Metcalfe County Schools Prepare for New School Year
The August recognitions were the ladies at the MC Shirt Shop – pictured (L-R): Chairman Daniel Glass, Alisha Sharp, and Debbie Glass. Board recognitions are sponsored by RBS Design Group, Glass & Thompson. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
Staff reported that preparations are underway for the 2026-27 school year at the Metcalfe County Board of Education meeting last Tuesday evening. Teachers are returning to the buildings for professional development and preparation, with a faculty focus scheduled for Aug. 17 and a back-to-school bash planned for August 18th from 4 – 6 p.m. at the high school.
The August 18th event will include a freshman parent meeting, distribution of student schedules, and opportunities for students to meet teachers. Food trucks also will be available as a fundraiser for the senior class.
Middle School Principal Lee Ann Bell reported that all positions at the middle school have finally been filled. The district also recently conducted training for new teachers and substitute teachers.
High School Principal Joseph Eaton stated that the high school will have three buses transporting students to area trade schools this year; an increase from the two buses used in previous years. Two buses will travel to Monroe County and one to Barren County.
School officials also reported that students and athletic teams are preparing for the upcoming season. A Special Olympics team recently qualified for the state tournament, while volleyball and football teams have been participating in preseason activities.
Elementary Principal Paige Crowe reported that 64 students participated in a recent kindergarten camp. Students and parents received information about the school and participated in activities before sharing lunch in the cafeteria.
Matt Shirley reported that the district had several summer facility projects, including an insulation and ventilation project at the high school, parking lot improvements, landscaping work, drainage repairs, and cleanup related to storm and flood damage.
A six-foot chain-link fence has been installed around the elementary school playground as a safety improvement. The work continues on heating and air-conditioning repairs and other maintenance projects.
The board heard the proposed real property tax rate of 51.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. The proposed rate is lower than last year’s 52.2 cents, according to Chief Financial Officer Cheyenne Garmon. The motor vehicle tax rate will remain at 56.6 cents.
The proposal is not final. The board is expected to finalize the tax rate at its September meeting.
Superintendent Josh Hurt said, “Metcalfe County continues to rank in the bottom quarter statewide property tax rates. We appreciate the board proposing the lower rate, while also ensuring our ability to provide services to our community.”
Communication Director Torrie Osbon stated that she had submitted the COPS grant for funding for $400,000 to replace the air conditioning and the education systems at all three schools. Also included as part of the district’s technology and safety work would be replacement of outdated parts of the intercom system and security cameras. She is also working on policy updates on all the school online sites.
During the meeting, the board approved a contract for additional speech-language services for middle and high school students. The district’s existing speech staff has reached its caseload limit of 55 students, prompting the need for additional service providers, explained Mr. Moss.
The board approved several other items, including financial reports, policy updates, the Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline, data security practices, and board-owned vehicle procedures.
Several residents addressed the board during public comment, raising concerns about student safety, bullying, communication between families and the school district, athletic participation policies, storm damage and district facilities.
One parent, Kelly Lucas, asked the board to address concerns about bullying and student safety. She said her daughter had experienced problems with another student and expressed concern about how bullying complaints are handled.
Lucas asked what steps the district plans to take to ensure students feel safe when they return to school.
Kathy Thompson raised concerns about the condition of the baseball field following repeated flooding and questioned the future of the district’s bus garage. She also asked about the expense of the ongoing care of the ball field. She would also like cameras in the classrooms.
She stated that the school board is the last step for reporting and that every concern is important and deserves a reply of some type. She also referenced Mrs. Shive’s concern from a previous meeting.
Charles Costello spoke about parents’ concerns and the large number of views of the video from a previous meeting.
Resident Terri Cassady stated that she had not received her requested information in order to speak and would return to the next meeting. Another resident, Sherry Perdue, expressed the same concern for requested information not yet received. She requested a report on the number of students who graduated college from MCHS. She also confirmed that she would return to the next meeting.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
