Russell Independent Regular Board Meeting
10/26/2026 6:00 PM ET (5:00 CT)
I. Call To Order
Rationale
Mr. Vest called the Regular Meeting of the Russell Independent Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m.
A. Moment of Silence
Rationale
Mr. Vest led those in attendance in a Moment of Silence.
B. Pledge to the United States Flag
Rationale
Mr. Vest led those in attendance in the Pledge to the United States Flag.
C. District Mission Statement
Rationale
Progressing into the future…
Our Students are our top priority.
Our School Family plays a crucial role in student development, achievement, and success.
Our Parents are supportive partners and are essential in the advancement of each student.
Our Community shares our desire to develop highly skilled and productive citizens.
Our Technology enables our students to reach beyond the classroom.
Our Culture inspires leadership and excellence.
Our Academics focus on rigorous standards and global success.
V. Adopt the Agenda
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the agenda passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Paul Pack.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
VI. Delegations
Rationale
Procedures for Addressing the Board of Education
The Russell Independent School District Board of Education encourages attendance at meetings of the Board of Education. The Board of Education understands that from time to time the public may wish to share opinions with them at these meetings. Procedures for speaking to the Board of Education are detailed below:
· Those who wish to address the Board of Education must sign the Delegation sheet provided prior to each Regular Meeting. This sheet can be found beside the Board Agenda on a podium near the entrance of the room.
· Generally, in the first ten minutes of the Meeting, the Board Chair will ask for delegations. At this time please state your name, the name of the organization or group that you are representing, and the subject that you would like to address. Please keep in mind that issues regarding a specific school should be shared with Principal and/or Site Based Decision Making Council, as that is the governing body for that school.
· Individuals may address the Board of Education for a maximum of 5 minutes, as determined by the Board Chair.
· The Board Chair reserves the right to intervene in order to maintain order and to ensure the expedient conduct of the Board’s business.
· Comments to the Board should be stated in a professional manner. Accusations and/or disparaging remarks about individuals will not be permitted.
VII. Recognitions/Achievements/Reports
VIII. Notification of Personnel Matters
Rationale
Personnel for Board Information Only in accordance with KRS 160.390 (2)
IX. Regular Business
A. Approval of Minutes of the Special Called Meeting on September 23, 2026
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the minutes from the September 23, 2026 Special Meeting passed with a motion by Paul Pack and a second by Johnny Highfield.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
B. Treasurer's Report
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the Treasurer's Report showing a balance of $5,734,814.27 passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Johnny Highfield.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
C. Payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of payment of Accounts Payable and Payroll passed with a motion by Paul Pack and a second by Johnny Highfield.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
X. Consent Agenda
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
A. Fundraisers
B. Overnight Trips
C. Rental Applications
D. Approval of Revised Procurement Plan
E. Approval of revised 403 B Plan Agreement
XI. New Business
A. Consider approval of the Design Development phase drawings for the Russell Athletic Training Facility project, BG# 26-415
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the Design Development phase drawings for the Russell Athletic Training Facility project, BG# 26-415 passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
B. Consider approval of Alt32 invoice for the Design Development phase for the Russell Athletic Training Facility project, BG# 26-415
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of Alt32 invoice for the Design Development phase for the Russell Athletic Training Facility project, BG# 26-415 passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Paul Pack.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
C. Consider approval of the 2027-2028 Calendar Committee
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of the 2027-2028 Calendar Committee passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Johnny Highfield.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
D. Consider acceptance of SFCC KETS 1st Offer of Assistance
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Acceptance of SFCC KETS 1st Offer of Assistance in the amount of $24,778 passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Paul Pack.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
E. Consider revision of the Substitute Salary Schedule and Athletic Event Pay Scale
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval revision of the Substitute Salary Schedule to include a $100 Emergency Certified Substitute rate for current Classified Employees and the Athletic Event Pay Scale will be converted to an hourly rate passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
F. Consider approval of submitted Booster Fundraisers
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Approval of submitted Booster Fundraisers passed with a motion by Paul Pack and a second by Johnny Highfield.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
XII. Updates and Information
A. Student Enrollment/Attendance Reports
B. Meeting Reminder-November 23, 2026
C. SBDM Information
D. Cards/Letters
XIII. Superintendent's Progress Reports/Updates
XIV. Other Business and Information
A. Enter into Executive Session per KRS 61.810 (1) (b) Property
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Enter into Executive Session Per KRS 61.810 (1) b Property at 6:33 p.m. passed with a motion by Johnny Highfield and a second by Mr. John Jones.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
B. Return from Executive Session
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Return from Executive Session at 7:25 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent
XV. Closing
Actions Taken
Motion Passed: Meeting adjournment at 7:25 p.m. passed with a motion by Mr. John Jones and a second by Mr. Terry Vest.
Member Votes
-
Johnny HighfieldYea
-
Mr. John JonesYea
-
Paul PackYea
-
Mr. Terry VestYea
-
Mr. Sean WhittAbsent