Advocate photo by Carrie Dillard / Advocate Editor 114 students were recognized for distinguished work on the 2008-09 KCCT test. Each student received a $50 savings bond and OSCAR award during Monday's school board meeting. Above, Board Chair Jennifer Buckman hands a Morganfield Elementary student her OSCAR.

Because they missed seven days for snow, the Union County Board of Education has pushed the last day for students from May 20 to May 25. Upon recommendation from Steve Carter, director of pupil personnel, the board approved the calendar amendment for 2009-2010 on Monday during their regular monthly meeting.

Students will observe Spring Break April 5-9, as planned. School will be in session on May 21, 24 and 25.

Closing day for the 2009-2010 school year will be May 28. Staff will serve on May 26 and 27, designated for planning, and will attend Professional Development days on June 1 and 2, which were originally scheduled for February 19 and March 12.

This will satisfy our 187-day school calendar, Carter said, and will equal 1,094 hours of instruction for students, as required by HB 406.

For the second school year, the school board has agreed to feed kids during the KCCT testing period. During the weeks from April 12 to May 7, the board will provide free breakfast for all students in the district.

“Last year, we did free breakfast for the students and I feel it had a very positive impact,” Chris Brockman, food service director, stated via letter. “All of the hard work of the last eight months will be coming to the surface with student testing starting on April 19. As a district, we need to do everything for our children that we can to have them ready for testing and this includes proper nutrition.”

Brockman estimates the cost of this investment to be approximately $5,500.

In other matters during the school board meeting on Monday, March 15:

* The board recognized 114 students in the Union County School District who scored distinguished on all areas of the 2008-2009 KCCT test. Up from 43 students last year, Superintendent Powell and members of the board expressed their pride in the achievements of all students and staff this year.

They are: MES--William D. Bryant, Elle R. Buser, Emily J. Davis, Anna Greenwell, Ashley J. Greenwell, Alexandra H. Guyer, Tanner A. Lewis, Isabel G. Maloney, Portia M. Mason, Judson B. McElroy, Dontae E. Smith, Daniel P. Steward, Madison D. Taylor, Brayden L.Thomas, Jacklyn C. Walters, Luke M. Whitsell, Paige A. Woodard, Alexis P. Wright; SES-- Jaci L. Babbs, Joshlyn N. Black, Landon E. Brooks, Alexandria D. Cooke, Jonas A. Duncan, Tyran M. Holmes, David E. Howard, Korbin M. Johnson, Damian D. Morgan, Treyjane L. Payne, Shadow Quertermous, Brandon J. Russelburg, Julia G. Simpson, David J. Willett, Lauren E. Willett, William J. Winters; UES-- Jolie B. Baird, Alexandria Blackburn, Katelynn A. Blake, Ryan D. Coker, Audrey M. Greenwell, Presley A. Henshaw, Jacob M. Keown, Ethan W. Lofton, Trey M. Wright; UCMS--Sarah C. Adamson, Reno J. Bratcher, Austin H. Collins, Mylie E. Dean, Bryan A. Ellis, Lauren M. Greenwell, Cassidy N. Hagedorn, Ryan A. Hedrick, Morgan E. Heine, Baylee N. Jones, Noah J. Lamb, Chandler A. Lawson, Cameron N. Lewis, Madison C. Lewis, Courtney M. Mackey, Sonja G. Martin, Iva E. Moore, Tiara L. Moore, Timothy L. Pike, Alyssa J. Piper, Jordynn M. Rascoe, Cristina L. Ratley, Richard A. Rigdon, Emily A. Roy, Josie M. Shockley, Jonathan M. Simpson, Michael D. Slaton, Mallorie A. Spencer, Margaret E. Sprague, Haley M. Starkey, Kaitlyn E. Steward, Joseph S. Stillwell, Joshua M. Stillwell, Alex K. Strunk, Morgan E. Welden, Madison N. Wright; UCHS-- Jessica R. Adams, Kaprice N. Anglin, Taylor N. Babbs, Katelyn J. Bickett, Rachel E. Buchanan, Rebecca L. Buckman, Carolyn A. Davis, John T. Davis, Madison A. Dayberry, Yaping Dong, Elizabeth E. Gatten, Rachel E. Hodge, Sarah K. Holbrook, Holly M. Hornbeak, Alyssa D. Huff, Lauren N. Hutchison, Caroline N. Johnson, Cori Y. Johnson, James G. Jones, Katlyn J. Kermicle, Justin S. Khuri, Thomas A. Loxley, Christin M. Michael, Lexis N. Moore, Christina R. Rash, Tera K. Rowley, Ellen M. Russelburg, Isaac L. Stevens, Duncan A. Taylor, Amy E. Travis, Ashley L. Vowels, Coleman P. West, Shelby D. Wyatt, and *Timothy J. McKenney, awarded posthumously.

“You’ve set a standard, a standard of excellence, one we hope that those coming after you will maintain,” said Eugene Pardue, board member.

Josh Powell was also recognized as the Kentucky Music Education Association (KMEA) Regional Administrator of the Year. Powell was nominated by UCPS Band Instructor Evan Jackson. “Mr. Powell recognizes the value of music education for student achievement and for student’s lives in general,” Jackson said.

* The board approved all consent items including replacing wrestling mats at UCHS in the amount up to $10,000 or approximately one 42 by 42 mat; approval for APPLES Family Resources to apply for United Way grant funds for the Just Say No and Clothe-A-Kid programs; and emergency certification for UCHS carpentry and Special Education.

* The board will utilize a new technology in E-meeting, provided by KSBA. No date has been set for the first E-meeting of the Union County Board of Education, but the service will limit the amount of paper produced for meetings in the future. “If we ask our students and staff to keep up with the best in technology, then I think we should too,” said Jennifer Buckman, board chair.

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