Latest news with #DeniseGriebel
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wyan-Pine 5th graders participate in mock 'We the People' congressional hearing
Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School fifth graders in Social Studies teacher Kristy Patton's third block class had the unique opportunity of participating in a mock "We the People" congressional hearing last Wednesday, April 30. At the hearing, three different groups of students took turns introducing themselves, giving speeches, and answering follow-up questions by judges. Judges at the simulated hearing included Superintendent Denise Griebel of Laurel County Public Schools, State Senator Brandon Storm (R-London), and State Representative Shane Baker (R-Somerset, District 85). Also present to assist with the hearing was Glenn Manns, Civics Empowers All Students Coordinator for We the People. "Students researched various topics about our government using We the People curriculum," Patton commented. "All fifth grade students were provided with the We the People curriculum this year to boost students' success in civics, literacy, and related competencies through inclusive teaching to become engaged and informed citizens to take an active role in democracy." The fifth graders showcased their knowledge on civics topics as a panel, defending their respective position based on the United States Constitution. Each group focused on a different unit. The first group consisted of Nate Warren, Kinslie Smith, Jennifer Do, Korben Allen and Atreyu Smith. This group of students discussed Unit 2 of the curriculum, which addresses which major conflicts required the framers of the Philadelphia Convention to make compromises, why it was difficult for the framers to reach an agreement on how to resolve their conflict, and how the compromise of later adding a Bill of Rights affected the Constitution. Group two included Izayah Patterson, Avery Damron, Isaiah Smith, Cole Knuckles, Cooper Harris, and Camila Mascorro. The group addressed the topics of Unit 3, pertaining to how the Constitution organizes government, the powers of the president, and how the framers used separation of powers and checks and balances to limit the powers of government. The third and final group consisted of Max Barnard, Raelyn Ivy, Colt Collins, and Sadie Hamlin. This group discussed what freedom of expression is and why it is important to democracy, how the Constitution protects freedom of expression, how the Constitution protects freedom of religion, and what freedom of the press should entail — all of which is addressed in Unit 4. We The People: Civics that Empowers All Students is a "federally funded project of the Center for Civic Education." The project is intended to support effective educator development. To learn more about We the People, visit
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Laurel Board of Education discusses budget, recognizes Bush boys basketball team
The Kentucky Department of Education recently announced a possible $40 million shortfall in school district funding for the current school year. During Monday's Laurel County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Denise Griebel shared that the prediction contributes to her belief that the district's 2025-2026 draft budget is likely inaccurate at this time. While Supt. Griebel stated that the general fund balance sits at approximately $4.3 million, she followed by saying that she is not confident that the numbers 'will hold.' 'There's just too many factors beyond our control to make too many changes in a draft budget,' Supt. Griebel stated. 'Basically, what you have presented is an updated working budget.' Griebel specifically noted that the potential of not receiving a full payment and her inability to make personnel changes until Feb. 1 could contribute to the unreliability of the projected budget. The meeting also brought more recognitions. First to be recognized was the undefeated Bush Elementary's boys basketball team. The boys were honored for being the 2024 district elementary basketball champions. Their coach, Aaron Rupard, praised the team for their performance, saying, 'I'm very, very proud of them.' Each of the board members were recognized by Supt. Griebel as well, in light of January being School Board Appreciation Month in Kentucky. Though he was unable to attend the meeting, Board Member Kevin Murray was also honored. Furthermore, Monday marked the conclusion of progress reports from principals of the district regarding their goals for the school year. Presenting that evening were the principals of North Laurel Middle School, Bush Elementary School, Cold Hill Elementary School, and Hunter Hills Elementary School. The Laurel County Board of Education meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The board's next meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 10, at 5 p.m.
