Laurel school board awards bids, recognizes Chamber Teachers of the Year
The Laurel County Board of Education approved bids for fuel and athletic supplies for the upcoming school year at its regular meeting Monday evening.
Superintendent Denise Griebel recommended awarding the gas and diesel bid to Premier Energy, which submitted the lowest margin bid of .015 for both fuel types, which the board approved. As for athletic supplies, the bid was awarded to BSN. Both bids passed unanimously.
Board members also approved two memoranda of agreement — the first being for the traditional Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy grant for fiscal year 2026. The district serves as the fiscal agent for the local ASAP board and has done so for several years. This agreement follows an earlier approval for the ASAP HARM grant MOA in April.
The second MOA is with the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children (KECSAC) for Laurel County Day Treatment for the 2025–2026 school year. The partnership between KECSAC, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the district is renewed annually.
The board additionally voted to continue with Cumberland Valley National Bank as the district's bond of depository for the 2025–2026 school year. Superintendent Denise Griebel said the bank has served the district well. The motion passed with one abstention by Board Chair Tony Krahenbuhl.
The board then went on to approve the 2024–2025 Independent Auditor's Contract with Cloyd & Associates, PSC. Superintendent Griebel said the firm has consistently demonstrated professionalism, accuracy, and responsiveness in its work with the district.
The board also recognized three standout educators at the meeting, as the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce recently announced its 2025 Teachers of the Year. The awards, based on nominations from students and parents, honor teachers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication in the classroom.
Bridgett McWhorter, a third-grade teacher at Bush Elementary, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. She is retiring this school year after 28 years of service. Tonya Allen, a science teacher at North Laurel Middle School, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year. Allen has taught at North Middle for her full 21-year career. Mary King, who teaches Family and Consumer Science at South Laurel High School, was named High School Teacher of the Year. She is also retiring this year, closing out a 25-year career.
Architects Ray J. Vaskey and David Jackson provided an update on the district's auxiliary gym projects at North and South Laurel high schools. At South, masonry work is progressing around the perimeter, including training and weight room areas. Interior framing is underway for locker rooms, offices, and restrooms. Plumbing is also in progress, with the roof already complete. Crews are preparing for exterior panel and brick installation.
At North Laurel, block work is ongoing around structural columns and locker room areas. Crews are preparing the front entrance and restroom section. The layout includes space for a basketball court, turf area, training rooms, weight room, and golf simulator.
Despite recent weather delays, both projects are moving forward.
Further, the board approved the BG-4 closeout document for the Laurel County Day Treatment gym roof replacement. Danny Bishop, Physical Plant Director, noted the roof was replaced several months ago and the project was completed on budget. The BG-4 is part of the required closeout process, with a BG-5 to follow.
Griebel also acknowledged that Kentucky Summative Assessments (KSA) are underway. Attendance for the day was nearly 94%, with some schools reporting 96–97%, a strong showing during the testing period.
The Laurel County Board of Education meets at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. To watch livestreams of the meetings, visit https://laurelcountyboe.catalystmediatech.com/main/main/22400753.
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