Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 115, No. 29	July 16, 2008

Veteran receives diploma from school board; school meal prices to increase

Photo by Sandra Stone
Superintendent Mitch Crump conferred upon Vietnam veteran Randall Bandy a high school diploma

By SANDRA STONE
Messenger Staff

The July 8 meeting of the Meade County Board of Education began with the awarding of a high school diploma to Vietnam War veteran Randall Bandy. Bandy had left high school in 1966 to join the military. He came home to Meade County after serving his country, but never received his high school diploma. Now, many years later, Superintendent Mitch Crump, on behalf of Meade County Schools, conferred Bandy’s diploma upon him.

Federal legislation stipulates veterans who were honorably discharged after leaving school to serve in the military may receive a high school diploma. Bandy completed the required paperwork and recently received notification of his eligibility for a high school diploma. Bandy is one of several veterans to receive high school diplomas over the past few years as a result of this legislation, but he hopes he won’t be the last. “I’m looking forward to the day my brother receives his high school diploma,” said Bandy, whose family and friends witnessed his “graduation day.”

The board reviewed the year-to-date financial summary. General fund receipts last year totaled $25,522,338 and were $27,442,496 this year. Expenditures for 2007 totaled $25,108,573 and $26,585,658 for 2008. Student transportation costs decreased in 2008 as $552,000 was spent on buses in 2007 before costs rose. However, the cost of diesel increased approximately $55,000 in 2008. Approximately $4 million in grant funds was spent in 2008, which is comparable to 2007. That figure will decrease in 2009 with a tightening budget and fewer grants available.

The food service fund ended the year in deficit, primarily the result of two factors: the rising cost of food and the increase in retirement. The school nutrition program is not supported by school district taxes; rather, it is a federal program whose goal is to break even each year. Jennifer Miller, food services director, addressed the board with a request to approve an increase in school meal prices. The student lunch will increase 10 cents to $1.75 for lunch and $1.25 for breakfast. Reduced meal prices will remain the same – 40 cents for lunch, 30 cents for breakfast. Adult prices will increase 25 cents to $2.75 for lunch and $1.85 for breakfast. The request was unanimously approved on a motion by Belinda Cross, seconded by Greg Beavin. Please see a related story in this issue regarding Meade County’s school nutrition program.

School district boundaries were approved as presented. Crump encouraged the board members to encourage families to contact the board office with any questions about boundaries as they relate to residences.

The board approved the purchase of 26.3468 acres on KY 144 at a cost of $368,844. This is the future location of Flaherty Primary School.

The board also approved the district comprehensive improvement plan. The plan, said Peggy Darnall, focuses on student achievement in broad terms. Each school in the district then forms their school improvement plan based on the district’s plan. The district improvement plan, said Darnall, is in electronic format and posted on the school district’s Web site, www.meade.kyschools.us. “The plan will continue to be updated throughout the school year,” said Darnall. “We welcome your feedback and input any time through the school year.”

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