Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Human Rights Commission (HRC)
February 2, 2017
Regular Meeting Fiscal Courtroom, Woodford County Courthouse 6:30 P.M.
Present: Sherry Brown, Tony Wilhoit, Dan Brown, Mary Raglin, Annete Muniz, Sheila Harris
Absent: Donald Morton, Marilyn Daniel
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Harris, Vice-Chair.
Approval of Agenda: S. Brown and Muniz made motions to approve the agenda. Motion passed.
Comments/Questions from Members of the Public: None
Presentation by Jimmy Brehm, Chief Academic Officer of Woodford County Schools
Mr. Brehm made an informative presentation regarding the English Language Learners (ELL) program in Woodford County Schools. The main goal of the ELL program is for students to learn the academic language to succeed in the classroom. 98% of ELL students are Spanish speaking and once a student exits the program, the student is monitored for two years. When needed, students are provided with additional support. The Commission was especially pleased to learn of the amount of involvement with students’ families and the high level of support which is being offered to families during this time of high anxiety.
Approval of Minutes
The December 1, 2016 minutes were presented. Wilhoit and Muniz made motions to approve the minutes. Motion passed. D. Brown also noted that the phone system was tested and the system is working. All phone messages are transcribed to a text and sent immediately to the HRC Complaint Intake Person, Daniel. D Brown reported the website does need updating with recent minutes and new officers.
Treasurer’s Report
Muniz presented a detailed report of all expenses and incomes September 2016 through January 2017. (See Attached Treasurer’s Report)
Recent Expenses:
Postal Service (PO Box): $60.00
Gift Reimbursement: $47.00
Midway Fall Festival Rental Site (St. Matthews): $75.00
Google: $20.00 for the months of October-January
Tent Purchase: $219.00
MLK Breakfast/Roots and Heritage: $170.00
Checking Account Maintenance $24.00
Recent Income: $00.00
Current Balance: $615.00
Muniz expressed concern because we are currently being charged $12.00 per month for checking account maintenance. Muniz will explore the 2016 budget contributions from Versailles and Woodford County in order to make sure those are up to date before the Executive Committee moves forward with a HRC budget draft.
Reports from Committees:
Education (Scholarship Committee): D. Brown reported and shared the recent MLK Breakfast photograph from The Woodford Sun. The Commission agreed that Tamia Jackson did a wonderful job speaking.
Fairness Ordinance Committee: No Report
Old Business:
Book Program: D. Brown reported that he will email a one page Imagination Library information sheet and pledge sheet as soon as possible. Discussion followed regarding possible funding sources. Commissioners volunteered to make contacts. D. Brown will send an IL volunteer contact and follow up in March with each Commissioner regarding the contacts.
Woodford County High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Club update: D. Brown reported he attended the January GSA Club meeting. Once again the room was at capacity. D. Brown shared that 14 GSA students worked two evenings of the Woodford Humane Society event at Kroger during the month of December. The GSA Club also plans a coat/gloves/sox drive the month of February. A GSA “Coffee House” is planned for end of April with the help of Woodford Fairness Coalition.
Appointment to fill Laruen Graves’ unexpired term: Harris volunteered to contact Morton regarding the progress of the Versailles appointment.
HRC Annual Reports to Governing Bodies: D. Brown volunteered to contact Daniel regarding the progress of the report.
MLK Breakfast: All eight Commissioners were present at the recent MLK Breakfast.
New Business:
2017 HRC Budget: Harris volunteered to contact Morton in order to call an Executive Committee meeting during the month of March. The Executive Committee will draft a budget to be submitted for approval to the HRC at the April 6, 2017 meeting.
HRC Meeting Schedule: The Commission decided to keep the April 6, 2017 meeting date even though it conflicts with Woodford County School spring break. D. Brown volunteered to contact Mayor Vandegrift to determine if the HRC can meet in Midway on April 6, 2017.
Updated Meeting Schedule:
April 6, 2017 – Mike Coleman, guest speaker
June 1, 2017 – Traugott, Vandegrift, and Coyle will be invited
August 3, 2017
October 12, 2017 (2nd Thursday due to conflict with Fall Break)
December 7, 2017
D. Brown will contact and remind Mike Coleman of his upcoming April 6, 2017 presentation to the HRC regarding illiteracy and Woodford County economic development.
Harris volunteered to contact Morton to remind him that he volunteered to invite Coyle, Traugott, and Vandegrift to the June 1, 2017 meeting.
Upcoming Events, Duties and Activities:
December 31, 2016 - HRC Annual Reports due to the 3 governing bodies
January through August 2017 – Fundraising for Imagination Library Book Program continues.
Thursday, April 6, 2017- Begin 2017 – 2018 Budget Draft Presented to Commission
April 2017 – Finalize and submit 2017-2018 budget to governing bodies
Next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in Midway City Hall. Mike Coleman will be present to discuss illiteracy and economic development in Woodford County.
Respectfully submitted, Dan Brown, Secretary