By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
As Caverna Independent Schools prepares for the upcoming school year, Thursday’s meeting of the Caverna Board of Education focused largely on codifying policies for students and stipends for staff.
The district’s virtual learning plan was first to be discussed after being tabled at the board’s May meeting.
One concern raised during the May meeting centered on wording stating that students would need a doctor’s permission before becoming eligible for virtual learning. Board chair Jennifer Briggs said she believed the language should instead reference a medical professional, noting some students may be unable to visit a doctor and instead rely on other licensed providers.
“We just deleted that whole section,” Superintendent Amanda Abell said. “We just went straight to Home Hospital and whatever the board policy says on Home Hospital and KDE.”
While the program is primarily intended for students with health or behavioral issues that limit regular classroom attendance, it was also noted that senior students with jobs that conflict with their school schedules are permitted to take virtual courses for English and math credits. Abell explained the same accommodation applies to students traveling to Western Kentucky University in Glasgow for college-level classes when those courses conflict with their high school schedules.
Director of Pupil Personnel Ken Cook expressed concern that a student might qualify for virtual learning through employment, then later lose that job while remaining in the program.
Abell noted student work attendance is monitored and that students who lose qualifying employment would no longer remain eligible for virtual learning under the plan.
The board ultimately approved the virtual learning plan, though some members expressed continued skepticism about the program.
“I think the seniors that take [virtual] English and Math should be a part of the school if they’re going to walk that graduation line,” Allison Dennison said. “They need to be in the classroom.”
In other business, board members approved the district’s 2026-27 stipend and extended employment schedule, outlining supplemental pay for administrators, academic coaches, club sponsors and athletic staff across the district.
At the district level, several administrative positions were approved for extended-employment compensation. The director of student services, director of exceptional children, director of student achievement and director of finance were each approved for $10,000. The director of maintenance was approved for $5,000, while the gifted and talented coordinator and district psychologist were each approved for $2,500.
At the school level, the largest administrative stipend went to the Caverna High School principal at $15,000. The middle school and elementary school principals were each approved for $7,500, while the elementary assistant principal was approved for $3,000 for 10 extended employment days.
Additional academic stipends included $2,500 for the high school music and choral director, $1,000 for both high school and middle school academic coaches, and supplemental pay ranging from $500 to $750 for yearbook, BETA and class sponsors.
Athletic stipends covered a wide range of coaching positions. Varsity head coaches in football, boys basketball and girls basketball were each approved for $6,000. Assistant football coaches were approved at tiered rates of $2,000, $2,500, and $1,500 depending on assignment.
Baseball, softball and volleyball head coaches were each approved for $3,250, with assistant coaches receiving $1,750. The athletic director was approved for an $8,000 stipend, while the assistant athletic director was set at $3,000.
Other extracurricular supplements included $4,000 for band director; $2,000 each for percussion, color guard and winter guard; and stipends for esports, golf, tennis, track and wrestling coaches ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. The schedule also included $3,000 for cheerleading and $1,000 for Colonettes.
The board also approved diplomas for this year’s graduating class. According to board member Wayne Hatcher, this year’s class is one of the largest in Caverna history.
The next scheduled meeting of the Caverna Board of Education will be July 9.
