Metcalfe Board of Education: Policies, Disability, and Veterans
Charles Costello asked if they were against veterans at the high school. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County Board of Education met last Tuesday evening at 709 West Stockton Street in Edmonton.
Superintendent Josh Hurt introduced guest Regina Jackson of English, Lucas, Priest, & Owsley Law Firm in Bowling Green, who is the board’s attorney. She later stated that she was impressed by the sense of community here.
Hurt stated that his opening report would be a little different than his normal report. He then stated that July “started my 30th year in education,” adding that instead of reporting, “I just want to publicly share something.”
“My intent: this marks my seventh year as superintendent. This is the last year of my current contract. I do not plan to seek another one. Uh, so, my intent is to retire effective July 2027.”
He related that he spent 17 years in the classroom teaching English, 20 years as head girls’ basketball coach, assistant principal, and director of instruction. In answer to some Facebook comments, he related that he is very much a Metcalfe Countian and explained that his family is from the Willow Shade area and that he and his family will remain in Metcalfe County after his retirement.
He then shifted the subject to the board meeting, defining “what they are and what they’re not.” It exists because of state statutes, and it exists to do the business. He stated that 15 minutes are now required for public comment, and that is a fairly new requirement per KRS; however, they allowed public comment before that.
He stated that the meeting belongs to the board and not him. “Our disclaimer is really clear,” continuing, “Each commentator will have a maximum of 5 minutes to be heard. This is not a question-and-answer session. We’re just listening. The board’s here to listen.”
“Any lack of civility or attempt to attack individuals or groups of individuals will not be tolerated.”
He went on to reference the school’s policies, KRS 61.840, and 160.270 as defined by the Kentucky Board of Education. He listed actions that are discouraged: cursing, obscenities, disrupting, threatening to disrupt, acting in an unsafe manner, threaten the health of others, verbal or written statements or gestures indicating intent to harm, physical attacks intended to harm an individual, or substantially damaging property.
He continued. If an individual wishes to speak at the board meeting, they must sign up, listing their name and the topic. The chairman will call upon them to speak, and they are allowed 3 minutes each. This is limited to 30 minutes. “Public criticism of individual staff members or individual board members is prohibited,” read Hurt, adding, “Again, the board didn’t ask me to read that. I’m retiring. I just want to make sure that we’re all clear. We’re glad you’re here.”
It was then added that any problem or question about personnel needs to be addressed through the correct channels.
The agenda was then discussed by the principals and department heads in the action items, and the agreements were in turn approved by the board. It was noteworthy that the Life Wise Program has already enrolled 165 students.
The first to speak was Amy Hawkins, who addressed the treatment or non-treatment for her child. “I was told that there would be a new FMD (functional mental disability) teacher at the elementary…I had some concerns, because this individual had done some things to my child to put him in ICU at Norton Children’s Hospital…with 66-seizure like episodes.”
This from a 5th-grade classroom where essential oils were being burned without the parents’ knowledge. When she learned this and asked the teacher why, she said it was to calm her students. “This is a special needs classroom with little individuals who cannot speak for themselves.”
Her child is level III Autistic, has epilepsy, and a rare brain disorder, and when Hawkins learned the teacher had been rehired, she filed the complaint with the central office. She called an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) meeting with the school and the neurologist by phone and expressed her concern. She asked that she not be his teacher again and has a 4-page statement from the neurologist about the repercussions as well.
Her child now must see a spinal surgeon due to this teacher not following his IEP (Individualized Education Program) protocol. He now has scoliosis. “I’m coming to you because, my voice was not heard and I was ignored…If I don’t speak up for my child, who will?”
The next speaker was David Hawkins, the child’s father. He related that a physical therapist placed in the IEP the use of a specific speech device. He stated that the ‘individual’ or teacher doing the speech therapy was very against it, “…didn’t want to fool with it. She thought it was stupid.”
The teacher told them she was using it; however, the device had been linked to Amy’s phone, and they could see when it was in use. “There was several days there and several weeks that went by. It was never used… She violated that IEP.”
He also pointed out that seizure protocol should be known for the FMD class. “Y’all kind of re-examine who you hire and who you fire.”
Next to speak was Jason Costello, who advised the board that his middle name was Jack, not Rude. He proceeded to speak to Hurt and give his opinion. He was called out for attacking him; then he asked the attorney’s opinion. Attorney Jackson replied, “Mr. Costello, the purpose of public comment is to allow you to civilly speak…But not to criticize.”
Costello continued, “You wrote in an email ‘small loud pockets.’ Mr. Hurt, are we small, loud pockets of the community?… I want Ms. Hawkins back. There’s a lawsuit that the school’s under. How much is that costing us? Is there a Freedom of Information Act that we can file to find out about this lawsuit?”
A parent, Tammy Glover, spoke next concerning her daughter being cut out of the FFA chapter presidency by one overseer, who suddenly made a new rule about voting. Glover then asked why she wasn’t allowed in her younger child’s classroom, to attend parties, or to volunteer in that classroom. She also asked where to go for help next. Then her other child elected to complete school online.
Glover stated, “I’ve lost a lot of faith in the school.”
The last speaker was VFW member Charles Costello, who reminded everyone of KRS 158.075 for public schools’ observance of Veterans Day. We had events at the schools, including veterans, for many years, but that has stopped.
He then asked why the high school students did not participate in the Patriots Pen Essay Contest or Voices of Democracy as in past years. “For two years, not one high school student has participated.”
Costello spoke to some high school students, and not one had ever heard of the essay contests despite the contest documents being given to the principals each fall. The middle school had about 70 essays.
“We believe the high school leaders have no interest in veterans. What they’ve done for this country.” Adding that he spoke with Superintendent Hurt last year about this.
Costello then said, “…read the law. The school board needs to visit with the people regularly… So, the people of the school board are politicians…You need to be out in the county talking to the people.”
“Leadership in the school system needs to be changed before school starts this fall…The high school principal needs to be replaced.”
“The superintendent also needs to resign immediately.” Costello, referring to the rules and policies Hurt read, calling them “disgusting …trying to put people down. We’re the county. We own you all. Don’t you understand that?”
“Do you know how much tax money we pay each year that goes to the school system? Comes to your paycheck. Better wake up! Get this school going back again. It used to be pretty good… They spend so much money on sports. That’s another problem the people in the county don’t like…A small percentage of students are involved with sports…Do we want higher-paying jobs or do we want students to graduate with a level of education?”
“We must conduct ourselves in a way that satisfies Jesus…Thank you all for letting me speak.”
The next meeting is scheduled for August 11th at 6 p.m.
The meetings are currently being streamed live on the Hornet News Network, and you can view this meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/O2dlgc7t0O4.
