to consider the
proposal.
Dalton then asked if anyone in the audience had any questions or
comments before the board took action. There were no public comments.
Dalton then directed the group's attention to the sounds coming from
the hall near the entrance of Pickrell Auditorium at Wayne County
High School, where an Activity Fair was in full swing. The event was
geared to include Monticello High School students and their parents
and was part of the parent-teacher conference night at the school.
Dalton noted that hundreds of students and parents had visited the
activity fair to learn more about Wayne County High School and the
opportunities that are available.
"The Wayne County board of Education joins all Wayne County staff,
students, parents and community in welcoming the newest Wayne County
students, staff and parents. We are excited about this opportunity
for our school and our community to continue to grow and serve young
people, their families and our community," said Dalton.
He continued, "The next weeks and months will be a flurry of
activity as we provide opportunities for all—students to enroll, get
course schedules, teacher placements, and the many other exciting
events around our schools."
The agreement sets up a grade configuration which was explained in-
depth during Monday evening's regular board meeting. Walker
Elementary will include preschool and kindergarten. First and second
graders will be at Bell Elementary. Third, fourth and fifth graders
will be at Monticello School. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders will
be at Wayne County Middle School and Wayne County High School will
have grades nine through 12.
Wayne County will absorb roughly 765 students into the county system
due to the closure of Monticello School.
Based on Kentucky state statute, members of the Monticello Board of
Education will merge with the Wayne County Board of Education on July
1 to form one entity. Monticello board members will continue to serve
on the merged until their terms expire.
Under contractual obligations, every effort will be made to
assimilate all personnel into the merged district. Ultimate decisions
regarding the number, placement and status of existing administrative
personnel teachers and all employees will be overseen by Dalton.
Current employees from both districts will be issued contracts by
the merged district no later than April 30. In the event of
subsequent vacancies the merged school district will refer to the
right of recall for both districts' non-renewed personnel.