Judge Executive Honors Board as Owsley Schools Approve Draft Budget

Owsley County Judge Executive Zeke Little presented a proclamation honoring the school board while the Owsley County Board of Education approved its draft budget, advancing the district’s annual budgeting process that affects payroll, programs and classroom resources.

Board Chair Joyce Campbell called the regular meeting to order and all board members were present: Joyce Campbell, Fannie Couch, Andra Debord, Kim Campbell and Deron Mays. January was recognized as Kentucky School Board Appreciation Month, and Judge Executive Little’s proclamation singled out the board’s service to the county. Finance Director and Treasurer Autumn Herald delivered the monthly financial reports and the board voted to approve the financial report covering payrolls, claims, Head Start and Early Head Start, and food services.

The board approved filing a Notice of Federal Interest with the County Clerk’s Office, a routine annual step tied to previous federally funded facility upgrades. The action preserves required federal reporting related to past projects and keeps the district compliant with grant conditions. Trustees also moved the Kentucky Educational Television first Offer of Assistance, $6,383.00, into escrow; the district said it commonly escrows such KET funds for future technology draws.

Superintendent travel for December 2025 and January 2026 was reviewed as part of the consent agenda. Attendance figures shared by administration showed approximately 297 students at Owsley County Elementary School and 281 students at Owsley County Middle/High School, for a total of 578 in-person students and about 20 students in virtual learning. The board characterized the overall attendance rate as holding strong at roughly 92 percent.

Administrators presented the district’s Draft Budget pursuant to KRS 160.470(6)(a), and the board approved the draft for the next steps outlined by statute. District officials noted current budgeting practices and timelines that will guide the public review and final adoption phases. The approved draft will frame spending decisions for recurring obligations cited in the financial report and for planned program support.

Trustees approved the CDIP - Phase III District Improvement Plan and reviewed School-Based Decision Making reports for OCES and OCHS. The board accepted donations to the cheerleading program from local contributors and handled other routine consent and operational matters during the session.

For residents, the meeting confirms that resource planning and compliance measures are underway for the coming fiscal cycle. The draft budget approval starts the formal process that will determine final allocations for staffing, student services and technology; community members should monitor upcoming public notices as the district moves toward final adoption.