At the October monthly meeting of the Adair County Board of Education, state accountability test results, ASCEND awards, a new tax law and building and grounds were the topics of discussion.
The ASCEND awards this month recognized the value of support of the community. The primary award was presented to Ryan McQueary, and the secondary award was presented to Michael Metcalfe. For the first time, the district award was presented to a substitute teacher, Kim Farmer.
Sarah Hatton, director of secondary instruction, presented the state accountability test scores to the board members.
Hatton began by pointing out that all Adair County schools are at or above the state average and none were identified for federal support, which means that none of the groups are performing well below average. All the schools are in yellow, which is medium.
She said that every school missed being in the high, blue level, by less than four points. The color is based on status, which is how students scored in the current year plus change, which is growth credit versus last year.
During the 2025 school year, there were big gains. That set a higher bar for growth this year. Even though the middle and high schools dropped to yellow, they remain above their 2024 scores.
Adair County schools’ 2026 state assessment results show continued progress at the elementary level, strong college and career readiness at the high school and areas for improvement at the middle and high schools.
The high school and middle school saw their overall scores decline from last year, but both remain above their 2024 scores. The elementary schools improved, one of the few gains in the region, and scored above the state average in every reported indicator.
ACES’s overall score increased, with improvements in reading, math, science, social studies and writing. School climate and safety also continued to improve.
The results reflect the work of both the elementary school and ACPC, where students build the foundational skills they need before taking state assessments in third grade.
At the middle school, reading and math remain above the state average, and school climate and safety improved for a second consecutive year. Science, social studies and writing remain areas of concern, although performance in those subjects is still above the school’s 2024 level.
Adair County High School ranked among the top 10 percent of Kentucky high schools for postsecondary readiness, earning its highest result yet. Its graduation rate also remained above the state average, while science, social studies and writing showed continued improvement. Reading and math are priorities for the coming year following a decline in performance.
Overall, there were fewer students reported scoring at the novice level, the lowest category on the state assessment, than students statewide in every subject.
The focus will remain on improving high school reading and math, strengthening science, social studies and writing at the elementary and middle school levels, and raising all three schools from yellow to green status.
“Again, I will preface everything by saying we are nowhere near close to where we want to be, but we are making gains to get there,” said Superintendent Jason Faulkner. “I am proud of the work we have done so far, but we have a lot of room to improve.”
A memorandum of understanding between the Kentucky Education fund and the school board was approved. This is a new program at the federal level that will allow taxpayers to designate where $1700 of their tax dollars will go. This memorandum will allow Adair County to take advantage of this incentive.
The board approved the matching of Kentucky Educational Technology System’s first offer of assistance in the amount of $29,794 for fiscal year 2027.
Anthony Darnell gave an update on building and grounds. Some lights, mostly belonging to Taylor County RECC, were replaced with LED bulbs and timers for lights had to be reset with the time change.
Darnell also addressed a sewer type smell in the new middle school. Contractors helped locate the issue and resolve it.
Three state inspectors came to the new middle school during the week of fall break. During construction, there had been pumps that had not been turned on, traps that needed repair and boxes in the sinks in the science labs were replaced.
Numerous tests were performed and everything was completed. The smell is no longer an issue.
Darnell said that he had already ordered salt in preparation for the winter. They are also continuing to close in the fence around the football field. The light on the flag at the football field has also been installed.
