LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — The Laurel County Board of Education has taken Vision 2020’s recommendation to purchase property for a new vocational technology school in London.

 At the monthly scheduled board meeting Monday, the board stated they were looking at property for the new vocational center, although no location has been announced yet. An unexecuted property deed is currently being sent to Frankfort for approval.  

The board began considering the idea of obtaining a vocational school in October of last year after touring similar schools in Warren and Scott counties.  The facility will be an opportunity for high school students to learn much needed job skills to better prepare them to be college and career ready.  

Charles “Bud” Stuber, board chairman, said only 50 percent of students who graduate high school in Laurel County attend college and attempt to finish.  This statistic shows that the vocational and technology school is a tremendous need, he said.

While the location of the facility has not yet been confirmed, it was stated that it is beside a wetland area.  Stuber stated, if the wetland area is not cleaned up, it will devalue the property after the facility is built.  

The location of the new vocation school will be formally announced at the next scheduled board meeting on June 25.

”I would love to make this motion to recommend the approval of the initial BG-1 Phase 1 for the purchase of land for new Vocation Technology School and authorize the appropriate signatures.”

In other matters, the board:

• Hired a new Director of Pupil Personnel.  Debra Hauser has filled the position formerly held by Doug Phelps. Hauser was director of Laurel County Day Treatment.

• Agreed to lift the hiring freeze to allow the creation and re-creation of 14 district positions.  Hunter Hills Elementary Assistant Principal Brad Mullins has accepted the principalship at Hazel Green Elementary, and North Laurel Middle School Principal David Hensley retired with more than 40 years of service, leaving two vacancies in those positions.

Other positions include a South Laurel High School math teacher; lead maintenance worker for the district; South Laurel Middle secretary; three pre-school special needs instructional assistants for Bush, Cold Hill and Colony elementary schools, three special needs instructional assistant for Hunter Hills, London, and Wyan-Pine Grove elementary schools, one custodian and speech language therapist for the district.

A director position at the Laurel County Day Treatment was re-created on a 240-day contract.

• Salary schedules were approved with no pay increases and no significant changes.

• Adam Hooker was appointed as treasurer of the board of education.  

• Accepted the contract agreement for one behavior consultant and speech/language therapy service for the 2012-13 school year.

•  Approved the Laurel County Area Development District (Workforce Investment Act) grant that helps high school seniors find work.  There are currently 23 slots filled for employment.  

• Approved the formal agreement with Spectrum Care Academy, a $36,000 federally funded, 18-month program for students with special needs.  

• Approved the Teaching Strategies Online Services Subscription Agreement, at a cost $10.95 per-student in the district.

• Accepted the lowest bid to finish the gym floor and awarded the yearbook bid to Jostens, although the bid was not the lowest, due to recommendations.



mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com