A Lady Jaguar win cancels school for Friday
Mar. 13—With the North Laurel High School Lady Jaguars slated to play in the Sweet 16 this week, school officials discussed plans to cancel school if the team reaches the second round.
Superintendent Denise Griebel told school board members during Monday's meeting that the 13th Region champion Lady Jags were set to play on Wednesday night at Rupp Arena in the KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) basketball tournament.
"If they win — should I say when they win — they'll play at 1:30 p.m. on Friday," she said. "As is customary, if there is a day game, we cancel school that day."
With that, board members voted unanimously to cancel school on Friday, Mar. 15, on the condition that the Lady Jags advance to the second round with a win on Wednesday night. The Lady Jags take on Franklin County in the mid-week first round of playoffs for the state championship.
Board members approved the 2024-2025 school calendar, an item first addressed during the Feb. 26 meeting. Griebel said the Calendar Committee had set the following dates for the academic year as: Aug. 8 — First day of school; Fall Break — Oct. 9-11; Christmas Break — Dec. 23 — Jan. 6; Spring Break — Mar. 31 — April 7; and May 16 as the last day of school.
Board Chair Joe Karr questioned who is on that Calendar Committee and how would someone get on that board, with Griebel stating that the 11-member board has specific requirements of parents and educators from all sections of the county, as well as a school board member. Several of those involved in that committee are non-voting members such as board representative Tony Krahenbuhl, Griebel and other school employees.
A grant application to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Protection Program was also approved. Deputy Superintendent Tharon Hurley explained that the grant is a "standard grant" that requires no matching funds, but would allow the district to purchase "duty equipment." Hurley further explained that equipment would be firearms and ammunition.
The Center for Innovation will have two new faces soon, as board members approved creating a Chemistry teacher and Biomedical teacher. They also re-created a position for a mechanic at the bus garage and a Special Education teacher at North Laurel Middle School.
That would add a Special Education teacher to both high schools and middle schools. During the Feb. 26 meeting, one Special Education teacher was approved for North and South Laurel High Schools each and a Special Education teacher at South Laurel Middle.
Other actions approved were:
—Student Teacher Agreement with Western Kentucky University for 2024-2025 school year;
—Contract with Laurel County Schools Gifted & Talented Program and Missoula Children's Theatre.
The Laurel County School Board meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (barring holidays falling on those dates and Christmas break) at 5 p.m. in the Administration Building beside London Elementary School.
