Whitley Schools CFO receives Goldenrod Outstanding School Business Official Award

When it comes to its financial situation, the Whitley County Board of Education got some good news towards the start of its special called meeting Thursday, and followed by some more good news a few minutes later.

KASBO Director Maria Carnes, left, presents Whitley County School District Chief Finance Officer Alicia Logan with the Goldenrod Outstanding School Business Official Award Thursday.

Kentucky Association of School Business Officials (KASBO) Director Maria Carnes presented Whitley County School District Chief Finance Officer Alicia Logan with the Goldenrod Outstanding School Business Official Award.

It is given annually to an individual, who best represents exemplary practices and standards of school business in a Kentucky public school district.

“She is most deserving,” Carnes said. “She always has such a professionalism when we see her at meetings. She is always willing to help out with our organization. She is a wonderful recipient of this. You are so fortunate to have her helping in your district. I know she really has kids at heart, not just for the kids in this district, but I think the kids in every district in the state. She wants to do the right things to help all of our students.”

Logan has been chief finance officer for eight years.

“She has been a great addition to our district. She has really shaped our finance department where we are really strong and run efficiently. It is greatly appreciated all the work you have done and your team,” Superintendent John Siler said during the meeting.

Then Artie White, President and Managing Partner at White & Associates PSC, presented the 2022-2023 audit report.

White noted that the type of report is unmodified, which is the highest report that you can get. There were no significant deficiencies in internal control.

There were no findings in the financial statement audit, and there were no findings or questioned costs at the major federal award programs level.

“It is an excellent audit report,” White said.

Siler added that the report is a reflection of Logan and the processes that she has put into place.

Logan added that it takes a team effort and she appreciates her whole team.

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2022-2023 audit.

Also, during Thursday’s meeting, the board discussed the proposed school calendar for 2024-2025.

Siler said that the district is looking at another mid-August start to the school year, but a survey will be done of the staff in January before the calendar committee makes a final recommendation. The goal is to have the calendar ready to present at the monthly January Whitley County Board of Education meeting.

In other business, the board:

• Discussed the WHAS Crusade for Children grant application.

“Our visually impaired teacher, Ms. Pamela Halstead, has done a wonderful job with this grant. She is looking to increase our braille library for our visually impaired students by adding more braille books. We actually have a second grader, who is an independent reader, using braille books,” Siler said.

He said that, if approved, the grant would also enable the district to purchase Stellar Track GPS devices for visually impaired students.

The grant would enable the district to purchase the devices at no cost.

Dr. Ralph Johnson, special education director, said that Halstead is an orientation and mobility specialist.

“The goal of this therapy is to assist students, who have a visual impairment, to navigate their environment safely. This GPS tracker device will promote the therapy sessions for these students,” Johnson said.

• Approved an agreement with Ross Tarrant Architects regarding floor replacement at Whitley North Elementary School. Siler said that as soon as school ends in May, every desk in the building will be coming out so that new flooring can be laid replacing the original 29-year-old flooring.

• Discussed the annual nutrition and physical activity report. Siler noted that Director of School Nutrition Sharon Foley is now purchasing some of the produce for the high school and middle school from the Whitley County Horticulture Class, and its hydroponics program.