The school board approved authorization to request a declaratory judgment concerning the sale of the Columbian Theater during their regular monthly meeting last Thursday.
Board members went into executive session for the purpose of potential litigation. When the members returned to open session, they voted to file a declaratory judgement action with the courts to determine which of two contracts are legally binding between the board and Dr. Ben Arnold in reference to the theater.
There are currently two signed contracts. One contract states that Arnold will have the first right of refusal on the theater and purchase it back for $1. This contract was approved by the board after Arnold gifted the theater to the school district for $1.
The second contract states that Arnold will have the first right of refusal to purchase the theater back at fair market value, which is the copy filed in the Adair County Clerk’s office.
Superintendent Jason Faulkner has stated in prior meetings that the last appraisal estimated fair market value to be around $50,000. Arnold does wish to exercise his right to take back the theater. However, he said he only agreed to the $1 purchase price.
The Kentucky Department of Education mandates how property can be sold as surplus property. One of the criteria states that it must be sold at fair market value.
The declaratory judgement action will send the issue to the court system to resolve the controversy over the two contracts to avoid litigation.
In other business, September ASCEND awards were presented to three people based on the key element of integrity. The recipients this month are Gerald Hadley for elementary, Jason Blackaby for secondary and Connie Young for the district.
FFA members Abby Maulden and Katie Kean with assistance from advisor Robin Hancock provided a PowerPoint presentation to kick off “All in for Ag Education” week.
Faulkner announced that Franklin Nissan has donated a 2026 Nissan Kix and the driver’s ed program has returned this year. He said that Adair is the only district in this area to offer it now. Shawn Bardin will be the instructor.
“We will take it Monday to Louisville to get an e-brake installed. It will have stickers that say, ‘Adair County Driver’s Ed’ and ‘Student Driver’ on it – in hopes that we can get kids in this class and it will provide families some relief on getting insurance,” he said.
Jaimie Wisdom, finance director, presented the tentative budget reflecting the new beginning balances.
“I am happy to report that the general fund beginning balance due to the way we ended the school year is $1,969,740.22. We had only budgeted $1.5 million so that was a well-done job there to increase that beginning balance…In that I was able to increase the contingency…so we are at a healthy contingency,” said Wisdom.
Anthony Darnell gave a buildings and grounds update. He said they were finding small things that need to be fixed from the summer months, but nothing substantial.
Gates have been installed under the bleachers at the football field, which will house the track and field equipment. The fencing at the football field is also being extended, which will help secure the area more.
“What they were working on, we haven’t got finished yet, and it’s super important to me, is to get a light on the flag out at the football field. We have got the light. We will have to pour a concrete pad and do a lot of it by hand. It has been so hot, we are waiting for the weather to break next week…We will get the light on the flag, so it is visible at all times,” said Darnell.
Three new buses are now on the roads. One has an issue with the seal around the door. However, a technician will be fixing it this week.
“Something Mr. Irvin didn’t mention, and I really hate to take away from anything he wants to advise you all of, but the van that he received through the WHAS grant we received last month is in. We are waiting on the decals to be put on it now. It will be of great use to the district,” he said.
Darnell also said that he had to purchase a load of diesel fuel this week at a rate of $5.14 per gallon, which is a substantial increase. He said they would their do best to conserve as much as possible. However, some of the buses must be started and allowed to run and warm up.
In final business, Faulkner said that the board meeting room and the upstairs kitchen would both be receiving new flooring beginning this week. The contract with Columbia City Police for two school resource officers are the same as last year with the board paying $20,000 each toward the salaries.
Faulkner said that the Adair County Sheriff’s department had requested the contract be revised to include an additional $1500 per school resource officer.
“That covers Mr. Brockman being here pretty much. So, I felt like that was still a pretty fair deal with what we’ve got,” he said.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
