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The Lincoln County School Board convened for its February meeting, addressing a range of topics, including policy updates, a revised school calendar, and the approval of a five-year strategic plan aimed at guiding the district’s future.

 

Strategic plan approved

The board approved a comprehensive five-year strategic plan developed with input from community stakeholders, staff, and administrators. Jim Evans of the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) presented the plan, emphasizing its role in aligning district priorities with measurable goals.

“This plan is an actionable roadmap that will ensure Lincoln County Schools remain focused on student success while supporting staff development and operational efficiency,” Evans said.

Key focus areas of the plan include school safety, curriculum alignment, student support services, technology integration, and fiscal responsibility. Evans praised the district’s leadership and community engagement throughout the planning process.

 

Safety and heroism recognized

During the meeting, the board honored David Ledford with the Meritorious Service Award for his quick actions in preventing a potentially dangerous situation. On November 25, while supervising the after-school car rider line, Ledford intervened to stop an impaired driver from endangering students and staff.

His swift actions ensured the safety of children in the vehicle and prevented what could have been a serious accident. The board commended his dedication to student safety and his commitment to the district’s well-being.

 

Revised school calendar for 2025-2026

The board approved a revised 2025-2026 school calendar, converting it to a variable schedule. The new calendar reduces instructional days from 178 to 170 while adding eight staff workdays, allowing teachers to prepare curriculum and assessments before the school year begins.

“The goal is to front-load instructional planning, giving teachers more time to align learning objectives and assessments,” an academic division representative explained. The first student day will be August 25, 2025.

The board also approved the 2026-2027 school calendar, which largely mirrors the current schedule, with 170 instructional days and planned makeup days for potential weather-related closures.

 

Facility use policy revision

A revised facility use policy was approved, making the application process clearer for external organizations requesting school facilities. The updated form now includes checkboxes outlining insurance requirements and potential costs for custodial or food service staffing.

“This revision ensures groups understand exactly what is required before submitting a request, making the process more transparent and user-friendly,” a district official said.

 

Additional approvals and contracts

The board approved multiple contracts and policies, including:

• Student Accident Insurance: Renewed with The Hartford for the 2025-2026 school year, with a slight cost increase to $81,385.
• Drug Testing Services: Renewed with Cornerstone Diagnostics at the current pricing for the next school year.
• Mowing and Snow Removal Services: Contracts were awarded to Hiller Property Maintenance for mowing and Cutting Edge for snow removal.
• Transportation Waiver for Early Childhood Programs: Approved in accordance with Head Start performance standards.

Additionally, the board discussed proposed updates to its Code of Ethics for board members. The revisions, presented by board attorney Grant Chenault, aim to clarify guidelines for social media use and appropriate interactions with school staff during meetings.

 

Conclusion

With the approval of the strategic plan and key policy updates, the Lincoln County School Board reinforced its commitment to student success, staff development, and operational improvements. The next board meeting is scheduled for March.